Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc's review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. A brief week offers some unusual soundtracks, an even more unusual Beach Boys homage - and plenty of Christmas curiosities!
Various Artists, Pulp Fiction (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Geffen) (iTunes / Amazon)
This weekend, the iconic songs-and-dialogue album for Quentin Tarantino's classic film Pulp Fiction - featuring favorites like Dick Dale's rapid-fire, guitar-driven instrumental "Misirlou" and a cover of Neil Diamond's "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" by Urge Overkill - is reissued on glow-in-the-dark vinyl. Press materials also mention a digital availability - and while we're not sure if it's first-time or not, this week's streaming offerings are thin enough to mention it. And why not! It's a great soundtrack.
Papa Doo Run Run, Be True to Your School / Disney Girls (RCA Victor) (iTunes / Amazon)
As the name might suggest, Papa Doo Run Run is a self-styled "California beach party band" formed in the '60s dedicated to covering contemporaries like The Beach Boys and Jan & Dean. In the '70s, Dean Torrence started sitting in with the group, earning them greater exposure, and in 1975 signed to RCA for a one-off Beach Boys cover single: 1963's "Be True to Your School" and 1971's "Disney Girls," both of which were produced by "Disney Girls" songwriter and longtime Beach Boy Bruce Johnston!
Various Artists, Dr. Dolittle 2 (Original Soundtrack) (J) (iTunes / Amazon)
The soundtrack to a loose 1998 remake of the popular story series - starring Eddie Murphy as a veterinarian who can talk to animals - was a surprise smash thanks to the classic Aaliyah hit "Are You That Somebody." For its 2001 sequel, another album of hip-hop and R&B tunes was assembled, including cuts by Alicia Keys, Luther Vandross, R.L. of Next, Snoop Dogg, Lil Kim, Deborah Cox and others. It's now streaming in full.
Ho, ho, ho! Here's some more vintage Christmas titles from Legacy Recordings:
Sammy Kaye, Christmas Serenade (Columbia) (iTunes / Amazon)
Get ready to swing and sway for the holiday! Sammy Kaye's legendary big band orchestra, with vocal accompaniment by soloists Tony Russo, Don Loring and Barbara Benson - plus the Kaye Choir and the Kaydets! - all shine on this 1951 holiday collection.
The Three Suns, Christmas Party (RCA Victor) (iTunes / Amazon)
A notable, unusual pop trio of the '40s and '50s (consisting of brothers Al and Morty Nevins on guitar and accordion, respectively, plus their cousin Artie Dunn on organ), The Three Suns were a mainstay of the RCA Victor label. Christmas Party was their second holiday work for the label: a 10" LP featuring modern favorites like "Frosty the Snowman," "Here Comes Santa Claus" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," plus the Sonny Burke-Paul Francis Webster rarity "Merry Christmas Polka."
The Padre Choristers, Christmas At Mission Santa Barbara (RCA Victor) (iTunes / Amazon)
Mission Santa Barbara has California's longest-running choral tradition, and in 1953, RCA Victor issued the mission's only album-length recording: a stirring collection of spiritual songs in Spanish!
Dick Leibert, Sing and Rejoice! Christmas Carols (RCA Victor) (iTunes / Amazon)
For nearly four decades - from its very opening in 1932! - Dick Leibert was the principal organist for Manhattan's famed Radio City Music Hall. In this 1947 set, he was at that very organ for a set of sacred favorites, from "Joy to the World" to "O Little Town of Bethlehem."
Grandma Moses, Christmas with Grandma Moses (RCA Victor) (iTunes / Amazon)
A real Christmas curiosity comes this week in the form of a 1958 album credited to the folk painter Grandma Moses, then a spry 98 years old. Her homespun narrations and recollections are interspersed with a cadre of carols featuring the Ralph Hunter Choir, Alec Templeton on musical box and journeyman pianist/conductor/music director Skitch Henderson. (She painted the cover art, naturally!)
Slim Whitman, I'll Be Home for Christmas (Epic/Cleveland International) (iTunes / Amazon)
Our Christmas celebration jumps a few decades to Slim Whitman's second holiday LP, released in 1981 (just a year after the recent digital delivery Christmas with Slim Whitman). It features 10 unforgettable seasonal tunes, including "Deck the Halls," "Jingle Bells," "Winter Wonderland" and "Angels We Have Heard on High."
Old Punk says
As always, an informative "Weekend Stream". It's great that you put these together, Mr. Duquette!