Alice Lon

When I started blogging several years ago, I did not envision the day that I would be posting a Lawrence Welk record. But that day is here, and reason is a fine singer that the champagne music maestro employed from 1955-59, Alice Lon.

The cover says its a Welk LP, but it really is a solo vocal LP in all but name. The selections range from standards to novelties, and Lon does well by all of them.

The novelties are, I suppose, to be expected on a Welk record. "Sam the Old Accordion Man" is short and tolerable; however, "Rice" may be Mack David's worst song, with Lon bleating about how she wants to get married.

Nonetheless, the hits outnumber the misses, and I do recommend this record. If you stick it out through the accordion arpeggios and leaden arrangements, you will be rewarded with some heartfelt and secure singing from an artist who was able to maintain a beautiful tone throughout her range and at all volume levels - unusual for a pop singer.

Alice and Larry

Welk supposedly fired Lon after she posed for a photo where she showed her knees. So they say, but the real reason was probably fees rather than knees - Welk paid scale and didn't like to give raises. Too bad - she deserved one.

Speaking of photos, the one at right shows the flaring petticoats that Lon popularized as a fashion. Welk, meanwhile, demonstrates the unfortunate fashion of wearing your suits three sizes too large.

I love the hand-colored cover for this one, too, so reminiscent of the 50s. Back then, my mother had adorable hand-colored photos of me and sis up on the wall. (I wonder what became of those portraits. Mom probably got tired of looking at them. I sure did.)

This is presented by request; if it seems like I've been posting a lot of vocal LPs, that's because I've been fielding quite a few requests for them. Other genres coming up!