Friday, June 26, 2020

The Neon Beat - 6.22.20

On the Neon Beat this week on M-xCloud: Rosemary Clooney opens up the show with a Hoagy Carmichael song from the film “Here Comes the Groom.” Then the iron voiced baritone of Vaughn Monroe takes it next with his signature hit, “Racing With the Moon.” We'll track what was arguably the biggest hit record for the California group, The Association: “Windy.” Instrumental content abounds with The Mantovani Orchestra with “The Swedish Rhapsody”, Leroy Anderson directs the Boston Pops for “Blue Tango,” and enjoy some swing era big band with Glen Gray and his Casa Loma Orchestra for a fine rendition of “Begin the Beguine.” Catch a hit record set starting with Bobby.

Darin's “Dream Lover”, followed with Doris Day's 1958 chart topper “Everybody Loves Somebody” and Nat King Cole with the tender, “Mona Lisa.” More with Andy Williams singing “Happy Heart,” Connie Stevens with “Sixteen Reasons,” and Guy Mitchell with “Pittsburg Pennsylvania.” Still more with Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Engelbert Humperdinck and a 1960 hit record for Anita Bryant.

Great Adult Standards of the 1940's, 50's and 60's



The Neon Beat - 6.14.20

On the Neon Beat on M-x Cloud- Show 05r6: This week's offerings kick off with the snappy standard by Canada's own, The Crew Cuts. Then listen to Old Blue Eyes as he croons his hit song, “Strangers in the Night.” Turn up your speaker and get your instrumental fix with Don Costa performing the theme from the film “Never on Sunday,” and Berlin pianist Horst Jankowski as he strokes the ivories with the song, “Play a Simple Melody.” Listen to Perry Como sing a lovely Don Mclean song, “And I Love You So.” Hear Nat King Cole with a live Vegas recording of “The Continental.” Then sing along with Peggy Lee as she sings a song for “Doodling.” We'll team up Ella Fitzgerald with Louis Armstrong for a charming film classic, “Isn't It a Lovely Day.” Enjoy some folk with Judy Collins with “Turn Turn Turn”, and the Kingston Trio with “A Worried Man.” Much more including a “throw in” from the back of the rack called “Alley Oop” by the Hollywood Argyles. Enjoy.




The Neon Beat - 6.7.20 (1)

On the Neon Beat on M-x Cloud- Show 04r6: We slam into this session with a light hearted song of redemption with Patti Page singing “Cross Over the Bridge.” Next stroll hand-in-hand with Nat King Cole with the song, “Walking My Baby Back Home.” Listen to Frank Sinatra croon a popular mood song called, “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning.” Those great period instrumentals just keep coming with Omaha's Roger Williams playing the theme from “Born Free,” Les Baxter with “The Poor People of Paris,” Arthur Ferrante and Louis Tiecher with “The Theme from Lawrence of Arabia,” and Nashville's own Floyd Cramer is at the keyboard for “The Theme from Dallas.” Crank up a little ear candy with actress Marilyn Monroe with a steamy rendition of “You'd Be Surprised.” Listen to hit records by our great singin' paisanos like Dean Martin with “I'd Cry Like a Baby,” Perry Como with “Dreamer's Holiday,” and Tony Bennett with the “Blvd of Broken Dreams.” More with Johnny Mathis, The Brothers Four, and Eddie Cantor with a fun version of “Making Whoopie.” Much mo. Enjoy!



The Neon Beat - 6.7.20 (2)

On the Neon Beat on Mx-Cloud- Show 03r6: We begin this hour with a salsa treatment of the song “Sway” sung by Rosemary Clooney backed by Perez Prado's Orchestra. The Four Lads take it next with a toe-tappin' version of a song from “Gypsy” followed up with Bobby Darin's signature 1959 chart topper, “Mack the Knife.” Hear a James Bond set with Shirley Bassie from “Diamonds are Forever” and Matt Monro with the theme from “From Russia With Love.” Enjoy a big band selection with Harry James performing a swing standard called, “The Mole.” Hear more great instrumentals with Herb Alpert and the TJB with “Taste of Honey,” Horst Jankowski's sweeping 1966 favorite “Walk in the Black Forest,” and Henry Mancini's “Mister Lucky.” More with Frank Sinatra doin' a folk song called “Cycles,” actress Debbie Reynolds with a charming petulant rendition of the song “S'posin,” and a Paul Simon standard sung by Harpers Bazaar. More with Sammy Davis Jr, Jo Stafford, Johnny Tillotson, and Steve Lawrence. Listen now.



Monday, June 1, 2020

The Neon Beat - 5.31.20

On The Neon Beat this week: This week's hour starts with a sock hop hit for Perry Como as we open with "Tina Marie." Then we turn up the thermostat for Peggy Lee's "Fever." Then crank up the New Orleans horn of Al Hirt and listen to "Cotton Candy." Hear more instrumental jazz with Glenn Miller''s "Chattanooga Choo Choo." Vic Damone sings a snappy number from "Pal Joey." Turn up Tony Bennett with Count Basie doin' a great number bout that windy city. Catch a couple hits by the great period groups like the Four Lads and The Lettermen. Much more. Once again, we'd hope to expand this thing back to the two or three hours we had been posting. Bear with us as we tighten some screws and adapt to the new web site. Our new host is Mx-Cloud. (Mix Cloud) Last weeks show will still be there if you didn't catch it last week. Enjoy! Good to be back. John Christopher