Record #0530: Rambling / Devil Train – THE RAMBLERS

Addit 1257 (original) USA, Jul. 1960
Music by:  Side A – Burton, Mike Borchetta, Vince Rissolo, Mike Anthony; Side B – Kip Martin, Borchetta
Musicians: Kip Martin (lead guitar), Mike Spremulli (sax), Larry Robertson (rhythm guitar), Chuck Tenney (bass), Vince Rissolo (drums)
Recording sessions: CT (?), 1960
Highest chart positions:  US #73

It was fairly hard to find information about this group and this record. Apparently they were all school kids, teenagers, when they released this. Three different listings show that this was the only record they made.

The group toured for a while with Chuck Berry, The Tokens and Dion & The Belmonts. They also performed in American Bandstand on Sep. 27, 1960.

Kip Martin later became a TV producer and a theater director.

List price:  Very Good+ is $15, Near Mint is $30

Record #0529: Because You're Mine / I'm Never Satisfied – NAT KING COLE

Capitol F2212 (original) USA, Sep. 1952
Words & Music by:  Side A – Sammy Cahn, Nicholas Brodsky; Side B – Herb Perry
Musicians: Nat Cole (vocals), Robert Lawson (sax), Pete Candoli & Carlton McBeath (trumpets), Francis Howard, Paul Tanner, Ed Kusby & Si Zentner (trombones), Ann Mason Stockton (harp), Buddy Cole (piano), John Collins (guitar), Charlie Harris (bass), Lee Young (drums), Jack Costanzo (bongos) and a string section. Orchestra conducted by Nelson Riddle.
Recording sessions: Capitol Recording Studio, Hollywood, CA, Jul. 31, 1952
Highest chart positions:  Side A - US #16, UK #6; Side B - US #22

The title song was taken from a 1952 musical film "Because You're Mine". Two versions of the song were recorded and released that year; one by Mario Lanza and one by Cole. Lanza's version did a bit better in the charts (US #7, UK #3). Lanza had an advantage as he starred in the movie.

Sammy Cahn wrote and co-wrote many hit songs. One of the best known of those is "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!".

List price:  Very Good+ is $5, Near Mint is $10

Record #0528: Jambalaya (On the Bayou) / Window Shopping – HANK WILLIAMS

MGM K11283 (original) USA, Jul. 1952
Words & Music by:  Side A – Hank Williams; Side B – Marcel Joseph
Musicians: Hank Williams (vocals), Samuel "Sammy" Pruett (lead guitar), Eddie Hill (rhythm guitar), Don Helms (steel guitar), Ernie Newton or Cedric Rainwater (bass), Fred Rose or Owen Bradley (piano), Jerry Rivers (fiddle)
Recording sessions: Castle Studio, The Tulane Hotel, Nashville, TN, Jun. 13, 1952
Highest chart positions:  US #20, US Country #1

This was Hank Senior's biggest hit. "Jambalaya" was one of the 11 songs he had at the top of US Country chart. It also got him his highest chart position in Billboard's Hot 100. Furthermore, it is probably his most covered and internationally best known song. The cover versions that had the most chart success were recorded by Jo Stafford (US #3, UK #11 in 1952), Fats Domino (US #30, UK #41 in 1961), John Fogerty (US #16, US AC #11, US Country #66 in 1972) and The Carpenters (UK #12 in 1974). In Finland it was a hit for Brita Koivunen in 1959. :)

List price:  Very Good+ is $15, Near Mint is $30

Record #0527: Settin' the Woods On Fire / You Win Again – HANK WILLIAMS

MGM K11318 (original) USA, 1952
Words & Music by:  Side A – Ed G. Nelson, Fred Rose; Side B – Hank Williams
Musicians: Hank Williams (vocals), Samuel "Sammy" Pruett (lead guitar), Eddie Hill (rhythm guitar), Don Helms (steel guitar), Ernie Newton or Cedric Rainwater (bass), Fred Rose or Owen Bradley (piano), Jerry Rivers (fiddle)
Recording sessions: Castle Studio, The Tulane Hotel, Nashville, TN, Side A - Jun. 13; Side B - Jul. 11, 1952
Highest chart positions:  Side A - US Country #2; Side B - US Country #10

This was Williams' second last single release in his lifetime.

The record is a country classic where the Drifting Cowboys provide a solid backing for Hank, Sr.
The title song was later covered by George Jones, Johnny Burnette and few other artists. The most successful covers of "You Win Again" have been recorded by Tommy Edwards (US #13 in Dec. 1952), Jerry Lee Lewis (US #95, US Country #4 in 1958), Fats Domino (US #22 in 1962) and Charley Pride (US Country #1 in 1980).

"Settin' the Woods On Fire" was recorded in the same session as Williams' biggest hit, "Jambalaya". That single will be the next post in the blog.

List price:  Very Good+ is $15, Near Mint is $30

Record #0526: This Year's Santa Baby / Hey Jacque – EARTHA KITT

RCA Victor 47-5914 (original, promo) USA, Nov. 1954
Words & Music by:  Side A – Tony Springer, Philip Springer, Joan Javits; Side B – Wayne Shanklin, Eden Ahbez
Musicians: Eartha Kitt (vocals) and an orchestra conducted by Henri René
Recording sessions: RCA Studios, New York, NY, 1954
Highest chart positions:  did not hit Top 100 in national charts

RCA tried to repeat the success that Kitt had with "Santa Baby" the year before, but that didn't quite work. There's nothing wrong with the performance, though. The old bag just didn't deliver the goods anymore.

Merry Christmas / Happy Holidays to all!

List price:  Very Good+ is $10, Near Mint is $20