Danny Welton

Artist: Danny Welton

LP: Harmonica Hi-Jinx In High Fidelity

Song: "Yama Yama Man"

[ listen ]

I stepped in to sub on organ and piano yesterday at the Congregational Church up in the Seattle suburb of Shoreline, and then dropped in at the local Goodwill Thrift Store afterwards to look for vinyl treasures. I came across some cool disco 45s, a neat organ LP I'll be posting later, and this bouncy (late '50s?) Spin-O-Rama release from harmonica superstar Danny Welton. (Danny may only be a "superstar" in his own mind and at the karaoke bar of the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, but that's good enough for me.) In the 1950s Welton appeared in cinema classics THE WILD ONE with Marlon Brando and MEET DANNY WILSON with Frank Sinatra, and more recently he's been appearing at the Clark Country Courthouse in Nevada on charges of writing bad checks and trespassing. Danny also reportedly behaved badly at the SPAH convention in Memphis, making it one convention that those in attendance will not soon forget. You can read more about Danny Welton's recent escapades here and here, and see the harmonica virtuoso work his magic on a lovely and overplayed Andrew Lloyd Webber tune by visiting YouTube here:

Danny Welton on YouTube:

[ "Memory" ]
 

Leo Diamond

Artist: Leo Diamond

LP: Hi-Fi Harmonica

Song: "Hindustan"

[ listen ]

Not to be confused with the first diamond ever certified to be visibly brighter, the harmonica-playing Leo Diamond worked with Borrah Minnevitch's Harmonica Rascals before starting his own trio known as The Solidaires. Diamond dazzled audiences with appearances in several Hollywood movies before launching a sparkling solo career, through which he championed the harmonica as a diverse and exciting instrument worthy of accompanying an orchestra. You can learn more about Leo Diamond on the Space Age Pop website here and find the informative liner notes from the back of Diamond's "Hi-Fi Harmonica" LP below.

[ Leo Diamond: June 29, 1915 — September 15, 1966 ]

The Yama Yama Man

Artist: The Yama Yama Man

LP: Fabulous Harmonica Played By The Yama Yama Man
Song: "Samson and Delilah"
[ listen ]

I've never seen an Asian man with such a big... harmonica. Here are notes from the back of the LP that delineate the high standards guaranteed by Riviera Records:

RECORDS DESIGNED FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE

In order to meet the demands of the public for the best
in music at a popular price, RIVIERA has succeeded in bringing
to you a superb and timeless album of fascinating music.

A Full Frequency Stereo High Fidelity recording is offered.
The reproduction is of the ultimate in Stereo Hi-Fidelity, using
only the finest equipment; RCA Telefunken Altec and Electro-
Voice microphones, recorded on a three-track Ampex tape
recorder, thereby reproducing the finest in true tonal sound.

In order to insure the very finest high quality reproduction,
the tapes are mastered by a Westrex Feedback cutter
with heated stylus on a Scully lathe. The Frequency
response is from 20 to 20,000 cycles per second.

RIVIERA will continue to bring you the finest reproductions
of the most refreshing music; the latest in hit tunes and
the greatest variety is planned for your listening pleasure.

We invite you to enjoy Music at its finest.