Who Knows This Melody?

It suddenly occured to me that maybe, someday, someone will drop by my humble blog abode, someone who knows the name of this melody. 

The long story short here is that this unnamed tune was recorded at the tail end of the first reel of tape my family ever owned, a professional reel that otherwise contained studio outtakes by some of the big names of the early '50's. When the reel to reel tape recorder my father ordered in 1952, arrived, this reel was on the machine. I've written about it before, well over a year ago, in this blog.

My brother and I have identified the other five tracks (and the artists performing them) on the tape (even two instrumentals, which was a challenge), and we've confirmed that each of them has at least a slight difference from the released versions of the same tracks. But we are stumped as to the title of this short tune, which most certainly does not sound like a studio outtake by one of the big names of the early '50's! Does anyone out here recognize the melody?

Here 'tis: 

Download: Accordion and Tuba Polka

Play:  

The last note is gone, worn away after years of people playing this tape. 

There is actually more to this mystery than I've shared here, but I'll save that for another day.

Shame On the Man Who Tattooed Her!

Today's song is "TATTOOED LADY" by Rudy Vallee and His Connecticut Yankees.  

I just got this record, which I REALLY wanted for quite a while now. I found part of it on a tape of a radio show several months ago, and it's been rattling around in my head ever since. I'm getting to like Rudy Vallee more and more, just about every time I hear another one of his early records. 

There is much to love here, from the weird inflections he chooses at various points of the lyric, to the lyric itself, to the almost out of control little tag sung by the group after all but the first singing of the chorus. I love that 6th chord at the end, with the fifth-note wavering on top. 

I'm usually more verbose about what I post, but I think in this case I'll just let you hear for yourself. Tell me what you think! 

Download: Rudy Vallee and His Connecticut Yankees - Tattooed Lady

Play:  

Incidentally, you may have heard the "laughing" version of "Tavern in the Town", but in case you haven't, maybe I'll put that up here, too some time. That's a record I've wanted to own for at least 35 years, and it's on the flip side of this one, complete with a joke label replacing the regular RCA label!