Vinyl-O-Matic

By Will McCollumSociety & Culture Arts Music Personal Journals Music History

Vinyl-O-Matic episodes

February 04, 2021 Albums and All That, Starting with the letter I as in India, Part 2
Altered Images [00:29]
"Insects"
I Could Be Happy
Epic EPC A13 1834 1981
Have I mentioned my undying love for Clare Grogan?
Mose Allison [03:58]
"Your Mind Is on Vacation"
I Don't Worry About a Thing
Atlantic SD 1389 1962 (1966 reissue)
Sometimes, you just have to go with the classics. Featuring Mose on piano, Addison Farmer on bass, and Osie Johnson on drums.
Jim Croce [06:35]
"Workin' at the Car Wash Blues"
I Got a Name
ABC Records ABCX-797 1973
Posthumously release, this particular track made it to number 32 on the Hot 100. It was also covered by none other than The Great Gonzo.
Sammy Davis, Jr. [09:07]
"I've Got You Under My Skin"
I Gotta Be Me
Reprise Records RS 6324 1968
Usually can't go wrong with Cole Porter. Sammy appears in hippy frippery of the times on the cover.
Dire Wolves Just Exactly Perfect Sisters Band [12:57]
"Myriads"
I Just Wasn't Made for These Set Times
Centripetal Force CF.05 2020
An album title that I can certainly relate to. Easily one of my favorite albums of 2020.
Tony Bennett [25:06]
"The Best Is Yet to Come"
I Left My Heart in San Francisco
Columbia CS 8669 1962
San Francisco has been kinda weird lately, so we'll just pretend the best is yet to come.
Loretta Lynn [28:21]
"Walking After Midnight"
I Remember Patsy
MCA Records-2265 1977
Some great harmonies going on here.
Jack La Forge, his Piano and Orchestra [30:38]
"The Cleopatra Kick"
I Remember You
Regina Records R 282 1963
Well, you know I love novelty songs.
Spiritualized [32:48]
"I Think I'm in Love (Chemical Brothers Vocal Remix)"
I Think I'm in Love
Dedicated Spirit 014T 1998
Oddly enough, this 12" remix is shorter than the album version of this song.
Gilbert O'Sullivan [41:15]
"Get Down"
I'm a Writer, Not a Fighter
MAM MAM 7 1973
Some funky-ish clavinet from Mr. O'Sullivan. We'll presume he's singing about his dog. Made it to number 7 on the Hot 100.
Divine [43:53]
"I'm So Beautiful (Divine Mix)"
I'm So Beautiful
Proto ENA(T) 121 1984
Some Hi-NRG dance music from the one and only Divine.
Buck Owens and his Buckaroos [50:25]
"I've Got a Tiger by the Tail"
I've Got a Tiger by the Tail
Capitol Records ST-2283 1965
Every day someone is born who has never heard Buck Owens and his Buckaroos. Buck takes the solo on this one, and Don Rich helps out with harmony.
Buck Owens and his Buckaroos [52:37]
"Alabama, Louisiana, or Maybe Tennessee"
I've Got You on My Mind Again
Capitol Records ST 131 1968
A little travelling music please.
Music behind the DJ: "Gomez" by Vic Mizzy
57 min
January 27, 2021 Albums and All That, Starting with the letter H as in Hotel, and Some that begin with the letter I as in India
Stevie Wonder [00:28]
"Master Blaster (Jammin')"
Hotter than July
Tamla T8-373M1 1980
My favorite song at the beginning of 7th grade.
The Fresh & Onlys [05:36]
"April Fools"
House of Spirits
Mexican Summer MEX162 2014
You couldn't fool your mother on the foolingest day of your life.
Lee Hazlewood [09:07]
"A Real Live Fool"
Houston
Harmony HS 11290 1965
I've tried to perform this song with some friends, but there's something about the cadence of the lyrics that trips me up when I'm playing guitar. Go figure.
Unknown [11:36]
"The Right Ball fo You"
How to Bowl Like the Champions
American Sight & Sound Corporation 1960
Oh how I miss bowling.
Antoinette Vischer, Neely Bruce, David Tudor [15:28]
"John Cage & Lejaren Hiller: HPSCHD"
John Cage & Lejaren Hiller: HPSCHD/Ben Johnston: String Quartet No.2
Nonesuch H-71224 1971
In case you were wondering, Antoinette Vischer plays a Neupert Bach-model harpsichord, Neely Bruce plays a Hubbard double harpsichord with 17% Eltro time compression, and David Tudor plays a solid-body electronic harpsichord.
HUGElarge [37:01]
"New York"
HUGElarge
Hwy 61 Records HWY61-1001 2015
My favorite Sonoma County duo laying down a fine take on Nikki Sudden.
Human Television [39:50]
"Cars Are Weird"
Human Television
Gigantic Music GM120001 2004
Indie jangly goodness.
Howard Jones [42:21]
"New Song"
Human's Lib
Elektra 60346-1 1984
Yeah, that song.
Duran Duran [46:36]
"Hungry Like the Wolf"
Hungry Like the Wolf
Harvest SPRO-9786 1982
Hey, another single produced by Colin Thurston.
Bowerbirds [51:07]
"Olive Hearts"
Hymns for a Dark Horse
Dead Oceans DOC017 2007
Cheers!
Tom Jones [56:37]
"To Love Somebody"
I (Who Have Nothing)
Parrot XPAS 71039 1970
Yeah, Tom really works this one.
Andy Summers and Robert Fripp [01:00:01]
"Hardy Country"
I Advanced Masked
A&M Records SP-4913 1982
Two guitarists walk into a studio...
Dean Martin [01:03:14]
"I Can't Give You Anything but Love"
I Can't Give You Anything but Love
Pickwick/33 Records SPC-3089 1968
Dino's version originally appears on his 1957 Pretty Baby album.
Music behind the DJ: "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" by Lawrence Welk
1 hr 9 min
January 20, 2021 Albums and All That, Starting with the letter H as in Hotel, Part 4
The New World Theatre Ochestra [00:22]
"After Hours Joint"
Honeymoon in Manhattan
Somerset P-3000 1958
An approximation of Gershwin, I suppose.
Elton John [04:37]
"Susie (Dramas)"
Honky Château
UNI Records 93135 1972
An approximation of The Band, I suppose.
Fred Burton [08:01]
"There's Going To Be A Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight"
Honky Tonk Percussion
Spin-O-Rama S-8 1958
Honky tonk piano with percussion... with stereo separation.
"Fingers" Mahoney [10:15]
"Bicycle Built for Two"
HonkyTonk Piano
Riviera Records R0050 1960
Honky tonk piano with percussion... in mono.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra [14:02]
"Hooked on Bach"
Hooked on Classics
RCA AYL1-5022 1981
See? Those High on Music people got nuthin' on the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. This title single from this album reached number 10 on the Hot 100 in 1981.
Al Hirt [19:59]
"Holiday for Trumpet"
Horn-a-Plenty
RCA Victor LSP-2446 1962
Oh right, as opposed to "Holiday for Strings".
Dirty Three [22:15]
"Red"
Horse Stories
Touch & Go TG165 1996
So good. The third studio album from Aussies Warren Ellis, Mick Turner, and Jim White.
America [26:10]
"A Horse with No Name"
America
Warner Bros. Records BS2576 1971
Whoops... I guess Your Old Pal Will must've been a little sleepy when he filed this one. But the album cover does say AMERICA and then A Horse with No Name, so he put it into H.
Patti Smith [31:28]
"Gloria: In Excelsis Deo/Gloria (Version)"
Horses
Arista AB 4066 1975
One of the finest track one, side ones in rock and roll.
Isaac Hayes [37:20]
"Hyperbolicsyllablicsesquedalymystic"
Hot Buttered Soul
Enterprise ENS-1001 1969
How do you follow up a killer rendition Burt Bacharach's "Walk on By"? With this keller jam, of course.
Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen [47:39]
"Diggy Liggy Lo"
Hot Licks, Cold Steel & Truckers Favorites
Paramount Records PAS-6031 1972
A fantastic cover of the Jay Miller classic made popular by Doug Kershaw.
The Rolling Stones [49:31]
"19th Nervous Breakdown"
Hot Rocks 1964-1971
London Records 2PS 606/7 1971
Got Stones if you want it. This single made it to number 2 on the Hot 100 in 1966.
Eagles [53:29]
"New Kid in Town"
Hotel California
Asylum Records 7E-1084 1976
What, you thought I was going to play the title track? C'mon... no one needs to hear that song for at least another decade. Meanwhile, this song features Joe Walsh on Rhodes piano and Hammond organ and is still listenable.
Boiled in Lead [58:34]
"Go! Move! Shift (The Moving-On Song)"
Hotheads
Atomic Theory TTA 8687 1987
Some Celtic rocking from the Twin Cities, covering a song written by Ewan MacColl, father of Vinyl-O-Matic favorite Kristy MacColl.
Music behind the DJ: "Walk On By" by Les Brown and his Orchestra.
1 hr 5 min
January 13, 2021 Albums and All That, Starting with the letter H as in Hotel, Part 3
Tom Jones [00:34]
"If You Go Away"
Help Yourself
Parrot PAS 71025 1969
Nothing like a little descending scale ballad to get things going. I'm a fan of Scott Walker's version of this Brel/McKuen number so I figured I'd give Tom's version a chance.
The Decemberists [04:39]
"Billy Liar"
Her Majesty the Decemberists
Jealous Butcher Records JB~046 2003
A little ditty about Keith Waterhouse's fictional fantasist.
Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 [08:46]
"Mas Que Nada"
Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66
A&M Records SP 4116 1966
Perhaps the first Portuguese-language hit to crack the US, this single made it to number 47 on the Hot 100.
Def Leppard [11:25]
"Bringin' on the Heartbreak"
High 'n' Dry
Mercury SRM-1-4021 1981
This first, and better version of this power ballad for the chicks. And I'll be darned, evidently Mariah Carey covered this song. The more you know.
The High-On Music, Musicans & Singers [17:28]
"Merry Christmas"
High-On Christmas
Parade Records PA108
Look, it's over before you know it. Just bear with me.
Gilbert O'Sullivan [21:27]
"Too Much Attention"
Himself
MAM MAM4 1972
I could subject you to the world's most depressing song, but instead we're going with the track just before that.
Duke Ellington and his Orchestra [26:17]
"Satan Takes a Holiday"
His Piano and His Orchestra at Bal Masque
Columbia CS 8098 1959
An extremely refined version of this Larry Clinton number.
Curtis Mayfield [23:58]
"Gypsy Woman"
His Early Years with The Impressions
ABC Records ABCX-780/2 1973
The Impressions first single after the departure of lead singer Jerry Butler. Made it to number 20 on the Hot 100 and number 2 on the R&B charts.
Chelease Wolfe [31:03]
"16 Psyche"
Hiss Spun
Sargent House SH185-GS 2017
One of my favorite albums of 2017. Yet another artist I look forward to seeing perform live in the After Times.
Joni Mitchell [35:19]
"The Boho Dance"
The Hissing of Summer Lawns
Asylum Records EQ-1051 1975
Can you be an artist and keep your cred when success comes along?
Split Enz [39:04]
"What's the Matter with You"
History Never Repeats - The Best of Split Enz
A&M Records SP-3289 1987
Loyal listeners of Vinyl-O-Matic know of my undying love for "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" so I've decided to shake things up this time around. This Neil Finn song originally comes from their 1980 album True Colors.
Starbuck [42:08]
"Moonlight Feels Right"
Hit Machine
K-Tel TU 2480 1976
20 Original Hits! 20 Original Stars! Some hot marimba action for you folks. This number made it to number 3 on the Hot 100 in 1976.
Mantovani [46:59]
"Goldfinger"
Hollywood
London Records PS 516 1967
Mr. Mononymous brings us his take on the John Berry instant classic.
America [49:39]
"Ventura Highway"
Homecoming
Warner Bros. Records BS 2655 1972
The real questions here is, what songs hasn't Hal Blaine played drums on?
Pete Shelley [53:12]
"Homosapien"
Homosapien
Genetic Records ILPS 9676 1981
Shelley's first solo venture catches your ear with the synth arpeggiator and doesn't let go. Originally intended as a Buzzcocks demo.
Roberto Rossani and his Orchestra [57:47]
"Musetta Waltz"
Honeymoon in Italy
Somerset SF-4700 1959
Italian because there's an accordian?
Bonus Content: K-Tel Hit Machine Television Commercial
Music behind the DJ: "James Bond with Bongos" by John Barry.
1 hr 3 min
January 07, 2021 Albums and All That, Starting with the letter H as in Hotel, Part 2
Pallbearer [00:24]
"Thorns"
Heartless
Profound Lore Records PFL179LP 2017
Some doomy goodness from the these Little Rock gents. One of my favorite albums from 2017.
The Isley Brothers [05:48]
"Fight the Power (Part 1 & 2)"
The Heat Is On
T-Neck PZ 33536 1975
Scorching opener from the Brothers 1975 double platinum album.
Thou [11:09]
"Into the Marshlands/Clarity"
Heathen
Howling Mine ORE007 2014
More heaviness, this time by way of Louisiana. Easily one of the best doom albums of the last 10 years.
Heaven 17 [19:40]
"(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang"
Heaven 17
Arista AL 6606 1982
Sadly, as true today as it was 40 years ago, if not more so.
Cheap Trick [23:58]
"Reach Out"
Heavy Metal - Music from the Motion Picture
Full Moon DP-90004/Asylum Records DP-90004 1981
So very 1981 in the best possible way. Roy Thomas Baker produced this excellent Cheap Trick pop rocker co-written by Pete Comita, the bassist who briefly replaced Tom Petesson.
Virgil Fox [27:34]
"J.S. Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565"
Heavy Organ at Carnegie Hall, Vol. 2
RCA Red Seal ARL1-0477 1974
That's right, Bach orgelwerk set to a light show, oops light experience. No, really.
Taj Mahal [35:44]
"Diving Duck Blues"
Heavy Sounds
Columbia CS 9952 1970
Compilation for the kids who are into the heavy stuff. This track is a selection from Taj's first album.
Swiss Yodel Club [40:03]
"Sounds of Switzerland: Wolfsbödeler Yodel Song/Wie Bas Ich Mir Da Obe"
Songs from Heidi
Disneyland DQ-1327 1968
Yodels recorded via the tin cans and string method?
Bloc Party [44:16]
"Helicopter (Weird Science Remix featuring Peaches)"
Helicopter
Dim Mak Records DM095 2006
The sounds of 2006, in a good way.
Gravy Train!!!! [50:05]
"Burger Baby"
Hello Doctor
Kill Rock Stars KRS 389 2003
Why yes, of course there's a video.
Los Campesinos! [51:55]
"Baby I Got the Death Rattle"
Hello Sadness
Heart Swells HS001/Turnstile 796.A022.010 2011
This is an album that just keeps on giving. I always enjoy putting it on the turntable.
Music behind the DJ: "Spinning Wheel" by Terry Baxter and his Orchestra
1 hr
December 30, 2020 Albums and All That, Starting with the letter H as in Hotel
The Turtles [00:23]
"She'd Rather Be with Me"
Happy Together
White Whale WW 114 1967
Sure I could have gone with the smash hit title track, I dig this side two lead off that was also a hit for The Turtles, peaking at number 3 on the Hot 100. Also, charity is out of sight.
Miss Kittin [02:33]
"Happy Violentine (Marco Passarani San Valentino Mix)"
Happy Violentine
NovaMute 12NOMU140 2005
Another quality 12" from Miss Kittin.
Nathan Salzburg [08:37]
"Mrs. Gristle's Reel"
Hard for to Win and Can't Be Won
No Quarter NOQ 035-1 2013
For those of you wishing to play along at home, the tuning is CGDGAD.
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers [11:43]
"A Thing About You"
Hard Promises
Backstreet Records BSR-5160 1981
This album came out just in time for my 13th birthday. I've played it almost as much as Damn the Torpedoes over the years.
Sebadoh [16:57]
"On Fire"
Harmacy
Sub Pop SP370 1996
Sebadoh's thrid outing with Sub Pop.
Desmond Dekker [20:33]
"Shanty Town"
The Harder They Come (Original Sountrack Recording)
Mango SMAS-7400 1972
Some quality rocksteady from the rude boy himself.
Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra [23:13]
"Harrison: Elegiac Symphony - Tears of the Angel Israfel"
Harrison: Elegiac Symphony/Hughes: Cadences for Large Orchestra. Two Conductors, Multisoloists, and Electronic Tape.
1750 Arch Records S-1772 1977
Huh... that b-side sounds really cool. Maybe in Season 7 I'll play all 23:36 of it. Stay tuned!
Neil Young with the Stray Gators [28:51]
"Out on the Weekend"
Harvest
Reprise Records MS 2032 1972
The Stray Gators were Ben Keith on steel guitar, Kenny Buttrey plays drums, Tim Drummon on bass, Jack Nitzsche on piano and slide guitar.
Don Ho [35:08]
"Blue Hawaii"
Hawaii's Greatest Hits
Reprise Records RS 6418 1970
Fun fact: The Don Ho Fan Club was located in Beverly Hills.
Cherry Glazerr [38:02]
"Haxel Princess"
Haxel Princess
Burger Records BRGR520 2014
Title track from one of my favorite albums from 2014, on excellent pink splatter vinyl.
The Decemberists [40:44]
"The Rake's Song"
The Hazards of Love
Capitol Records 50999 2 14710 1 8 2009
A fine rock opera with some help from Lavendar Diamond as well.
Dave Mason [44:01]
"Here We Go Again"
Headkeeper
Blue Thumb Records BTS 34 1972
Mason's second solo album after the demise of Traffic.
Todd Rundgren [47:01]
"Pulse"
Healing
Bearsville BHS 3522 1981
Rundgren's ninth studio album. All aspects of the album from instruments to engineering by Todd, of course.
Linda Ronstadt [50:02]
"Willin'"
Heart Like a Wheel
Capitol Records ST-11358 1974
Linda taking this Little Feat number for a nice cruise. Some high quality pedal steel work from Sneaky Pete.
Tom Waits [53:02]
"(Looking for) The Heart of Saturday Night"
The Heart of Saturday Night
Asylum Records 7E-1015 1974
Longtime Vinyl-O-Matic listeners will know that there is a lively rendition of this song by Jerry Jeff Walker.
Music behind the DJ: "Brazil" by Billy Mure
1 hr
December 26, 2020 Albums and All That, Starting with the letter G as in Golf, and some that begin with the letter H as in Hotel
Nat King Cole [00:32]
"Stardust"
Greatest Love Songs
Capitol Records ST(L) 7116041 1985
A South African compilation of Nat's finest love songs. This rendition of Hoagy Carmichael's 1927 standard is indeed pretty fine.
Creedence Clearwater Revival [03:45]
"Green River"
Green River
Fantasy 8393 1969
Classic Side One Track One from a Classic Album.
Tom Jones [06:17]
"Kansas City"
Green, Green Grass of Home
Parrot PAS 71009 1967
I think Kansas City is quite a distance from Wales.
Philippe Entremont with the Philadelphia Orchestra [09:02]
"Grieg: Concerto in A Minor for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 16 I - Allegro Moderato"
Grieg: Concerto For Piano And Orchestra In A Minor, Op. 16 / Moussorgsky: Pictures At An Exhibition
Columbia Masterworks ML 5301 1958
My first Walkman (yes, Walkman) came with a Sony demonstration cassette that featured a rendition of Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor performed by Hiroko Nakamura and the Tokyo Philharmic Orchestra, and I've been hooked ever since.
Kowloon Walled City [22:20]
"The Grift"
Grievances
Gilead Media RELIC68 2015
Excellent Bay Area heaviness on some incredible translucent nebula vinyl.
The Sandpipers [26:07]
"La Bamba"
Guantanamara
A&M SP 4117 1966
Some easy to digest easy listening version of La Bamba that you will ever hear.
Tony Bennett with the Count Basie Orchestra [28:52]
"Chicago"
Guest Star: Tony Bennett/Al Tornello
Guest Star G 1485 1961
I figured we'd continue our big city tour of the Midwest.
Red Rhodes [30:58]
"Woodsheddin'"
The Guitar around the World
Alshire S-5199 1967
A few years later, Red Rhodes would join forces with Michael Nesmith for a partnership that would produce The First National Band.
Herb Ellis and Charlie Byrd [33:12]
"Bluesette"
Guitar/Guitar
Columbia CS 9130 1965
Now there's some excellent stereo separation for you. The standard originally composed by Toots Thielemans.
Habibi [36:38]
"Detroit Baby"
Habibi
Burger Records BRGR492 2014
Some excellent garage pop from these Brooklyn women on their debut outing.
Lynn Kellogg, Melba Moore, James Rado, and Gerome Ragni [41:09]
"Good Morning Starshine"
Hair: The Original Broadway Cast Recording
RCA Records LSO-1150 1968
Goddam hippies.
Sonny and the Sunsets [43:42]
"Hairdressers from Heaven"
Hairdressers from Heaven
Rocks in Your Head Records RIYHR 001 2019
Continuing the theme of hair.
Chér [45:44]
"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?"
Half-Breed
MCA Records MCA-2104 1973
Goodbye Sonny (as producer), hello Snuff Garrett (as producer). Pretty solid rendition of Barry & Robin's classic. Yup, that's right... I watched the BeeGee documentary recently.
Yellow Eyes [49:08]
"Ice Knell"
Hammer of Knight
Gilead Media relic85 2018 (original release: Sibir Records SR 001 2013)
Some NYC based black metal to liven things up a bit. A gold and black splatter slab of vinyl.
Les Brown and his Orchestra [53:32]
"These Boots Were Made for Walkin'"
Happiness Is... Up, Up and Away with the Happy Hits of Today
Reader's Digest/RCA Custom RDA 106-A 1970
Groovy easy listening for sure.
Mitch Miller and the Gang [56:38]
"Where Do You Work-A John/Yes! We Have No Bananas"
Happy Times! Sing Along with Mitch
Columbia CS 8368 1961
Well, did you sing along?
Music behind the DJ: "Witchita Lineman" by Joe Reisman and his Orchestra
1 hr 3 min
December 24, 2020 Your Old Pal Will's Televisual Holiday Spectacular
Vinyl-O-Matic Special Presentation
Your Old Pal Will's Televisual Holiday Spectacular
This is only going to be up through the end of the year. If you want your own copy, shoot me a message. Merry Happy!
The Youngsters
"Christmas in Jail"
Jim Backus with Daws Butler
"I Was a Teenage Reindeer"
Doctor Teeth & the Electric Mayhem
"Little Saint Nic"
Frankie & Annette
"Surfers' Holiday"
The Sonics
"Santa Claus"
The Wailers
"She's Coming Home"
The Fall
"We Wish You a Protein Christmas"
Shonen Knife
"Space Christmas"
Jonathan Coulton & John Roderick
"2600"
Dean & Britta with Sonic Boom
"He's Coming Home"
Loretta Lynn
"To Heck with Ole Santa Claus"
Buck Owens
"Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy"
Sonny James
"Barefoot Santa Claus"
Glen Campbell
"The Night Before Christmas"
Red Skelton & Betty Garrett
"Baby It's Cold Outside"
Heino
"Ski Und Rodel Gut!"
Charo
"Feliz Navidad"
The Monkees
"Riu Chiu"
Cover image: Sonny and Cher Christmas Special (1976).
If you are a fan of podcast applications, you can use http://vinylomatic.com/rss to subscribe.
If you enjoy listening to Vinyl-O-Matic, please consider becoming a member of KWTF or providing a one time donation. We are a small but growing radio station and could greatly use your assistance.
Want to be the first to find out when new episodes are archived? Sign up for the Vinyl-O-Matic newsletter.
1 hr
December 19, 2020 Albums and All That, Starting with the letter G as in Golf, Part 4
Elton John [00:32]
"Honky Cat"
Greatest Hits
MCA Records MCA-3007 1974 (1980 reissue)
Funky feline fun!
Loretta Lynn [05:46]
"Wine Women and Song"
Greatest Hits
MCA Records MCA-1 1968 (1973 reissue)
Loretta's 3rd top ten single on Decca, reaching number 3 on the country charts in 1964.
Dawn [07:48]
"Candida"
Greatest Hits
Arista AL-4045 1975
This first outing from Tony Orlando and Dawn reached number 3 on the Hot 100 in 1970.
Webb Pierce [10:53]
"I Ain't Never"
Greatest Hits
MCA Records MCA-120 1968
Legend has it that Mel Tillis traded crediting Webb as a co-writer on this number for a pair of boots that Pierce was wearing at the time. Webb's 1959 version made it to number 2 on the country charts. In 1972, Tillis' version made it to number 1.
Diana Ross [14:32]
"Upside Down"
All the Greatest Hits
Motown M13-960C2 1981
A great tune penned for Ms. Ross by Chic's Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. Made it to number 1 on the charts of course. I dig the guitar work on the outro.
Sly & the Family Stone [18:38]
"Sing a Simple Song"
Greatest Hits
Epic KE 30325 1970
The b-side from the all killer no filler 1968 Sly single "Everyday People".
War [22:35]
"The Cisco Kid"
Greatest Hits
United Artists Records UA-LA648-G 1976
One of my favorite songs when I was a kid, and I still love it. Definitely an irresistable hook. Made it all the way up to number 2 on the Hot 100, but was held out of the number one spot by... Tony Orlando & Dawn's "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree".
Willie Nelson [26:20]
"Good Hearted Woman"
Greatest Hits (& Some that Will Be)
Columbia KC2 37542 1981
Waylon Jennings wrote this inspired by a newspaper piece about Tina Turner's relationship with Ike. Purportedly written by Jennings and Nelson over a poker game. Jenning's version is quite excellent.
Petula Clark [30:37]
"Call Me"
Greatest Hits, Vol. 1
Warner Bros - Seven Arts Records WS1765 1968
Pretty snappy for what would become an Easy Listening standard.
ABBA [33:24]
"The Name of the Game"
Greatest Hits, Vol 2
Atlantic SD 16009 1979
Not sure why I like the more dramatic ABBA songs like this and "Knowing Me, Knowing You", but I do. This one made it to number 12 on the Hot 100. The bass intro was inspired Stevie Wonder's "I Wish".
Conway Twitty [38:13]
"Hello Darlin'"
Greatest Hits Vol. I
MCA Records MCA-52 1972 (1973 reissue)
Long associated with Conway Twitty, this single stayed at the top of the country charts for four weeks in the summer of 1970.
Bob Dylan [40:38]
"Tonight I'll Be Staying Here with You"
Greatest Hits Volume II
Columbia KG 31120 1971
The third single released from his 1969 album Nashville Skyline. Some pretty hot guitar licks.
Elton John [45:57]
"Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"
Greatest Hits Volume II
MCA Records MCA-3027 1977
Released in 1974 and topping the pop charts in January of 1975, this Beatles cover features John Lennon himself joining in on guitar and backing vox under the pseudonym Winston O'Boogie. I am pretty sure was the first version I heard as a kid, thanks to pop radio. Definitely recall the Univibe guitar opening and the synth lead in the middle, and the odd but awesome reggae break.
Marty Robbins [51:47]
"El Paso"
The Greatest Hits
Columbia C2X-3

Please enjoy this Dudley (aka H.B. Barnum) spoof of this 1959 song.
Johnny Cash [56:27]
"It Ain't Me, Babe"
Greatest Hits Volume 1
Columbia CL 2678 1967
Great admirers of each other, Cash recorded this Dylan song for his 1965 Orange Blossom Special with June Carter helping out on vocals. Their single made it to number 4 in the country charts.
Trini Lopez [59:29]
"La Bamba"
Greatest Hits!
Reprise Records R 6226 1966
A live version from 1963 of this traditional Mexican folk song, non-traditionally credited to Lopez which would normally be credited as traditional. Perhaps it's due to Lopez's Beatles-esque break in the middle of the arrangement.
Music behind the DJ: "Theme from a Summer Place" by Percy Faith & his Orchestra
1 hr 5 min
November 11, 2020 Albums and All That, Starting with the letter G as in Golf, Part 3
George Jones [mm:ss]
"Uh, Uh, No"
The Great George Jones
Wing Records SRW-16266 1964
The Possum lays down the law.
The Mills Bros. [mm:ss]
"Lazy River"
Great Hits
Dot Records DLP 25157
A fine laid back version of the Hoagy Carmichael classic.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra [mm:ss]
"Overture, Fidelio, Op. 72"
Great Men of Music - Ludwig van Beethoven
Time Life Records STL 546 1976
The overture from Beethoven's 1814 opera.
Guarneri Quartet [mm:ss]
"Third Movement: Menuetto - Allegretto, String Quartet No. 15 in D Minor, K. 421"
Great Men of Music - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Time Life Records STL 542 1975
Completed in 1783, purportedly while his wife Constanze was in labor with their first child Raimund. And here is where I come into the mic break with my best quiet somber FM classical radio DJ voice.
Luciano Pavarotti [mm:ss]
"La riverdrà nell'estasi (Un Ballo in Maschera - Verdi)"
The Great Pavarotti
London Records OS 26510 1979
A member of the Great Tenor Craze of the late 20th Century.
Sex Pistols [mm:ss]
"Substitute"
The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle
Virgin VD2510 1979
Ever get the feeling you've been cheated? The sooner John moves onto Public Image, the better.
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles [mm:ss]
"Tears of a Clown"
Great Songs and Performances that Inspired the Motown 25th Anniversary Television Special
Motown 2824ML 1983
Huh, how is it now that I just noticed the harpsichord in the left channel? Music by Stevie Wonder and Hank Cosby, lyrics by Smokey.
The Robert Shaw Chorale [mm:ss]
"Ave Verum, K. 618 (Mozart)"
Great Sacred Choruses
RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1117 1956
Sadly, not the actor Robert Shaw. Written by Mozart while Constanze was pregnant with their sixth child, Franz Xaver.
Steve Lawrence/Eydie Gorme [mm:ss]
"Sleigh Ride"
Great Songs of Christmas by Great Artists of Our Time
Columbia Special Products CSP
If it play, I'll play it. And it gets us to the end of this track faster.
Pat Boone [mm:ss]
"Stagger Lee"
Great! Great! Great!
Dot Records DLP 3346 1960
Everyone's favorite peppy murder ballad, the one that The Clash warned you about it.
ABBA [mm:ss]
"Ring Ring"
Greatest Hits
Atlantic SD 19114 1977
Naturally, hard to choose just one, but let's go with the lead track from their first album. The English language version had some lyrical help from Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody. The original Swedish version was their first entry into the Eurovision contest.
The Association [mm:ss]
"Along Comes Mary"
Greatest Hits!
Warner Bros. Seven Arts WS 1767 1968
Since we had R. Steve Moore's version a few episodes ago, I figured we could go with the original here.
Chér [mm:ss]
"Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves"
Greatest Hits
MCA Records MCA-2127 1974
Sometimes you gotta go with the classics, especially if you're an X-Files fan.
The Dave Clark Five [mm:ss]
"Bits and Pieces"
Greatest Hits
Epic LN 24185 1966
If you're a fan of Cheap Trick's Bun E. Carlos like I am, I think you'll enjoy his overview of Dave Clark licks.
Commodores [mm:ss]
"Slippery When Wet"
Greatest Hits
Motown M7-912R1 1978
Their first number one single on the Hot Soul Singles.
Bob Dylan [mm:ss]
"Subterranean Homesick Blues"
Greatest Hits
Columbia KCS 9463 1967
As a former goth club kid, I concur... don't try Nō-Dōz. Just have a cup of coffee instead.
Music behind the DJ: "Summer Samba" by Duke Ellington and his Orchestra.
55 min

About Vinyl-O-Matic

From the publisher's feed

Your Old Pal Will takes you on a journey through the peaks and valleys of all recordings vinyl. A through Z, organized alphabetically by artist/compilation title, irregardless of genre. Maybe it’s by title. Maybe it’s by album. Who knows what path we take next. New episode every Wednesday.

Share Vinyl-O-Matic

Sign up to save your podcasts

Vinyl-O-Matic

Vinyl-O-Matic episodes

About Vinyl-O-Matic