Lionel Hampton - "Sometimes I'm Happy"

Here is a nice little swinger for all the vibraphone lovers out there from the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. This rare 45 was released on Hampton's own Glad Records (later Glad-Hamp). I believe the Glad is for his wife Gladys, who ran the business side of his music.
This cut would fit right in with an episode of Mad Men. Shake up a martini and enjoy!

Lee Allen - "Promenade"

Here is the flip side to "Walkin' With Mr. Lee," which I posted back in 2011.

A couple trivia items about Lee Allen;He played three shows in October 1981 with the Rolling Stones: on October first at the Metro Centre (Rockford, Illinois), and on the third and the fourth at Folsom Field(Boulder, Colorado). According to Ian McLagan, who played keyboards with the Stones on the 1981 Tattoo You tour, Allen was so bewildered by playing with the Stones for over 80,000 people in attendance "he [Allen] completely choked up". Audio recordings of the shows confirm McLagan. Allen was replaced by Ernie Watts for the remainder of the tour.

After Allen's death, Blasters member Dave Alvin dedicated the song "Mister Lee" to Allen.

Joe Jones - "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone"

 Here is the B-side to California Sun that I posted earlier this year.
Best remembered for the 1960 novelty smash "You Talk Too Much," New Orleans R&B singer Joe Jones later forged a career in production and publishing before becoming a galvanizing force in the battle for artists' rights.

J.D. Nicholson - Typin' And Wonderin'

James David Nicholson, 12 April 1917, Monroe, Louisiana, USA, d. 27 July 1991, Los Angeles, California, USA. Nicholson learned to play the piano in church from the age of five. He later emigrated to the west coast where, influenced by the popular black recording artists of the day, he built up a solo act and travelled and performed all over California. In the mid-40s he teamed up with Jimmy McCracklin and they made their first demo recordings together; Nicholson played, McCracklin sang and both their styles were very much in the mould of Walter Davis. Over the next decade, Nicholson accompanied a number of well-known artists, such as Lowell Fulson and Ray Agee, and also made some records under his own name. Later in the 50s, he joined Jimmy Reed’s band, and also played with Little Walter. He made a few more records in the 60s. This is a split 45 with Red Callender on the other side.