Singers, Swingers, and Stringers ( #AtoZChallenge )

       Singers are a main focus of my vinyl collection, but without the great musicians the music would be rather lacking.   A song sung well is an absolute delight, but the virtuosity of a great musician is dynamite. 

      Sad to see the departure of Sad Cafe.  Likewise, I miss Styx and Stryper.  Stockhausen, Stravinsky, and Saint-Saens slipping away left a big hole in my classical section.  And why, oh why, did I sell off that unique album by The Smubbs?  A slew of S albums have gone, but several remain...

Links to the music are included throughout the post if you want to hear the music.

Spanky and Our Gang  "Like to Get to Know You" (1968)   This album was given to me by my dear late friend Fred.  He tended to do that:  Give away his stuff after enjoying it for a short while.  He must have sensed that he would leave this world far too early.  Besides, this is a marvelous album with great songs and exquisite vocal harmonies.  I couldn't let go of this album--especially since it is a reminder of a very good friend whom I miss.

Don Shirley Trio  "Don Shirley Presents Martha Flowers" (1962)    "Don Shirley in Concert" (1969)    I was thrilled when I heard about the movie Green Book (2018) being about one of my favorite jazz pianists.  It's a wonderful movie that you should see if you haven't already.  And you should check out the music of Don Shirley.  I found his collaborative effort with Martha Flowers in a cut-out catalog and had to order it since I already knew his music from the concert album.  I had originally heard a cut from Don Shirley in Concert on the University of Tennessee NPR station WUOT in Knoxville. Hearing his trio's rendition of "Georgia on my Mind" enthralled me and I was compelled to find his album, which I did at the University of Tennessee Bookstore.  So many times I've listened to this album and been carried away to a magical place in my musical mind.  The songs are classics played in a classical style, but still it's jazz. It's a truly amazing album that I'd never want to let go of.

Eddie South  "The Dark Angel of the Fiddle"  (originally from 1958, re-released in 1981)  When I was a kid my parents had a magnificent album by jazz violinist Eddie South.  That album eventually disappeared--probably thrown out due to wear--but I never forgot the music. After I started collecting albums I searched for the music of this artist.  Finally in the eighties I ran across this "Dark Angel" album in either a bookstore or a record close-out catalog.  There was no question in my mind about buying the album and there is no reason to get rid of it now.  This is a great album of jazz violin music.

Eric Satie  "Orchestral Music" (1970)  In the late sixties I first discovered the music of Eric Satie and developed somewhat of an obsession about it.  I'd seen a PBS documentary about "The Velvet Gentleman" and found it to be quite interesting.  Then I heard a Satie "Gymnopedie" piece on the second album by Blood Sweat & Tears.  I started looking for any Satie I could find.  It was not an easy task at that time.  I found an 8 track cartridge recording called "The Velvet Gentleman" and then later a boxed set (you'll see that one on my letter V day).  Now I have several collections of Satie's music on CD, but this album of Satie's orchestral music is a special find.  I bought it through a catalog of classical cut-outs.  It was a nice find then and worth keeping now.

Small Circle of Friends   (1968)  This album from a cut-out bin was cheap, but it was good.  This got plenty of spins on my turntable.  This is a nice collection of pop songs by an excellent vocal group.  This is music that I always enjoy hearing.

Frank Sinatra  "Try a Little Tenderness"  (1967)  This album originally belonged to my mother, but I listened to it frequently back in my teen years.  This is some of Sinatra's best work with his top arrangers and conductors.  Since it belonged to my late mother then I will keep this one even though it's not in tip top condition.  She didn't take as good of care of her records as I did, but it's probably still playable.

Status Quo "Picturesque Matchstickable Messages from the Status Quo"  (1968) This is another cut-out bin treasure that nicely complements my collection of psychedelic music.  Keeping it.

The Sugar Shoppe  (1968)  This is a long time favorite album of mine that I'm so glad to have discovered.  Now I'm not totally sure when I first discovered this group.  I can remember hearing their song "Poor Papa" on the radio, but now the details are a bit hazy to my memory.  Whatever the circumstance, I apparently put it on my 1968 Christmas list for my mother and, by golly, she found it.  I've listened to this album more times than I can count and have never tired of it.  I just don't get rid of albums like this one.

Spirit  "Clear" (1969)   "Time Circle" (1991)  In my estimation, Spirit is one of the best groups ever. Great songs and great performances.  This eclectic group mish-mashed rock with jazz and classical.  I would list them among my favorite groups.  I was so fortunate to run across their "Clear" album in a cut-out bin where I paid far less than I would have otherwise. This album is one that I listened to many many times back when I used to listen to a lot of vinyl.  Later I found their retrospective package "Time Circle" on CD and it's an absolute must have compilation for anyone who loves the music of the seventies.  

String Driven Thing  "String Driven Thing"  (1972)  When I saw this album in a used record store in Knoxville TN back around 1988 there was no question as to my buying it.  The name of the group implies strings, i.e. violin.   And if there was still any doubt then the cover picture depicting the weird robot looking guy playing the violin confirms any suspicions.  The song titles sounded pretty cool as well so that was that. I bought the album.  This Scottish group has a number albums released, but this is the only one that I have come across.  I'll keep this one.

   Which of these artists or albums do you recognize?    Do you have many albums that were given to you by others?   Which S artists would you like to include in my list?