Recently though, there have been a couple of pleasant developments that shed new light on the whereabouts and activities of Ms. Clemmons.

First, fellow Devora fan and friend of the Orphanage Gregg Turkington was able to determine that Devora is still actively making music. It looks like she has relocated from Florida to Los Angeles, and is now using the pseudonym Leah Devorah. Mr. Turkington has unearthed many of Devora’s social media haunts including a Twitter account, Facebook page, Tumblr blog, and several MySpace pages. The jewel of his finds is her YouTube account which is filled with fascinating slices of Ms. Clemmons’ creative output.

Second, a few months ago as I was in line waiting to check out at a local thrift shop, I glanced at a rack of CDs near the register. Sitting there was a copy of Six Petals. I purchased it thinking I got lucky and scored another copy to add to my collection. The art work and track list was identical to the copies I already had. I popped it into the CD player to make sure it played and was amazed at what I heard. The tracks on the original Six Petals were simple recordings with Ms. Clemmons singing against an electric piano background. The tracks on this CD are completely new versions of the songs, most with expanded arrangements. The title track, for example, adds banjo, percussion, and spoken word sections to the mix, creating a quite different feel than the stripped down original. You can download the entire new version below and if you are looking for the original you can find it here.

I’ll admit that Leah Devorah/Devora Clemmons is not for everyone. She’s an odd bird who’s following her own flight plan, but there is something about her music that makes me return to it over and over again. I’d like to extend a sincere thanks to Mr. Turkington for his detective work. It is nice to know that Devora is still going strong and I look forward to seeing what she will come up with next. Have fun listening and as always, Enjoy!

Download individual tracks:

1. Six Petals
2. Jesus Knocking
3. Drop a Pebble
4. Badge
5. Animals in the Zoo
6. Danger Undertow
7. Mommy and Daddy

Album Art

Or download all tracks and album art in one 50MB zip file.

What we have is an extraordinary recording from 1971 of the High Spirits Choir of Holy Spirit School in Columbus, Ohio. The director, Sister Carol Ann Krell, expertly manages to coax out some truly beautiful performances out of a group of approximately 160 children aged eight to fourteen years old, without it becoming  cutesy, pretentious, or boring. The children build up musically rich arrangements from simple guitar and percussion elements, sing in well, but not over rehearsed voices that blend wonderfully, and display an enthusiasm and sincerity that just drips off of the vinyl.

The Pastor is especially fond of the performances of Bridge Over Troubled Water from the Peace Medley, Taste Of Honey, and Everybody’s Talkin’ at Me.

The school is still in existence, but there is no mention of the group on their webpage. A few years ago I found what I believe was the Dominican convent where Sr. Krell was stationed, but emails inquiring about the recording went unanswered.

If you are looking for more from the High Spirits, they released a Christmas album in 1973 that is available to download at the always interesting Music You (Possibly) Won’t Hear Anyplace Else blog. The liner notes to this album mention that this is the second recording, so it looks like there yet one more waiting to be found. Have fun listening and as always, Enjoy!

Download individual tracks:

Side One:

1. Peace Medley
2. Love will keep us goin’
3. Everybody’s Talkin’ at Me
4. My Love Is Warmer
5. So Long, Stay Well
6. Raindrops
7. Autumn Leaves
8. Long Way to Go

Side Two

1. God Of Our Fathers
2. Circle Game
3. Let It Be Me
4. Look What They’ve Done To My Song
5. Lara’s Theme
6. Taste Of Honey
7. I’ll Be There

Album Art

Or download all tracks and album art in one 47MB zip file.

Up in the bull pen for your listening pleasure is this gem of a recording of a recital performed by the members of Allegro Music Studios under the direction of accordion teacher Ed Kearney.

Recorded in 1985, the recital also served as a vehicle to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy and starts off with a personalized greeting and thank you from Mr. Jerry Lewis himself. Mr. Lewis also recognizes Mr. Kearney’s 20th anniversary as a music teacher, and judging from the enthusiastic performances this recording provides, a very effective music teacher he must have been.

Not to be missed are the James Bond Medley and Rock and Roll Heaven performed by the Master’s Ensemble and Senior Club. Both are immensely enjoyable and offer the opportunity to hear the rarely heard but satisfying sound a large accordion ensemble can provide. The album also includes several tracks from the younger set, two strong efforts by soloists Robert Trucious and Mike Greenshields, and some cute duets between Mr. Kearney and juvenile vocalist Renee Scott.

I’ve not been able to turn up much information about Allegro Music Studios or Mr. Kearney other than a few dead end references in some online accordion forums. Mr. Kearney, if you are out there, thank you and here’s hoping you are still going strong and celebrating your 47th anniversary.

Thanks for reading and as always, Enjoy!

Download individual tracks:

Side One:
1. Introduction by Jerry Lewis
2. The Star Spangled Banner
3. James Bond Medley
4. Jazz Magic
5. Georgia On My Mind
6. Big Top March
7. Cotton Candy
8. Las Classes De Cha Cha Cha
9. Swanee River
10. Two Guitars

Side Two:
1. Whistle While You Work
2. Accordion Boogie
3. Moon River
4. Waltz Allegro
5. The Grass Is Always Greener (I)
6. The Grass Is Always Greener (II)
7. Rock & Roll Heaven
8. God Bless America

Album Art:

Download all tracks and album art in one 77MB .zip file:
Kearney.zip

Be sure to check out my buddy Dana Countryman’s brand new solo CD, Moog-Tastic! Electronic Melodies From The 24th Century!

Years in the making, the album boasts 13 tracks in a wide variety of styles that are guaranteed to quell any Moog jones you may be experiencing.

Mostly made up of some fantastic Countryman original compositions, we are also treated to Moogified versions of the Beatles’ Day Tripper, Ennio Morricone’s La Califfa (featuring some beautiful work from guest world champion whistler Geert Chatrou), and a massive arrangement of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata #14, AKA Storm Over Beethoven.

In addition to Mr. Geert, guest performers making appearances on Moog-Tastic! Include Fay Lovsky, Vinnie Bell, Skip Heller, Morgan Fisher, and, of course, Jean-Jacques Perry.

Don’t miss a visit to the official promo page to experience track samples, video podcasts about the making of the album, and other Moog-errific goodies.

The album is available to download on iTunes and Amazon, but (hint hint), if you opt to get a physical copy, I’ve heard rumored there are some extras not included with the digital release.

One of the great pleasures in life for music lovers is not so much to find a great recording, but to have a great recording find you. We first heard “Two Sides of the Trilogy” through a vinyl sharing site. The album was rare: it was a souvenir made to be sold at the Trilogy’s South Florida shows in 1973, and only 500 copies were pressed.

Intrigued by its high level of musicianship and the charisma of its three members, Kurt, Lori, and Ike, we decided to create a tribute site to the album and the band. We contacted Kurt and Ike and they turned out to be two great guys: they collaborated with us to make an awesome website, and personally digitally re-mastered the album to CD with all new artwork and liner notes.

Sadly, Lori, Kurt’s wife and lead singer, passed away a few years ago. The memory of her, however, lives on in her music, which is beautifully restored for this release.

Be sure to check out the Trilogy’s site at: www.twosidesofthetrilogy.com for samples of their cool lounge music, two free downloads, stories about the band, the 70s South Florida music scene and lots of groovy photos! And don’t forget to order a copy of this collectible CD!

Using the stage name ‘Crazy Carol’, Ms. Nelson winds her way through a variety of popular songs with a voice that ranges from a gentle croon to a powerful belt. She is backed up in these endeavors by a fine seven piece band that provide the perfect compliment to Ms. Nelson’s unique interpretations. Be sure to have a listen to House of the Rising Sun and I Will Survive.

I have been unable to find much information about Ms. Nelson. I have found references that suggest that she is still performing and hosting karaoke in the Sarasota area, but she does not appear to do anything in the way of self promotion. There are some fantastic photographs of Ms. Nelson in action on what looks to be an abandoned blog, but I am not sure when the photos were taken. Information is also sparse concerning the many sidemen on the album, but it seems that the lead guitarist, Howlin’ Bob Fieberts is active and currently has an album on CDBaby.

The studio where the album was recorded, Strickland Sounds, is no more having been involuntarily dissolved by Florida’s Division of Corporations in 1988.

Although her pitch may falter, Ms. Nelson will win you over with her heart and spirit. Here’s hoping she is still out there entertaining audiences with her personality and charisma. Have fun listening and as always, Enjoy!

Download all the mp3s and cover art in one 41 MB zip file.

This album, recorded in 1977, sees the impressively pompadoured Mr. Quint performing a concert in front of a polite if not enthusiastic audience. Mr. Quint has a unique singing style that includes several unusual vocal effects including tongue rolls, spoken interjections, unintentional yodeling, and an especially wide vibrato. He also treats the audience to a few impressions during his Elvis medley.

Mr. Quint sings in front of a band that includes keyboards, guitar, bass, drums, trumpet, trombone, and various woodwind instruments. The arrangements (by two gentlemen named Morris Hubbard and Mike Lewis) are serviceable, but the band sounds under rehearsed overall. If I had to bet, I would say that this was probably some sort of pick up group hired to play only this concert.

I haven’t been able to find out any information about Mr. Quint. Some of the others listed on the back cover have gone on to bigger and better things, most notably the recording engineers Joe Foglia and Peter Yianilos.

Have fun listening and as always, Enjoy!

Download all the mp3s and cover art in one 68 MB zip file.

The album has been fully remastered directly from Mr. Neubauer’s original tapes and includes a 16 page, full color booklet that details the trials and tribulations our man went through in the pursuit of his artistic goals. All this for only $15.00 post paid in the United States ($17 world wide).

To get your copy, either PayPal the funds to eabla@eabla.com, or send a check or money order to:

Eabla Records
PO Box 13383
Portland, OR 97213

Questions or comments about the release can be directed to katrinka@sonic.net.

Pastor McPurvis has removed the mp3s and album art from this site and they will no longer be available for download. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to purchase this fantastic offering!

All that really needs to be said is that this is a collection of contemporary (for the end of the sixties) tunes sung, without irony or humor, by an Al Jolson impressionist. That, in a nutshell, is the premise of the album.

I wanted to be able to write some insightful/witty comments, but I’m at a loss. My suggestion is to just listen to it. My favorites include Little Green Apples, I’ll Never Fall in Love Again, and You’ve Made Me So Very Happy.

The liner notes curiously allude to but never mention Al Jolson by name. They were written by Sammy Cahn, who gushes about Mr. Marshall’s and the album’s merits. The arrangements by Bobby Gosh are well done, and perfectly offset Mr. Marshall’s vocal gymnastics.

Have fun listening and as always, Enjoy!

Download all the mp3s and cover art in one 50 MB zip file.

Although Mr. Schoenfeld seems to be most famous for cussing out NHL referee Don Koharski, we at the Orphanage feel that the recording offered here is an achievement deserving of a great recognition.

As golden throats go, Mr. Schoenfeld’s larynx is 24 karat. He throws himself with complete abandon at the material he covers. He displays a wide range of vocal talents, ranging from primal screams to quiet, introspective musings. He even includes an original composition, Before, that ponders the age old question of what life was like before there were so many humans populating the earth.

The album was produced by John Valby (aka Dr. Dirty), who, I’m assuming is responsible for the unusual but oddly satisfying arrangements that permeate the recording.

Have fun listening and as always, Enjoy!

Download all the mp3s and cover art in one 49 MB zip file.