Hibari Misora

Artist: Hibari Misora

LP: A Woman's Poem

Song: "A Woman's Poem"

[ listen ]

Song: "Mirror"

[ listen ]

Song: "Hometown Station"

[ listen ]

Hibari Misora is a national treasure in Japan, and one can certainly see why. Hibari's parents reportedly realized early on that they had something special in their young Kazuo Katō (she changed her name to Hibari Misora, meaning "lark in the beautiful sky," with the advent of her recording career when she was 12) and her father, a fishmonger, spent a big chunk of family savings to launch her musical career. Her first hit single, released in 1949, was called "Kappa Boogie-Woogie." Hibari went on to release a whole slew of records, including the 1972 album I've posted here. She also appeared in more than 160 films, including this one: 

[ "Hiyodori Sōshi" — 1954 ]

From the picture on the cover of her "A Woman's Poem" LP and in the photo below, Misora reminds me of a Japanese Barbara Stanwyck! Does anyone else see that too? In 1957 Hibari was attacked with hydrochloric acid at the Asakusa International Theater by someone Wikipedia describes as "an overly enthusiastic fan." (I'd say I'm an overly enthusiastic fan of Doris Day... Is it strange that I've never considered throwing acid on her?) Song lyrics are included below, in Japanese.

[ Hibari Misora: May 29, 1937 — June 24, 1989 ]

John Doté

Artist: John Doté

LP: 12" single

Song: "Gypsy Jane"
[ listen ]

There's a dog named Gypsy on Wallingford Route 75 that barks ferociously at me from behind the gate of her yard when I deliver the mail, but she's a sweetheart when I meet her on the street when she's on walks with her owner. Her owner told me that Gypsy speaks Spanish, so when I deliver mail there, I try calming her nerves by greeting her in her own language: "Hola, Gypsy. ¿Como estás, perra bonita?" It doesn't really seem to make any difference, probably because of my accent. I've tried singing "The Gypsy" to her, which seems to briefly confuse her, but then she goes right back to barking at me again. This week I'm going to try singing "Gypsy Jane," since I have a hunch she prefers late-'80s disco to classic ballads by The Ink Spots.

John Doté was born in the Bronx (why do I feel like I could have guessed) in 1955 and then moved to San Francisco in the '70s (why do I feel like I could have guessed) and became a popular drummer in the music scene there, working with Buddy Miles and Gregg Allman. Doté had a knack for music production, with credits including the theme songs for the popular TV shows "Dallas" and "Dynasty." He also handled promotions for big hits by both Janet and Michael Jackson...but not for Elmo and Patsy. You can read more about John Doté here.

Edie Adams

Artist: Edie Adams

LP: Behind Those Swingin' Doors
Song: "I've Got Rings On My Fingers"
[ listen ]

I knew I was in for a treat when I found this LP from actress Edie Adams in the dollar bins last week. I've always enjoyed one of her other records I added to my collection about eight years ago. all the songs on this one are great, but "Rings" is still a standout. from the back of the record jacket I learned that "...[Edie's] slinky, provocative performances in a series of television commercials for Muriel Cigars were rewarded with the 1961 award as Commercial Spokeswoman of the Year."

Edie Adams on YouTube:
[ "Muriel Cigars" ]