Frankie Laine is my Mum's favourite singer and one of only two recording artists in my experience who have the power to thoroughly transport her emotionally, the other being Glenn Miller (I once came home from school to find her dancing with a squeezy mop to 'Moonlight Serenade').
I always thought of Frankie as a cowboy because of how he looked on this album cover and because he sang songs about riding through the desert in search of water and High Noon and, famously, the TV themes to 'Champion The Wonder Horse' and 'Rawhide', but he was in truth a Chicago-born Italian-American whose real name was Francesco Lovecchio.
The Italian (Sicilian) ancestry might account for the operatic feel Frankie brought to his singing. He had a truly remarkable voice. I loved it, and I loved the dramatic arrangements - the brass and the tango tempo shifts in 'Jealousy' - the overblown passion of it all. I've been wanting to get some of his stuff for years but it's a nightmare trying to find the original recordings in a sea of cheap compilations since in later life, like many singers of his generation, Laine re-recorded his big hits and the new versions are unlistenably awash with synthesised strings and drum machines - just awful.
This budget Hallmark LP was the one I grew up with - I expect Mum bought it in Woolies. I've seen it a few times in charity shops, but always in terrible nick. Today I found a near mint copy - for a quid.
Saddle up and show 'em how it's done, Frankie.
Frankie Laine - 'Jealousy' (1951)
Frankie Laine - 'Cool Water' (1955)
God, that album was in every Woolies and WH Smith I ever went into.
ReplyDeleteDamn good value though, I still have a few Hallmark/MFP/Pickwick compilation albums.
The Aged Ps had loads, but they're all gone now. I could have just downloaded these songs, but it wouldn't have been the same. It's lovely to have the record I remember from the old wire rack.
ReplyDeletePS: The charity shop also had Showaddywaddy's Greatest Hits 1976-1978 (which used to be in my record rack) but I passed on that.
ReplyDeleteI did the music for a family party a few years back, and that generation all asked for Frankie Lane and one other (may have been Guy Mitchell or Johnnie Ray)..Don't remember the Frankie album - Elvis - Separate Ways was the album that was everywhere round our way
ReplyDeletePs got to meet ol' Mike today have updated the blog with a pic (he didn't say much, too busy nattering with his PA)
I was thinking that Frankie must have been a pretty big influence on Johnnie Ray - all that emoting.(Sounds like a building service: 'Mr. H? I'm here for the emoting').
ReplyDeleteTop work on the Micklewhite Mond!
Ha! I just found this clip of Frankie Laine introducing Johnnie Ray on his TV show! And Johnnie sings a rain song! I love it when it all comes together like that.
ReplyDeleteNot someone I have ever listened to Mr H. But will give it a go.
ReplyDeleteNo alcohol for me tonight, driving. Going to see Airborne Toxic Event do an acoustic night in EDdinburgh which I'm hoping will be a bit special.
Have a good one people.
It's a different world pre-Fabs..
ReplyDeletePS christmas and birthday tip for TAPs, Frankie Lane and/or Johnnie Ray sheet music. Looks a treat framed and mounted.
Ah yes, I can hear them now Mond - 'What do we want that old rubbish for?'...
ReplyDeleteAirborne Toxic Event in Edinburgh, Frankie Laine & Johnnie Ray here; it's a wunnerful world.
Davy Does Dallas.
ReplyDelete1st October, it's my birthday, and, as I drop another Werthers Original in my glass of Mackeson, this is right up my street.
I want that Elvis album Mondo.
We are growing older together - as JC has qualified at The Vinyl Villain.
Chinky (can I say that?) and a few sherbs for me as the rain rolls down the street.
My old dad-in-law just said 'Happy Birthday' to me from his death bed. I'm made up with that.
Love as always
Dickie x
Happy birthday TH, hope it's a good un.
ReplyDeleteThe album I saw everywhere when I was a kid was something like 20 Country Greats or something, with Glen Campbell on it.
I want it!
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY DICKIE!!!!
Save me some prawn dumplings.
ride em cowboy...
ReplyDeletewhat a treat. my muvver had the worst of rod stewart and the most diabolical of elton john. you lucky lucky boy. a whole hint of elvis's surrender in jealousy too i think. and anyone who's responsible for johnnie ray is a star in my boook.
and happy birthday dickie duckie
x
It pays to have an older Mother. As it were.
ReplyDeletex
Simon and davide and mrs a - I love you with every fibre in my new elasticated polyester trousers.
ReplyDeleteWord veri 'fithf'. As in 1 after the 4th .. bottle of Budvar.
Cheersh!
ReplyDeleteAll the best and many more Dickie.
ReplyDeleteJust back from The Airborne Toxic Event absolutely fucking amazing.
Thai curry, several Becks, have missed all this Frankie Laine related fun. Happy birthday everyone.
ReplyDeleteJust had two Scotches while watching a Charlie Brown movie with the daughter. Sweet.
ReplyDeleteVery. I too have introduced the daughters to Charlie Brown via YouTube - also Speedy Gonzalez, who they thought was absolutely hilarious.
ReplyDeleteUsed to drink a lot of whisky - I still like it, but it stopped liking me.
Thai curry...Yummm...
ReplyDeleteEver had Thai curry and whiskey for breakfast? Just .. don't!
ReplyDeleteFor breakfast? Not sure about the whiskey
ReplyDeleteM is into Charlie Brown, bought him the 60's TV specials DVD from Fopp the other week. M watched it a few times and then said to me "see that Charlie Brownm dad, he's a bit of a loser isn't he?"
ReplyDelete