Cha Cha, Anyone?

LP: Cha Cha, Anyone?

Artist: Paquitin Lara and His Latin American Orchestra

Song: "Cha Cha Me Baby"

[ listen ]

Artist: Ramon and His Orchestra

Song: "Cuidado Con La Mano"

[ listen ]

Here's a bit of cha-cha-cha from two Latin masters circa 1959—Paquitin Lara, featured on the first side of the record, and Ramon and His Orchestra, featured on side two. My sister and I learned the basic steps of the cha-cha in our dance class at Brigham Young University back in 1991, but even when observing qualified professionals we never saw anyone do the cha-cha while sitting on the floor.

Ramona Gerhard

Artist: Ramona Gerhard

LP: Intermission Time with Ramona Gerhard

Song: "Toy Tiger"

[ listen ]

Here's a playful little ditty from organist and Watertown, SD native Ramona Gerhard. (I visited Watertown on my road trip through the Dakotas in July of 2009! See photos below.) I would love to see the tall, willowy, and striking Ms. Gerhard in action—with the bun on her head bobbing in all directions and her feathered boa writhing as she fervidly works her musical magic on the mighty Wurlitzer theater organ. But sadly it never will be, since Ramona passed away in Laguna Niguel, California on February 5, 1997, as you can read here. Go here and here to see covers of other neat-looking Ramona Gerhard albums, and the "Intermission Time" liner notes are included below.

[ Watertown, South Dakota — hometown of Ramona Gerhard ]