This is my blog where I write about music, and myself. Vaudeville, burlesque, blues, jazz, novelties, and whatever else I feel like posting. Mostly from my own LPs and 78s. Comments and feedback always appreciated. Please do not link directly to mp3s. It's rude.

Baltimore Society Orchestra
Headin' For Baltimore
(1922)









I wonder if this song was entitled after selecting a phrase from a bag. Or maybe just a city name from a bag. Or maybe there's a version with lyrics that I haven't heard.
Anyway whatever.
According to this site, "the Dixie Daisies was a recording pseudonym used by Cameo Records and its subsidiary label Romeo for many Sam Lanin recordings." You may recall Sam Lanin from this other unicornmeat post.

Labels: baltimore, jazz era

Posted by: Kara Mae 6/14/2008  (0) comments

Bobby Bare
The Streets of Baltimore
(1966)

Well this is it... my #1 "displacement" song I think. "The Streets of Baltimore." The original is written and performed by Tompall Glaser but I don't actually have that version. When I do I'll post it. The second person to make it a big hit is Bobby Bare here. He looks like sort of a turd on this album sleeve but he seems ok I guess.
It's not my favorite version. I'm not sure which is. I first heard John Prine do it... but it's been covered by Gram Parsons, Shane McGowan, The Lemonheads, and a score of others. So I may keep em coming.
Hell, maybe eventually I'll record this song myself.
Listening to a lot of versions of a song really solidifies my likes and dislikes as far as lyrical nuances. I don't know why but I've always been annoyed by some changes artists make when they sing a song. Not always, but sometimes it just seems pointless. As I said, I haven't heard the original but I can say that I prefer the versions where they say "her heart was filled with gladness" instead of "laughter." I mean why would the city lights make her laugh.. that's stupid. And "some old machine" vs "an old machine." "Some old machine" sounds more like he's like he's just telling the story of working some old machine, rather than like.. working on an antique or something which would be an unnecessary detail even if it were the original intention.
Yeah, I nitpick just a bit.
Note: This is the first time I've used Audacity instead of Cool Edit to record a song. I think it might be better.

Labels: baltimore, country, displacement, Streets of Baltimore

Posted by: Kara Mae 6/05/2008  (1) comments

Baltimore Society Orchestra
Cross My Heart Mother, I Love You
(1925?)



The other side of this record is a song credited to "The Tricky Ten", which was otherwise known as "Eddie Peabody's Dance Orchestra", and had another recording on Oriole in 1925. Baltimore Society Orchestra also has a recording from 1925 called "I Miss My Swiss." That's basically all I know.

Labels: baltimore, jazz era

Posted by: Kara Mae 5/06/2008  (1) comments

The Drifters
Baltimore
Atlantic 2050 (1960)






You know The Drifters. "This Magic Moment." Well the B-Side of that song is called "Baltimore." And here it is now. I recorded it from my 78 player because I lost my 45rpm insert. You know, the spiral things?

Please mail me one.
Kara Mae
PO Box 6039
Baltimore, MD 21231

Labels: baltimore

Posted by: Kara Mae 4/27/2008  (1) comments

Erskine Hawkins and his Orchestra
Baltimore Bounce
1938





This is the kind of song I can never have too many of. It's nothin special but nice background music for when the mood strikes. 1938... just on the cusp of when this kind of music loses my interest. Erskine Hawkins doesn't get much action on Wikipedia and Sammy Low doesn't have an entry at all. Sorry dudes. I'll try to get more songs of theirs to keep the flame alive.
The brief alien cellphone interference at the beginning of the song is left in to convey the ambiance of my surroundings a bit.

Labels: baltimore, jazz era

Posted by: Kara Mae 3/23/2008  (0) comments

Hoagy Carmichael & Orchestra
Baltimore Oriole
1942





I have some good stuff coming. I don't even like Hoagy Carmichael. Plus, this song isn't about Baltimore. Not really.

Labels: baltimore

Posted by: Kara Mae 2/26/2008  (1) comments

Amongst the world of songs about Baltimore, this one has a certain mythology to fans of that zany Maryland-born redhead.
As for me, I think it's just a terrible song about Baltimore.

Ellen "Tori" Amos
Baltimore
1980

Labels: baltimore

Posted by: Kara Mae 2/23/2008  (0) comments

"Take me back baby.. with my drunken ways."

"Papa" Charlie McCoy. Great stuff. Many good songs to be found. "Baltimore Blues" is found in CD form on Volume 1 of the complete works of the McCoy brothers.
Not to be confused with this Charlie McCoy, who looks pretty lame..

Charlie McCoy
Baltimore Blues
1934

Labels: baltimore, blues

Posted by: Kara Mae 2/12/2008  (1) comments

Eubie Blake and His Shuffle Along Orchestra
Baltimore Buzz - Fox Trot
Victor 18791-A, 1921






I love 78s that say what type of song they contain.. Fox Trots always do. And of course old ragtime and blues songs made sure to have the words "rag" or "blues" right in the title.
I guess that's because people went out and bought records without hearing them more often. Nowadays we demand to hear it before we buy it... or own the song without buying it at all.

This here song is by the famous Eubie Blake who was of course from Baltimore and now has the Jazz and Cultural Center named for him. Despite living a block away for most of my Baltimore existence, I never stepped foot in the place. I'm glad it exists nonetheless.
Below the song title it says "Introducing 'In Honeysuckle Time'". I guess that never caught on.
I chose this song because it has the word "Baltimore" in the title. I've decided I'm going to start posting a lot of Baltimore-related songs.
Actually I might have decided that a long time ago, I can't remember. I've been in the habit of seeking out 78s that mention or originate from Baltimore for quite some time now.
So for all I know I've posted this song before. That's liable to happen from time to time, knowing me.

Labels: baltimore, jazz era

Posted by: Kara Mae 1/25/2008  (2) comments