The Hi Hopes - Fly, Robin, Fly (1975)

 

03-24 083

Fly, Robin, Fly

The Hi Hopes

Journey

(1975)

Before there was the Kids of Widney High, there was the Hi Hopes. The band comes from the Hope School located in Anaheim, California. Hope School opened in September 1969 to "serve the trainable mentally retarded of the Anaheim Union High School District" according to the liner notes. The music department at Hope High School was headed by Doris Walker, who acted as the band's accompanying pianist. She also wrote a couple of the songs on here. 

According to my research, the band released a total of 5 albums, a comp and a cassette... their first album being comprised primarily of Creedence songs.

There's a lot of fun stuff on this record, but their cover of Silver Convention's "Fly, Robin, Fly" is just outta sight!!!

Listen here!!!

Big Shorty - The Guy Who Looks Like Me (1959)

 

03-23 082

The Guy Who Looks Like Me

Big Shorty 

Ginchee 101

(1959)

A stupid little private press rock n' roller about mistaken identity that leads to Parent Trap or maybe... Dave proportions?!!

Listen here!!!

Andy Williams - Love Story (Japanese Version)/My Sweet Lord (1971)

 

03-22 081

Love Story (Japanese Version)/My Sweet Lord

Andy Williams

CBS 80200

(1971)

Andy Williams had a pretty solid following in Japan, which is why he probably released a steady stream of Japanese exclusive singles throughout the 70s. Here we have him re-recording his version of "Love Story" in Japanese, the flip is his version of George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord."

Listen here!

Sacramento High School Music Department - Turkish Bath (1970)

 03-21 080

Turkish Bath

Sacramento High School Music Department 

An Evening Of Music

(1970)

Not your average high school band fodder, and a unique piece even for a stage band. A full on funky freakout featuring a sitar opening. This one certainly simmers a bit more than most.

Listen here!!!

The New Renaissance Society - Play With Fire (1966)

 

03-20 079

Play With Fire (Movement's 1-4)

The New Renaissance Society

(1966)

Given his monumental involvement in the arrangements for "Muppet Movie" and "A Star Is Born," I'm assuming Ian Freebairn-Smith is the brainchild behind this LP, as he's the only musician credited on it.

Hanna-Barbera records really gave it a go at trying to get in the music industry between 1965 and 67. Alot of fun unique recordings cam out of this window... such as this rock n roll goes baroque Stones covers LP.

Listen here!

The Injunaires - La La Means I Love You (1972)

 03-19 078

La La Means I Love You

The Injunaires 

Somewhere In The Winter 

(1972)

The Injunaires, aka the Dartmouth Injunaires aka The Dartmouth Aires; were a Choral group out of Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire. 

A lot of choral records can be rather dull, but, like a lot of religious themed albums... there is always a track or two that's a diamond in the rough. This one does it for me.

Many thanks to Jacob Sanders for introducing me to this gem.

Listen here!!!

Pastor John Rydgren - Hippie Version of Creation (1968)

 

03-18 077

Hippie Version of Creation

Silhouette Segments

(1968)

from Hyp Records :

The legacy of John Rydgren (deceased) is one of the most enigmatic in radio-jock if not also record history. A Lutheran evangelist, Rydgren started a hit program called "Silhouettes," in which he rapped over such appealing tunes as "Music to Watch Girls By," "Groovin'," "Rinky Dink," the Electric Prunes' "Kyrie Eleison," and occasionally less obvious pieces such as "Dark Side of the Flower" (with sitar). As with Ken Nordine, his thoughts were highly original, ranging from quirky perceptions of the mundane to deep acid-head philosophy. Sexy and startling, "Silhouettes" were as weird as anything heard from a pulpit or transistor radio."

text from the album liner by John Rydgren:

"It's difficult to keep track of all the new modern translations of the Bible. But some of them are bringing the intent or the Bible into the moment where people can touch it. Bit by bit our kind of hippie D.J. is making his translation or interpretation of the Bible... first the 23rd Psalm, now his portrayal of those "first" six days and the seventh one which was designed by God from that moment on for man to... "swing sweetly with serenity."

Listen here!!