The Neon Beat on Radio George - 6.5.17

On The Neon Beat this week, Jukebox 1: We open this hour with the man, always light on his feet. Fred Astaire performs a signature song from “Top Hat.” Then will listen to some great Cole Porter with Ella Fitzgerald followed with a Harold Arlen song sung by the Four Aces. Connie Francis will lift your spirits with an amorous version of “Quando, Quando.” Tony Bennett will sing a song with Count Basie's Orchestra. A song about that “Toddlin' Town.” We'll do a little rat packin' with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr followed up with a song by Dean Martin. Enjoy a period 1950's sweep with The Four Preps singing bout' that isle of romance, The Dixie Cups with “Chapel of Love” and a “wonderful”chart breaker by Johnny Mathis. Can't have a show of this genre' without great instrumental content including, Big Band selections with Benny Goodman, Harry James, and Nelson Riddle backing Ol' Blue Eyes. We'll track a 1962 standard called “Ramblin' Rose” by Nat King Cole followed by “A Cottage for Sale” by Dinah Washington. Listen to hit songs by The Islanders, Vic Damone, and a little salza with Caterina Valente. Listen now at: http://www.radiogeorge.com/neonbeat.htm

On The Neon Beat thihs week, Jukebox 2: The Lettermen launch this segment with a glorious remake of a 1950's hit by the Four Coins: “Shangri La.” (Or “Really La” as Louis Armstrong joked once.) Eydie Gorme takes the micfor her 1963 Columbia hit, “Blame it on the Bossa Nova.” Glen Campbell performs a song listed as one of the top 500 songs of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine. This is followed by a 1966 film hit for The Seekers and a rousing back of the rack hit by L.A.'s Bobby Sherman. Barbra Streisand sings some great Stephen Sondheim from her Broadway album. Set back and enjoy some period instrumental hits by Paul Mauriat, Dave Baby Cortez, and Glenn Miller. We'll track a signature hit for Dean Martin followed up with a steamy number by actress Marilyn Monroe. Listen to Sergio Mendez and Brazil 66 with “Fool on the Hill”, a neat skat version of “Blue Skies” by Ella Fitzgerald and a jazzy uptempo arrangement of “Camptown Races” showcasing the extensive vocal ranges of the “Hi Lo's.” More with Engelbert Humperdinck, Tony Bennett, and Tony Orlando and Dawn. See the lists, links, leave comments at: http://theneonbeat.blogspot.com/

On The Neon Beat this week, Jukebox 3: Sammy Davis Jr begins this hour with his stirring 1969 hit song from the Broadway play, Golden Rainbow: “I've Gotta Be Me.” Then we'll drop in on the Johnny Carson show for the man's NBC television theme performed by Henry Mancini. Nat King Cole croons a smooth rendition of a great Fats Waller standard. Listen to some great period groups like The McGuire Sisters, The Four Lads with a sprite number from “Gypsy,” Jo Stafford and The Pied Pipers with “Dream,” a Les Brown favorite sung by the Ames Brothers, and a back-o-the-rack hit for The Essex.. “Easier Said than Done.” Oklahoman Patti Page jumps in this set with a lush 1956 favorite about “Old Cape Cod,” then we're “Just in Time” for a song with Dean Martin. We'll team up Louis Armstrong with actor Danny Kaye from the film “The Five Pennies” to do a fun tongue twisting version of “When the Saints.” Hear instrumentals like Andre Previn's “Like Young” and Harry James and his Orchestra with “Cherry.” You'll hear hits by Frankie Laine, Perry Como, and Dinah Washington. Listen at: http://www.radiogeorge.com/neonbeat.htm