Sammy Kaye's 1950 rendition of "Harbor Lights"

John Pelz · Post by **John Pelz** » 1 Jun 2004 6:52 pm

Who played steel on it? The 1950 version I'm talking about was Columbia Records, #3863. Vocals by Tony Alamo and the Kaydets. Thanks for any help!

c c johnson · Post by **c c johnson** » 2 Jun 2004 2:10 am

If my memory serves me, the lead guitar player doubled on steel. I talked with him once. He used E7 e b g# e d b. Sorry I can't remember his name. CC

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 2 Jun 2004 7:25 am

Just a stab in the dark, but; try Bob Stuart, Lansdale, Pa. Like I said, I don't really think so, but; quite possible!

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“Big John” Bechtel
Franklin PSG D–10 (9 &

Fender ’49–’50 T–8 Custom
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Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 2 Jun 2004 3:11 pm

The Guitarist and Steel guitarist was a friend of mine. His name was Johnny Monaco.
Johnny doubled on both straight and steel.
He was from Brooklyn.

John Pelz · Post by **John Pelz** » 2 Jun 2004 4:51 pm

Thanks for your help, everybody. This question has been bugging me for a long time!

Jody-- you are Da Man!!!

c c johnson · Post by **c c johnson** » 3 Jun 2004 2:17 am

Thanks Jody. The "J" was in the back of my mine but I could not put anything with it. When I talked with him sometime between 1948-51 I think he was using a little blonde national. Whatever he sure had good tone.

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 3 Jun 2004 12:57 pm

All Italians have good tone. Sinatra,Como, Vic Damone, Jerry Vale, Al Martino, Tony Bennett (Di Benedetto)Don Cornel (aka) Corlone. Enzio Pinza,Mario Lanza, Dean Martin
Who else.
Fuhgeddaboudit....John Monaco was Italian as well...are youse guys kidding me?

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 3 Jun 2004 1:32 pm

Jody: What about Jimmy Durante ?? I don't know if he was Italian or not but I can never forget his rendition of September Song. He really sounded like he knew the words from heart and life. Same for Vaughn Monroe...did he ever catch up with the Moon he was racing with ??

Back on topic: I'm wondering if your friend also did the work on a song called Roses ?? I think that was also an SK recording. I'm hoping it was you...

Regards, Paul

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 5 Jun 2004 9:48 am

Paul
It wasnt me or Johnny Monaco. The steel players name was Joe Monte. Joe was my instructor as well.

I traveled with the Kaye orchestra on a few tours but never recorded with him.

John Pelz · Post by **John Pelz** » 5 Jun 2004 10:07 am

I just got back from a garage-sale at the nursing home my aunt lives at; there I found (and bought) fifteen 78s, ten of which were "Swing & Sway w/Sammy Kay" records. I'm 35, and all of this classic music from circa the mid 1900s is all new to me: I'm not quite sure what I got today! (Still, I think I did OK. Anyhow, at 25¢ per 78, it was a gamble that I was very willing to take.) The other 78s were by Jimmy Wakely/Margaret Whiting; Alvino Rey (definite score on that one); The Three Suns; Les Paul; and Roy Rogers w/the Sons of the Pioneers. Now I need to find a 78 turntable!

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 5 Jun 2004 7:57 pm

Good luck on that score! You'll probably have to GREASE your 45/33 machine pretty well to get it up to 78rpm! That's really going to take a lot of garage-sale excursions to find nowadays!

------------------
“Big John” Bechtel
Franklin PSG D–10 (9 &

Fender ’49–’50 T–8 Custom
Fender ’65 Reissue Twin-Reverb Custom™ 15”
click here
click here

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 5 Jun 2004 8:57 pm

Jody-Did you play with Sammy Kaye? Well, what do you know?

When I was in High School in Cleveland, I went to see Sammy kaye about playing with him.

He was unknown nationally then and was playing in the Cabin Club Downstairs on Euclid Ave near East 105ths st.

I wasn't in the Union then and Wasnt old enough to join then. I did play in a lot of neighborhood bars aroung there though, non Union.

I looked older and lied about my age, in order to play in those places.LOL...al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 6 Jun 2004 6:14 am

My friend Al writes and I quote.

Jody-Did you play with Sammy Kaye? Well, what do you know? ....Al you didnt miss anything. The money was *&^* and I didnt care to sway when the band swung swing.
His calling card was "So You Want To Lead A Band?

One night during warmup I took the baton and started to direct the orchestra in a humorous
manner,they took off on Opus #1 and in walks
Sammy,,he said to me what the &^*(& are you
doing? I said I'm leading the band, he said
take that pineappple slicer and go home you're finished.

Later he apologized and I forgave him. The next day I handed him my two weeks notice.

At that time when I gave my notice I handed him a whole pineapple and said here,,Sammy have someone else slice this for you.

The orchestra stood and applauded me,that was
the only applause I ever received.

In spite of this I always held him in the highest regard. God Rest His Soul.[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 06 June 2004 at 07:17 AM.]

John Pelz · Post by **John Pelz** » 6 Jun 2004 6:27 am

Yeah, tell us more, Jody!

I'm enjoying this thread & everybody's reminiscences, anecdotes, etc. As far as figuring out a way to play/record these 78s, it looks like I've got my problem solved-- spent some time online yesterday, doing research, e-mailing, etc., and it looks like I can just get a P-mount cartridge w/a 78 rpm needle on it for my turntable tone-arm. That way, I'll be using the appropriate needle (contemporary LP needles are much smaller than 78 needles). Altho my turntable only has 45 & 33 rpm speeds, I can record the 78s to rewritable CD, copy the CD tracks to my hard-drive, and use some software to digitally speed the tracks up to 78.26 rpm. Sounds kind of tedious, but it'll only cost $39.95, which beats buying a new turntable w/78 rpm on it, or buying a used turntable with who knows what kind of issues an old turntable likely has. I'm getting the cartridge & needle from www.turntablebelts.com. Other than being a satisfied customer (I've bought supplies from them before), I'm in no way affiliated with them...

John Pelz · Post by **John Pelz** » 6 Jun 2004 6:29 am

Oops-- looks like we were both online & responding at the same time, Jody-- and you beat me to it!

that was the only applause I ever received.

I respectfully have to say that I doubt that!

[This message was edited by John Pelz on 06 June 2004 at 07:32 AM.]

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 6 Jun 2004 7:01 am

Sammy's original guitarist and steel guitarist was also a fine vocalist.His hame was Tommy Ryan who went on to form his own band. Kaye liked Hawaiian guitar but preffered musicians who could double as there was not as much for steel guitar in his arrangements.

Sammy made his debut at the Paramount Theatre
in NYC in 1938. Sammy started his own club in college (Ohio University) It was called the "Varsity Inn". Do you recall that Al?

Sammy had a weekly show called Sunday Serenade which he read poetry. After several
years of semi retirment Sammy returned and it was then that Don Cornell came on the scene
and recorded "It Isnt Fair"..now if only Cornell could have sang as he did and played
steel and straight guitar it would have been a blast.

I would not critisize Sammy Kaye as for what he was and accomplished during those days, I admired him. Pineapples or not.

Al may remember one of Sammys biggest hits back then.."Daddy" and "There Goes That Song Again" I was young and dumb back then and meant no disrespect to Sammy Kaye. I wished I could do it all over. Today? Im old and dumb.

He was a unique guy.

God Rest His Soul I hope he is still Swinging and Swaying wherever he is.[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 06 June 2004 at 08:08 AM.]

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 6 Jun 2004 9:33 am

Sure sounds like a lot of engineering effort time going into this 78 rpm player project.

I"ve mentioned before, several times, that for less than $150.00, there are several brand new TEAC "NOSTALGIA" models on the market that play all three speeds; some even have CD players, cassette and radio options.

Mine plays and sounds great!!!

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 6 Jun 2004 12:42 pm

Jody: Thanks for making an already beautiful day a spectacular one ! I'm still smiling at your pineapple effort !! No wonder the band applauded !!! I'd have done more than that...

Regards, Paul

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 6 Jun 2004 7:29 pm

Jody........and now, ladies and gentlemen, here is Tommy Ryan and the Octet...

Do you remember that?

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 7 Jun 2004 2:45 pm

No I dont Ray,,but then again I'm not as mature as you are