We got this album in a super roundabout way, but we finally got it! Some swinging intrepretations of jazz standards by a prolific, but under-recognized pianist.

Listen:

• Cheerful Little Earful on AppleMusic

More information:

• Johhny Guarnieri on Wikipedia
• Johnny Guarnieri on JazzProfiles Blog

Video:

• Maple Leaf Rag in 5/4

Kawaii! Harajuku! J-Pop! We shake things up a little with a newer release. Apparently this business went viral in 2011 but we’re nerds so we’re just finding out about it now via listener contribution. 

Listen:

• Pamyu Pamyu Revolution on Amazon
• Pamyu Pamyu Revolution on AppleMusic

More information:

• Official Site
• Kyary Pamyu Pamyu on Wikipedia

Video:

• Ponponpon
• Candy Candy

Teaser: Truly, this album has all the warning signs of being terrible. Christmas in the distant future of 2001, missionaries to outer space (?), low budget children’s music… But it’s actually pretty good!

More information:

• Christmas 2001 on Discogs
• 2001 Songbook (put on the show for yourself!)
• Ralph Carmichael

Video:

• “Robots” Flight of the Conchords

Part two of our holiday series, we bring you a low-key, yet festive Christmas album from movie composer extraordinaire, Henry Mancini.

Listen:

• A Merry Mancini Christmas on AppleMusic
• A Merry Mancini Christmas on Amazon

More information:

• Henry Mancini on Wikipedia
• Henry Mancini on Space Age Pop
• A Carol for Another Christmas (on TCM)

Perhaps the quintessential Christmas album? We encourage you to start your own Ray Conniff style caroling flash mob and take advantage of these extraordinarily festive arrangements of classic holiday songs.

Listen:

• We Wish You a Merry Christmas on AppleMusic
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas on Amazon

More information:

• Ray Conniff on Wikipedia
• Ray Conniff International Fan Page
• Ray Conniff on Space-Age Pop

Video:

• Christmas TV Special

It's a special birthday episode! To celebrate co-host Steve's birthday, we count down the top four songs from the 3rd Festival Da Music Popular Brasiliera from 1967, via the 3-LP collection. Stay tuned for a most epic geek-out about Brazilian music and history.

Listen:

• Uma Noite Em 67 Documentary DVD on Amazon

More information:

• Caetano Veloso on Wikipedia
• Chico Buarque on Wikipedia
• Gilberto Gil on Wikipedia
• Edu Lobo on Wikipedia
• Órfãos do Loronix 

Video:

• Caetano Veloso - Alegria Alegria
• Caetano Veloso - Alegria Alegria (another version) 
• Chico Buarque & MPB4 - Roda Viva
• Fernanda Porto Roda Viva
• Gilberto Gil and Os Mutantes - Domingo no Parque
• Edu Lobo - Ponteio
• Complete Documentary on YouTube (Portuguese, no subtitles)
• Interview with Chico Buarque (Portuguese, no subtitles)

A listener request brings us folk songs from all over the world and we trace the path of a one-man recording operation to booming multimedia empire.

More information:

• Elektra Records on Wikipedia
• The Elektra Story by David Edwards, Mike Callahan and Patrice Eyries
• Follow the Music by Jac Holzman, et. al. 

Video:

• Los Gitanillos de Cadiz

A staple of your local thrift store-dollar bin, and a long-time favorite artist of Living in Hi-Fi, Herb Alpert! All the upbeat, easy-listening brass you can handle, and some trivia about Herb Alpert’s diverse artistic interests.

Listen:

• Going Places on AppleMusic
• Going Places on Amazon
• Going Places LP on Music Direct

More information:

• Herb Alpert on Wikipedia

Video:

• Silly Animated Short featuring “Spanish Flea” and “Tijuana Taxi”
• 1967 BBC Special

On this week’s episode, we feature a listener contribution! Pour yourself a margarita and settle in for some lively Tex-Mex accordion.

Listen:

• Return of El Parche on AppleMusic
• Return of El Parche on Amazon

More information:

• Steve Jordan on Wikipedia
• Steve Jordan on NPR

Video:

• Steve Jordan in Born in East LA

This album could totally have been made today by some earnest hipsters. It could be you and your neighbor who home-brews playing jugs and washboards on the porch. But no! It’s from 1964. A playful and timeless album of early jazz, blues, and folk tunes.

Listen:

• Ragtime Jug Stompers on AppleMusic
• Ragtime Jug Stompers on Amazon

More information:

• Dave van Ronk on Wikipedia

Video:

• Dave Van Ronk “St James Infirmary” for Folkways