Why are there so many Styx albums in the $0.99 cent bin?
Post: October 21, 2017
As I was pricing records, I noticed there were tons of Styx albums. Styx is an American rock band started in Chicago in 1972. They started out as TW4 (Trade Winds 4) which was a pretty crap name. They changed to their name to Styx when they were signed to Wooden Nickel. They picked the name because in the words of Daniel de Young because it was the only name none of them hated. The band has been active 1972-1984, 1990-1991, and 1995 to present. Styx released their 15th album in 2017 called The Mission. Their sound is a mix of progressive, hard, art, arena and pop rock. They are best known for the hit songs "Lady", "Come Sail Away", "Babe", "The Best of Times", "Too Much Time on My Hands" and "Mr. Roboto". Other major hits include "Show Me the Way", "Don't Let It End", and "Renegade". Styx has had four consecutive albums certified multi-platinum by the RIAA as well as 16 top 40 singles in the US, 8 of which hit the top 10. My boss let me have the Styx album Grand Illusion from 1977 to review. The album cover is pretty cool and a reference to a grand illusion. It is an illusion of a human riding a horse through a forest, but the horse and lady are made of snake pattern, a bit of ocean, the sky and a ladies face. The back of the cover is the band standing behind the trees. The air and outfits are so 70's. My mom, who was 10 at the time looks like Tommy Shaw. And what is going on with James Young, look at the outfit - the boot, pants and shirt?? The songs on side one of Grand Illusion are Grand Illusion, Fooling Yourself (the angry young man), Superstars, and Come Sail Away. The song Grand Illusion has a bit of a Queen vibe to it and Dennis de Young the lead vocals sounds like Freddie Mercury. The beginning of Fooling Yourself sounds like Baba O'Reilly by The Who. The songs on the second side are Miss America, Man in the Wilderness, Castle Walls and The Grand Finale. My favorite song on the album was Miss America, it has a KISS, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest vibe to it. The song was actually written as a tribute to James Young's wife who had an awful incurable skin disease called porphyria. She was his Miss America and he loved her very much. A lot of people thought this was a song about the shallowness of the Miss America pageant (very popular at the time) and how last year's winner was cast aside as soon as there was a new winner but this is not true. I think there are a lot of Styx albums in the 99 cent bin because they produced and sold a lot of records and were really popular particularly during the 70's and 80's. I'm really happy to have discovered this band.
Rumours aren’t nice
Post: October 29, 2017
This week's two cent review is on Fleetwood Mac's album, Rumours. What do you think this album will be about with a name like that? If you guessed rumors mean that you've been lied, people believe things that are not true, you will get your heart ripped out, stomped on and then throw get it thrown into a garbage can then you are correct. Fleetwood Mac are a British-American rock band, formed in London in 1967. The members of Fleetwood Mac consisted of John McVie, Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, and Stevie Nicks. Interesting fact the reason Stevie Nicks was in Fleetwood Mac was because at the time her boyfriend Lindsey Buckingham was asked to be the lead guitarist and he said he would do it on one condition if Stevie his then girlfriend/ singing partner could join. Just imagine if Yoko joined the Beatles, at least Stevie was pretty and talented. Rumours enjoyed commercial success as the 11th studio album that was produced during 1975. After listening to the album a few times it was obvious that there were a lot of bad relationships and problems with the members. this was confirmed by my research on the album history. Such as Second Hand news seems to be about someone who is old news to a person and that person doesn't even really want the other person. I know there's nothing to say someone has taken my place. Or Oh Daddy, and the Chain. Even happy sounding songs like Song Bird and You Make Loving Fun, and Don't Stop have bleak messages. The album was a mixture of acoustic and electric. The band members were very hippy-dippy, although that brings to mind peace, love, and sunshine and the album is definitely not about that. I found this album to be disappointing, despite how successful it was at the time. Maybe it's that I don't really like soft rock, but, overall, I didn't appreciate how depressing it was. Everyone was tortured and the band was dysfunctional and it showed on the album.
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Around The World I Love and Hate You
Post: November 6, 2017
The record starts with Bing and Mary unexpectedly see each other in Australia and Clooney is a little less than friendly in her greeting to Bing. The first couple song they openly tell each other how much they both don’t really like each other. Then eventually after traveling around the world together for a while they start being all loving towards one another. Suddenly at the end, they start fighting and getting nasty towards each other accusing each other of cheating and flirting with other people. I would have to say that the record was educational in some way because it focused on the diverse cultures and the geographies of the places they visited. The songs have different emotions like one can be mellow or fast, romantic or not, silly or serious. Like mentioned before I have heard of Bing Crosby and not Mary of course I said did some research into them. The front and back of the cover where very fitting the back was a map with numbers and small little drawings which corresponded with a song. The front was a picture of Clooney sitting on a table and Crosby standing behind large trunk with poster from some of the places on the map and they had luggage with stickers on them of some of the other places they went. Like I said before good album and it is obvious the couple have a love hate relationship. I do not truly understand why this record had such a low rating personally I thought it was kind of funny how they would be arguing one minute the next thing you know they are saying they love each other so much.
Everyone Needs to be Footloose!
Post: November 26, 2017
For my review this week, I chose the soundtrack from the 15th Anniversary Collectors Addition vinyl to the original movie Footloose. Footloose was a movie that released 1984. It made $80 million in the box domestically. Famous and beloved actor Kevin Bacon stars as the main character Ren, and Lori Singer plays Ariel Moore. It follows the story of a guy named Ren (Kevin Bacon) who moves from Chicago to the rural Midwest town of Elmore City, Oklahoma where a local minister banned dancing and music after his son died in a car accident on the way home from a local youth dance. Ren was having a hard time fitting in and it is constantly dealing with an ongoing uphill battle, from playing a game of chicken on a tractor with Ariel’s (Lori Singer) abusive ex-boyfriend and winning or secretly dancing. It is up to Ren and the minister’s rebellious daughter Ariel to bring back dancing and music to the small town. It has connections to actual events that happened during the 80’s with the whole censor ship of music as well as breaking forbid rules because it is a thrill. My favorite songs from the movie are Footloose by Kennie Loggins, Metal Health (Bang Your Head) fits footloose perfectly because the beginning lyrics I'm an axe grinder, pile driver Mama says that I never, never mind her, Got no brains, I'm insane, The teacher says that I'm one big pain says that the person is a total rebel always has an ax to grind with someone and doesn’t have manners what so ever. Holding Out For a Hero by Bonnie Tyler is fitting for the movie because when showing Kevin Bacon in the movie he was working out doing gymnastic and his character Ren technically is the hero of the movie. Footloose by Kenny Loggins. sums up the definition of being Footloose - when one is able to travel freely and do as one please due to a lack of responsibilities or commitments. Been working so hard. I'm punching my card. Eight hours for what? Oh, tell me what I got. I've got this feeling. That time's just holding me down. I'll hit the ceiling. Or else I'll tear up this town. Those were the only lyrics that sum up Footloose the other lyrics where: You're playing so cool, obeying every rule, Deep way down in your heart, You're burning, yearning for the some-somebody to tell you, That life ain't passing you by, I'm trying to tell you, It will if you don't even try. Some of the song that were not so good were Let's Hear It for the Boy, Almost Paradise, and I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man). Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon theorizes that every movie actor can be connected to Kevin Bacon in 6 movies or less. The Game is played where one player thinks of an actor or actress the other player makes the connections back to Kevin Bacon. The closer the person has been to Kevin the smaller the number with Bacon at 0. The remake was very lame it just changed where the main character was from, the place where he moves, and the plot ever so slightly. It didn’t do as well as the original it only made 63.5 million compared the 80 million the 1984 version did. All in all, I was very pleased by album since Footloose is one of my most favorite movies of all times. Love Kevin Bacon’s acting and loved Kenny Loggins famous Footloose music playing at the end when all the teens are dancing.
I think the Dream Police are coming for me
Post: December 9, 2017
Cheap Trick are an American rock band, formed in 1973. Band members consist of vocalist Robin Zander, guitarist Rick Nielsen, bassist Tom Petersson, drummer Bun E. Carlos. They are from Rockford, Illinois. Cheap Trick was one of the first bands to do concept music videos before MTV came around. Rick Nielsen their guitarist was their primary song writer.Dream Police by Cheap Trick. It was their most commercially successful studio album, and it made it to No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart. Not only that it became certified platinum only in a few months of its release. Dream Police and Going to Raise Hell are my favorite songs they are both so good I can’t decide with one is better. Tell me about Dream Police – concept videos, what was reason? Dream Police is about a paranoid man who is convinced that his dreams are monitored, and the idea of that is driving him mad. No matter what he does, the "Dream Police" are always inside his head waiting to arrest him. Violin strings where used on this track adding a little bit of horror to the song. The violin stabs reminiscent of what can be heard during the shower scene from the movie Psycho. Like stated before their guitarist Rick wrote this song, unlike Black Sabbath’s paranoia which is dark this type of paranoia was supposed to be comedic instead. It was also one of the first concept videos made before MTV made music videos popular. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yRRqxJHQmA. Over I all I thought that the album was great it truly was one of the best albums I have listened to so far, and my favorite. They are all amazing musicians, and they can be every goofy, I suggest if you haven’t ever listened to them to actually listen to their music.
Journey is the Escape
Post: December 19, 2017
Journey is an American rock band that formed in 1973, the band was from San Francisco. The original line up in 1973 was Santana alumni Neal Schon on lead guitar and Gregg Rolie on keyboards and lead vocals. Bassist Ross Valory and rhythm guitarist George Tickner, both of Frumious Bandersnatch, rounded out the group. Prairie Prince of The Tubes served as drummer. Originally in 1973 they were a background group, but they abandoned idea and became a jazz fusion band. In 1977 they added a frontman, with whom keyboardist Gregg Rolie could share his job as lead vocalist. The band hired Robert Fleischman. Not only that but 1977 was a time when they changed their sound meaning they decided to go for the more popular style of music that of Foreigner and Boston played. Journey went on tour with Fleischman that same year but management differences ended up in Fleischman leaving within the year. So late 1977, Journey hired the would soon to be iconic singer of the band Steve Perry. 1981–1983 was the height their popularity, so in April 1981 they were working on their most legendary album Escape which will have one of their most classic athames Don’t Stop Believin’. One fact I did learn was they are still touring even now so from 1973- present, however they did replace the lead singer Steve Perry in 1998 with Steve Augeri, as well as replacing Steve Smith their drummer then replaced the singer Steve Augeri in 2007 with a Filipino singer named. Arnel Pineda
Escape is the seventh studio album by Journey, the album was released 1981. It topped the American Billboard 200 chart and it had four hit Billboard Hot 100 singles. These songs where “Don’t Stop Believin’” at #9, “Who’s Crying Now” which came in at #4, “Still They Ride” as #19 on the billboard and “Open Arms” at #2. It was qualified as 9x platinum by the RIAA, and not only that but it sold over twelve million copies worldwide, making it the group’s most successful studio album and second most successful album behind Greatest Hits.
My overall thoughts on the album was it was a great album, I do have a bias as I think Journey is one of the greater bands of the 80’s. This album was one of the most successful albums they had made. All the songs had a hard rock and soft rock vibe to them. My favorite songs from these songs where Don’t Stop Believin’ which is about not giving up on things like love and that you should continue to hold onto it never letting go, Escape is about a man wanting to escape from the army/military saying he won’t conform to their ideals and or let them break him as well as change him and and Keep on Runnin’ which from what I am hearing is a man who's job has got him that is just got a hold of him and making his life miserable he then runs away from it find something better. The other songs on the record are Stone in Love, Who’s Crying Now, Still They Ride, Lay It Down, Dead Or Alive, Mother, Father, and Open Arms.
51 years of The Doors
Post: January 28, 2018
Ironically, I selected The Doors Album from the 99-cent bin the day before The Day of Doors. The Day of Doors was in Venice on January 4, 2017 which marked the 50th anniversary of when the Los Angeles based band came from so it was a very fitting place to celebrate it. The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and drummer John Densmore. The band got its name from Morrison's suggestion from the title of Aldous Huxley's book The Doors of Perception. They were different as well as one of the most controversial and influential rock acts of the 1960s. Typically because of Morrison's lyrics and charismatic but unpredictable stage persona. After Morrison's death in ‘71, the remaining members continued as a trio until disbanding two years later.
The Iconic figure of the band was the lead singer Jim Morrison, he was very poetic, had a distinctive voice, and was charismatic. Morrison had problems with drugs and alcohol. In the 1960’s he developed a bad alcohol dependency which did affect his performance on stage. His is life was short lived as he died on July 3, 1971 at 27 in Paris two years after the Guitarist of the Rolling Stones Brian Jones died. His girlfriend found him in the bathtub in his French apartment. It has been widely speculated that he died of congestive heart failure, however many people believe he died of a drug overdose. Oddly enough he died nine months after Hendrix and Janis Joplin died. It is quite tragic since he was a very talented musician.
The Doors was the bands the debut album, it was released on January 4, 1967. The album had their breakthrough single "Light My Fire", and a somewhat long song called “The End”. The album had sold 20 million copies, and “Light My Fire” had been welcomed into the Grammy Hall of Fame. It made its way up the Billboard 200, eventually becoming a huge success in the US after "Light My Fire" scaled the charts, with the album coming in at No. 2 on the chart in September ’67 and went onto get multi-platinum status.
The album over all was a very good and I did like all the songs which with previous reviews I would have stated my favorite and least favorite songs. This album as I stated before this was their debut album, however all the songs where amazing. I think I have found another new band to listen to.
Tell Me The News of The World
Post: January 28, 2018
Queen are a British rock band that formed in London in 1970. Queen's original works were influenced by progressive rock, hard rock and heavy metal, but the band gradually adventured into more conservative and radio-friendly works by combining further styles, such as arena rock and pop rock, into their music. I love Queen they are one of my favorite of all time, my favorite member of the band is Freddie Mercury who is an iconic legend. Classic line-up was Freddie Mercury as the main vocalist, Brian May the guitarist, Roger Taylor the drummer, and John Deacon the bassist. Freddie was originally from Zanzibar, but eventually move to Middlesex, England at age 16 years old.
News of the World is the sixth studio album by the British rock band Queen, released on October 28, 1977 by EMI Records in the United Kingdom and by Elektra Records in the United States. News of the World was the band's second album to be recorded at Sarm West and Wessex Studios, London, and engineered by Mike Stone, and was co-produced by the band and Stone. Holding the hit songs "We Will Rock You", "We Are the Champions" and "Spread Your Wings". It went 4x platinum in the United States and it achieved high certifications around the world. It sold over 6 million copies.
Two of their most popular songs on the album where We Will Rock You and We are the Champions. The origin story of We Will Rock You was a very interesting story it all happened when Queen guitarist Brian created a song that the audience could join in on. In the Days of Our Lives documentary, Brian remembered a gig where the crowd sung the Liverpool Football Club anthem, "You'll Never Walk Alone" at the band as they left the stage. He said, "I went to bed thinking, 'What could you ask them to do?' They're all squeezed in there, but they can clap their hands, they can stamp their feet, and they can sing," he noted. "In the morning I woke up and had the idea in my head for 'We Will Rock You." In other words, it came to Queen’s very own guitarist in a dream or, so he claims it to have happened that way.
We are the Champions was written by Freddie Mercury said that when he wrote this song was "I was thinking about football when I wrote it. I wanted a participation song, something that the fans could latch on to. Of course, I've given it more theatrical subtlety than an ordinary football chant. I suppose it could also be construed as my version of 'I Did It My Way.' We have made it, and it certainly wasn't easy. No bed of roses as the song says. And it's still not easy." The song is used as the 1994 FIFA anthem, and also used as the victory song for sports teams. Odd part was that Freddie never really cared for football/ sport but did like table tennis and rugby. One incident that happened was when Donald Trump used this song at campaign rallies when he was running for the Republican nomination in 2016. On June 8, Brian May posted a message on his website, stating, "I can confirm that permission to use the track was neither sought nor given. We are taking advice on what steps we can take to ensure this use does not continue. Regardless of our views on Mr. Trump's platform, it has always been against our policy to allow Queen music to be used as a political campaigning tool. Our music embodies our own dreams and beliefs, but it is for all who care to listen and enjoy."
We Are the Champions and We Will Rock You are two of the most famous singles that where played back to back on the radio and album. The rest of the album was good the A side was great, and the B side however was okay, but it wasn’t that great.
The Definitive UnRolling Stones Rolling Stones.
Post: February 11, 2018
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band created in London, England in 1962. The first stable line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Mick Jagger (lead vocalist), Keith Richards (guitar, backing vocals), Bill Wyman (bass), Charlie Watts (drums), and Ian Stewart (piano). Ian was removed the 1963 line up but still played with them. The Rolling Stones have had so many different bassists and guitarist. The only original member are Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Mick Jagger.
Hot Rocks was released December 20, 1971 as compilation album that covered 8 years’ worth of Rolling Stones songs. Oddly it didn’t include their early blues sound or their late psychedelic sound either. The article about the Hot Rocks album stated that the Stones former manager Allen Klein had cheated and tricked them into signing away their rights to their 8 years of work and created an album without their consent. However even with these facts Hot Rocks was considered their most definitive and successful album ever because a lot of the Rolling Stones greatest hits where on it. Some of the iconic songs on the album where “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “19th Nervous Breakdown,” “Paint It, Black,” “Ruby Tuesday,” “Jumping Jack Flash,” “Sympathy for the Devil” and “Honky Tonk Women” – not to mention the good taste to choose the live version of “Midnight Rambler.” “19th Nervous Breakdown,” is attack on spoiled brats who are given everything and are still unhappy. “Ruby Tuesday,” is about regretting losing someone you loved but could never keep because they were constantly seeking some new thing to fill their lives, a new experience, place, feeling or love. “Jumping Jack Flash,” is about Keith Richards Gardner, “Sympathy for the Devil” its about a book called The Master and Margarita, where the devil is a sophisticated socialite. The Rolling Stones liked their bad boy image, “Honky Tonk Women” This song is about a prostitute - Mick Jagger would sometimes introduce it as being "a song for all the whores in the audience."
My two favorite songs on the album are “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” and “Paint It, Black”. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction is Jagger’s review of ad-driven consumerism: radio stations selling "useless information," television flunkies selling whiter shirts and brand-dependent manhood, and so on. Then Jagger suddenly talking about how he had sex with a girl once time and she is calling him back only to come back when she is on a “losing streak” which he basically when she was menstruating. Paint It, Black is about a young man struggling with depression and grief after the death of his girlfriend. This song was used in a Vietnam War documentary because the depressed song lyrics resonance feelings shared by many during the Vietnam War by civilians and soldiers alike.
The album was great, shame it was not actually done with the band consent. It was an amazing and very definitive album and it was some of their greatest work in the span of the 8 years. Mick Jagger’s singing was on point, Keith Richards’ and Brian Jones’ guitar playing was perfect, and Charlie Watt’s drumming was very well done. I like the band as they were of course the anti-Beatles in the sense of they were more consider the bad boys of their time. Of course, they went on to create other great songs and albums.
Hey want to check out the article I mentioned click on the link below:
1984- The Times They Are A Changin’ (Hopefully)
Post: February 25, 2018
Van Halen is an American hard rock band that was formed in 1972 in Pasadena, California. From 1974 until 1985, the band consisted of guitarist Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alex Van Halen who is Eddies brother, vocalist David Lee Roth and bassist Michael Anthony. Both the Van Halen brothers Eddie and Alex where from Holland. David met Eddie and Alex while going to Pasadena City College. I will say I like Van Halen, but they wouldn’t be my go to 80’s rock band that would listen too.
1984 is the sixth studio album by band Van Halen, released on January 9th, 1984 in America. This album was their most commercially successful album featuring their most popular and well know songs such as “Jump”, “Panama”, “Hot for Teacher” and “I’ll Wait”. “Jump” was however the most successful song since it reached number 1 on the on the Billboard Hot 100. It was Van Halen’s second album to gotten RIAA Diamond status. Though what I have just told you is all true, I found this album very objectifying and sexist. Back in the 1984 sexism and objectification of women would not have been a big deal. However now this album would not have gone over well with most women. The songs like “Hot for Teacher” which is about being lustfully attracted to your teacher, “Panama” which was about a stripper David Lee Roth met in Arizona, “Drop Dead Leg” how attractive a woman is and that she wants it as much as the guy does so they do it. Those are just a few of the songs there are a couple more songs. The only songs that are not sexist and unobjectifying when I did my research on the songs where “Top Jimmy”, “Jump” and “1984” which as an instrumental song. This is an important note despite this album being sexist this was Eddie Van Halen’s crowning achievement.
Eddie Van Halen is considered the 8th of the greatest guitarists of all time and I most certainly agree. Eddie could play guitar so well. I will say though it is a sexist song “Hot for Teacher” his guitar playing on it was incredible he could play so quickly it blew me away. I have the up most respect for his guitar playing, besides he is one of my favorite guitarist though I do not play the instrument.
Over all if I don’t listen to the lyrics the album is great. If the album had been produced now it most likely would not have received the popularity and success it did back in 1984 at least that what I would have hoped considering the Me-Too movement.
Who Doesn't Like Whipped Cream and Other Delights?
Post: March 10, 2018
Herb Alpert is an American jazz musician most associated with the group known as Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass, or TJB. Originally a oneman band. By the end of 1964, since there was a growing demand for live appearances by the Tijuana Brass, Alpert had interviewed and hired a team session man. Alpert at one point told his audiences that his group consisted of "Four lasagnas, two bagels, and an American cheese": John Pisano (electric guitar); Lou Pagani (piano); Nick Ceroli (drums); Pat Senatore (bass guitar); Tonni Kalash (trumpet); Herb Alpert (trumpet and vocal); and Bob Edmondson (trombone). The inspiration for the Tijuana brass band was from a trip that Herb took to Tijuana, Mexico. He went to a bull fight and he happened to hear a mariachi band. After that Alpert remembered that he was inspired to figure out a way to express musically what he felt while observing the wild reactions of the crowd and hearing the brass musicians introducing each new event with rousing display. Alpert changed the trumpet style to the tune, blended in crowd cheers and other noises for ambience, and renamed the song "The Lonely Bull".
Whipped Cream & Other Delights is a 1965 album by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, also called "Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass" for this album, it was released by A&M Records. It is the band's fourth full album and perhaps the most popular release. Interestingly enough two songs on this album where used by ABC for a television series called Dating Game. In which "Whipped Cream" was used the song used to introduce to the bachelorette, and "Lollipops and Roses" as the theme song for when the bachelor(ette) learned about the person picked for the date. Herb Alpert’s music was used in a lot of films and some TV shows. While I was listening to the record I found that some of the songs fit into certain stereotypical movie scenes. Some prime examples are a Taste of Honey reminds me of a comical car chase in a 60’s movie, Bittersweet Samba has comical 60’s song that could come straight out of the movie Beach Blanket Bingo, and Lemon Tree has that old wester vibe to it in the sense of it seems like that song you would hear at the end of the movie when the hero and his side kick are slowly fading in to the sun set lit horizon as they leave town that or it’s the opening song to a cheesy western when they start out by traveling though the little western town. There is also here is also Whipped Cream which sounds like a song they could have used in a slapstick comedy such as the Pink Panther, another would be Love Potion No.9 which has a we have just met the very attractive and alluring girl James Bond will end up with.
I loved the album, it was fantastic great brass instrumentals because each song sounded different to me each with a different beat and composition. In other words. I generally don’t listen to brass music, but this was enjoyable because so many of the songs made me think about songs from movies and tv shows I have seen that have a similar sound or at times I would suddenly be thinking about a part of the show or movie. I recommend listening to this album whether you like brass music or not.
The Lady and the Tramp Soundtrack
Post: October 15, 2017
This album was made and released at Walt Disney Productions in 1964, with words and music by Peggy Lee and Sonny Burke. The movie, the Lady and the Tramp was about spaniel named Lady whose luxurious life slips away once her owners have a baby. When, after some edgy circumstances, Lady finds herself on the loose and out on the street, she is befriended and protected by the tough stray mutt Tramp. A romance begins to blossom between the two dogs, but their many differences, along with more drama at Lady's household, threaten to keep them apart and the movie was released in 1955. Peggy Lee was an American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, composer, and actress and Sonny Burke was Sonny Burke was an accomplished musical arranger, composer, big band leader and producer. My mom bought this record because the movie and songs remind her of me since I used to watch this movie all the time and she was feeling nostalgic. My two favorite songs where Bella Notte and Siamese Cat Song. The song Bella Notte is sung during the part of the movie when Lady and Tramp are out back of the Italian restaurant eating pasta and meatballs the Head Italian chef and his cook are playing romantic music. This holds a very significant memory to me, I can remember my dad and I used to sing this on car rides together. I also liked the Siamese Cats song, although by todays standards it is really racists and would never be allowed in the original format. In the movie, this song is sung when the cats where introduce to the Darlings house and Lady, and throughout the song they can show how the two of them where going to torment Lady and destroy the house, letting Lady take the blame. They were just evil little cats. The cats are named Si and Am, a reference to Siam. The cats are Siamese, a breed from Thailand. They were the cats of the clueless babysitter. In the movie, the cats had the stereotypical Chinese slanted eyes, buck teeth, really bad Chinese accents. The reason for this type of thing was because this was during the 60's when in America was not really very politically correct and stereotyping races was not a big deal athough it still does not make it okay. Lady and the Tramp was a significant part of my childhood because as a child I would watch it over and at one point my parents had to buy me a second copy of the movie because I had watch it so many times. The record was a bit disappointing because it did not sound like the movie, for instance, Bella Notte was sung with a cheesy Italian accent and when I listened to the record the accent was not there. This was also the case with the other songs too, although, they did have the howling of the dogs at the pound before the song "He's a Tramp". It was a good purchase though because it was not only a trip down memory lane, but it was a classic movie and the songs was good.