NOVEMBER 4, 2009

2009 - The documentary "Johnny Mercer - The Dream's On Me" debuts tonight on Turner Classic Movies at 8PM E/5PM P and repeats at 12A E/9PM P. I was fortunate enough to be interviewed for the documentary and talked about Mercer's time at Capitol Records. I want to give thanks to Miles Kreuger who recommended me to Howard Green and to Howard for believing that I was the guy to do this and for all his kindness since the filming.

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!
1940 - Delbert McClinton, singer, harmonica player, gave John Lennon harmonica lessons, dueted with Bonnie Raitt on her Capitol Records album "Luck Of The Draw", and a Capitol Records artist (1980-1981), is born in Lubbock, Texas
1986 - Alexz Johnson, motion picture and television actress, songwriter, singer and Capitol Records artist, is born Alexzandra Spencer Johnson in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1946 - Alvino Rey (on guitar) and His Orchestra (Chuck Peterson, Jake Gerheim, Russ Granger, and Frank Nelson on trumpet; Sam Levine, Bob McReynolds, and Bob Swift on trombone; Bob Walsh and Hal McKusick on alto saxophone; Herbie Steward on tenor saxophone; Chuck Gentry on baritone saxophone; Rocky Coluccio on piano on vocals; Jim Bates on bass; and Ben Weber on drums) record the tracks "Among My Souvenirs" (vocals by Jo Ann Ryan, The Blue Reys, and Glee Club [both lineups unlisted]) and "Save Your Sorrows" (vocals by Jo Ann Ryan) in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue the two tracks together as a single (Capitol 338).
1946 - Jo Stafford (on vocals) with Carlyle Hall and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) records the tracks "Through A Thousand Dreams" and "Sonata" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue both tracks together as a single (Capitol 337).
1947 - Chuy Reyes and His Mocambo Orchestra (lineup unlisted) record the tracks "Boteanado" (vocals by Tony Martinez), "Baracoa (A Baracoa Me Voy)" (vocals by Tony Martinez), and the instrumental tracks "The Weddin' Rhumba (aka The Wedding Samba)" and "Los Hijos De Buda" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records issues the first two tracks on the album "Rumba De Cuba" (H-152) and the last two tracks on the album "Arthur Murray Favorites: Sambas" (T 260) as by Enric Madriguera And His Orchestra/Chuy Reyes.
1947 - Eddie Kirk (on vocals), with Clifford Snyder (aka Cliffie Stone) and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the tracks "How Do You Mend A Broken Heart", "I Made A Mistake", "Sad And Blue", and "I Remember That I Love You" in Los Angeles, California. All the tracks, except "Sad And Blue which Capitol will issue as a single (Capitol Americana 40069) with "Those Dark Clouds Don't Bother Me" on the flip side, remain (as of 2005) unissued.
1947 - The King Cole Trio (Nat "King" Cole on piano and vocals; Irving Ashby on guitar; and Johnny Miller on bass) record the tracks "I Feel So Smoochie", "A Boy From Texas (A Girl From Tennessee)", "When You Walked Out With Shoes On", and "That's The Kind Of Girl I Dream Of" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue the first track as a single (Capitol 15019) with "What'll I Do" on the flip side and the second track as a single (Capitol 15085) with "My Fair Lady" on the flip side. Mosaic Records will issue all the tracks in the box set "The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio" (MD18-138).
60 Years Ago Today In 1949 - Jerry Lewis records vocal overdubs for his tracks "Are You For Real?" and "I Love A Murder Mystery" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records issues the final versions of both tracks together as a single (Capitol 57-786).
60 Years Ago Today In 1949 - Johnny Smith (aka Jack Smith aka "Happy" Jack Smith) and The Jubalaires (unlisted vocalists), with instrumental accompaniment by unlisted musicians, record the tracks "Blue Ribbon Gal" and "I Wish I Had A Sweetheart" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records issues the first track as a single (Capitol 821) with "The Pal That I Loved Stole The Gal I Loved" on the flip side and the second track as a single (Capitol 57-784) with "Home, Home, Home" on the flip side.
1951 - Norman Kaye and Lindy Doherty (on vocals), with Sid Feller and His Orchestra (lineup unlisted) record the tracks "When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again" (vocals by Kaye and Doherty), "Would You" (vocals by Kaye and Doherty), the (as of 2005) unissued track "Salt Water Tears" (vocals by Doherty), and the track "A Heart Full Of Love (For A Handful Of Kisses)" (vocals by Kaye) in New York City, New York. This date is listed as when the session should have taken place chronologically in session order, but the artist files show the date of the session as being "October 4, 1951. Caiptol Records will issue the first track as a single (Capitol 1979) with "I Hear A Rhapsody" on the flip side and the second and last tracks together as a single (Capitol 1904).
1952 - Terry Preston (aka Ferlin Husky, on vocals), with unlisted musicians, records the tracks "Each Time You Leave (I Die A Little)", "Gone" and "Undesired" in (listed as possibly) Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records issues the first track as a single (Capitol 2814) with "Deceived" on the flip side, "Gone" as a single (Capitol 2298) with "Now And Then" on the flip side, and "Undesired" as a single (Capitol 2391) with "My Foolish Heart" on the flip side.
1953 - Joe "Fingers" Carr (on piano) and His Ragtime Band (Manny Stevens on trumpet; Jerry Kasper on tenor saxophone; Vince Terri on guitar, and other unlisted musicians), with vocals by The Carr-Hops (lineup unlisted), record the tracks "Istanbul", "Raggedy Ann Rag" (without The Carr-Hops), "Until Sunrise", and "Humoresque" (arrangement by Carr) in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Istanbul" as a single (Capitol 2665) with "Maple Leaf Rag" on the flip side, "Raggedy Ann Rag" on Carr's eponymous album "Joe "Fingers" Carr And His Ragtime Band" (T 443) and the last two tracks together as a single (Capitol 2730).
1953 - Pee Wee Hunt (on trombone, with: ) records the track "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone", the (as of 2005) unissued track "Sleepy Time Gal", and the tracks "Easy Melody", "Cow Bell Strut", and "Swingin' Around" in Kansas City, Kansas. Capitol Records issues the first, third and last tracks on Hunt's album "Swingin' Around" (H-492) and "Cow Bell Strut" as a single (Capitol 2750) with "Three's A Crowd" on the flip side.
1953 - Stan Freberg and Daws Butler (on vocals), with The Nathan Scott Orchestra (lineup unlisted), record the tracks "Yulenet (Christmas 'Dragnet'), Part 1" and "Yulenet (Christmas 'Dragnet'), Part 2" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both tracks together as a single (Capitol Records 2671).
55 Years Ago Today In 1954 - Ferlin Husky and His Hush Puppies (lineup unlisted) records the tracks "I Feel Better All Over", "This Boy's Gonna Love Again", "I Saw Her Today", and "Little Tom" in (listed as possibly) Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records issues the first and last track together as a single (Capitol F3001). Pickwick Records releases the first track and the third track together as a single (JS 6086). "This Boy's In Love Again", as of 2005, is still unissued.
1957 - Overdub applauses are recorded for Johnny Otis and His Orchestra's tracks ""Can't You Hear Me Callin'", "Loop De Loop", "Romance In The Dark", "Lonely River", "A Story Untold", "Livin' In Misery", and "Shake It, Lucy Baby" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records issues the final version of all the tracks on Otis' album "The Johnny Otis Show" (T 940).
1957 - Harry James (on trumpet) and His Orchestra (Nick Buono, Don Paladino, and Bob Rolfe also on trumpet; Ray Sims and Bob Edmondson on trombone; Ernie Tack on bass trombone; Willie Smith and Herb Lorden on alto saxophone; Corky Corcoran on tenor saxophone; Ernie Small on tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, and flute; Larry Kinnamon on piano; Dominic Frontiere on accordian; Laurindo Almeida and Nick Bonney on guitar; Nestor Amaral on mandolin; Jose "Joe Carioca" Oliveira on guitar and mandolin; Russ Phillips on bass; Leo Acosta on drums) record the tracks "Andrea" and "Vuela" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both tracks together as a single (Capitol F3849).
1957 - During his second session for Capitol Records, Joel Grey (on vocals and guitar), with The David Terry Orchestra (lineup unlisted), records the track "Be My Next", the (as of 2005) unissued track "Too Young", and the track "Shoppin' Around" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue the first and last tracks together as a single (Capitol F3866) in December 1957 and Elvis Presley will cover "Shoppin' Around" for the soundtrack of his movie "G.I. Blues".
1957 - On the same day of Joel Grey's seesion, his father Mickey Katz, with The Irving Fields Orchestra, records the track "Nudnick The Flying Schissel" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue the track as a single (Capitol F3851) with "Knock Around The Clock" on the flip side and on the album "The Most Mishige" (T 1102) as by Mickey Katz and His Orchestra.
1957 - Dick Curless (on vocals and rhythm guitar, with ) reocrds the tracks "Lovin' Dan - 60 Minute Man", "I'm Getting Tired", and "Midnight Turning Day Blues" at Event Studios in Westbrook, Maine for Event Records. Capitol Records will purchase the masters for all the tracks and Tower Records, a subdivision of Capitol Records, will issue all the tracks on Curless' album "Soul" (T 5013).
1958 - Pee Wee Hunt (on trombone, with Andy Bartha on cornet; Lee Cummins on clarinet; Jack Condon on piano; Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar; Gene Dragoo on bass; and Cody Sandifer on drums), using arrangements by Sid Feller, records the tracks "Beale Street Blues", "Wang Wang Blues", "I Get The Blues When It Rains", and "St. Louis Blues" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on Hunt's album "The Blues A La Dixie" (T 1144).
1958 - Nat "King" Cole (on vocals) with Dave Cavanaugh conducting the orchestra (lineup unlisted but includes brass, reeds, and rhythm players), records the tracks "The Best Thing For You Would Be Me", "Dedicated To You", "(I Would Do) Anything For You", and "This Is Always" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on Cole's album "Tell Me All About Yourself" (W 1331).
50 Years Ago Today In 1959 - Overdubs are recorded for Johnny Otis and His Orchestra's tracks "I'm With You" and "Hey Baby, Don't You Know?" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue "Hey Baby, Don't You Know?" as a single (Capitol 4326) with "Mumblin' Mosie" on the flip side and both the tracks on the CD "Johnny Otis - The Capitol Years" (7-92858-2).
50 Years Ago Today In 1959 - Tex Ritter on vocals, with music by Paul Sells, records the tracks "Billy The Kid", "Boll Weevil", and "Blood On The Saddle" (with Merle Travis on guitar) in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the track on Ritter's album "Blood On The Saddle" (T 1292).
50 Years Ago Today In 1959 - Johnny Ukelele records the tracks "Tea For Two Cha Cha", "The Jungle Song", "Ua-Like No-A-Like", "Hawaiian War Chant", and "Maui Chimes" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the takes on Ukelele's album "Favorite Selections" (T 1425).
1960 - The Dave Pell Octet (Jack Sheldon on trumpet; Harry Betts on trombone; Dave Pell on tenor saxophone; Med Flory on baritone saxophone; John Towner Williams on piano; Tom Tedesco on guitar; Lyle Ritz on bass; and Frank Capp on drums) records the tracks "Paper Doll", "Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gave To Me", "Tishomingo Blues", "Manhattan", and "Ballin' The Jack" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on Pell's album "The Old South Wails" (T 1512).
1960 - John Browning (on piano) records pick-ups for Chopin's "Polonaise N°2,Opus 26", "Polonaise N°5,Opus 44", and "Polonaise N°6, Opus 53" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records, as of 2005, has yet to issue any of the tracks.
1960 - Laurindo Almeida (on guitar with an unlisted flutist), records Hugard's "Gavote", De Castillejo's "Al Amor", "Aria", the traditional title "El Testamento De Amilla (listed in the artist file as "Cancion Triste", and De Murcia's "Prelude Et Allegro" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks, except "Aria" which is (as of 2005) still unissued, on Almeida's album "The Guitar Worlds Of Laurindo Almeida" (P-8546).
45 Years Ago Today In 1964 - Capitol Records releases Buck Owens And His Buckaroos' album "I Don't Care", the third album that Owens released in 1964
45 Years Ago Today In 1964 - The Hollyridge Strings (lineup unlisted), with Stewart "Stu" Phillips conducting his own arrangements, records "Bossa Nova Baby", "Love Me Tender", "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear", and a re-recording of "I'll Cry Instead" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first three tracks on the group's album "" (T 2221) and the last track on the group's album "Hit Songs Of Elvis Presley" (T 2202).
45 Years Ago Today In 1964 - Jackie Gleason and His Orchestra (Gleason conducts a large string orchestra featuring Pee Wee Erwin on trumpet, Charlie Ventura on tenor saxophone) record the tracks "Who Can I Turn To?" and "Hello Dolly" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on Gleason's album "Last Dance" (W 2144).
1965 - Frank Polk records the tracks "I'm Your Man" and "Love Is Dangerous" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records issues both tracks as a single (Capitol 5581).
1965 - The Beatles (George Harrison on lead guitar and vocals, John Lennon on rhythm guitar and vocals, Paul McCartney on bass guitar and vocals, and Ringo Starr on drums and lead vocals) record the track "What Goes On" at EMI's Abbey Road Studios in London, England. Capitol Records release the track on the group's album "Yesterday And Today" (T 2553) in the United States.
1965 - Laurindo Almeida (on guitar), with The Concert Arts Chamber Orchestra (lineup unlisted) conducted by Stanley Wilson, records Villa-Lobos' "Concerto For Guitar And Orchestra, 2nd Movement" and "Concerto For Guitar And Orchestra, 3nd Movement" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both tracks on Almeida's album "Concerto For Guitar And Small Orchestra: VILLA-LOBOS - Concerto For Guitar And Small Orchestra/WEISS - Suite In A Minor/J.S. BACH - Arioso From The harpsichord Concerto In F Minor" (P-8638).
1966 - David McCallum (on vocals and conducting unlisted musicians) records the tracks "Cherish", "If I Were A Carpenter", "Louie, Louie", "A Man And A Woman", and "Alfie" in Los Angeles, California with producer David Axelrod. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on McCallum's album "Music It's Happening Now!" (T 2651).
1966 - Brian Wilson records the first demo of the song "Heroes And Villains", singing vocals over his own piano playing, at Western Studios in Los Angeles, California, with co-writer Van Dyke Parks supplying animal sounds
1967 - Bobbie Gentry (on vocals and guitar) records the tracks "Big Boss Man" and "Parchman Farm" in Los Angeles, California. As of 2005, the version of "Big Boss Man" recorded today is still unissued. After three sessions of overdubs Capitol Records will issue "Parchman Farm" on Gentry's album "The Delta Sweetie" (T 2842).
40 Years Ago Today In 1968 - John Stewart (on vocals), with unlisted musicians, records the (as of 2005) unissued tracks "Mrs. Oleander", "Omaha Rainbow", "Rivers of Light", and "Losers Ville Lighthouse" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records.
1968 - Overdubs are recorded for Tony Sandler and Ralph Young's tracks "I Believe", "Viva El Amor", "Something Is Happening", "Feeling Groovy (The 59th Street Bridge Song)", "Together", "Life Is", and the (as of 2005) unissued track "Trains And Boats And Planes" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue the final version of all the rest of the tracks on the duo's album "Together" (ST-159).
1968 - Overdubs are recorded for Paul Klein's tracks "I Will Take You There" and "The Garbage Can" in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue the final versions of both tracks together as a single (Capitol 2364).
40 Years Ago Today In 1969 - William Marshall records the (as of 2005) unissued tracks "Poem, I Am A Negro", "The Negroes Speaks Of Rivers", "And Yet Do I Marvel", "We Have Been Believers", "Strong Men (Narration)", and "Y'All Forget (Narration)" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records.
40 Years Ago Today In 1969 - Nancy Wilson (on vocals), with The Hank Jones Quartet (Hank Jones on piano, Gene Bertoncini on guitar, Ron Carter on bass, and Grady Tate on drums), records the tracks "Prelude To A Kiss", "For Heaven's Sake", "Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe", and "I'll Walk Alone" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on Wilson's album "But Beautiful" (ST-798).
40 Years Ago Today In 1969 - Capitol Records registers the masters it purchased for The Sheppards (lineup unlisted), as of 2005, still unissued tracks "Island Of Love", "Never Felt This Way Before", "I'm Not Wanted", "Never Let Me Go", "The Sheppards", "Queen Of Hearts", "Tragic", "Elevator Operator", "Give A Hug To Me", "Come To Me", "Loving You", and "Glitter In Your Eyes".
40 Years Ago Today In 1969 - Los Copacabana (15 Year-Old Michaelina and three unlisted guitarists), with Chuck Anderson conducting his own arrangements, records the tracks "La Malaguena", "Que Bonita Es Mi Tierra", and "Hare Krishna". Capitol Latino issues all the tracks on the eponymous album "Los Copacabana" (ST-19035).
1970 - Final overdubs are recorded for Al DeLory's tracks "Theme From 'Love Story'", "We've Only Just Begun", "Make It Easy On Yourself", and "Elegy" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the final versions for all the tracks on DeLory's album "Love Story" (ST-677).
35 Years Ago Today In 1974 - Grand Funk (lineup unlisted) record the tracks "Responsibility", and "Runnin'" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the two tracks together as a single (Capitol SO-11356).
1975 - Sammy Hagar (on vocals and guitar with unlisted musicians) records the tracks "Silver Lights" and "Urban Guerrilla" in Sausalito, California. Capitol Records will issue both tracks on Hagar's album "Nine On A Ten Scale" (ST-11489).
1976 - James Talley (on vocals and acoustic guitar with ) records the track "Migrant Jesse Sawyer" and then records overdubs are recorded for "Migrant Jessie Sawyers" and Talley's tracks "Everybody Loves A Love Song" and "Bluesman" at Jack Clement Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records releases the final versions of all the tracks on Talley's album "Blackjack Choir" (ST-11605).
1977 - Carl Jackson records the tracks "Monroe Medley" and "Ever And Ever" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both tracks on Jackson's album "Old Friends" (ST-11760).
1977 - Gary Portland records the track "Snow White" in Los Angeles, California for Capitol Records. There is no issuing information listed, so if anyone knows if the track was ever issued and who else was at the session, please leave a comment.
1980 - Lee Clayton records the track "Oh How Lucky I Am" in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue the track on Clayton's album "The Dream Goes On" (ST-12139).
1981 - A session is held in Los Angeles, California to edit together Anne Murray's track "Christmas Medley: Silver Bells/I'll Be Home For Christmas/Winter Wonderland" from three different masters. There is no issuing information listed, so if anyone knows if the track was ever issued and who was at the session doing the editing, please leave a comment.
1982 - Red Rider (lineup unlisted) records the tracks "Winner Take All" and Walking The Fine Line" in (listed as possibly) Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue both tracks on the group's album "Neruda" (ST-12226).
1983 - George Clinton (on vocals), with unlisted musicians, finishes recording tracks for the titles "Quickie" and "Last Dance" at The Disc Studio in East Detroit, Michigan. Capitol Records will release the final version of both tracks on Clinton's album "You Shouldn't-Nuf Bit Fish" (ST-12308).
1983 - Missing Persons (Chuck Wild on keyboard and synthesizer, Warren Cuccurullo on guitar and vocals, Patrick O'Hearn on bass and synthesizer, Terry Bozzio on drums, guitar and synthesizer, and Dale Bozzio on vocals) record the track "Racing Against Time" in (listed as possibly) Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the track on the band's album "Rhyme & Reason" (ST-12315).
1986 - Peggi Blu records the track "All The Way With You" as a duet with Bert Robinson. Capitol Records will issue the track on the album "Blu Blowin'" (ST-12550).
20 Years Ago Today In 1988 - Capitol Records registers the masters for the tracks on Rap compilation "The Union".
1989 - Sandy Brooks calls her husband Garth Brooks prior to a show in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She told him to come home immediately and straighten out their marriage, or she was leaving. Garth did not finish the show.
1997 - Capitol Records releases The Beach Boys' box set "The Pet Sounds Sessions"
1997 - Grand Royal Records and Capitol Records release the three disc live album "Tibetan Freedom Concert"
1998 - Capitol Records and broadcast.com announce that they are joining forces to create a new co-branded Capitol Records/broadcast.com music channel. The new channel will be hosted on the broadcast.com Web site and will showcase free audio and video programming from Capitol Records and its family of labels.
5 Years Ago Today In 2004 - Merle Haggard records tracks for an upcoming Capitol Records album at The Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood, California

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1955 - M-G-M releases the motion picture "The Tender Trap" starring Capitol Records artist Frank Sinatra. Capitol will later release Sinatra's recording of the title track.
1963 - The Beatles appear at the Royal Command Performance Variety Show held in Prince of Wales Theatre, London, England, performing before the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon. Before beginning "Twist and Shout," John Lennon asks the audience "Will the people in the cheaper seats clap their hands? And the rest of you, if you'll just rattle your jewelry.".