I can't explain to you what made Evelyn's violin so magical, although it did cast a spell over Spitalny. He married her (Evelyn, that is). I can explain the "Hour of Charm" part of the name. That was the title of the radio show that Phil and the band appeared on from 1934 to 1948.
All this may sound gimmicky, and is surely was. Even so, these were serious musicians, and this is quite a good record, even if composed entirely of standard holiday fare.
This 10-inch LP came out on RCA Victor in 1950. Victor leased the masters from Spitalny himself. He recorded them in fall 1947 at WOR studios in New York, and issued them as a 78 set on his own Charm label. The bandleader sold them at concerts and via large mail-order ads in magazines such as Life (see below).
Spitalny had previously recorded for Columbia and did some picture discs for Vogue. I thought I had one of the Vogues around here, but it turned out to be by another band with a long name - Art Kassel and his Castles in the Air Orchestra.
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| 1948 Life ad (click to enlarge) |
13 comments:
Link (Apple lossless):
http://www12.zippyshare.com/v/3217137/file.html
https://mega.co.nz/#!icFGXLSA!XiAqUCs5Q41OV_92BsL_q0c-pSUbs_tNdbPlOGbZnLA
http://rapidshare.com/share/FBB35FA509635E542BDCC38005A1D095
Buster...familiar with Phil only because I have an old Durium "Hit of the Week" flexi-disc of his. That was probably before his all girl orchestra (and chorus). So I'm thanking you for a bit of a Phil-up.
Jack
Thanks fro the record. looks like fun. I have a signed Photo of Phil so I am excited to hear his work.
Not familiar w/this one - but Imma give it a try!
Thanks!
Hi everyone!
RadioWizard - You're right; I am fairly sure I have one of Phil's Hit of the Week cardboard specials myself.
John - What, no Evelyn and her Magic Violin?
Sometime during the past year, I found a set of 78's that I thought were unique Christmas songs from Phil and his girls, but it's just the one you mention above. Pretty cool, though. Thanks for sharing!
Heard of him but never had anything by him. Thank you
Before les femmes, Phil's band was composed of les hommes. They made a lot of nice, albeit generic, dance band records in the 1930s. I'm listening to his record of "Goodnight Sweetheart," with male-trio vocal, right now. looking forward to the carols album.
Hi folks!
Ernie - I thought it was a different set myself, until I began researching the LP.
Buster, there are 10 existing Hour Of Charm radio programs at http://www.otrrlibrary.org/h.html -- not the best sound quality, but you'll get an idea of their appeal.
I wish they'd had you do the transfers from the transcription discs because you do such a great job with the 78s & LPs. You even know when the recording is off-pitch.
Hi KL - Thanks! I do generally rebalance and repitch OTR programs before I listen to them. It makes the experience more palatable. Don't think I've ever heard the Hour of Charm, though.
Why an all-girl orchestra revs up some people's engines is beyond me. I wonder how an all-blue-eyed orchestra would do? :)
I'm going to give this a spin. Thanks, Buster.
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