My
other blog recently posted an extensive selection of the recordings that drummer-singer-bandleader Ray McKinley made for RCA Victor from 1947-50. Now frequent contributor Bryan Cooper has come up with four more McKinley sides to add to the pile, along with some repeats that come from cleaner copies of the 78s.
All four of the new songs are vocals, split between McKinley and Artie Malvin. Ray does the singing on "What Did I Do?" and his own "Bahama Mama." Artie - identified as "Arthur" on one label - handles "All the Way from San Jose" and "The Morning Glory Road."
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| Artie Malvin |
Malvin had been in Glenn Miller's Army Air Force band with McKinley. He later sang with other orchestras, made a large number of budget-label cover records, and worked as a composer and arranger, winning Emmys and a Tony nomination. He does well by the "San Jose" and "Morning Glory" songs, which were new at the time.
"What Did I Do?" was taken up by many artists after being introduced by Betty Grable in
When My Baby Smiles at Me. I posted
Margaret Whiting's version on my other blog some years ago.
The best piece here may be McKinley's "Bahama Mama," which he sells effectively while backed by a Kenton-tinged arrangement of uncertain parentage.
The four repeats of my earlier post are "Put 'Em in a Box, Tie 'Em with a Ribbon," "You Can't Run Away from Love," "The Third Man Theme" and "I Don't Want to Be Kissed."
Thanks again to Bryan for his ongoing, very welcome contributions!
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| 1948 Billboard ad |
