Mary Martin, Musicals & LP Albums

An unexpected snow day today - I thought about slipping into my  Sorrel's and   snowshoes , grab my poles and funky  fleece hat  to do some shooing on the rim above the lake, but decided against it, and went  for playing vinyl albums   on  the vintage stereo  console downstairs  instead. I collect vinyl albums like some people collect coins, or stamps, or buttons. I have hundreds, and organize  into  genre - rock, pop, folk, country and musicals.  Many are displayed in album frames and decorate the walls. While album covers are part of the attraction, the real pleasure comes from listening to the recording. Not too long ago I  read an article about  vinyl albums  making a comeback, even  some  contemporary  songsters are choosing  to record on vinyl first as it has a more pure sound.  I have many favorites,  including Peggy Lee, Ella, Patti Page, Frank and Bing, Bobby Darin, Bobby Rydell, The Brother's Four and oh, so many more.

Today, starring on the turntable is the great  Mary Martin - the famed Broadway star from the 1940's and 50's. Long before Julie Andrews and  Mitzi Gaynor  filled the role in movie versions, this Tony Award winner sang  her way into the hearts of millions as  Maria  in The Sound of Music,  Nellie Forbush  from  South Pacific and  perhaps her  most endearing  -the  legendary  Peter Pan, teaching Wendy,Michael and John how to fly.

Musical story  lifts the spirit and gladdens the soul. Think about Oklahoma,  Gypsy, Camelot, Hello Dolly, West Side  Story, Man of La Mancha, Fiddler on the Roof.  How  wonderful it is to have these   original recordings to listen to over and over again, and help us grow our own  imagination

Vinyl Records & Bing (Crosby)

 On the way  driving to  Clarkston Thursday, my mother and I   stopped at a thrift store in Moscow. I was delighted to find a collection of Bing Crosby vinyl (78) records from the 1940's, and quickly purchased them.   They are thick and heavy, like records were at that time - allowing for a deep, rich sound,  and  recorded on Bing's long time  label, Decca.

Everybody has their favorite male singer. For many, maybe most,  Frank Sinatra is considered   the best pop vocalist of the twentieth century. No doubt, Frank had a great voice, but for me, Bing Crosby is the voice beyond compare.  His is like a finely tuned instrument so sweetly, and beautifully played.

I could hardly wait to get back to the house and listen to Bing sing.  For an hour mom and I sat in the charm of her downstairs family room, and played record after record.  Pleased at their good condition, and quality of sound, we agreed it was like having Bing right there in the room , singing to us alone , in his vibrant, melodic  baritone;  Night and Day, Begin the Beguine, Far Away Places, and Tarra, Ta-Lara Ta Lar.

Later that night , after I was in bed and said my prayers, I thought  how wonderful   it was that  a man long dead , a man who recorded his first song before either my mother or I were born continues to bring a smile to others by the tunes  he croons.