Our Lady of Perpetual Obsolescence Vinyl Rescue Mission and Orphanage

Currently up for your listening pleasure is this curious recording from 1969 by A. J. Marshall. This album isn’t all that obscure, but I’ve never seen it offered for sharity in its entirety and I really think it deserves a wider recognition.

All that really needs to be said is that this is a collection of contemporary (for the end of the sixties) tunes sung, without irony or humor, by an Al Jolson impressionist. That, in a nutshell, is the premise of the album.

I wanted to be able to write some insightful/witty comments, but I’m at a loss. My suggestion is to just listen to it. My favorites include Little Green Apples, I’ll Never Fall in Love Again, and You’ve Made Me So Very Happy.

The liner notes curiously allude to but never mention Al Jolson by name. They were written by Sammy Cahn, who gushes about Mr. Marshall’s and the album’s merits. The arrangements by Bobby Gosh are well done, and perfectly offset Mr. Marshall’s vocal gymnastics.

Have fun listening and as always, Enjoy!

Download individual tracks:

1. There’s A Lot Of Lovin’ In This Old Boy Yet.

2. Little Green Apples.

3. I’ll Never Fall In Love Again.

4. This Guy’s In Love With You.

5. Last of the Great Old Hang Around Type Girls.

6. Didn’t We.

7. By The Time I Get To Phoenix.

8. Young Girl.

9. The Mr. In Your Mrs. Kind Of Life

10. Need You.

11. You’ve Made Me So Very Happy.

Or download all the mp3s and cover art in one 50 MB zip file.

Presented for your enjoyment is this somewhat obscure vanity release from 1971 by NHL player/coach Jim Schoenfeld.

Although Mr. Schoenfeld seems to be most famous for cussing out NHL referee Don Koharski, we at the Orphanage feel that the recording offered here is an achievement deserving of a great recognition.

As golden throats go, Mr. Schoenfeld’s larynx is 24 karat. He throws himself with complete abandon at the material he covers. He displays a wide range of vocal talents, ranging from primal screams to quiet, introspective musings. He even includes an original composition, Before, that ponders the age old question of what life was like before there were so many humans populating the earth.

The album was produced by John Valby (aka Dr. Dirty), who, I’m assuming is responsible for the unusual but oddly satisfying arrangements that permeate the recording.

Have fun listening and as always, Enjoy!

Download individual tracks:

1. All Along The Watchtower.

2. I Saw Her Standing There.

3. Great Balls Of Fire.

4. Chain Gang.

5. Before.

6. You Can’t Do That.

7. You Always Hurt The One You Love.

8. Barbecue In Heaven.

9. Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying.

10. Hey Bulldog.

Or download all the mp3s and cover art in one 49 MB zip file.

Our album for March is this solid offering from The Family Tree, a Country/Pop act hailing from the great state of Tennessee and spearheaded by identical twins Jerry and Larry Needham. There’s no date on the album, but judging from the style of clothing and the selection of tunes, I’d put it smack dab in the middle of the 1970s.

The album is mostly made up of recordings that feature simple but serviceable arrangements that serve to showcase the singing of Jerry, Larry, and the uncredited female member of the group. The group really shines when tackling some of the more ‘novelty’ tunes like She Taught Me How to Yodel and Auctioneer. I don’t know if it is Jerry or Larry, but one of them has an impressive set of yodeling pipes. On some of the other tunes, the quality of the singing tends to drift a bit, but the group’s personality and enthusiasm more than makes up for any less than polished moments. I was a little disappointed that they failed to breakout the trumpets that they are wielding on the back cover, but I’ll cut them some slack.

Nowadays, the Needham Twins are performing as a duo based out of Mesa, Arizona, and currently enjoy a very active concert schedule. Be sure to check out their website for more information. Have fun listening and as always, Enjoy!

Download all the mp3s and cover art in one 48 MB zip file.