Dinner Music for People Who Aren't Very Hungry
Encyclopedia
Dinner Music For People Who Aren't Very Hungry - Spike Jones Demonstrates Your Hi-Fi was the first long-playing release by comedic bandleader Spike Jones
.
Released in 1956 by Verve Records
under catalog number MG V-4005, the album is an unusual mix of Jones' ongoing (and offbeat) commentary on the relatively new technology of high fidelity
audio combined with then-new recordings of some of his classic comedy numbers, again in a high fidelity format. ("Cocktails for Two" and "Chloe" were dubbed from 1940s' Standard Transcriptions and re-equalized for hi-fi, according to Jones' archviist Ted Hering).
Dinner Music came about because of Jones' fascination with the possibilities high-fidelity recording presented, almost at the exclusion of music for commentary and the presentation of sound effects. As such, it can be argued that the album has not aged well given the technological leaps in audio reproduction over the last five decades, including subsequent leaps in the technology of phonograph record production. The record's most noticeable shortcoming is that it is in mono
, because it was recorded a few years before stereo
records became available. It remains, however, a highly collectible record and a top-notch showcase of the high caliber of musicianship necessary to create the Spike Jones brand of novelty songs.
The liner notes, written by noted composer and conductor Dimitri Tiomkin
, speak of the aforementioned virtuosity of Jones' musicians. They also list the rather broad range of "instruments" heard on the album in their order of appearance. Among them were a "burpaphone," "assorted belches," "garbage disposal
grinding up violin
" and, in a rather daring move for the mid 1950s, a sexually charged reference to something called a "poontangaphone". He quotes an article from the Chicago Daily News
of August 30, 1956: "Spike Jones got into the Michigan Boulevard repair act Wednesday. Turned up on a curbstone at 7:00 A.M. with Bill Putnam of Universal Recording, plus one tape recorder
; gravely recorded the noise of a pneumatic drill
to be added to a Spike Jones Dinner Music Album."
Tiomkin was also bold enough to make the claim that one of the tracks was "one of the greatest examples of musicianship ever recorded." That track was The Sneezin' Bee, based on Flight of the Bumblebee
. Considered possible only on flute
, violin or piano
, the number was recorded a tempo and in real time on trombone
by guest artist Tommy Pederson
, with former Slicker pianist Frank Leithner contributing the sneezes.
The album was released on compact disc
October 25, 1990 on Rhino Records.
Side B
Spike Jones
Mel Blanc, the voice of Bugs Bunny and other Warner Brothers cartoon characters, performed a drunken, hiccuping verse for 1942's "Clink! Clink! Another Drink"...
.
Released in 1956 by Verve Records
Verve Records
Verve Records is an American jazz record label now owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded by Norman Granz in 1956, absorbing the catalogues of his earlier labels, Clef Records and Norgran Records , and material which had been licensed to Mercury previously.-Jazz and folk origins:The Verve...
under catalog number MG V-4005, the album is an unusual mix of Jones' ongoing (and offbeat) commentary on the relatively new technology of high fidelity
High fidelity
High fidelity—or hi-fi—reproduction is a term used by home stereo listeners and home audio enthusiasts to refer to high-quality reproduction of sound or images, to distinguish it from the poorer quality sound produced by inexpensive audio equipment...
audio combined with then-new recordings of some of his classic comedy numbers, again in a high fidelity format. ("Cocktails for Two" and "Chloe" were dubbed from 1940s' Standard Transcriptions and re-equalized for hi-fi, according to Jones' archviist Ted Hering).
Dinner Music came about because of Jones' fascination with the possibilities high-fidelity recording presented, almost at the exclusion of music for commentary and the presentation of sound effects. As such, it can be argued that the album has not aged well given the technological leaps in audio reproduction over the last five decades, including subsequent leaps in the technology of phonograph record production. The record's most noticeable shortcoming is that it is in mono
Monaural
Monaural or monophonic sound reproduction is single-channel. Typically there is only one microphone, one loudspeaker, or channels are fed from a common signal path...
, because it was recorded a few years before stereo
Stereophonic sound
The term Stereophonic, commonly called stereo, sound refers to any method of sound reproduction in which an attempt is made to create an illusion of directionality and audible perspective...
records became available. It remains, however, a highly collectible record and a top-notch showcase of the high caliber of musicianship necessary to create the Spike Jones brand of novelty songs.
The liner notes, written by noted composer and conductor Dimitri Tiomkin
Dimitri Tiomkin
Dimitri Zinovievich Tiomkin was a Russian-born Hollywood film score composer and conductor. He is considered "one of the giants of Hollywood movie music." Musically trained in Russia, he is best known for his westerns, "where his expansive, muscular style had its greatest impact." Tiomkin...
, speak of the aforementioned virtuosity of Jones' musicians. They also list the rather broad range of "instruments" heard on the album in their order of appearance. Among them were a "burpaphone," "assorted belches," "garbage disposal
Garbage disposal
A garbage disposal unit or waste disposal unit is a device, usually electrically powered, installed under a kitchen sink between the sink's drain and the trap which shreds food waste into pieces small enough—generally less than —to pass through plumbing.Garbage disposal units are widely used in...
grinding up violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
" and, in a rather daring move for the mid 1950s, a sexually charged reference to something called a "poontangaphone". He quotes an article from the Chicago Daily News
Chicago Daily News
The Chicago Daily News was an afternoon daily newspaper published between 1876 and 1978 in Chicago, Illinois.-History:The Daily News was founded by Melville E. Stone, Percy Meggy, and William Dougherty in 1875 and began publishing early the next year...
of August 30, 1956: "Spike Jones got into the Michigan Boulevard repair act Wednesday. Turned up on a curbstone at 7:00 A.M. with Bill Putnam of Universal Recording, plus one tape recorder
Tape recorder
An audio tape recorder, tape deck, reel-to-reel tape deck, cassette deck or tape machine is an audio storage device that records and plays back sounds, including articulated voices, usually using magnetic tape, either wound on a reel or in a cassette, for storage...
; gravely recorded the noise of a pneumatic drill
Jackhammer
A jackhammer is a pneumatic tool that combines a hammer directly with a chisel that was invented by Charles Brady King. Hand-held jackhammers are typically powered by compressed air, but some use electric motors. Larger jackhammers, such as rig mounted hammers used on construction machinery, are...
to be added to a Spike Jones Dinner Music Album."
Tiomkin was also bold enough to make the claim that one of the tracks was "one of the greatest examples of musicianship ever recorded." That track was The Sneezin' Bee, based on Flight of the Bumblebee
Flight of the Bumblebee
"Flight of the Bumblebee" is an orchestral interlude written by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov for his opera The Tale of Tsar Saltan, composed in 1899–1900. The piece closes Act III, Tableau 1, during which the magic Swan-Bird changes Prince Gvidon Saltanovich into an insect so that he can fly away to...
. Considered possible only on flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
, violin or piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, the number was recorded a tempo and in real time on trombone
Trombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
by guest artist Tommy Pederson
Tommy Pederson
Pullman Gerald "Tommy" Pederson was an American trombonist and composer – prolific in jazz, big band, and classical genres. He had performed and recorded with big bands and artists that included Gene Krupa, Tommy Dorsey, Nelson Riddle, Doc Severinsen , and Frank Sinatra...
, with former Slicker pianist Frank Leithner contributing the sneezes.
The album was released on compact disc
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
October 25, 1990 on Rhino Records.
Track listing
Side A- Space Ship Landing - credited as being from the motion picture "The Mole People Versus MCAMusic Corporation of AmericaMCA, Inc. was an American talent agency. Initially starting in the music business, they would next become a dominant force in the film business, and later expanded into the television business...
." - Ramona
- Duet for Violin and Garbage DisposalGarbage disposalA garbage disposal unit or waste disposal unit is a device, usually electrically powered, installed under a kitchen sink between the sink's drain and the trap which shreds food waste into pieces small enough—generally less than —to pass through plumbing.Garbage disposal units are widely used in...
- Black & Blue Danube WaltzThe Blue DanubeThe Blue Danube is the common English title of An der schönen blauen Donau, Op. 314 , a waltz by the Austrian composer Johann Strauss II, composed in 1866...
- The Old Sow Song (vocals: George RockGeorge RockGeorge Rock was a member of Spike Jones and His City Slickers.In addition to being a trumpet player, he also sang with the group from time to time, using a voice characterization that sounded like a child...
) - Pal-Yat-CheePagliacciPagliacci , sometimes incorrectly rendered with a definite article as I Pagliacci, is an opera consisting of a prologue and two acts written and composed by Ruggero Leoncavallo. It recounts the tragedy of a jealous husband in a commedia dell'arte troupe...
(vocals: Betsy Gay) - Cocktails For Two (lead vocal: Carl Grayson)
Side B
- Wyatt EarpWyatt EarpWyatt Berry Stapp Earp was an American gambler, investor, and law enforcement officer who served in several Western frontier towns. He was also at different times a farmer, teamster, bouncer, saloon-keeper, miner and boxing referee. However, he was never a drover or cowboy. He is most well known...
Makes Me Burp - with Mousie Garner (as Sir Frederic Gas) and The Sons of the Sons of the PioneersSons of the PioneersThe Sons of the Pioneers are one of America's earliest Western singing groups whose classic recordings set a new standard for performers of Western music. Known for the high quality of their vocal performances, musicianship, and songwriting, they produced finely-crafted and innovative recordings...
. - Memories Are Made Of ThisMemories Are Made of This"Memories Are Made of This" is a popular song written by Terry Gilkyson, Richard Dehr, and Frank Miller in 1955.-History:The most popular version of the song was recorded by Dean Martin. It reached #1 on the Billboard chart for six weeks in 1956, and became his biggest hit...
? - with Gil Bernal and The Canine 9 - The Sneezin' BeeFlight of the Bumblebee"Flight of the Bumblebee" is an orchestral interlude written by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov for his opera The Tale of Tsar Saltan, composed in 1899–1900. The piece closes Act III, Tableau 1, during which the magic Swan-Bird changes Prince Gvidon Saltanovich into an insect so that he can fly away to...
(trombone solo: Tommy Pederson ; bass: Frank Leithner) - Little Child (vocals: George Rock)
- Brahm's AlibiBrahms' LullabyCradle Song is the common name for a number of children's lullabies with similar lyrics, the original of which was Johannes Brahms's Wiegenlied: Guten Abend, gute Nacht , Op. 49, No. 4, published in 1868 and widely known as Brahms's Lullaby...
(vocals: Lou Singer and Spike Jones) - Chloe (vocals: Red IngleRed IngleErnest Jansen "Red" Ingle was an American musician, singer and songwriter, arranger, cartoonist and caricaturist. He is best known for his comedy records with Spike Jones and his own Natural Seven sides for Capitol....
)
Further reading
- Young, Jordan R. (2005). Spike Jones Off the Record: The Man Who Murdered Music. Albany: BearManor Media ISBN 1-59393-012-7 3rd edition.