Nancy and Rod Do It Again

Happy October!

First, for anyone who was interested in the section in my previous post about the early use of the term "Rock and Roll" in Billboard from the 40's, I encourage you to revisit the last post, and have a look at the comments, where a reader with a fantastic name has shared more information, indicating that the term was used considerably earlier in Billboard. Thanks for that!

I have also, as usual, updated another month worth of posts, in this case, April of 2012, which featured five posts (those were the days), one of which had four songs in it, for a total of 12 links fixed!. These include a largely religious Halmark EP, a silly but endearing record on Tin Pan Alley, an extremely early "Real Pros" record on Cinema, and both of song-poem records I've acquired which have picture sleeves, on on Sterling (featuring Norm Burns), and one on the tiny "Endeavor" label, featuring an instrumental song-poem. 

And speaking of tiny labels, let's bring on our friend Jerome. 

I only have a handful of records by either Nancy Sherman or Rod Barton (a singer who I spoke with on a phone a couple of times, a few years ago), but I tend to enjoy those records I have heard by each of them. And here they are, teamed up on a record which seems likely to be from 1961, based on the available information.

The opening 25 seconds of "Come On, Let's Do It Again" are not promising, but then a jazzy groove picks up, and a lounge style performance ensues from everyone involved. There's even a slinky guitar solo half way through, followed by an understated sax solo. All in all, a fun little record.

Download: Nancy Sherman and Rod Barton - Come On, Let's Do It Again
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The flip side, "I'll Always Care" is credited to The Coeds, a female vocal quartet which seems to be otherwise undocumented on song-poem records. They do an almost passable job, to the point that I'm sure some people would think this was just another failed girl group or teen record, but the harmonies turn ragged fairly often - several of the chords simply aren't quite there, if you know what I mean. That sixth chord at the end, for example, should make me swoon, but it fails to deliver.

Oh, and the song is pretty much nothing, lyrically and musically.

Download: The Coeds - I'll Always Care
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