Johnny Hodges w/Lawrence Welk

[sidewinder]

I'm sure I saw ex-Herman trumpeter Lyn Biviano featured on one of those Welk shows.

[JSngry]

Found a used LP copy of this today for $3.99.

[Dan Gould]

Found a used LP copy of this today for $3.99.

←

Too bad. $3.00 more than I'd pay for it.

[JSngry]

Arrangers are: Benny Carter, Russ Garcia, Lyn Murray, Pete King, Dick Hazard (sounds like a STD...), Johnny Keating, George Wyle, Sid Feller, Marty Paich, George Cates, Jerry Gray, & Vic Schoen. Liner notes by Stanley Dance. And two piano solos by Gene Harris.

One of those statements is not true, btw...

[ghost of miles]

Seems like Welk (or somebody in his camp) commisioned arrangements specifically for the date, got some fine L.A. writers (Benny Carter among them, iirc) who understood the mutual requirements of such a meeting, let them do their thing, and, perhaps most importantly, treated Hodges like the royalty he was during the entire affair. Everybody was on the same page, and the results speak for themselves.

There's no polkas, no "la-la-la", "Calcutta"-type gimmick vocals, no typical Welk schmaltz, no anything other than Johnny Hodges as star of a very professionally arranged and performed mid-1960s type Easy-Listening album. It is what it is.

Listening to this one all the way through after picking it up a few months ago, and you've given a very accurate description, Jim. I think most Hodges fans would not regret picking this one up... next in the player is JOHNNY HODGES & THE ORCHESTRA W/BILLY STRAYHORN.

[Shawn]

The 2 shows that made me think my childhood was NEVER going to end...Lawrence Welk...and Hee Haw...both seen regularly at my Grandmother's house when I was a kid. I still have nightmares.

[BruceH]

The 2 shows that made me think my childhood was NEVER going to end...Lawrence Welk...and Hee Haw...both seen regularly at my Grandmother's house when I was a kid. I still have nightmares.

I know what you mean...when Welk was on, time seemed to slow to a crawl.

[montg]

Seems like Welk (or somebody in his camp) commisioned arrangements specifically for the date, got some fine L.A. writers (Benny Carter among them, iirc) who understood the mutual requirements of such a meeting, let them do their thing, and, perhaps most importantly, treated Hodges like the royalty he was during the entire affair. Everybody was on the same page, and the results speak for themselves.

There's no polkas, no "la-la-la", "Calcutta"-type gimmick vocals, no typical Welk schmaltz, no anything other than Johnny Hodges as star of a very professionally arranged and performed mid-1960s type Easy-Listening album. It is what it is.

Listening to this one all the way through after picking it up a few months ago, and you've given a very accurate description, Jim. I think most Hodges fans would not regret picking this one up... next in the player is JOHNNY HODGES & THE ORCHESTRA W/BILLY STRAYHORN.

If you like the Welk, you might also enjoy the Strings date Hodges did for Verve, playing all Gershwin tunes. I have a Japanese issue of it from a few years ago and it's pretty...sometimes I'm in the mood for pretty.

[montg]

The 2 shows that made me think my childhood was NEVER going to end...Lawrence Welk...and Hee Haw...both seen regularly at my Grandmother's house when I was a kid. I still have nightmares.

deja vu...my Saturday evenings at my grandparents were often spent the same way.

[Shawn]

The 2 shows that made me think my childhood was NEVER going to end...Lawrence Welk...and Hee Haw...both seen regularly at my Grandmother's house when I was a kid. I still have nightmares.

deja vu...my Saturday evenings at my grandparents were often spent the same way.

Then to make matters worse...my Grandfather became a big fan of Sha Na Na...so I had to watch that as well...

[chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez]

when did he have trane and cecil taylor???

[Shawn]

Coltrane - 1954. He's on the following disc (though does not solo).

For answer to Cecil Taylor, see post #13.

[montg]

The 2 shows that made me think my childhood was NEVER going to end...Lawrence Welk...and Hee Haw...both seen regularly at my Grandmother's house when I was a kid. I still have nightmares.

deja vu...my Saturday evenings at my grandparents were often spent the same way.

Then to make matters worse...my Grandfather became a big fan of Sha Na Na...so I had to watch that as well...

Sha Na Na! Ah, the golden era of the syndicated variety show.

Even though the squareness of Lawrence Welk was detectible a mile away to a kid growing up in the 70s, I kind of grudgingly dug Bobby and Cissy, they could flat out move.

Here's a cover of the sugary Hodges and strings date... a little at a time goes a long way.

[jazzbo]

when did he have trane and cecil taylor???

On the Twelfth of Never.