Back on campus...

Earlier this month, I found myself back on the campus of my alma mater. It was one of those surreal moments, which brought back a flood of memories (which seem to get fuzzier as one ages). Being the record collector that I am, it also got me wondering if my old school put out any vinyl recordings.

I had written about one, several years back, but the recent trip back on campus renewed my interest in this project.

First off, I attended the University of Southern Colorado, which went through three name changes (Southern Colorado Junior College, Pueblo Junior College, and Southern Colorado State College) before it got to good ol' USC. It's now known as Colorado State University-Pueblo. Hopefully that name will stick.

It was during the Southern Colorado State College years (1963-1975), which resulted in a couple (that I know of) vinyl recordings. These were formal affairs, my guess to appeal to middle-aged donors, or to put the minds of moms and dads at ease, that their children were really being studious.

Under the direction of Ralph Levy, the 1967-68 performance of the college concert band consisted of works by Haydn, Tschaikowsky, Holst, Nelhýbel, and Roncal.

The following year, the group performed selections by Bach, Wagner, Kabelebsky, Norman Dello Joio, and William Francis McBeth. With respect to the student musicians on these albums, one has to wonder if, given the era of which they were recorded, they were hoping to let loose on "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida." My mind tends to digress on these matters.

Of course, if anyone finds any other LPs from my old school, I would love to post them.

Ralph Levy passed away in 2007, and is buried in Walsenburg. His obituary shared that his motto in life was "Love music, practice diligently."

The Western Heralds Quartette

I admit, I have an affinity for obscure Colorado religious records. While most collectors shun the genre, I have become a safe haven for any and all.  And why not? I mean, church-goer, or not, some of these recordings are pretty damn, er I mean, darn good.

Take for instance the on-point harmonies of the Western Heralds Quartette. What? You have never heard of the Western Heralds Quartette? Let's remedy that, right now.

The members of the group got together, while students at the Western Bible Institute, in Denver. The school, founded in 1948, was later merged with Rockmont College, to become Colorado Christian College. Now you are caught up on that part of our story...

In 1956, the Institute decided to diversify its classroom attendance, and launched a foreign exchange missionary program. Students, from different parts of the world, were offered scholarships to attend the school. This instantly changed the look of the campus, with students of different nationalities bringing their own international flavor to the little Bible college.

Alifereti Yaya arrived from Fiji. Victor Griffith and Wilfred Hunte came from Barbados - and all three brought with them a love of not only the holy word, but also the holy song. They soon teamed up with Larry Morehead - who came all the way from...Denver - and began singing four-part harmonies in the dorms.

Somehow the group caught the ear of higher-ups at the school, who thought their talents could serve as a promotional opportunity. In 1961 they headed to the recording studio.

 

Released on the custom Whitney Records label, the Western Heralds Quartette is accompanied by Marie Shuler on organ and Phil Shuler on bass, while Larry Morehead handles guitar.

Listen to a sample of "Jericho Road"

D. Chief Eagle's Winter Count

When you think of music originating from Pueblo, Colorado, Native American operas don't usually come to mind. So imagine my surprise when I noticed a Pueblo address on the back of Chief Eagle's Wintercount LP.

According to the back of the album, Chief Eagle was born in 1925, in South Dakota. He was orphaned as a child, and raised by the elders of his Rosebud Sioux tribe. How he ended up in Pueblo took some digging.

I quickly discovered that Chief Eagle is actually one Dallas Jerome Bordeaux. He moved to Pueblo after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. In a 1955 feature story in The Pueblo Chieftain, Bordeaux was described as a "former professional boxer who lost only three of 25 professional fights." He worked at CF&I and was also a cake decorator, and author, penning the book Winter Count - chronicling the Sioux version that General Custer committed suicide at the Battle of the Little Big Horn, in 1876. Bordeaux also was a native dancer who organized powwows in Pueblo and at the Colorado State Fair. He appeared in the movie, "A Man Called Horse." Bordeaux died July 22, 1980, following a heart attack, at the age of 54. 

As for the album? No year on the recording, but I can only guess that it came out shortly after his book was published (1967). 

The vinyl features both male and female vocalists - Mary Therese Karlinger and C.W. Ruetten. Ruetten served as a priest, at Holy Family Parish.  Mary Therese Karlinger was born in 1949, in Nebraska. She began singing in pre-school, and appeared on the Slovenian Radio Hour and sang with the Abbey Glee Club, in Canon City. According to an Internet search, she was also the winner of the "Stars of Tomorrow" talent show. 

 "Going Home" as performed by Mary Therese Karlinger

D. Chief Eagle's Winter Count 

Twy-Mar Studios 2239

Background music is credited to R. Corty (who was a teacher at Corwin Jr. High School), Gary Stout, and Chief Eagle.

Twy-Mar Studios is listed as a P.O. box in Pueblo, on the back of the album. Another search finds that it was owned by Don and Twyla Martin - the same Twyla Martin who was also part of the Twy Mar Trio, which also included Earl Brewster and Bob Gifford. The group recorded one single, "Listen to Your Heart" (Twy Mar 2251)

Willie Nelson, Durango-style

Most of you know I spent a good chunk of my life in Austin, TX, before moving back to Colorado, in 2015. While in the Lone Star State, I filled my ears with Robert Earl Keen, Slaid Cleaves, James McMurtry, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Bob Schneider, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, etc... I won't lie, I do miss being around that wealth of music (and good Mexican food).

Of course, you can't call yourself a true resident of A-Town without genuflecting to one musical name in particular, Willie Nelson. In Austin, the man walks on Town Lake. A street is named after him, a statue has been erected, and no doubt, when he passes, the city will lower flags at half staff.

So, imagine my shock when I discovered a Colorado-related Willie Nelson LP. An album so bizarre, you'd swear it was made aboard his beloved bus, while enjoying the braided one's favorite ground herb. I literally have no clue how the idea for this recording was even conceived. 

Released on the Soundmark label, out of Denver, Willie Nelson Family Album is credited as coming from the brain matter of The Sandpiper Agency, out of Durango. Willie Nelson voices a portion of the disc, with a biographical account of his life and career - through spoken word and song.

Darn it, so much for being a better blogger (blush). Yeah, yeah...

The album starts off with an intro from an unknown narrator, which segues into the same intro heard on his 1971 album, Yesterday's Wine - give a listen.

Side One:
Let Me Be a Man
Family Bible
Summer of Roses
Hello Walls
Crazy
Funny How Time Slips Away

Side Two:
I've Got a Wonderful Future Behind Me
Stay Away from Lonely Places
Remember the Good Times
Me and Paul
My Own Particular Way
Pick Up The Tempo
Heaven and Hell
December Day
Yesterday's Wine

Adding to the mystery is the large NOT FOR SALE - FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY across the back cover. So how many of these albums were pressed, and who received them? A quick Google search finds nada on "The Sandpiper Agency" of Durango, so that was a dead end.

The liner notes on the back offer absolutely no explanation:

This album is designed to guide the listener through the Willie Nelson Family Album in Willie's own words and music. The album is presented in four segments: Willie's early life in Texas, his first years in Nashville as a songwriter, the later years in Music City USA,  when his music and singing first became popular and his decision to move back to Texas, with a whole new sound.

As Patsy might say, "Crazy."

The Other Ray Charles

Pike's Peak Records Proudly Present "Mr. Music" Ray Charles

LP 1920 (1971)

You wouldn't believe the number of esoteric Colorado records I have unearthed - like this fantastic instrumental LP, from Colorado Springs keyboardist, Ray Charles, otherwise known as "Mr. Music."

Can't find a thing on this musician. Zilch, zero, nada. As always, dear reader, if you can't assist, please drop me a line. Apparently there was, believe it or not, another "Mr. Music," in Colorado Springs, the clarinetist Ed Nuccio.

2016 obituary for Mr. Nuccio:
Professional clarinetist Ed Nuccio was famous for nurturing children, teens and adults in their pursuit of music, so much so that he earned the moniker "Mr. Music."The longtime band director, educator and founder of New Horizons Band of Colorado Springs died April 12 from cancer. He was 80 years old. Nuccio arrived in Colorado Springs in 1958 to play with the Air Force Academy Band where he earned an Airman of the Year award in 1959. He performed with Arthur Fiedler, longtime conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, and in bands for Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dean Martin and others who played in concert at The Broadmoor.

Released, in 1971, on the Pike's Peak (apostrophe noted) label, this disc isn't on the same Pikes Peak label, of which Pueblo polka duo Frankie and Connie Bregar appear. Again, any help would be great.

Damn fine instrumental album, with lots of spacey keyboards - really diggin' that cover of "Caravan" (audio below).

Side One:
Sweet Georgia Brown
Stardust
Alley Cat
St. Louis Blues
San Antonio Rose
Tennessee Waltz

Side Two
Mame
Steel Guitar Rag
Ramblin' Rose
Caravan (listen to sample)
Satin Doll
Down Yonder




No acknowledgements or credits for the other musicians on this disc (who the heck is that fantastic guitarist?). Liner notes on the back:

From the majestic snowcapped rockies has emerged a fresh sound - the sound of Mr. Music, Ray Charles, who has appeared in person and thrilled audiences at most of the smart, plush nightclubs from coast to coast! The Hammond organ, always a lush, pleasing sound, seems to take on a new depth and dimension under the talented fingers of Mr. Music.

Lights, Camera, Action, Canon City: Blood on the Mountain

Hey all!
Yes, I'm still here.
So sorry I haven't been a very good blogger, over the past 14 months. Got wrapped up in collecting and amassing CO vinyl, and have shirked the blog, in the process. My apologies.

I can't guarantee I will be a regular poster, but darn it, I will try (grin).

I figure since I have been MIA, as of late, now would be a good time to post this recent find (as in I just found today), the soundtrack to the 1974 Canon City-filmed movie, Blood on the Mountain, and its soundtrack, performed entirely by the Minnesota family gospel group, the Lundstroms.

Fury explodes high above Royal Gorge in the spectacular Colorado mountains. A cop seeks revenge for his wife's death, on two fugitives who run for their lives. 

Oooohhhh, are you at the edge of your seat?

Blood on the Mountain was based around Canon City and the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Shooting began in the late summer of 1973. The movie was originally titled  “The Hawk,” and took about five weeks to complete. In addition to shooting in various locations around town, and employing locals as background extras, Blood on the Mountain would also call for Canon City’s police to help out with the film’s chase scenes. The production of Blood on the Mountain reportedly cost $110,000  to make.

The film’s world premiere was held in Des Moines, Iowa (home of Mark IV productions), at the Hoyt Sherman Auditorium on April 25 1974.

So, what about the soundtrack? Lowell Lundstrom, who headed up the prolific Christian family group, the Lundstroms,  had a long relationship with the producers of this flick (Mark IV), and was hired to compose and perform Blood on the Mountain’s theme song “A Fugitive from God.”

The LP appears on the prolific religious label, Canaan, out of Waco, TX (CAS-9756).

The movie features actors Stracker Edwards, Tim Jones, Paula Preston, Cliff Turknett, and Rick Jury - yeah, the cast didn't ring a bell with me, but a quick search on IMDB revealed that Stracker apparently was a one-and-done actor, after this movie. Paula Preston had roles in three other movies, including the John Denver 1986 holiday flick, Christmas Gift. Tim Jones had a bit part in the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

The star power came from Richard Jury, who appeared on I Love Lucy, My Three Sons, and Gunsmoke, and several other classic TV shows, as well as the movies Conagher, and One on One.

Earth Day courtesy of Dick Lamm

 "A New Ethic" - by Richard Lamm

Hey all, given that today is Earth Day, I thought I would dig out this very obscure ecology recording, featuring then-Colorado House of Representative, and later Colorado Governor, Richard Lamm.

Elected in 1964, Lamm was an early leader of the environmental movement, and was President of the First National Conference on Population and the Environment. In 1972, as a member of the Colorado General Assembly, Lamm led the movement against Denver's hosting of the 1976 Winter Olympics. Denver had already been awarded the games, but the movement succeeded in cutting off public funding for the games, forcing the city to cancel its hosting. Innsbruck, Austria replaced Denver as the host. Lamm's successful effort made him known statewide.

He was elected governor in 1974.

 In 1984, his outspoken statements in support of physician-assisted suicide generated controversy, specifically over his use of the phrase "we have a duty to die."  His dire predictions for the future of social security and health care ("duty to die") earned him the nickname "Governor Gloom."

No clue when this LP was produced (pressed on the Ecology label).  According to a 1975 Billboard article, Lamm said the LP was used as a fundraiser for his legislative campaign, so it was released before 1974. Besides the spoken word numbers, narrated by Lamm, there are a few lo-fi folk songs by Colorado Music Hall of Fame inductee Harry Tuft, plus Dick Weissman, Ed Trickett, and Jan Hannah (her first vinyl appearance) and includes a cover of Bob Dylan's "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall."

LISTEN TO A SAMPLE

Lamm was elected Colorado governor three times. When he left office in 1987, after three terms and twelve years in the office, he was the longest-serving governor in state history (his successor, Roy Romer, matched this record).