Living in Hi-Fi: Recent Episodes
Flissy & Steve
Living in Hi-Fi is a podcast about records, released every Monday. Like many record collections, ours has come together from various places: some vinyl we inherited from family, some we sought out and bought on purpose, but most of our records we fished out of dollar bins at thrift stores or dug out from deep in the crates at record stores. We love music so much that we’ll buy just about anything that looks interesting. We’ve discovered a lot of really awesome music that way and we want to share our discoveries.
Some of the artists we’ve found have been forgotten about (if they were ever recognized in the first place!) and we think they deserve to be remembered and honored, or at least listened to.
We feature some of our favorites: easy listening music from the 1950s and 1960s like exotica and bossa nova, as well as some oddball finds and world music from all over.
Each episode, we’ll share the story behind the record we’ve chosen, a bit of history about the artist, and some highlights of the recording. Make sure to check out the show notes for each episode for more about the artist and where you can purchase the music we feature.
This week we feature the source material of some of the most influential tracks in hip-hop.
What is a dogie, anyway?
Cowboy Favorites LP on Real Gone Music
Cowboy Favorites on AppleMusic
Music of Clint Eastwood on Wikipedia
Dogie on Free Dictionary
The King of Tears on Malcom Gladwell’s Revisionist History Podcast
Clint Eastwood Sings on Rawhide on YouTube
This week we bring you magic (psychedelic) guitar from Lebanon
Belly Dance from Lebanon on Amazon
Omar Khorshid on Wikipedia
Omar Khorshid Fan Website
Omar Khorshid Solo Guitar on YouTube
We straighten out once and for all these eleventeen million of George Clinton projects, or at least we try.
Happy 4th of July! Nothing says patriotism like racism and suppressing civil rights. Wait, what?
Some good old hi-fi shenanigans featuring sound zooming across channels, and lots of cha-cha-cha!
We’re going to Hollywood! This week we feature serious harp playing by a legendary comedian.
Exotica gets meta in this episode! You won’t want to miss the biography of this artist!
Korla Pandit on Wikipedia
Korla Pandit Bio on Fan Webpage
Korla Documentary
Teaser for Korla Documentary
Korla Pandit Cameo on Ed Wood
Slightly psychedelic prog rock allegedly recorded by The Beatles. Spoiler alert: nope, but still, recommended listening!
Welcome to the 80s and songs about houses! It's the Living in Hi-Fi version of VH1 "Where are They Now?"
A staple of our easy listening collection! Upbeat, loungey, bossa nova and pop on a Hammond organ.
This week we feature post-apocalyptic satire from an era we more often recognize for its optimism.
Folk Songs for the 21st Century on AppleMusic
Folk Songs for the 21st Century on Amazon
Folk Songs for the 21st Century on Radioactive Green LP
Sheldon Allman on Wikipedia
You’re probably not on vacation in the Caribbean right now, but you can imagine that you are listening to this album!
Listen:
- Sail Out on Discogs
More information:
- Baby's on Fire Record Cafe in Baltimore, MD
Video:
- Lord Cody and the Coralites
In honor of April Fools’ Day we discuss puns, satire, and fart noises.
Listen:
- Best of Spike Jones on AppleMusic
- Best of Spike Jones on Amazon
More information:
- Spike Jones on Wikipedia
Video:
- Der Fuehrer's Face
- Sabre Dance
The best in American-Brazilian bossa nova collaboration. We only bust on Stan Getz a little bit.
Wherein we profess our undying love of 1960s A&M (despite it being problematic). Maybe Herb Alpert is over the top for you, you need something more chill? Baja Marimba Band is the answer!
More information:
- Baja Marimba Band on Wikipedia
- Julius Wechter on Wikipedia
- LIHF Episode 35: Winchester Cathedral by The New Vaudeville Singers
- LIHF Episode 25: Going Places by Herb Alpert
Video:
- Baja Marimba Band on Hollywood Palace with Herb Alpert
Science-fiction themes, atom punk, listener request, oh yeah and DISCO... this episode has it all.
Listen:
- Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk on AppleMusic
- Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk on Amazon
More information:
- Meco on Wikipedia
- Meco Interview on Disco Disco
This album is outside of our normal easy listening because it is both a new release and EPIC. It’s got a comic book that accompanies it and musicians veiled in anonymity. We’re so into it and hope you are too.
Listen:
- Magic Sword Store
- Volume 1 on AppleMusic
More information:
- Official Website
- Shay Plummer
- Interview on The Seventh Hex
- Tender Loving Empire
Video:
- Sword of Truth
- Live at Treeport 2016
We discovered Wilmoth Houdini way back in episode seven! This album is a compilation of Calypso music recorded in the 1930s.
Listen:
- Wilmoth Houdini on AppleMusic
- Wilmoth Houdini on WFMU
More information:
- Wilmoth Houdini on Wikipedia
- Episode 7 Living in Hi-Fi
Video:
- “Bobby Sox Idol" sampled by The Avalanches
- “Frankie Sinatra” by the Avalanches
A new to us crooner found via digital and acquired on vinyl. You’ll love his wide range and clear tones covering some lovely vocal standards.
Listen:
- Encore on AppleMusic
- Encore on Amazon
More information:
- John Gary on Wikipedia
- Tribute Website
Video:
- Poor Butterfly with Arthur Godfrey and Dorothy Collins from Hollywood Palace TV show
This album looks like it might be a romantic pick for Valentine’s Day. Is it? And what exactly is a nib anyway?
Listen:
- “Her Nibs” on Amazon
More information:
- Georgia Gibbs on Wikipedia
Video:
- Medley of Million Sellers
Some cheerful hot jazz violin will cure what ails ya.
Listen:
- Afternoon in Paris on AppleMusic
- Afternoon in Paris on Amazon
More information:
- Stephane Grappelli on Wikipedia
- 1989 Interview on NPR
Video:
- Quintette du Hot Club du France
- Stephane Grappellie playing “Nuage” by Django Reinhardt with Julian Bream
A certain podcast host loves some affected man-singing voices, but does she love fake megaphone songs? Tune in this week for a novelty hit plus random songs from the 60s with vaudevillian affect.
Listen:
- Winchester Cathedral on AppleMusic
- Winchester Cathedral on Amazon
More information:
- New Vaudeville Band on Wikipedia
- See us at the Baltimore Record Bazaar!
Video:
- New Vaudeville Band at the Hollywood Palace
- Mr. Show Monsters of Megaphone
You are in for the most precious husband and wife duo, ever, and perhaps the best Brazilian bossa nova album recorded in the US.
Listen:
- Samba 68 on AppleMusic
- Samba 68 on Amazon
More information:
- Marcos Valle on Wikipedia
- Marcos Valle on VinylFactory
Video:
- Marcos Valle and Quarteto Em Cy on Andy Williams Show
We thought this would be an exotica album but it’s some lo-fi punk surf rock revival. Fire up your tiki torches anyway and have a listen!
Listen:
- Savage Island on AppleMusic
- Savage Island on Amazon
More information:
- The Bomboras on Wikipedia
Video:
- The Bomboras Live 1997
We got this album in a super roundabout way, but we finally got it! Some swinging intrepretations of jazz standards by a prolific, but under-recognized pianist.
Listen:
- Cheerful Little Earful on AppleMusic
More information:
- Johhny Guarnieri on Wikipedia
- Johnny Guarnieri on JazzProfiles Blog
Video:
- Maple Leaf Rag in 5/4
Kawaii! Harajuku! J-Pop! We shake things up a little with a newer release. Apparently this business went viral in 2011 but we’re nerds so we’re just finding out about it now via listener contribution.
Listen:
- Pamyu Pamyu Revolution on Amazon
- Pamyu Pamyu Revolution on AppleMusic
More information:
- Official Site
- Kyary Pamyu Pamyu on Wikipedia
Video:
- Ponponpon
- Candy Candy
Teaser: Truly, this album has all the warning signs of being terrible. Christmas in the distant future of 2001, missionaries to outer space (?), low budget children’s music… But it’s actually pretty good!
More information:
- Christmas 2001 on Discogs
- 2001 Songbook (put on the show for yourself!)
- Ralph Carmichael
Video:
- “Robots” Flight of the Conchords
Part two of our holiday series, we bring you a low-key, yet festive Christmas album from movie composer extraordinaire, Henry Mancini.
Listen:
- A Merry Mancini Christmas on AppleMusic
- A Merry Mancini Christmas on Amazon
More information:
- Henry Mancini on Wikipedia
- Henry Mancini on Space Age Pop
- A Carol for Another Christmas (on TCM)
Perhaps the quintessential Christmas album? We encourage you to start your own Ray Conniff style caroling flash mob and take advantage of these extraordinarily festive arrangements of classic holiday songs.
Listen:
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas on AppleMusic
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas on Amazon
More information:
- Ray Conniff on Wikipedia
- Ray Conniff International Fan Page
- Ray Conniff on Space-Age Pop
Video:
- Christmas TV Special
It's a special birthday episode! To celebrate co-host Steve's birthday, we count down the top four songs from the 3rd Festival Da Music Popular Brasiliera from 1967, via the 3-LP collection. Stay tuned for a most epic geek-out about Brazilian music and history.
Listen:
- Uma Noite Em 67 Documentary DVD on Amazon
More information:
- Caetano Veloso on Wikipedia
- Chico Buarque on Wikipedia
- Gilberto Gil on Wikipedia
- Edu Lobo on Wikipedia
- Órfãos do Loronix
Video:
- Caetano Veloso - Alegria Alegria
- Caetano Veloso - Alegria Alegria (another version)
- Chico Buarque & MPB4 - Roda Viva
- Fernanda Porto Roda Viva
- Gilberto Gil and Os Mutantes - Domingo no Parque
- Edu Lobo - Ponteio
- Complete Documentary on YouTube (Portuguese, no subtitles)
- Interview with Chico Buarque (Portuguese, no subtitles)
A listener request brings us folk songs from all over the world and we trace the path of a one-man recording operation to booming multimedia empire.
More information:
- Elektra Records on Wikipedia
- The Elektra Story by David Edwards, Mike Callahan and Patrice Eyries
- Follow the Music by Jac Holzman, et. al.
Video:
- Los Gitanillos de Cadiz
A staple of your local thrift store-dollar bin, and a long-time favorite artist of Living in Hi-Fi, Herb Alpert! All the upbeat, easy-listening brass you can handle, and some trivia about Herb Alpert’s diverse artistic interests.
Listen:
- Going Places on AppleMusic
- Going Places on Amazon
- Going Places LP on Music Direct
More information:
- Herb Alpert on Wikipedia
Video:
- Silly Animated Short featuring “Spanish Flea” and “Tijuana Taxi”
- 1967 BBC Special
On this week’s episode, we feature a listener contribution! Pour yourself a margarita and settle in for some lively Tex-Mex accordion.
Listen:
- Return of El Parche on AppleMusic
- Return of El Parche on Amazon
More information:
- Steve Jordan on Wikipedia
- Steve Jordan on NPR
Video:
- Steve Jordan in Born in East LA
This album could totally have been made today by some earnest hipsters. It could be you and your neighbor who home-brews playing jugs and washboards on the porch. But no! It’s from 1964. A playful and timeless album of early jazz, blues, and folk tunes.
Listen:
- Ragtime Jug Stompers on AppleMusic
- Ragtime Jug Stompers on Amazon
More information:
- Dave van Ronk on Wikipedia
Video:
- Dave Van Ronk “St James Infirmary” for Folkways
We love Halloween! A rather silly impression of Bela Lugosi as Dracula introduces a solid hard bop jazz album from 1958.
Listen:
- Blues for Dracula on AppleMusic
- Blues for Dracula on Amazon
More information:
- Philly Joe Jones on Wikipedia
Video:
- Drum Solo (maybe with Thelonius Monk?)
George Chakiris is a highly underrated vocalist. Best known for his role as Bernardo in West Side Story, in this self-titled album, George Chakiris sings effortless renditions of some pop standards.
Listen:
- George Chakiris on AppleMusic
More information:
- George Chakiris on Wikipedia
- George Chakiris Sterling Silver Jewelry
Video:
- Opening Scene of Young Girls of Rochefort
- “America” from West Side Story
Wanda Sá (AKA Wanda de Sah) has the quintessential bossa nova singing voice: so sweet and gentle! It’s showcased beautifully in this American production on Capital from 1965.
Listen:
- Softly! on AppleMusic
- Brasil ’65/Softly! on Amazon
More information:
- Wanda Sá on Wikipedia
- Wanda Sá on NPR
Video:
- Agua De Beber
- Wanda Sa with Roberto Menescal “Telefone”
Let’s head to the 1970s, the golden era for… belly dance? Indeed! This classic belly dance album that could be considered early “world fusion” with its traditional songs from the Middle East repackaged for American night clubs.
Listen:
- Joy of Belly Dancing on AppleMusic
- Joy of Belly Dancing on Amazon
- Joy of Belly Dancing LP on Smithsonian Folkways
More information:
- About Juliana on the Occidental Dancer
- Liner notes from Smithsonian Folkways release
Video:
- My friend, Shems, choreography to Misirlou
- A lovely performance to Ya Mustapha by Naima
Listening to records isn't just a hobby, it's a lifestyle. A selection from RCA victor's Hi-Fi Living series sets the mood for lounging and romance.
More information:
- For Hi-Fi Living (blog post series)
You'd think that by this album cover, you're in for some surf rock, but in fact, you'll find a collection of exotica themed pop songs with traditional Hawaiian vocal stylizations and sweet harmony. Easy listening for your next luau!
Listen:
- The Surfers at High Tide on AppleMusic
- The Surfers at High Tide on Amazon
More information:
- The Surfers on Oldies Connection
- The Surfers on Heros 5-0
Video:
- Not The Surfers you are looking for, but amazing nonetheless.
Shredding on the banjo? Yeah, that’s a thing. Let’s take a trip to Appalachia with some instrumental bluegrass from 1961 by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs.
Listen:
- Foggy Mountain Banjo on Amazon
- Best of Flatt and Scruggs TV Show on DVD
More information:
- Earl Scruggs on Wikipedia
- Lester Flatt on Wikipedia
Video:
- Flatt & Scruggs on Grand Ole Opry
One of our all-time favorite albums! A staple of our collection from A&M records, Sergio Mendes and Brazil '66 perfectly fuse bossa nova and american pop. Stellar arrangement and crystal clear lady vocals make this album shine.
Listen:
Look Around on AppleMusic
Look Around on Amazon
More information:
Look Around on Wikipedia
Sérgio Mendes on Wikipedia
Video:
Sergio Mendes on "Hollywood Palace” with host Herb Alpert
This week we deliver a charming collection of foxtrots and such for dancing or for a simply sophisticated evening at home via London's long-time dance band leader, Sydney Lipton.
Listen:
Sweet Harmony & Dancing at the Grosvenor House on AppleMusic
Sydney Lipton on Wikipedia
Sydney Lipton on AllMusic
More Information:
Stay at the Grosvenor House
The Grosvenor House on Wikipedia
Video:
NPF ball at the Grosvenor House
There’s more to Barry White than just his sexy baritone voice. This episode, we check out his masterful and funky proto-disco instrumental arrangements.
Listen:
Rhapsody in White on AppleMusic
More Information:
Love Unlimited Orchestra
Barry White
Monster Mini Golf
Video:
Live on Soul Train
Have we mentioned that we love cha-cha? And Hammond organs? This rare release from 1959 on Liberty is the height of Latin-flavored easy listening with its nonchalant solos and minimalist instrumentation.
Listen:
John Buzon Trio on AppleMusic
Ultra-Lounge on Wikipedia
The Tonga Room
Come on everybody, let's do the twist! But in a really low budget kind of way. This 1962 album insists that you enjoy the first international dance craze.
Listen:
Twist on AppleMusic
More information:
The Twist dance
Somerset Records
Video:
Peppermint Twist by Joey Dee and the Starliters
An exotica staple! Yma Sumac is most recognized for her extraordinary five octave vocal range. This diva is an Incan princess (true!) and her talent is showcased in traditional and not-so traditional latin music and backed by a hollywood-style orchestra.
Listen:
Mambo on Apple Music
More information:
Official Bio
Yma Sumac on Wikipedia
Buddies Lounge Podcast
Video:
Yma Sumac’s Vocal Range
Yms Sumac on David Letterman, 1987
Do you like polka? Beer? Did you steal the keeshka? What is a keeshka, anyway? Answers to all these questions and more as we check out the best of Frankie Yankovic.
Listen:
Frankie Yankovic on AppleMusic
More information:
Frankie Yankovic on Wikipedia
Polka on Wikipedia
I stole the Keeshka T-Shirt: Ladies or Unisex
Video:
Pennsylvania Polka as featured in Groundhog Day
Frankie Yankovic & Weird Al Yankovic
You can't really go wrong with a Verve recording! This episode's featured album will appeal to both jazz lovers and bossa nova fans. We'll share with you a great introduction to Brazilian music of the 1950s and 60s.
Listen:
Apple Music
Vinyl from Music Direct
More information:
Astrud Gilberto
Stan Getz
Bossa Nova
Getz/Gilberto Album
Video:
Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto performing the Girl from Ipanema
This is our first time featuring a review of a new release on the podcast! As lovers of old funky records, we have mad respect for the Avalanches whose love of music is obvious in their ability to scout out only the most awesome bits of obscure music and show it off in groovy new compositions. Even if you think you're not into electronic music, we bet you'll dig the psychedelic feel of Wildflower.
Listen:
Wildflower on Apple Music
Order the LP from the Avalanches
Chandra 1980 on Bandcamp
More information:
The Avalanches Guide to the samples, features and stories of Wildflower on Triple J
The Show Must Go On (Pitchfork)
Since I Left You (Wikipedia)
Video:
Subways by the Avalanches
Subways by Chandra Oppenheim
Since I Left You by the Avalanches
Everything is a Remix
The World’s Most Important 6-sec drum loop (The Amen Break)
In this episode we learn that Pizza and Pipes was apparently a thing in the pacific northwest in the 1970s? Who knew. This episode may give you nightmares due to the shaky audio transfer or creepy movie themes or both.
Browse Northwest Organists page for more about: Paul Quarino, David Lee, Jonas Nordwall, and Don Simmons
David Michael Lee
Way out Wednesday: At the Organ Grinder Vol. 2 on Pop Dose
Pipe Organ Pizzerias Briefly Explained at Serious Eats
Video:
Organ Grinder Pizza Commercial
David Lee at the Organ Grinder
Yodeling gets a bad rap. It really can be quite lovely. We cheerfully sing along with chickens and things that sound like amusement park ride theme songs and you should too. Or at least that baby chicken song is going to be stuck in your head wether you like it or not.
More information:
Billboard, December 24, 1966. Westminster Satellite series announced
Yodeling on Wikipedia
Yodel-Ay-Ee-Oooo: The Secret History of Yodeling Around the World by Bart Plantenga
"One Little Spark" by the Sherman Brothers on Apple Music
Video:
Mr. Show - The last donut - "People weren't meant to hear music with such clarity!
Take Ischi - New Bibi Hendl
Baby Hendl Gangnam Style
Turns out that this episode's featured artist is a local DC treasure. We'll introduce you to some super funky, 1970s Ethiopian jams by Hailu Mergia and the Walias Band.
Listen:
- Buy Hailu Mergia Albums from Awesome Tapes from Africa
More Information:
- Hailu Mergia Official Facebook Page
- Hailu Mergia and his Classical Instrument Review on Pitchfork
- Beirut (the band)
Video:
- Interview/Documentary by Far Out Sounds
This cha-cha album goes by many names in multiple releases. You'll love Mr. Bongo, Mr. Piano, and lively vocals, too.
Listen:
- Buy Mr. Bongo Plays Cha-Cha-Cha on Amazon (same track list, different release)
- Jack Costanzo on Apple Music
More Information:
- Jack Costanzo on Wikipedia
- Review of Learn-Play Bongos
Video:
- Jack Costanzo at 95 playing congas
Spanish language easy listening versions of pop songs? Why? Why not?! This episode features a classic recording from our extensive collection of A&M records.
Listen:
- Guantanamera on Apple Music
- Buy Guantanamera on Amazon
More Information:
- The Sandpipers on Wikipedia
- The Sandpipers Guantanamera on Way Back Attack
- Roberta typeface for your 60s design needs
Video:
- Sandpipers - La Bamba (a very earnest rendition)
This episode features a 1959 recording by Danish violinist Svend Asmussen. We name drop some other hot jazz violinists, and talk about our eclectic record collection.
Audio:
- Download The Fiddling Viking on Amazon
- Svend Asmussen on Apple Music
More Information:
- Svend Asmussen on Wikipedia
- "Svend Asmussen: Phenomenal Jazz Fiddler" by Richard Brooks for Fiddler Magazine
- The "Svendex" (a fan page)
Video:
- Swe-Danes - Georgia Camp Meeting
- Eddie Lang with Joe Venuti - Dinah
- Stuff Smith - Skip It