Shellac Stack No. 54 celebrates the 125th birthday of Ted Lewis with several of his early jazz records. We take a brief trip to Hawaii, listen to some “Sugar” songs, and relax with vocalists “Whispering” Jack Smith, Jane Green, and Peggy Lee. This week marks the release of Ted Lewis: Runnin’ Wild (The Early Years, 1919-1926) … Continue reading »

Shellac Stack No. 53 salutes “Ragtime Season” with more than a dozen rags. From string bands to accordions to pianos to xylophones to Hawaiian guitars to vocal quartets… explore the many styles of ragtime in this super syncopated session! We’ll hear from Jelly Roll Morton, Wally Rose, Ted Hawkins and Riley Puckett, Guido Deiro, the … Continue reading »

Shellac Stack No. 52 celebrates the 100th birthday of bandleader Van Alexander, features some mandolin records, and packs a “punch” with Frankie Franko’s Louisianians and Mutt Carey. We’ve also got records from Muggsy Spanier, Chick Bullock, Smith Ballew, Mel Blanc, and a 1917 Earl Fuller disc that will mow you down!

Shellac Stack No. 51 observes that “Bees Are Humming Around the Flowers” while reminding ourselves to keep “Painting the Clouds with Sunshine.” We hear from boogie-woogie pianist Montana Taylor, singers Franklyn Baur and Bob Roberts, Benny Goodman, Jean Goldkette, Louis Armstrong, Lester Young, Harry Reser, and lots more. “Heah Me Talkin’ to Ya?” On a serious … Continue reading »

Shellac Stack No. 50 wants you to get “In the Mood” with two seldom-heard versions of that classic, plus two different pieces called “Sugar Plum.” We head over to England to hear Claude Bampton’s Bandits, Cab Calloway sings about April, and Boyd Senter and Eddie Lang team up for the “Sigh and Cry Blues.” We’ve … Continue reading »

Shellac Stack No. 49 has the post-St. Patrick’s Day “greens.” We’ve got Irish piper Michael J. Gallagher, hot dance from Jack Shilkret, Roger Wolfe Kahn, the California Ramblers, and Harry Reser, and some scintillating piano solos from Frank Banta and Pauline Alpert. Lots more too! Following an ode to spring by Olive Kline (under the … Continue reading »

Shellac Stack No. 48 endeavors to put a spring in your step with some hot titles by the Castle Jazz Band, pop treatments of music from Bizet’s Carmen, some unaccompanied male quartets, a sprightly musical saw duet (YES! A saw duet!), a tribute to Barney Fife’s “other” girlfriend, and more. From Lee Morse to the Archibald … Continue reading »

Shellac Stack No. 47 features Irving Berlin songs from Fred Astaire’s film Follow the Fleet, a country classic from Jimmie Rodgers, hot fiddle from Eddie South, a Stephen Foster celeste solo by Felix Arndt, Ted Lewis, Anthony Trini (who?) and plenty more. That calls for a fancy fanfare!

Shellac Stack No. 46 salutes Valentine’s Day, celebrates pianist Cy Walter, explores the origins of electric recording, and presents J. S. Bach in unusual settings. From jazz greats Art Hodes and “Red” Allen to singers Margaret Whiting and Dick Robertson, it’s another musical variety hour from 78 rpm records! For everything Cy Walter, be sure … Continue reading »

Shellac Stack No. 45 salutes the winter weather before escaping to Puerto Rico for some danzas by Juan Morel Campos. We’ve also got xylophone ragtime from El Cota, an appearance by Jimmy Durante (“in person”), hot dance from Jean Goldkette and the California Ramblers, and much more.