Dorothy Collins and Raymond Scott

Two of this blog's most popular posts were devoted to records by singer Dorothy Collins and proto-space age pop maestro Raymond Scott.

This entry ought to outdo them all, because it brings them together for "At Home With Dorothy and Raymond" (they were husband and wife). Coral Records helpfully labels them on the cover so there is no mistaking who is who.

Collins is similar to Peggy King in some ways - a skillful singer who appeared on a low-brow American television program (in Dorothy's case, it was Your Hit Parade), and today has a smaller reputation than her talents deserve. Collins in fact is more remembered for her 1971 appearance in Sondheim's Follies than she is for her 1950s recordings. A shame, because the early material is very fine.

Dorothy warbles; Raymond twiddles

Well, much of it anyway. In truth, Raymond Scott was perhaps not the ideal arranger for any singer. His tricky, idiosyncratic charts do nothing to set off the voice, which is here in a decidedly secondary role. Although top-billed, Collins only appears on half the numbers. The others are devoted to Scott's characteristic compositions, which are not markedly different from what he was producing in the 1930s. I enjoy listening to them, but a little goes a long way, and none of these items are as memorable as Powerhouse or his best-known works.

But I do like Dorothy, and will have to present more of her - these five songs just aren't enough.

This is presented by request. The sound is excellent.

Christmas with Dorothy Collins

When I decided to start a blog nearly two years ago, one of my inspirations was my friend Ernie of the blog Ernie (Not Bert). And it so happens that the first record I ever shared was this one - with Ernie in December 2007. I didn't even know how to upload music then; Ernie had to explain it to me.

So now I offer it here with a tribute to the genial Ernie, who has started on his annual frenzy of Christmas shares, which is not to be missed.

This 1958 LP features the long-time star of US television's Your Hit Parade, who in later years became a Broadway star in Sondheim's Follies. She's a fine singer, and this is a very good if quite conventional Christmas record.

Collins was married to Raymond Scott during the 50s, and many of her records were arranged by that maestro. Not this one - the tasks are handled here by Hollywood orchestrators Nathan Van Cleve and Joseph Lilley, and very well, too.

(By the way, Ern, this is an improved transfer!)

REMASTERED VERSION - DECEMBER 2014