popular music - caveinspiredmusic.com

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POPULAR MUSIC
UNITED KINGDOM & UNITED STATES
A to F
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PO-GB&US-AF1 United States 1994
ALHAMBRA GROTTO
Popular – Easy Listening – Circus Band – March – Orchestral
Comp: KING
Perf: SOUTH SHORE CONCERT BAND
Cond: Richard WHITMARSH
Prod. Co: The Orchard & Whitmarsh Recordings
Time: 2:35
1. CD: SOUNDS OF THE CIRCUS – VOL. 4
Orchard 1561 (Tk 10)
2. Reissue CD: SOUNDS OF THE CIRCUS – VOL. 4 (1999)
Whitmarsh Recordings SOTC-204 (Tk 8)
Notes: Part of a long series of circus band music albums. This band is based in southwest lower Michigan.
Ref: South Shore Concert Band, Sounds of the Circus – Vol. 4, Allmusic & Allmusic
South Shore Concert Band, Sounds of the Circus – Vol. 4, CDUniverse & CDUniverse
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PO-GB&US-AF2 United Kingdom 2004
ALADDIN’S CAVE
Popular – Country – Blues – Vocal
Mus: Lizzie MOORE & Jo FLETCHER
Lyr: Lizzie MOORE
(LY-PO1)
Perf: Jo
FLETCHER (vocal & piano)
Steve Fletcher or Jonathan Ware (guitar)
Ian Maidman (drums)
Prod: Ian Maidman
Prod. Co: United States of Distribution Ltd.
Rec. Co: Chapel Studios; Lincolnshire, England.
Rec. Date: 1994
Time: 4:29
CD: JO FLETCHER
United States of Distribution 429 (Tk 4)
Notes: An adult pop song given a slightly country blues arrangement with a short intro on piano and a
slow, melancholic pop ballad. The YouTube audio clip has the lyrics scroll by over an evening horizon.
The lyrics, two with 6-verses and one with 2-verses, tell of a lost love, a lost treasure. The chorus is
repeated – For my Aladdin’s Cave
For my broken heart
The third stanza –
Open up the heavy gilded door
Draw the curtains back
Strike a match and light your torch
Feast your eyes on the reflected light
From the jewels you see
Each one is a memory, another treasure
Followed by the 2-verse chorus, which is repeated five times as she takes the song into a long fade.
Ref: Jo Fletcher, Aladdin’s Cave (4:20), with Lyrics, YouTube (◄COMPLETE AUDIO SAMPLE)
Jo Fletcher CD, CDUniverse (◄AUDIO SAMPLE)
Mason, Stewart n.d., Review, Jo Fletcher, Allmusic (◄AUDIO SAMPLE)
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PO-GB&US-AF3 United States 1963
AT WEEKI WACHEE *
Popular – Foxtrot – Vocal – Cave Pic Cover
Comp: H. LYON
Rts: Blasco Music Inc. (ASCAP)
Perf: MARLIN
& THE MERMAIDS
(with choral, guitar, bass, & drums)
Prod. Co: ABC Paramount Records Inc.
Matrix: AMP 45-11703
Time: 3:07
Label: ABC Paramount 45-10493 (Pic cover)
Flip Sd: The Ballad of Silver Springs
Spec: 7" 45rpm
Notes: A silly ditty about this coralline limestone springs on the west
coast of Florida, north of Saint Petersburg. The first stanza should
suffice to make this clear –
At Weeki Wachee if you think you see mermaids
Floating in the waters of blue;
Don't rub your eyes in surprise that you see mermaids
Because at Weeki Wachee you do.
And the chorus – Weeki Wachee is the place to be (2X)
The main attraction at this tourist site is the mermaid underwater ballet,
which takes place near the bottom of the springs not far from the
resurgence. “Each day, more than 117 million gallons of clear, fresh
72-degree water bubbles up out of subterranean caverns… The basin
of the spring is 100 feet wide with limestone sides and there, where the
mermaids swim, 16 to 20 feet below the surface, the current runs a
strong five miles an hour… An 18-seat theater was built into the limestone, submerged six feet below the
surface of the spring, so viewers could look right into the natural beauty of the ancient spring.” (Anon n.d.)
The black & white photo showing Nancy Tribble Benda swimming in front of the underwater resurgence
cave was taken in 1947 by Ted Lagerberg.
The exploration of Weeki Wachee Springs by cave divers Matt Vinzant, Brett Hemphill, and Andy Pitkin is
an ongoing project. In February 2016 they had gone out beyond 7,500 feet (2,286m) and discovered
several large breakdown rooms. (Pruitt 2016) The have reached over 407 feet (124m) deep making this the
deepest cave system in the United States.
Ref: Anon. n.d., History of Weeki Wachee Springs, weekiwachee
Marlin & The Mermaids 45rpm, flicker
Pelland, Maryan & Dan 2006, Weeki Wachee Springs, Arcadia Publishing, 128p. Amazon
Pruitt, Buford 2016, Underground Online, NSS News, v. 74, n. 4, April 2016, p. 34
Vickers, Lu & Dionne, Sara 2007, Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids, University Press of Florida, 320p. Amazon
Vickers, Lu & Georgiadis, Bonnie 2012, Weeki Wachee Mermaids: Thirty Years of Underwater Photography, University
Press of Florida, 144p. Amazon
Vinzant, Matt, 2013, Weeki Wachee Springs Exploration 2012, mattvinzant.blogspot.fr
Weeki Wachee Springs, Florida Geological Survey Bulletin 66, caveatlas
Weeki Wachee Springs, Wikpedia
Weeki Wachee Springs Dive Exploration Documentary Trailer, Liquid Productions, (1:56), vimeo (◄VIDEO)
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PO-GB&US-AF4 United Kingdom 1980
BABY I'M A BAT
Popular – Music Hall – Vocal
Comp: Terry BRITTEN & Brian Alexander ROBERTSON
Rts: My Axe/United Artists Music
Perf: B.
A. ROBERTSON
Brian Alexander Robertson (vocal & whistling)
Terry Britten (guitar)
Billy Livesey (keyboards)
Alan Jones (bass)
Graham Jarvis (drums)
Prod: Terry Britten
Prod. Co: Asylum Recording
Rec. Co: Mayfair Studios
Time: 3:23
A. British Releases:
1. Single 45: Asylum K 12427 (stereo)
Flip Sd: Kool In the Kaftan
7" 45rpm (Gatefold Pic sleeve)
2. Single 45: Asylum K 12447 (stereo)
Flip Sd: Kool In the Kaftan
7" 45rpm (Pic sleeve)
B. West German Releases:
1. Single 45: Asylum AS 12427 (stereo)
Flip Sd: Kool In the Kaftan
7" 45rpm (Gatefold Pic sleeve)
2. Single 45: Asylum AS 12447 (stereo)
Flip Sd: Kool In the Kaftan
7" 45rpm (Pic sleeve)
Notes: B.A. Robertson is a Scots born composer and lyricist.
The slow, cool love song begins and ends with the chorus –
Baby I’m a bat
Who wants to have a ball
‘Cause I’m upside down
Could be no fun at all.
Then the first stanza starts – Do I look like a rat/ Who had a lousy life
It was difficult to transcribe some of the other verses but one verse stands out –
Come on ‘an treat me like a bat
After the final chorus, he does a long whistling solo that carries the song to a fade.
This 45 was released both as a single and with a gatefold cover, where when you opened it a paper pop-up
revealed a hand with two raised fingers in the form of the “V” peace sign.
B.A. Robertson recorded at least four other singles for the Asylum label.
Ref: B. A. Robertson, Baby I’m a Bat (3:30), YouTube (◄COMPLETE AUDIO SAMPLE)
B. A. Robertson, Biography, Wikipedia
B. A. Robertson, Kool in the Kaftan 45, Discogs
Robertson, B. A. 2008, Biography, barobertsongs
Smith, Pete; Blackman, Karen; Davis, Sylvia; Bellerose, Jennifer; & Kent, Jimmy (Editors) 1992, The Official Music
Master Tracks Catalogue, 4th Edition, Waterlow Information Services Ltd., London, p. 68
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PO-GB&US-AF5
United States 1963
THE BALLAD OF SILVER SPRINGS *
Popular – Country – Ballad – Vocal
Comp: Will MCLEAN (LY-PO3)
Rts: Pamco Music Inc. (BMI)
Perf: MARLIN
& THE MERMAIDS
(with choral, guitar, bass, & drums)
Prod. Co: ABC Paramount Records Inc.
Matrix: AMP 45-11702
Time: 3:07
Label: ABC Paramount 45-10493
Flip Sd: At Weeki Wachee
Spec: 7" 45rpm
Notes: This is a sad legend about the springs wherein Miss Mayo,
after not hearing anything from her lover for a year, goes to Ancilla
and asks to be lowered in a sack into the underwater "crack" (cave entrance) of the springs. When her
lover finally returns he finds her gone and joins her " 'neath the silvery waters." This seven-stanza ballad is
performed with a female choral group humming behind stanzas 2, 4, 6, and 7.
Corse tells an entirely different romantic legend – "Chulcotah was the chief of a tribe at Silver Springs,
probably Yemassee, whose enemy was Okehumpkee. The latter is the name of a spring 120 miles south of
Gainesville, which could have been named for a Muskogee chief. Winonah, Okehumpkee's beautiful
daughter, loved Chulcotah, but her father killed him in battle, whereupon Winonah drowned herself in Silver
Springs. The long grasses, glistening and swaying in the current, suggest her lovely tresses. The idea of
lovers united in the waters of the spring is quite in keeping with the Indian conception, as the place where
the sun and moon , fire and water, god and goddess are united." (Corse
1938)
“Main Spring, Blue Grotto, and The Abyss are collectively known as The
Silver Springs Group and form the headwater of the Silver River. Below the
head spring area, numerous smaller springs add additional discharge
within the first half-mile of the Silver River.” (Anon. 1 n.d.)
The flow from this limestone resurgence cave near Ocala, Florida was 800
million gallons daily in 1938. Charles McNabb and Bill Ray explored part of
this underwater cave in 1953 and found several mastodon bones.
(McNabb 1955) The photo above by Bruce Mozert shows McNabb and
Ray entering the cave. Today the flow is reported to be 550 million gallon
daily. (Anon. 2 n.d.)
The picture cover for this reverse side shows the Silver Springs flower garden with snap dragons in the
foreground being admired by a woman in a white dress while behind in the distance is the broad surface of
the springs with a glass-bottom tourist boat floating along.
This side of the 45 single had two editions: one with the song title printed in two lines (as here) and the
other with the title printed on one line.
Ref: 45 Discography for ABC Paramount Records, Marlin & The Mermaids, globaldogproductions
Anon.1 n.d., Florida’s Springs, Silver Springs, floridasprings
Anon.2 n.d., Silver Springs, Florida, Wikipedia
Corse, Carita Doggett 1938, Shrine of the Water Gods, p. 11-12, 25
Marlin & The Mermaids 45rpm, flicker
McNabb, Charles R. 1955, Underwater Discovery, The Waterbug, June 1955, p.10-11, 22
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PO-GB&US-AF6
United States 1976
BALLAD OF THE CAVEMAN
Popular – Music Hall – Novelty – Vocal & Instrumental
Comp: Danny ELFMAN (LY-PO4)
Rts: Little Maestro Music & Ursa Major Music (BMI)
Perf: MYSTIC
KNIGHTS OF THE OINGO BOINGO
Danny Elfman (vocal & rhythm guitar)
Miriam Cutler (vocal & clarinet)
Steve Bartek (lead guitar)
Brad Kay (keyboards)
Danny ELFMAN
Billy Superball (bass)
Richard Elfman (percussion)
Prod: E. Kaplan
Prod. Co: Pelican Records; Los Angeles
Time: 1:30
Label: Pelican 45-1001-B
Flip Sd: You Got Your Baby Back
Spec: 7" 45rpm
Notes: In a 1990 interview Danny Elfman talked about The
Mystic Knights: it was "a musical theatrical troupe, a very strange
dark cabaret… Over the course of those eight years it was kind
of real wild and strange and I taught myself different musical
styles, a little bit about writing, rudimentary music, and more a
chance to experiment with a lot of musical styles I liked. Oingo
Boingo started in '79 as a band." (Larson 1990)
It is probably safe to compare this kooky music hall band to the
mid-1960s British group that performed in a similar vein, the
Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band (see under Rock Music – Alley Oop 1966-2005).
This was the first single recorded by this group who later shorten their name to Oingo Boingo. Apparently
only 1000 copies of this 45 were pressed. (Tefteller 1983) The lyrics, delivered in at a rapid fire pace, tell of
a caveman encountering a half-naked cave girl, falling in love, and wielding his club. Then things slow
down and another voice sings – You can’t blame a fellow for trying his luck.
But the cave girl had some things to say “about the methods he used to communicate.” The song finishes
with the cave girl speaking her peace –
I never expected a caveman to exhibit much finesse,
but a fifty pound club ain't exactly a caress
So if you want to call me, you better learn to talk
Until you learn some manners buddy – (Shouted) Take a walk!
So here we see a switch in the way things normally turned out in a 50s or 60s caveman rock song. Instead
of the club-toting caveman dragging the girl away, we have the cave girl telling him to get lost.
In 1977 The Mystic Knights of Oingo Boingo recorded a 36-track album entitled, Live at the Alcazar
Theater, includig a cut, track 6, “Cave Princess,” about which nothing could be learned. (Saltyka 2010) It is
very possible that this album was never released; no further information could be had.
Danny Elfman went on to an important career as a film music composer. His film scores include "Batman,"
"Dick Tracy," and "Darkman."
Ref: John Tefteller Auction, Goldmine, n. 81, Feb. 1983, p. 153
Larson, Randall D. 1990, Danny Elfman: From Boingo to Batman – Interview, Soundtrack, v. 9, n. 35, Sept. 1990, p. 20
Mystic Knights, Ballad of the Caveman, (1:30), YouTube (◄COMPLETE AUDIO SAMPLE)
Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, Bio, Wikipedia
Mystic Knights of Oingo Boingo, Members, Wikipedia
Oingo Boingo, Ballad of the Caveman, Lyrics, metrolyrics
Saltyka 2010, Oingo Boingo – Part 1, The Mystic Knights of Oingo Boingo (1972-1980), saltyka.blogspot.fr
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PO-GB&US-AF7
United Kingdom 1933
BATS IN THE BELFRY
Popular – Music Hall – Comedy – Vocal & Instrumental
Mus: Frederic Chopin
Comp: Bentley HILLIAN & Malcolm McEACHERN
Perf: FLOTSAM
& JETSAM
FLOTSAM [aka. Bentley Collingwood Hilliam]
(tenor & piano)
JETSAM [aka. Malcolm McEachern] (bass)
Prod. Co: Columbia Records
Rec. Date: Oct. 6, 1933
Matrix: CA 13988
Time: 2:21
1. Original 78: Columbia DB 1324
Flip Sd: Pipe and Cigarette
10” 78rpm
2. Reissue on Compilation CD: FLOTSAM & JETSAM – VOL. 2 (1991)
Pearl Flapper (?) (Tk 11)
Notes: “In the 1920s two talented men met and formed a musical partnership that was to have lasting
appeal and become celebrated for their witty, intelligent songs that often made gently satirical comments
on the age in which they lived. They were pianist and composer B C Hilliam (‘Flotsam’) and the renowned
Australian-born operatic bass Malcolm McEachern (‘Jetsam’).” (Anon. 2013)
This is a slapstick humorous skit in the British music hall tradition. It consists of a zany banter between the
performers accompanied by rollicking, equally zany piano, all revolving around the idea of bats in the belfry
or stuff that’s a little crazy. Bats are mentioned several times. The piano melody is a parody of one of
Frederic Chopin’s pieces.
It starts out with Jetsam asking – “What’s that you’re playing?” Flotsam: “It’s supposed to be a bit of
Chopin.” J.: “An’ I got ta sing that?” F.: “Uh-huh.” Much of what follows was not possible to transcribe; a bit
of craziness here and there. At one point Flotsam sings –
Bats in the belfry
High in the belfry
Fly in the belfry
The CD album cover shown here is the 2010 reissue CD on the Dutton/ Vocalion label. In the photo
Flotsam [aka. Bentley Collingwood Hilliam] is on the left.
These two performers, Flotsam and Jetsam, should not in any way to be confused with the recent hard
metal rock band from Arizona.
Ref: Anon. 2013, Flotsam & Jetsam, Bats in the Belfry CD, Dutton/ Vocalion, duttonvocalion
Flotsam & Jetsam, Bats in the Belfry 78, YouTube (◄COMPLETE AUDIO SAMPLE)
Flotsam & Jetsam, Bats in the Belfry CD, Dutton/ Vocalion, Amazon
Flotsam & Jetsam, Bats in the Belfry CD, Pearl Flappr CD, thelyricarchive
Mr. Flotsam & Mr. Jetsam, Bio, Wikipedia
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Charles Addams – The New Yorker - 1959
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PO-GB&US-AF8
United Kingdom 1980
BATS IN THE BELFRY
Popular – Easy Listening – Instrumental
Comp: Austin CROOM-JOHNSON & Billy MAYERL
Rts: Keith Prowse Publishing Co. Ltd.
Perf: Robin RICHMOND (organ)
Prod: John R. Taylor
Prod. Co: Grosvenor Records; Birmingham
Liner Notes: Robin Richmond
Time: 2:29
LP: NOSTALGIA IN RHYTHM
Grosvenor GRS 1086
12” 33rpm (Sd 2 – Bd 2)
Notes: Robin Richmond often played Hammond or
Wurlitzer organs. During the Second World War He was organist at the Paramount cinema in London and
after the war in the “Gaumont-British cinema circuit travelling around London and its outskirts playing
musical interludes between the films. Richmond's main radio work began during the war, and in time he
would clock up more broadcasts than any other organist.” (Gifford 1998)
Robin Richmond plays the Hammond here and he notes – “I have chosen not to use a rhythm-box on this
recording, preferring the natural sunshine of my own built-in lift as being more appropriate to music of a
nostalgic nature.” (Liner notes)
This is a bouncy if somewhat repetitive cover of the contemporary music piece, “Bats in the Belfry,”
composed by Austin Chroom-Johnson and Billy Mayerl and first recorded by them in 1934 (see under Jazz
Music – Ragtime – Bats in the Belfry).
Ref: Gifford, Denis 1998, Robin Richmond, Organist, Obituary, Independent.co.uk
Smith, Pete; Blackman, Karen; Davis, Sylvia; Bellerose, Jennifer; & Kent, Jimmy (Editors) 1992, The Official Music
Master Tracks Catalogue, 4th Edition, Waterlow Information Services Ltd., London, p. 84
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PO-GB&US-AF9
United Kingdom 1958
BLUE GROTTO
Popular – Easy Listening – Orchestral – Instrumental
Comp: Ron GOODWIN
Rts: (UK) Sydney Brown (NCB)
Perf: Ron GOODWIN & his orchestra
Prod. Co: EMI Records Ltd.; Hayes, Middlesex
Matrix: 7XCE 16169
Time: 2:45
A. British Releases:
1. Original 78: Parlophone R-4508
Flip Sd: Latin Lovers
10” 78rpm
2. Single 45: Parlophone 45-R 4508
Flip Sd: Latin Lovers
7” 45rpm
B. French EP: THE WHIRPOOL THEME (1959)
Odeon SOE 3571
7” 45rpm (Sd 2 – Bd 2)
Notes: An everyday singing-strings musical fantasy with mandolin to give it a slightly Italian flavor. Choral
voices take up the simple and somewhat familiar melody halfway in and again at the end.
Ron Goodwin is best known as a film music composer – "Where Eagles Dare," "Operation Crossbow," "The
Trip," etc. The photo shown here was taken from one of his LP albums (1971). See also his other cave
composition – Grotto of Jeita – PO-GB&US-GZ2.
Probably inspired by the world-famous Blue Grotto at Capri or possibly by the well known Blue Grotto on
the island of Malta.
But it should be noted that there are at least 6 other Italian sea caves
bearing the name, Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto), in the Tyrrhenian Sea
going south along the coast: near Portovenere in the Gulf of Genoa; on
the Isle of Elba at Campo dell’Elba; at Porto Ercole on the peninsula of
Monte Argentario 130 km. northwest of Rome; at San Felice Circeo along
the coast between Rome and Naples; at Capo Bianco on the Isle of
Ponza; at Scauri near Gaeta northwest of Naples; and on the Isle of Dino
in the Gulf of Policastro just south of Praia a Mare. And four others
elsewhere in Italy – in Sicily on the island of Ustica north of Palermo and
at Taormina in eastern Sicily and also on the Adriatic coast at Polignano a
Mare and at Castro near the Grotta Zinzulusa.
Not far from Italy there are 2 more Blue Grottos: on the small Croatian isle
of Biševo close to the isle of Vis southwest of Split; and at the northern tip of Zante (Zakinthos) in Greece.
And the list could get longer.
For other recorded music inspired by the Grotta Azzurra, Capri see under World Music – Italy; under Jazz
Music – Swing – Blue Grotto in Capri; and under Popular Music – Germany & Italy.
Ref: Blue Grotto, [Postcards for sale], Delcampe, delcampe.com
Blue Grotto (Capri), Wikipedia
Blue Grotto (Malta), Wikipedia
Grotta Azzurra, [Postcards for sale], Delcampe, delcampe.com
Ron Goodwin, Biography, rongoodwin.co.uk
Ron Goodwin Discography, Singles & EPs, rongoodwin.co.uk
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PO-GB&US-AF10
United Kingdom 1967
BLUE GROTTO *
Popular – Hawaiian – Instrumental
Comp: JELMER (aka. Wout Steenhuis)
Arr: Leon Young
Rts: Laurel Music Ltd.
Perf: Wout
STEENHUIS (electric guitar & bass guitar)
Bill Le Sage (marimba)
Barry Morgan (percussion)
Prod: Denis Preston
Prod. Co: E.M.I. Records (The Gramophone Co. Ltd.)
Rec. Co: Lansdowne Recording Studios
Liner Notes: (?)
Time: 2:39
A. British LP: GUITARS FOR GIRL FRIDAY
Columbia SX 6125 (mono)
Studio 2 TWO 156 (stereo)
12" 33rpm (Sd 1 – Bd 6)
B. West German LP: HI HAWAII (1967)
Metronome HLP 10122
12" 33rpm (Sd 1 – Bd 6)
Notes: A noted Hawaiian-style guitarist from Holland who served in the Dutch resistance during World War
II and later migrated to England. Wout was the resident guitarist on board the Queen Elizabeth II and
traveled around the world. (Wooten & Pymm 1978) In this way he likely had the occasion to visit either the
Blue Grotto at Capri or the Blue Grotto at Malta (Gar Hasan).
A pleasant theme is developed on marimba and then guitar with bongo and bass rhythm.
Ref: Blue Grotto (Capri), Wikipedia
Blue Grotto (Malta), Wikipedia
Wooten, Kevin 1 n.d., Wout Steenhuis, Biography, instrumentalreview
Wooten, Kevin 2 n.d., Wout Steenhuis, Discography, instrumentalreview
Wooten, Kevin & Pymm, Brian 1978, New Gandy Dancer, n. 12, Aug. 1978, p. 11-12
Wout Steenhuis, Guitars for Girl Friday, Discogs
Wout Steenhuis, Guitars for Girl Friday, eil.com
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PO-GB&US-AF11
United States 2000
CAVE MAGICK
Popular – Vocal & Instrumental
Comp:
Perf:
ALEXIAN – PAGAN / WICCAN
Alexian (vocal & piano)
Prod. Co: Earth Tone Studios
Time: 5:08
CD: THE MOTHER, THE MAGICK, THE MUSIC
Earth Tone Studios (?) (Tk 9)
Notes: Alexian was born and raised on a small farm in the Ozark Mountains of
southern Missouri, so that may be where he was inspired by caves and their magic.
This album was first recorded in 1992 and then digitally remixed to CD in 2000.
A 30-second sample was heard but it was not possible to distinguish the lyrics.
Ref: Alexian – Pagan/Wiccan, The Mother, The Magick, The Music CD, Amazon (◄AUDIO SAMPLE)
Alexian – Pagan/Wiccan, The Mother, The Magick, The Music CD, CDBaby
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PO-GB&US-AF12
United States ca.1970s
CAVERN IN THE TOWN
Popular – Vocal & Instrumental
Comp: (?)
Perf: STEPTONES
(guitars, banjo, & bass)
Prod. Co: Gilbil
Time: 2:04
Label: Gilbil 3 (Pic Cover)
Spec: 7" 45rpm
Flip Sd: Violets Lament
Notes: This is an answer record to the well-known song, “Tavern in
the Town.” Some of the lyrics heard were –
You bought it so call it what you like
While there’s still time
There’s a cavern in the town – in the town
That’s where the Avon (?) is found – is found
Cuba is mentioned later in the lyrics. This song is not referring to famous The Cavern rock club in
Liverpool, England.
Nothing further is known at this time.
Ref: Vinyl Vic’s Rare and Obscure Answer Records – Vol. 3 CD, 2013, 4578oldies.blogspot.fr
Vinyl Vic’s Rare and Obscure Answer Records – Vol. 3 CD, 2013, Track 28, Allmusic (◄AUDIO SAMPLE)
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PO-GB&US-AF13
United States 1954
CAVERNS OF LURAY *
Popular – Country – Vocal
Comp: Dorothy COPELAND (LY-PO12)
Rts: Bell Song Pub. Co. (ASCAP)
Perf: Roy WEST (vocal)
Prod. Co: Radiant Records
Matrix: 85
Time: 3:05
Label: Radiant (No Cat. No.)
Flip Sd: Shenandoah Valley
Spec: 10" 78rpm
Notes: An unusual 78 souvenir record with a short song part
popular music and part religious accompanied by sweet singing
strings.
The sheet music of this song by Roy West can be found at the
Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
Another song about this cave had been written and published by
Bradley Kincaid in 1934 entitled, "The Beautiful Caverns of Luray."
Kincaid no doubt performed this song on the radio, where he
promoted his song folios, but no recording of it was ever made. Yet
another song, "The Beautiful Caverns of Luray,” a mountain song
foxtrot composed by Chester Rice, Matt Pelkonen, and Meg Webb
was issued as sheet music in the 1930s, but never recorded.
For music performed on the stalacpipe organ in Luray Caverns see under Music Recorded in Natural
Caves – United States.
Ref: Chester Rice et al ca.1930, The Beautiful Caverns of Luray, American eBay posting, Feb. 2015
Duckeck, Jochen 2012, Luray Caverns, showcaves
Jones, Loyal, A Checklist of Bradley Kincaid's Songs, JEMF Quarterly, v. 12, n. 44, Winter 1976, p. 212
Kincaid, Bradley 1934, Mountain Ballads and Old Time Songs, Book 6, p. 24-25
Luray Caverns, History of Discovery, LurayCaverns
Luray Caverns, Home Site, LurayCaverns
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PO-GB&US-AF14
United Kingdom 1966
THE CAVES OF MANACOR *
Popular – Light – Easy Listening – Waltz – Choral – Instrumental
Comp: ZACHARIAS
Rts: Frank Chacksfield (GEMA)
Perf: FRANK CHACKSFIELD ORCHESTRA & CHORUS
Mus. Dir: Norman Percival
Prod: Tony Clarke
Prod. Co: Decca Records Ltd.
Matrix: DR.38946
Time: 3:05
A. Original British 45:
Decca F 12539
Flip Sd: My Star
B. American 45: (1967)
London 45-20022
Flip Sd: My Star
C. Italian 45: (1967)
Frank CHACKSFIELD
Decca F 12539
Flip Sd: My Star
Spec: (A, B, & C) 7" 45rpm
Notes: Inspired by either or both of the two famous show caves at Puerto Cristo, Manacor, on the Isle of
Majorca, Spain. In the early literature and on some old postcards the Cueva del Drach and the Cueva del
Hams were often referred to as the Cuevas de Manacor (Caves of Manacor). These caves are only 1.9
kms from each other at the eastern end of the island and both are very well decorated world-class caves.
The composer, Zacharias, might well be the German composer and famous violinist, Helmut Zacharias
(1920-2002). In his lifetime he composed over 400 works of jazz and pop music. (Anon. n.d.)
The choral group harmonizes at a lilting slow waltz pace as the guitar and trumpets carry the theme, then
singing strings and more choral harmony, followed by a return to trumpets and orchestra. Fairly
nondescript, unmemorable elevator music. Disappointing really, because with a title like that one expects
something more.
Ref: 45 Discography for Decca Records OZ-7000 Series, globaldogproductions.info
Anon. n.d., Helmut Zacharias, jazzhouse.org & Wikipedia
Cuevas de Manacor, inforural
Dickerson, Pete & Gordon, Mike 1984, Collectable 45’s of the Swinging 60’s, 1965-1970, Part 1, A-F, 1st Edition, The
Vintage Record Centre, London, p. (85)
Frank Chacksfield, Biography, Wikipedia
Gay, Sebastián & Chamsaur, Baltasar 1885, Album de las Cuevas de Artá y Manacor, Barcelona
Pelletier, Paul 1984, Decca - Complete Singles Catalogue 1954-1983, Record Information Services, Chessington, p. 84
_____________________________________________________
VARIOUS VERSIONS OF
FINGAL’S CAVE
PO-GB&US-AF15
United Kingdom ca.1943
FINGAL’S CAVE
Popular – Organ – Instrumental
Comp: Felix Mendelssohn
Arr: Reginald Dixon
Perf: Reginald DIXON (organ)
Prod. Co: Empress Recording Co.
Time: (Medley) 3:22
1. Original 78: MELODIES FROM MENDELSSOHN
Regal Zonophone MR 3711
10” 78rpm (Side 2 – Part 1 of 4)
2. Reissue on Compilation CD: MISTER BLACKPOOL
Empress 893 (Tk 19)
Notes: This original arrangement on console organ was recorded by Reginald Dixon in the studio and
performed as the first part of a 4-part medley of themes composed by Felix Mendelssohn. Here the Fingal’s
Cave Overture theme leads off and is followed by “Bees’ Wedding,” “Violin Concerto,” and “Wedding
March.” This version has not been seen or heard.
This 78 record was approximately dated from an abbreviated Regal Zonophone discography where catalog
number MR 3709 was dated 1943 and MR 3754 was dated 1945. Due to the rationing of shellac during
World War II, there must have been few copies of this 78, making it quite rare today.
Another compilation CD with the same title (“Mister Blackpool”) on the Prism Platinum label (released
2005) does not include this medley.
For the full discography regarding Mendelssohn’s Fingal’s Cave Overture see under Classical Music.
Ref: Fingal’s Cave, Description, Wikipedia
Regal Zonophone – Label Discography, 45worlds
Reginald Dixon, Biography, Wikipedia
Reginald Dixon, Melodies from Mendelssohn 78, worldcat
Reginald Dixon, Mister Blackpool, Empress label, Allmusic
Reginald Dixon, Mister Blackpool, Empress label, CDUniverse
Reginald Dixon, Mister Blackpool, Empress label, ciao.co.uk
Reginald Dixon, Mister Blackpool, Empress label, half.eBay
________________________________
PO-GB&US-AF16 United Kingdom 1970
FINGAL’S CAVE (Live)
Popular – Organ – Instrumental
Comp: Felix Mendelssohn
Arr: Reginald Dixon
Rts: Hunter Music Ltd. (EMI)
Perf: Reginald DIXON (organ)
Prod: Bob Barratt
Prod. Co: Columbia (EMI) Records
Rec. Loc: Tower Ballroom; Blackpool
Rec. Date: 1965
Liner Notes: Reginald Dixon
Time: (Medley) 6:33
1. Original LP: FAREWELL MR. BLACKPOOL
EMI SCX 6387 (stereo)
R. DIXON
12" 33rpm (Sd 1 – Bd 7 – Part 6)
2. Reissue on Compilation LP: THE MAGIC OF REGINALD DIXON (1985)
Music for Pleasure MFP DL 41 106037
2X12" 33rpm (Disc 2 – Sd 1 – Bd 7 – Part 6)
3. Reissue on Compilation CD: THE MAGIC OF REGINALD DIXON (1993)
EMI 0777 78903826 (2XCDs) (Disc 2 – Tk 7 – Part 6)
Notes: A very different sort of medley from the previous one, here all themes are inspired by storms at sea.
This unusual arrangement on theater console organ of Mendelssohn’s celebrated overture is presented as
part 6 of a 7-part medley entitled, “The Storm at Sea,” a medley which also includes well-known popular
pieces, “Anchors Aweigh” and “Skye Boat Song.” Dixon plays deep-crashing chords with only a few
recognizable bars of the familiar theme followed by tormented stormy passages with little or no relation to
Mendelssohn’s overture. The medley ends with audience applause.
Ref: Reginald Dixon, Biography, Wikipedia
Reginald Dixon, Farewell Mr. Blackpool LP, Discogs
Reginald Dixon, The Magic of Reginald Dixon LP, Discogs
Smith, Pete; Blackman, Karen; Davis, Sylvia; Bellerose, Jennifer; & Kent, Jimmy 1992, The Official Music Master
Tracks Catalogue, 4th Edition, Waterlow Information Services Ltd., London, p. 356
________________________________
PO-GB&US-AF17
United Kingdom 1982
FINGAL’S CAVE
Popular – Organ – Instrumental
Comp: Felix Mendelssohn
Arr: Phil Kelsall
Rts: Ambleside Music Ltd. (EMI)
Perf: Phil KELSALL (organ)
Prod: Bob Barratt
Prod. Co: EMI Records Ltd.; Hayes, Middlesex
Rec. Co: Trusthouse Forte Leisure Ltd.
Rec. Date: April 1, 1982
Liner Notes: Phil Kelsall
Time: (Medley) 5:46
Photo by Henry Hallas
1. Original LP: MEET ME AT THE TOWER
EMI NTS 234 (stereo)
12" 33rpm (Sd 2 – Bd 6)
2. Reissue on Compilation CD: THE VERY BEST OF PHIL KELSALL (2005)
EMI 4773182
(2XCDs)
(Disc 1 – Tk 20)
Notes: This is the fifth part of a 7-part medley entitled “A Storm at Sea,” which
(similar to the 1970 medley by Reginald Dixon) also includes fragments from
“Anchors Away,” “Drunken Sailor,” “Skye Boat Song,” and “Crimond,” but in a
slightly different order.
Kelsall writes, “My recording engineer friends had quite a problem containing
the sheer volume of sound created (all from the organ) by the thunderstorm
effects with huge bass frequencies in ‘Fingal’s Cave’.” (Liner notes) However,
here as with the Reginald Dixon medley only a few recognizable bars of the
familiar overture theme can be heard, all that follows is crashing organ chords.
Ref: Phil Kelsall, Discography, philkelsall
Phil Kelsall, The Very Best of Phil Kelsall, play4me
Phil Kelsall, The Very Best of Phil Kelsall, wowhd
Smith, Pete; Blackman, Karen; Davis, Sylvia; Bellerose, Jennifer; & Kent, Jimmy 1992, The Official Music Master
Tracks Catalogue, 4th Edition, Waterlow Information Services Ltd., London, p. 356
caveinspiredmusic.com