RIP: Kathi DeFrancis

 

 While attending the Vintage Voltage Expo, today, I heard news that Kathi "Katzi" DeFrancis passed away, on March 15. Kathi was a fantastic Denver femme folk artist, who put out a stunningly beautiful LP, in 1985, Home Before Morning.

 

Listen to "Farewell to Silver Plume"

In 1973, Kathi was a founding member of The Mother Folkers, a group comprised of a dozen female Denver-area performers. Kathi would leave the group, 20 years later, but it continued on, in her absence.

A Facebook page has been set up, in her memory.

Ironically, while at today's Vintage Voltage show, I found a copy of Kathi's 45 release of "The Magic Song" / "San Antone" just a few minutes before finding out about her death.

RIP, Kathi.

More Life: From Ideas to Empires!

Just when I thought I had uncovered every vinyl genre, produced in Colorado, along comes this seven-record, self development set (packaged in a handsome brown vinyl case), promising me "More Life."

Ironically, I discovered "More Life" at an estate sale. That noted, who wouldn't want to bust open this case to find out its secrets?

More Life was produced in 1970, by Growth Unlimited, whose location was listed in a W. Fillmore Street strip mall (home now to a tattoo parlor, insurance company, and vape shop). The set lists one Winston Parker, as president.

Each single offers tips on how the listener can be more successful in work ("... guarantee a secure future and retirement, if you never earn more than $5,000 per year") and life ("Your life is what your thoughts make it"). The set was recorded at KCMS studios, in Manitou Springs, and narrated by Lee Weeks.

  Audio Sample (:45)

Is it just me, or does this sound much, much earlier than 1970?

Grow Unlimited boasts a bit of moxie, regarding its credentials ("...years of research from the most trusted laboratory in the world - the Laboratory of Practical Experience"), but who am I to judge "years of research?"

Winston Parker left Colorado, and moved south, several years ago - presumably to follow his own advice, to enjoy more life.

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.