Thursday, November 27, 2008

Special Salesmen's Souvenir - TNY Records

Special Salesmen's Souvenir of 1965 Sales Meeting




1965 THY 34336 Stereo 12" 33 1/3 RPM

Side One
1. You Are My Sunshine (Unedited Version)

Side Two
1. 1965 Medley of Hits


Liner Notes:
Special Salesmen's Souvenir of 1965 Sales Meeting
Recorded Live, May 1965 At Pete Fountain's French Quarter Inn, New Orleans, LA

Pete would from time to time rent out his club for national sales meetings and other corporate events for companies. As a souvenir of the event, a special record would be cut for the event and given out exclusively to the attendees. They were never available for sale to the public and hard to find.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Christmas Albums Pete Fountain Appears On - MCA Records

Christmas Albums - Various Artist
Featuring Pete Fountain



Firestone Presents: Home for the Holidays
1976 - MCA Records MSM-35007 / Stereo

Side 1:
1. Hark, The Herald Angels Sing - The Pat Boone Family
2. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / It Came Upon a Midnight Clear / The First Noel - Jack Jones
3. It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Bing Crosby
4. Jingle Bells - The Brady Bunch
5. I'll Be Home for Christmas - Pete Fountain
6. Adeste Fidelis - Robert Shaw Conducting the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
7. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town - Loretta Lynn

Side 2:
1. Silver Bells - Lawrence Welk
2. Jesu Bambino - Liberace
3. Silent Night - The Pat Boone Family
4. O Little Town of Bethlehem - Burl Ives
5. O Holy Night - Roger Williams
6. Handel: Hallelujah Chorus from "Messiah" - Robert Shaw Conducting The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus

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The Enchantment of Christmas
1974 - MCA Records Special Markets 734662/Stereo

Side 1:
1. Jingle Bells - Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians
2. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / It Came Upon the Midnight Clear / The First Noel - Jack Jones
3. Angels We Have Heard on High - The Trapp Family Singers
4. Away in a Manger - Kitty Wells
5. Ave Maria - The McGuire Sisters
6. O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles) - Four Aces Featuring Al Alberts
7. The Birthday of a King - Judy Garland
8. We Wish You a Merry Christmas - Columbus Boychoir
9. Silent Night - Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians

Side 2:
1. Auld Lang Syne - Ames Brothers
2. Winter Wonderland - Louis Armstrong and Gordon Jenkins and His Orchestra
3. The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You) - Lawrence Welk and His Champagne Music
4. I'll Be Home for Christmas - Pete Fountain
5. Silver Bells - Brenda Lee
6. Toyland - Roger Williams
7. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Sammy Kaye and His Orchestra
8. Happy Holiday - Bing Crosby


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Zenith Presents - Christmas, A Gift of Music Vol. 6 - The Christmas Hit Parade
1972 Zenith Records (MCA Records Special Products) SYS 5562 DL 34878 Stereo

Longines Symphonette Society 1972, the jacket has F2182-872 as the album number; however, the record is SYS 5562, DL 34878.

Side 1:
1. Fred Waring - Roudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
2. Jo Stafford - Christmas Song
3. Harry Simeone - The Little Drummer Boy
4. Lawrence Welk - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
5. Bing Crosby - Silent Night

Side 2:
1. Leroy Anderson - Sleigh Rid
2. Roger Williams - White Christmas
3. Brenda Lee - Silver Bells
4. Pete Fountain - Winter Wonderland
5. Guy Lombardo - Auld Lang Syne

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Phil Zito and his New Orleans International City Dixielanders - Dixieland Express - Columbia Records

Phil Zito and his New Orleans International City Dixielanders
Dixieland Express




1950 Columbia Records 10" LP CL 6110 (Canadian issue, different cover)


Side A:
1. Bob Cats
2. Shine
3. Bye and Bye
4. Original Dixieland One Step

Side B:
1. She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain
2. Zito's Zag (2 Up and 2 own Beat)
3. Clarinet Marmalade
4. Tulane Swing

Liner Notes:

Dixieland Express

Phil Zito and his New Orleans International City Dixielanders
Recorded in New Orleans

Personnel:
Phil Zito drums
Emile Christian bass
Roy Zimmerman piano
Pete Fountain clarinet
Joe Rotis trombone
George Girard trumpet

The upswing in Dixieland music that began to gather momentum during the last months of 1919 is happily serving a dual purpose. Not only is it introducing this "happy-making" music to generations almost entirely unfamiliar with it and bringing back fond acquaintance to older enthusiasts, it is bringing recognition to a number of small groups that served faithfully and unceasingly during the Dixieland drought. Many of these groups, playing in nightclubs and theaters around the country, suddenly found that they were not, after all, playing mostly for their own amusement. They found that somehow the lively two-beat of their music had been taken up by a public weary of modernism and wary of over-experimentation.

This record introduces such a group: Phil Zito and his New Orleans International City Dixielanders. Long-time favorites of New Orleans citizens, Zito and his organization have been heard at almost every musical event in that fascinating city. They have played in nightclubs, at jazz concerts and battles, at dances. in theaters, in parks and at all sorts of celebrations. Zito's first group, organized in the late Thirties. built up a considerable reputation with local fans, but was disrupted by the war. When Zito returned from the Navy, he again began building up a small combination, emphasizing Dixieland music, and swiftly became one of the leaders of the jazz movement in New Orleans.

As currently constituted, the New Orleans International City Dixielanders consist of comparative old-timers in the rhythm section, with representatives of the younger musical generation in other spots. Zito himself is at the drums, Emile Christian plays bass, Roy Zimmerman piano, Pete Fountain clarinet, Joe Rotis trombone and George Girard trumpet. This is a festive outfit in the good old-fashioned New Orleans tradition. They put in plenty of time playing the usual round of engagements, but it is not uncommon to find them whooping it up at the opening of a new factory or spreading their music through the streets of the city to signal the premiere of a new film. If this is not precisely the clientele of the old jazz bands, it is at least the closest equivalent that these less rowdy days permit, and it carries their music directly into the daily existence of the lucky residents.

Eight samples of that vigorous brand are contained in this collection, some of them standard jazz exercises, some of them originals. In them is the happy compromise between high-flying solo work and closely-knit ensemble playing that distinguishes the New Orleans International City Dixielanders. Although their title may be a trifle cumbersome, there is nothing unwieldy about their music. Recorded in New Orleans, it has the special flavor of that city's contribution to popular music, bright, inventive and splendidly uncomplicated.

Monday, November 17, 2008

The Best Of Dixieland - RCA Records

The Best Of Dixieland
featuring Pete Fountain



1964 RCA Records LPM-2982 Mono/LSP-2982 Stereo

Liner Notes:

THE BEST OF DIXIELAND
Reissue produced by Brad McCuen

A Treasure-Trove for Dixieland Devotees

Just recently, a teenager "flipped" (he expressed it as "I'm flipped!") when he found out that jazz music is, relatively speaking, a young art. He just naturally figured that people had been playing jazz, and enjoying jazz, almost as long as music itself had form. With considerable logic, our young friend said, "You mean Bach didn't know about jazz?" Sadly, he didn't. Jazz is new on the tablet of time. The first jazz recording ever made was cut February 26, 1917 - not yet fifty years ago. It was, incidentally, made by RCA Victor and is included in this collection. And - it was Dixieland music. Dixieland evolved in New Orleans and is the oldest and most durable jazz style. In fact, it's been said that Dixieland is the jazz music that's most played and most enjoyed. This collection is firmly dedicated to providing this most delightful of all jazz - The Best of Dixieland.

Side 1
1. LOUIS ARMSTRONG: Rockin' Chair
2. TURK MURPHY: Tiger Rag
3. MUGGSY SPANIER: I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate

4. BOURBON STREET ALL-STAR DIXIELANDERS: High Society
(New Orleans, 6/12/56) What a jam session! And it was recorded right down in the French quarter of New Orleans. Originally High Society was a march, but it soon was adopted by jazz. Our soloists are, respectively, the late George Girard, Larry Shields, Jack Delaney, Lester Bouchon, Tony Almerico, Pete Fountain and Santo Pecora.

Leader/trumpet:
George Guard
Trumpet: Tony Almerico
Trombone:
Jack Delaney
Trombone: Santo Pecora
Drums: Roger Johnston
Clarinet: Pete Fountain
Clarinet:
Larry Shields
Tenor Sax: Lester Bouchon
Drums: Paul Edwards
Guitar:
Frank Federico
Piano: Roy Zimmerman
Bass: Phil Darios
Guitar: Wes Buchanan


5. HENRY "RED" ALLEN: St. James Infirmary
6. BUNK JOHNSON: When the Saints Go Marching In


Side 2
1. THE DUKES OF DIXIELAND: Tin Roof Blues
(Chicago, 5/3/55)
Pete Fountain was still a member of the Assunto brothers' fine little band when they cut one of Dixieland's outstanding themes. Dixieland at its best!
Trumpet: Frank Assunto
Trombone: Fred Assunto
Piano:
Arthur J. Seelig, Jr.
Drums:
Roger Johnston
Bass:
William O. Porter
Clarinet: Pete Fountain

2. BOB SCOBEY: Mississippi Mud
3. PETE KELLY AND HIS BIG SEVEN: Oh Didn't He Ramble
4. JIMMY McPARTLAND: South Rampart Street Parade

5. TONY ALMERICO: Milenberg Joys
(New Orleans, 6/10/56) Recorded in New Orleans, this performance was graced by two of the best Dixieland clarinets alive - Pete Fountain and Pee Wee Spitelera. The tune itself is dedicated to a picnic area a short way from the Crescent city.

Leader: Tony Almerico
Piano: Roy Zimmerman
Bass:
Joe Loyacano
Guitar: Frank Federico
Trumpet: Warren H. Luening, Jr.
Drums:
Johnny Castaing
Trombone: Jack Delaney
Clarinet: Pete Fountain
Guitar: Wes Buchanan
Tenor Sax: Nino Pecone
Bugle: Sam DeKemel
Clarinet: Pee Wee Spitelera

6. ORIGINAL DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND: Livery Stable Blues

® 1964, Radio Corporation of America

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Review - Hollywood Casino Performace, Bay St. Louis, MS Oct. 7, 2008

My Visit to See Pete Perform at the Hollywood Casino Oct. 7, 2008


Ticket for the event


Pete and Oliver "Stick" Felix

Pete poses for a picture with yours truly

Posing with "The Stick"

Pete Fountain - Ambassador to New Orleans Music
Short video of Pete's long career that plays before the concert starts
(taken with my cell phone video, please excuse the quality!)


The show was good, lasting about an hour. The song selection are all classics:

1. Introduction
2. Up A Lazy River
3. Basin Street Blues
4. St. Louis Blues
5. Hollywood Blues (version of BB King's "How Blue Can You Get")
6. Closer Walk With Thee
7. When the Saints Go Marching In

Personnel:
Pete Fountain - clarinet
Oliver "Stick" Felix - bass
Jimmy Weber - trumpet
Tim Laughin - clarinet
Tom Maggiore - tenor sax
Mike Genevay - trombone
Bruce Elkinson - piano
Allyn Young - guitar
Bryan Barberot - drums

Had a chance to talk with Pete. He told me that he does visit my blog frequently and thanked me for the work I've done. He mentioned "Where the heck do you find some of the stuff!". I'm glad he likes it. Had a chance to talk with Oliver "Stick" Felix, long time bass player with Pete. I wanted to ask him some details about his career, he was very nice to talk with and mentioned he would look up the website. It was good to hear Pete and the band play. Keep tooting Pete!

The Lawrence Welk Show Rare and Live Performances - Bootleg

The Lawrence Welk Show
Rare and Live Performances
featuring Pete Fountain



2008 - Bootleg Recording from original TV performances

1. Lady Be Good 2:31
Pete Fountain along with Johnny Klein, Buddy Hayes & Tiny Little Jr (1957)

2. I Want A Girl Just Like The Girl That Married Dear Old Dad 3:07
Lawrence`s son, Larry Jr directs the band in a dixieland number, featuring Pete Fountain at the clarinet (1958)

3. Round & Round 2:12
Featuring Pete Fountain on clarinet with Johnny Kline on drums, Buddy Hayes on bass and Big Tiny Little Jr on piano.(1957)

4. Dippermouth Blues 3:05
Featuring George Thow, trumpet; Pete Fountain, clarinet; Russ Klein, tenor sax; Jimmy Henderson, trombone; Big Tiny Little Jr., piano; Buddy Merril, guitar, Buddy Hayes, bass; and Johnny Kline, drums. (1958)

5. White Silver Sand 2:24
The Lennon Sisters featuring Pete Fountain (1957)

6. The Tiger Rag 2:02
Pete Fountain Soloist (1958)

7. Nobody's Sweetheart 2:05
Larry Hooper at piano and vocals, Pete Fountain at clarinet (1958)

8. Someday Sweetheart 2:08
Pete Fountain at clarinet (1958)

9. If I Had You 2:03
Pete Fountain at clarinet (1957)

Liner Notes:

For the first, these rare and exciting performances are now available on compact disc.

It was in the Fall of 1956 that three New Orleans musicians journeyed to the West Coast for the annual Gene Norman-Frank Bull Jazz Festival. They were veteran trumpet-man Al Hirt; a fourteen-year-old phenomenon on trumpet, Warren Luning, Jr.; and another veteran from the New Orleans jazz scene, clarinetist Pete Fountain. Among those in the audience that proceeded to flip over the playing of the New Orleans visitors was young Lawrence Welk, Jr. Forthwith he goes to the old man and says, "Dad, this you've gotta hear!" (Or words of similar import.) So Larry, Sr. put down his accordion, turned off the bubble-machine, and made the trip to the auditorium where the jazz bash was being held; and that night an idea was born. To wit: why not build a dixieland contingent from the Welk Orchestra around Pete Fountain, and feature him regularly, both at the dance sessions and on the weekly television broadcasts?

Thus it was that Pete Fountain left Al Hirt's band a few months after their return to New Orleans to accept an offer from Lawrence Welk that was (in Pete's words) "too good to turn down." Since joining the Lawrence Welk Orchestra as a featured soloist, Pete has taken advantage of the opportunity to study on the west coast - an opportunity which the mature Pete Fountain realized was a valuable one in keeping with his desire to grow musically. He is almost twenty-eight years old.

Although it is essentially the Welk Orchestra backing Pete in these performances, the arrangements are not of the "Champagne Music" style. Neither is it a jazz album.

Two years later he returned to jazz and New Orleans. As he puts it, "champagne and bourbon just don't mix" - but in two years he had become one of the most familiar names in American music, so the time had been well spent, well spent indeed!

I Want A Girl - Lawrence Welk Show 1958

I Want A Girl Just Like The Girl That Married Dear Old Dad (1958)