Record #0639: That’s For Me (part one) / Russian Lullaby (part two) – LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND THE ALL-STARS

Decca 27187 (original) USA, 1950
Words & Music by:  Side A – Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II; Side B – Irving Berlin
Musicians:  Louis Armstrong (trumpet, vocals), Barney Bigard (clarinet), Jack Teagarden (trombone), Earl Hines (piano), Arvell Shaw (bass), Cozy Cole (drums)
Recording sessions:  Decca Studios, New York, NY, Apr. 26-27, 1950
Highest chart positions:  Didn’t hit the charts

Satchmo and his all-stars recorder 10 tracks in these sessions, which were among the best ones in Armstrong’s career. There’s a nice take on the Rodgers & Hammerstein ballad and a groovy jam on the flipside.

This one is in a boxed set of four singles. The other three will be posted a tad later.

List price:  Very Good+ is $6, Near Mint is $12

Record #0638: Livin’ on the Edge / Don’t Stop – AEROSMITH

Geffen 19149 (original) USA, Feb.23, 1993
Words & Music by:  Side A – Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Mark Hudson; Side B – Tyler, Perry, Jim Vallance
Musicians: Steven Tyler (lead vocals), Joe Perry (lead guitar andbacking vocals), Brad Whitford (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer(drums)
Recording sessions: Produced by Bruce Fairbairn at A&M Studios, Santa Monica, CA, USA during Jan.-Feb. 1992 and at Little Mountain SoundStudios, Vancouver, B.C., Canada during Sep.-Nov. 1992
Highest chart positions:  US #18, US Rock #1, UK #19, Norway #4, Finland #9, Sweden #29

Side A was inspired by the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Both sides were recorded in the sessions of “Get a Grip” album, but “Don’t Stop” was released only as the flip of this single.

Aerosmith had two singles topping the US Rock chart in 1993. This one did the trick first and “Cryin’” followed a couple of months later.

Weird Al Yankovic did a parody cover “Livin’ In the Fridge” the same year.

List price: Very Good+ is $1.50, Near Mint is $3.00.