This is my blog where I write about music, jewelry, and myself. Vaudeville, burlesque, blues, jazz, songs about baltimore, novelties, and whatever else I feel like posting. Mostly from my own LPs and 78s. Subscribe via any of the methods in the right-hand column. Please do not link directly to the mp3 files.
Pin-up bracelet giveaway w/Java's Bachelor Pad
This is exciting!
To kick the New Year off right, Bachelor Pad Magazine has another special Twitter give-away just for you. It's really easy. First, make sure you're following Bachelor Pad Magazine (twitter.com/bachelorpad). Then come up with your best answer to this question:
I pulled this 10" 33 1/3 compilation out of a box of records I haven't looked at in a long time. It reminds me of record shopping, and when I used to get really thrilled in record stores and seek them out in my travels. I believe I got this at Rock & Roll Collectibles in New Orleans but that's just a hunch. The best thing about discovering old music was knowing nothing about it... I had no idea quite what I actually liked, so any venture to buy music would result in some random purchases. Those times may be behind me, but this is the kind of record I get excited to find even still. I'm sure it's not rare. It's not really that great. But it's got this.. essence. It's a 10", so it resembles a 78. It must have been promotional - it has a press clipping pasted onto the sleeve. That's probably the clincher for me. And here I am turning it into a cluster of heartless mp3s. As if it still has some value without the motion of setting a needle on it. I left it nice and scratchy so we can pretend. Download: Curtain Call Series Volume 4 Marlene Deitrich - Ben Bernie - Libby Holman - George Jessel
I don't think I've expressed my love for Lady Gaga on unicornmeat, so I thought I would make it known. I enjoy a fun pop song, and some of her songs are decent or have good parts in them. But anyone who may know about my past obsession with burlesque costumery, fetish wear, glitter, wigs, lace and high heels could surmise that I'd be all over this one. Amplified beauty to the point of ugliness and back again. Thank you for existing Lady Gaga and please stick around and don't do anything too stupid for me to keep liking you.
I don't know why I didn't make a post here... so here it is, belated, for the end of 2008. I may not have agreed with her personal beliefs, but her career impact and talent and beauty still impress me nonetheless. She was kind of an inspiration way back when I did some pin-up modeling myself.. A shared fascination in her career put me in touch with some interesting folks, some of whom I still have the good fortune of being in contact with.
The original "Seven Great Singing Stars" of the Republic of China essentially paved the way for the industry. Their individual style was unique to any Chinese music before it. The young film industry benefited greatly with their acting and soundtrack roles. Zhou Xuan is generally considered the most remarkable Chinese popstar of the era due to her successful dual singing and film career. By the end of this generation, female singers went from "song girls" to "stars". The era, however, would be short lived as Shanghai became occupied with the Second Sino-Japanese War and eventually World War II.
I've downloaded some compilations and tracks of these glamorous "1930s Shanghai Lounge Divas." I've uploaded the 2nd CD from this one. I believe the first CD is just a bunch of "remixes for today," which I am not too interested in. This is uploaded into two zips because of megaupload restrictions.
Various Artists: Shanghai Lounge Divas part 1 part 2
This does not sound like the voice of Jayne Mansfield as I know it. But it's on both the Too Hot To Handle collection, and the Jayne/Marilyn compilation Dyed Blonde. Anyway, whatever. I shall supplement it with this photo from the Modern Man 1957 Yearbook of Queens, a spiralbound girlie mag featuring a LOT of boobs.
women's thighs should touch in the middle, like Jayne's.
The plight of June Harlow and the plight of Kara Mae
I've had trials and tribulations. Record needle failures and record player failures, technical difficulties and life distractions. I got some new needles for the LP player, got an entirely new Califone 1430K to play my 78s, and tried to learn just a little bit more about easier ways to export mp3s and normalize and tag files en masse. I am in the process of digitizing many of my 1930's-related LPs. After some frustration with sound quality, I discovered that this record I'm posting (half-of) sounds better when played with the 78 needle. So I went ahead and did that. Here is side one of "Great Motion Picture Themes from Jean Harlow Films." I haven't tagged everything thoroughly enough to name all of the songwriters and movies and stuff. Frankly, I'm not convinced this blog currently has the readership to necessitate me putting forth too much effort (at this time.) So here's one side of a record. I need to go to bed.
Since you already know all about Jean Harlow, and have access to tons of photos of her lovely face, I'll randomly include the tangentally related burlesque star "June Harlow," alleged niece of the Hollywood star. Due to her butt chin I'll believe it. In an interviews in Cabaret magazine in 1956, she talks about getting into stripping at age 16 because she knows she's gotta use it or lose it. She laments that Marilyn Monroe gets comparisons to her aunt Jean. Coincidentally, June was apparently married to Joe DiMaggio's brother. In another Cabaret feature one year later she talks up her plans to become a movie star, and disses the acting chops of Marilyn and Jayne, declaring that she won't have to be a good actress because they aren't. I scanned her centerfold but then I realized there's already a decent scan of it online. So when I do the second half of the Jean Harlow themes record, I'll try to mix in some more photos of her "niece."
AAAAHHH. MY CALIFONE! IT'S BROKEN! What the hell man. Tonight it just wouldn't spin. The sound works, the light works, but it never makes the shift from "standby" to "play." I opened it up and all wires are secure and fuse is fine, etc. So I guess the motor died or something. How infuriating. And sad. So.. no 'party record' tonight. Instead, something that's actually funnier, yet also more substantial. I have no idea how I got this record. Well I know how I got it. I bought it online because it contained two of my favorite themes - burlesque and drag queens. But I have no idea how I got it for ten dollars. On the back of this record sleeve it lists 9 other Ray "Rae" Bourbon releases, which I just looked up on ebay and are for sale at around $50 each. Why are these such collectors items? Well, Rae Bourbon is a pretty special character. The best information can be found in this tribute site. Rae Bourbon was a female impersonator and gay icon, performing from the 1930s up until his imprisonment in the late 1960s. He'd been convicted of "Accomplice to Murder with Malice," against a man who had disposed of dogs that Rae had put in his care. He died in prison in 1971. He appeared in a few silent films in the 1920s after entering his photo (as a female) in a Photoplay contest. In the early 1930's he performed in the "pansy shows", gay and mainstream nightclubs, and vaudeville. Another bit of his story from this site offers some enlightenment regarding party records: From 1935 through the early forties, Ray would record with Bob and Chet, Howard, and other musicians in a series of sides released under various small labels such as "Bourbana", "Liberty Music Shop" and "Imperial" (not related to the R&B label of the fifties). Like other "blue" party records of the period, they were sold at Ray's shows, through mail order, and "under the counter" by discrete record dealers. A surprising number of Ray's records were pirated under anonymous labels and many were pressed in small quantities for use in jukeboxes in adult establishments such as bars and nightclubs.
Rae seems to be an expert about vaudeville, burlesque, and Mae West. Now there's a broad after my own heart. Seriously, I urge you to read this life story.
Rae Bourbon Strip Queen Ladies of Burlsque UTC 1950s
Believe it or not, I've been waiting for years to get this song. This is one of the only songs Lillian Russell ever recorded. Although she was a huge star, she nearly missed the era of recorded sound. A few years ago I got a book taken out from dusty vault of the Enoch Pratt central library (PN2287.R83O25) about Lillian Russell and her pal Diamond Jim Brady. It went on at length about the extreme twelve course meals they shared. I don't remember much about her life other than gluttony. I once went in a building on Cathedral street by the City Cafe - at the time the building was being used as the Talking Head club. Upstairs before a doorway, the floor tiles declared "The Lillian Russell Room." I wish I could buy that building. Diamond Jim Brady has his own tribute in Baltimore, in the form of the James Brady Urological Institute. Johns Hopkins came to his aid when his lifestyle caught up to him, and he lived up to his nickname in giving back. I'll be posting more from this compilation because it's got some gems.
Come Down My Evenin' Star Lillian Russell from "They Stopped The Show" Audio Rarities compilation 1969
I aim to please. I guess the writer of this intriguing classic movie blog found my site while searching for a recording of Barbra Stanwyck singing "Take It Off The E String (Play It On The G String)", as seen and heard in the movie "Lady of Burlesque"(1943). For those of you who aren't familiar, the movie is an adaptation of the novel "The G String Murders" by the one and only Gypsy Rose Lee, eloquent stripper turned mystery writer. Stanwyck sings this saucy number and flaunts her goods in the burlesque tradition, in the beginning of the movie before the shit goes down. (By that I mean the aforementioned murders of course) The song is credited to Sammy Cahn and Harry Akst. I can only guess that it would be this Sammy Cahn and Harry Akst, each relatively successful and acclaimed showtune writers on their own. If I'm correct that would make it the same men who brought us such songs as "Dinah" (Akst) and "Until The Real Thing Comes Along"(Cahn). Hell.. Cahn partnered with various people on a whole slew of familiar songs from "Love and Marriage" to "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow." I copied this song from the "Ladies of Burlesque" compilation LP. I posted another song and mentioned this one 2 years ago. Which of course led to this request. Anyway, I'm glad someone looked at my blog. I'm glad I could be of service delivering this legendary burlesque-related recording to someone who seeks it. Enjoy. Sorry my record player sucks. I'm working on that.
Well, well, well... it looks like it's time for another burlesque novelty. I haven't posted one in awhile. The Sherry Britton LP is one thing, but I can't believe this one hasn't been reissued. Rhino? Somebody? At one point I'd thought about trying to do it myself. I don't think I'm up to the task. But someone should do it. And it should benefit Exotic World. Oh and I should be writing the reflective liner notes...
You probably know who Gypsy Rose Lee is. She was a dancer. And then she wrote a mystery novel. Which became a movie. She also had a musical written about her life. The "Gypsy Rose Lee Remembers Burlesque" LP is much like the Sherry Britton one mentioned above (as well as a number of other burlesque LPs), but this one is centered around Gypsy and her career. There are some quality bits - the one I'm posting is my favorite. This humorous song speaks for itself. You can find this record for cheap on ebay, or perhaps even at your local thrift store.
Gypsy Rose Lee Adam & Eve Gypsy Rose Lee Remembers Burlesque Stereoddities, 1962
Here's Rita Hayworth doing a duet with Merv Griffin in 1971. In addition, from me to you - a scan from a 1953 one-off magazine, Cheesecake, An American Phenomenon
Rita Hayworth and Merv Griffin I'm Old Fashioned Merv Griffin Show 7/12/71
Hopefully coming soon: Ziegfeld series, also: songs about displacement.
"Rita Hayworth's own voice can be heard possibly in the slow version of "Put the Blame on Mame," during which she accompanies herself on guitar, and definitely in two rare 1971 TV appearances." - Alan Eichler, on the liner notes to the "Silver Screen Star Series" Rita Hayworth LP
I think the general consensus is that this was sang by Anita Ellis. Rita Hayworth is so sexy in Gilda, seriously. Considering the motivation of her character, it makes sense... Women are best at being sexy out of spite. Well I am, anyway. I do everything best out of spite. I wish there was some hateful reason to update this blog every week! I really dig Anita's vocals on this version of the song. It's a nice sultry scene in the movie, too. Rita never sang her own songs in her movies. Was she actually a decent singer? I guess you can be the judge. Next time I'll post one of the aforementioned TV songs.
MGM Records Presents "THE BEST OF BURLESQUE." Narrated by: Sherry Britton. Top Banana: Tom Poston.
I think this record is probably my favorite out of all of my burlesque records. I wanted to save it for later, but "Burlesque With The Nuts Inside" was skipping, so lucky you, I decided to go ahead and start with this one. The embittered essay from the sleeve, posted below, refers to the 1942 ban on burlesque in New York City, advocated by the Society for the Suppression of Vice and Mayor Fiorello La Guardia. Sherry Britton was a very beautiful and famous stripper, and her intelligence and sense of humor shine through her narration on this record. I have about three or four more installments I will be posting. Be patient - keep reading my blog, suckers!
From the record sleeve:
"The album you are now holding represents all that remains of an art form that was invented in America for Americans. On that bleak day in 1942 when a rumpled New York City politician with a penchant for chasing fire-trucks signed a ukase banning Burlesque, an era of unique entertainment ended. With the banishment of Burlesque from Broadway, this medium was stigmatized in the minds of the masses and, when transplanted across the Hudson River, the dry rot of vulgarity and synthetic sex completed the conspiracy. The new overlords of the runway forgot that the word "Burlesque" means parody or travesty, that originally the burlesque show had satirized and lampooned the topics of the times and contemporary musical theatre, and that Freudian and Kinseyesque overtones had no place in its initial concept. Thus it was that real Burlesque, along with the whooping crane and the passenger pigeon, passed into extinction. What you are about to hear is a reconstruction of a burly show of the late 'Thirties. You have passed into the purlieus of roccoco architectural indescretion known as "Renaissance RKO" or "Early DeMille." Seated in the orchestra, you are overpowered by a miasma of cigar smoke thick as a prarie fire. Through it, dimly, you see the runway, a bridge of thighs cherished by devotees of dimpled derrieres, for it permitted propinquity to the "ponies" and the seats adjacent to it were tabbed the "bald-headed row." A cross-section of the male species, with a sprinkling of females, surround you. Stevedores, store-clerks, bookkeepers and home-wreckers, all they have in common is a limited entertainment budget and a thirst for adventure. An expectancy falls over the audience as the orchestra, toupees askew, files into the pit. The newspapers, racing-forms, tout-sheets and tattered copies of "Captain Billy's Whiz-Bang" are put down, fresh Bayuk Phillies are ignited, and all settle back in anticipation of an hour's escape from the reality of dull days and empty nights; maybe Burly was banal and tawdry, maybe it was sleazy and tarnished, but to many millions it was the only theatre they could truly call theirs. Sic transit gloria Minsky!" - Jack Vaughan
Here we have two versions of one of my favorite Mae West songs, "A Guy What Takes His Time." The first version was recorded in 1933, and is available on several of the common Mae West CDs. She sings the song in the movie "She Done Him Wrong," although it is highly cropped due to film censorship. Watching Mae sing these songs in her films is strange... she rolls her eyes and smiles as she purrs "ooooh," and it sounds really weird. The second version I don't like so much. I found this 1950s Mae West record "The Fabulous Mae West," which features a few of her hits re-recorded, as well as some new-ish songs. The production just doesn't suit her. Her songs are better when presented more simply... one would imagine them being performed in a sleazy saloon or nightclub. Singing with a big full band doesn't have the same effect. In the 1930s version of "A Guy What Takes His Time," the character singing is Lady Lou (aka Diamond Lil.) In the 1950s version, the character singing is Mae West. By the time she recorded it she was already pushing 60 years of age.
I've never seen "King of Burlesque." This "Ladies of Burlesque" record is pretty common - record collectors will come across it often, especially when seeking other burlesque-related gems. It has some good songs on it. I don't know what year the compilation was put out, but the first song is "Ladies of the Chorus" featuring Marilyn Monroe, yet Marilyn's name is not printed on the front of the record alongside the other stars listed. This comp also features the famed Barbara Stanwyck "Take It Off the E String (Play It on the G String)" from the Gypsy Rose Lee-penned film "Lady of Burlesque." Maybe I'll put that song on here at some point. I really wish I could find "King of Burlesque," so that I could find out who the King in question is, and also so I could see what the crowd is laughing at in this Alice Faye track.
One thing that really amuses me about the Jayne Mansfield movie "The Girl Can't Help It" is the general poor understanding of "Rock and Roll." (Movie title song excepted!) At that period in time, Hollywood's representations of rock n roll were usually pretty corny. This song here is another good example of a sweet but misguided attempt. Regardless, it's a good audio glimpse of Mansfield - from her first sultry words to the squeals towards the end of the song. It's a campy good time. So horrible, and yet I listen to this song often, as a routine part of my curiosity about the glamorous, confused and kitschy life of Jayne Mansfield.
Hey pals, some of the songs on here are up for a limited amount of time. If you are the owner of a song posted here, let me know if you want it removed, and I will do so!
Here is side one of "Great Motion Picture Themes from Jean Harlow Films." I haven't tagged everything thoroughly enough to name all of the songwriters and movies and stuff.
Rae seems to be an expert about vaudeville, burlesque, and Mae West. Now there's a broad after my own heart.
Well, well, well... it looks like it's time for another burlesque novelty. I haven't posted one in awhile.
"The album you are now holding represents all that remains of an art form that was invented in America for Americans. On that bleak day in 1942 when a rumpled New York City politician with a penchant for chasing fire-trucks signed a ukase banning Burlesque, an era of unique entertainment ended. With the banishment of Burlesque from Broadway, this medium was stigmatized in the minds of the masses and, when transplanted across the Hudson River, the dry rot of vulgarity and synthetic sex completed the conspiracy. The new overlords of the runway forgot that the word "Burlesque" means parody or travesty, that originally the burlesque show had satirized and lampooned the topics of the times and contemporary musical theatre, and that Freudian and Kinseyesque overtones had no place in its initial concept. Thus it was that real Burlesque, along with the whooping crane and the passenger pigeon, passed into extinction.
Here we have two versions of one of my favorite Mae West songs, "A Guy What Takes His Time."
