FEBRUARY 12, 2017

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
1923 - Mel Powell, pianist, songwriter, dean of music at the California Institute Of The Arts, and Capitol Records artist, is born Melvin Epstein in New York City, New York
1968 - Chynna Phillips, singer, daughter of John and Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas, and member of the SBK Records (distributed by Capitol Records) group Wilson Phillips, is born in Los Angeles, California.

ON THIS DAY IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1946 - Ella Mae Morse (on vocals) and Freddie Slack (on piano, with George Van Eps on guitar, John "Jack" Ryan on bass, and Nick Fatool on drums) record the tracks "The House Of Blue Lights" (additional vocals by Don Raye) and "Hey, Mr. Postman" (with Slack on celeste) at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue both tracks together as a single (Capitol 251).
70 Years Ago Today In 1947 - Merle Travis' Capitol Records single "So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed", with "Sweet Temptation" on the flipside, hits #1 on the U.S. Country singles charts
70 Year Ago Today In 1947 - The Benny Goodman Quintet (Benny Goodman on clarinet, Ernie Felice on accordion, Jess Stacy on piano, Harry Babasin on bass, and Tommy Romersa on drums) records the titles "Sweet Georgia Brown", "I'll Always Be In Love With You", two takes of "Sweet Lorraine", and "St. Louis Blues" in Radio Recorders Studios at 932 North Western Avenue in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue "Sweet Georgia Brown" on Goodman's album "Easy Does It!" (CCN-295), "I'll Always Be In Love With You" and "St. Louis Blues" as part of its "Classics Of Jazz" series album "Benny Goodman" (H-479), and the first take of "Sweet Lorraine" on Goodman's album "The Goodman Touch" (H-441). Mosaic Records will issue all the titles and takes in the box set "The Complete Capitol Small Group Recordings of Benny Goodman" (MQ6-148 on vinyl and MD4-148 on CD).
70 Years Ago Today In 1947 - Vocalist Margaret Whiting, with Frank DeVol conducting his own arrangements to the orchestsra (Uan Rasey on trumpet, Evan Vail on French horn, Arthur "Skeets" Herfurt, Jules Kinsler, Jerome Kasper, Ted Romersa, and Fred Dornbach on woodwinds, Edwin "Buddy" Cole on piano, Barney Kessel on guitar, Phil Stephens on bass, Tom Romersa on drums, June Weiland on harp, and a string section with Victor Arno, Felix Slatkin, Joseph Quadri, Jacob Kaz, Bernard Kundell, Jack Gootkin, William Brower, Henry Sugar on violin, Elizabeth Sugar and Paul Lowenkron on viola, Jules Tannenbaum and David Pratt on cello), records the titles "Little Girl Blue", "Spring Isn't Everything", and "My Funny Valentine" in Radio Recorders' studios at 932 North Western Avenue in Hollywood, California between 8:00 PM and 11:30 PM. Capitol Records will issue "Little Girl Blue" and "My Funny Valentine" on Whiting's self-titled album "Margaret Whiting" (BD-51) and "Spring Isn't Everything" as a single (Capitol 383) with "Time After Time" (recorded October 16, 1946) on the flipside.
70 Years Ago Today In 1947 - Guitarist Alvino Rey 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, Jim Bates on bass, and Ben Weber on drums) record the titles "Mama Blues" with vocals by Bill Young, "Whoopsie Doodle" with vocals by The Blue Reys (lineup unlisted but possibly including Rocky Coluccio and Bill Young), and Midnight Masquerade (vocals by Jo Anne Ryan and The Blue Reys) in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue "Mama Blues" and "Midnight Masquerade" together as a single (Capitol 390) and has yet to issue "Whoopsie Doodle". There is also a listing that Rey records an unspecified number of titles for The Capitol Records Transcription Service in Los Angeles, California on the same day.

1951 - Vocalist Nat "King" Cole, with Pete Rugolo conducting his own arrangements to the orchestra (Marion "Buddy" Childers on trumpet,  Arthur "Skeets" Herfurt and Jules Kinsler on alto saxophones and flutes, Babe Russin and Jimmy Giuffre on tenor saxphones, alto saxophones, and flutes, Chuck Gentry on baritone saxophone and bass flute, Edwin "Buddy" Cole on piano and celeste, Irving Ashby on guitar, Joe Comfort on bass, and Louis Bellson on drums) and The King Sisters (Alyce, Donna, Yvonne and Luise) on harmony vocals, records the titles "I Wish I Were Somebody Else", "You Can't Make Me Love You", "Red Sails In The Sunset", "I'll Always Remember You", and (without The King Sisters and with Jack Costanzo on bongos) "Poor Jenny Is A Weeping" at Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California between 2:30 PM and 6:30 PM. Capitol Records will issue "I Wish I Were Somebody Else" on Cole's album "King Cole Tenth Anniversary" (W 514), "Red Sails In The Sunset" as a single (Capitol 1468) with "Little Child" (recorded March 6, 1951) on the flipside, "I'll Always Remember You" as a single (Capitol 1747) with "Make Believe Land" (recorded August 25, 1950) on the flipside, and all the titles on Nat "King" Cole and The Pete Rugulo Orchestra's CD "Lush Life" (7-80595-2).

65 Years Ago Today In 1952 - Vocalist and guitarist Merle Travis, with Vic Davis on piano, Otis "Joe" Maphis on guitar, Eddie Kirk on rhythm guitar, Wesley "Speedy" West on steel guitar, and Dale Warren on bass, records a new take of the title "Kinfolks In Carolina" and the titles "Rainy Day Feelin' and "A Too Fast Past" in Capitol Records' studios at 5515 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Capitol Records will issue the new take of "Kinfolks In Carolina" and "Rainy Day Feelin'" together as a single (Capitol 2014) and "A Too Fast Past" as a single (Capitol 2136) with "Ain't That A Cryin' Shame" (recorded May 16, 1952) on the flipside.

65 Years Ago Today In 1952 - During two sessions held this day in Los Angeles, California, The Voices of Walter Schumann (a vocal choir with rhythm accompaniment by unlisted singers and musicians) records the title "(Theme And Variation On) Christ The Lord Is Risen Today" at the first session and "With A Song In My Heart", "Allelujah", "Ave Maria", and "The Palms (Les Rameaux)" at the second session. Capitol Records will issue "(Theme And Variation On) Christ The Lord Is Risen Today" and "The Palms (Les Rameaux)" on the group's self-titled album "The Voices of Walter Schumann" (DAS-314), "With A Song In My Heart" on the group's album "Serenade" (H-434), "Allelujah" on the group's second self-titled album "The Voices Of Walter Schumann" (DAS-342), and "Ave Maria" on the group's third self-titled album "The Voices Of Walter Schumann" (DAS-381).

1953 - The Pud Brown Trio (Albert "Pud" Brown on tenor saxophone, Pete Urquidi on piano, and Hank Castro on drums) record the tracks "Take The A Train" and "Memories Of You" in New Orleans, Louisiana with producer Dave Dexter, Jr. Capitol Records will purchase the masters and issue both tracks together as a single (Capitol 2433).

60 Years Ago Today In 1957 - Vocalist Skeets McDonald, with J. R. "Jelly" Sanders on fiddle; Joe Maphis and Alvis "Buck" Owens on guitar; Ralph Eugene Mooney on steel guitar; Clarence "Bud" Dooley on bass; and Marion "Pee Wee" Adams on drums, records the titles "I Am Music", "Welcome Home", "I Can't Hold A Memory In My Arms", and "Keep Her Off Your Mind" with producer Ken Nelson in the Capitol Tower Studios at 1750 North Vine Street in Hollywood, California between 10:00 AM and 2:30 PM. Capitol Records will issue "I Am Music" and "Keep Her Off Your Mind" together as a single (Capitol F3679) and "Welcome Home" as a single (Capitol 3741) with "Your Sweet Love" (recorded June 20, 1955) on the flipside. Bear Family Records will issue all the titles in Germany in the 5 CD box set "Skeets McDonald - Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes" (BCD 15937).
60 Years Ago Today In 1957 - Trumpeter Ray Anthony and His Orchestra (Art De Pew, Jack Laubach, and Jack Holman also on trumpet, Jimmy Henderson, Lew McCreary, and Jimmy Priddy on trombone, Med Flory and Gene Merlino on alto saxophone, Bob Enevoldsen and Jeff Massingill on tenor saxophone, Leo Anthony on baritone saxophone, Geoff Clarkson on piano, Al Viola on guitar, Don Simpson on bass, and Bill Richmond on drums), using arrangements by Don Simpson, records the titles "Far Away Places" with vocals by The Belvederes (lineup unlisted), "Star Dancing", "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes", and "Nice Work If You Can Get It" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles, except the still to be released take of "Nice Work If You Can Get It" on Anthony's album "Ray Anthony Plays For Star Dancing" (T 831).
60 Years Ago Today In 1957 - The Concert Arts Orchestra (lineup unlisted), conducted by Leopold Stokowski, records "Persichetti's "March From 'Divertimento For Band'", "Vaughan-Williams' "Scherzo From 'Symphony N°.8'", Strauss' "Gavotte from 'Suite For Wind Instruments In B Flat, Opus 4'", and Dukas' "Fanfare From 'La Peri'" in The Riverside Plaza Hotel in New York City, New York. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on the album "The Orchestra Full Dimensional Sound" (SAL/SSAL-8385). Capitol Records classical recordings catalogue was sold by Universal Music Group and is currently distributed by Warner Music Group.

1959 - Jack Marshall (on guitar and zither) and His Music (Don Fagerquist, Mannie Klein, Uan Rasey on trumpet; Milt Bernhart on trombone; Bob Enevoldsen on valve trombone; Justin Gordon and George Smith on saxophones; Milt Raskin on piano; Barney Kessel on guitar; Joe Mondragon and Mike Rubin on bass; Shelly Manne on drums; Larry Bunker, Milt Holland, and Lou Singer on percussion), using Marshall's arrangements, record the tracks "Sonate", "The Third Man Theme", "Clouds" and "Baby It's Cold Outside" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the tracks on Marshall's album "Soundsville! - Swinging Sketches By Jack Marshall And His Music" (T 1194).

55 Years Ago Today In 1962 - Vocalist Lou Rawls and pianist Les McCann, with Leroy Vinnegar on bass and Ron Jefferson on drums, records the titles "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water", "I Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town", "See See Rider", "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out", "In The Evening (When The Sun Goes Down)", and "T'aint Nobody's Business If I Do" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue all the titles, except the yet to be released take of "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out", on Rawls and McCann's album "Stormy Monday" (T/ST 1714).

55 Years Ago Today In 1962 - Vocalist Mac Wiseman, with Benny Williams on vocals and mandolin, Tommy Vaden and Chubby Wise on fiddle, Ray Edenton on guitar, Buck Trent on banjo, Joseph "Joe" Zinkan on bass, and Murrey M. "Buddy" Harman Jr. on bass, records the titles "Are You Missing Me?", "Freight Train", "Have A Drink On Me", and "Just A Strand From A Yellow Curl" at the Columbia Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. Capitol Records will issue all the titles on Wiseman's album "Bluegrass Favorites" (T/ST 1800).

1963 - Buck Owens (on vocals, with unlisted musicians) records the tracks "Act Naturally", "Over And Over Again", and the (as of 2005) unissued track "My Heart Skips A Beat" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the first two tracks together as a single (Capitol 4937).

1964 - The Beatles end their first American visit with two 25-minute shows at Carnegie Hall and then go to the White House with British PM Sir Alec Douglas-Home where they meet U.S. President Lyndon Johnson.
50 Years Ago Today In 1967 - Buck Owens' Capitol Records single "Where Does The Good Times Go", with "The Way That I Love You" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Country Singles chart
1969 - Pollution (led by Otis Hale; with Richard Lewis in keyboards and vocals; James Quill Smith on guitar and vocals; John Kenneth Lambert on bass and vocals; and Duane Bryant and Barbara Busa on vocals and unlisted instruments) records the track "Getting Together" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol Records will issue the track as a single (Capitol 2458) with "Angela Jerome" on the flip side.
1969 - Peggy Lee (on vocals, with on orchestra and choir with an unlisted lineup but listed as possibly including Bobby Bryant on trumpet), using arrangements by Bobby Bryant, records the track "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay", "I Think It's Going To Rain Today", and the (as of 2005) unissued track "No More" in The Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will issue the first two tracks on Lee's album "A Natural Woman" (ST-183).
1969 - Merryweather (lineup unlisted but listed on some sources as Neil Merryweather [aka Robert Neilson Lillie and Neil Lillie] leading the band, on bass, and lead vocals; David Colin Burt on guitar; Ed Roth on organ; and Gary "Cofi" Hall on drums) records the track "Feeling Of Freedom" and "Hooker Blues" in Los Angeles, California (possibly at Independent Recorders in the San Fernando Valley with in the Valley with producer John Gross, engineer Jim Lockert, and assistant engineer Tim Weston, son of Paul Weston and Jo Stafford. Capitol Records will issue the first track as a single (Capitol 2537) and the second track on the group's eponymous album "Merryweather" (STBB-278).
1969 - Matt Monro (on vocals, with unlisted musicians) records the track "Love Song (From 'Celebration')" at EMI's studios on Abbey Road in London, England. Capitol Records will issue the track as a single (Capitol 2455) with "Try To Remember" on the flip side.
1974 - Capitol Records releases Buck Owens' compilation album "Best Of Buck Owens, Volume 5"
30 Year Ago Today In 1987 - Vocalist and guitarist James Reyne, with unlisted others, records the titles "Counting On Me", "Love Will Find A Way", "Rip It Up", "Land Of Hope And Glory", "Bowling Ball", "Hammerhead", "Heaven On A Stick", "Submariners", "Coin On A Plate", "Always The Way", "Fall Of Rome", "The Traveller", "Mr. Sandman", and "Like A Pirate". Capitol Records will issue "Counting On Me", "Rip It Up", "Land Of Hope And Glory", "Hammerhead", "Heaven On A Stick", "Always The Way", "Fall Of Rome", "The Traveller", and "Mr. Sandman" on Reyne's self-titled album "James Reyne" (EST 2066) and has yet to issue any of the other titles.
1989 - Dan Seals' Capitol Records single "Big Wheels In The Moonlight", with "Factory Town" on the flipside, is #1 on Billboard's Country Singles chart

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY
1924 - The first public performance of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue" is given by future Capitol Records artist Paul Whiteman at his Symphonic Jazz program at New York City's Aeolian Hall. Gershwin himself is at the piano and guests John Philip Sousa and Jascha Heifetz are in the audience. Whiteman would later record "Rhapsody in Blue" for Capitol Records.
35 Years Ago Today In 1982 - David Lasley records the title "There's Got To Be Somebody". EMI America will issue the title as a single (EMI-America 8111) with "If I Had My Wish Tonight (recorded December 14, 1981) on the flipside.