Episode Details

Welcome to Glenn Robison’s Rapidly Rotating Records, bringing you vintage music to which you can’t not tap your toes, from rapidly rotating 78 RPM records of the 1920s and ’30s.

If you play Wordle, you know that one of last week’s words was “fritz.” Many people were upset by that choice because they thought its only meaning was as a proper noun, which Wordle does not use. (Wordle doesn’t use plurals, either, by the way.) In the final segment of this week’s show, you’ll find out where the phrase “on the fritz” likely originated. We also have two birthday salutes this week. One is that of trombonist Joe Harris and you’ll hear three of Joe Harris’ records to start off the show. The other birthday is not of a composer or artist, but of the modern railroad, celebrating its 200th birthday. The drawing above is of George Stephenson’s steam locomotive and cars of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, which opened 200 years ago on September 27, 1825. We’ll also have another episode of “One Thing in Common.” And get out your dancing shoes because we’ll have not one, not two, but three records by the Van Eps Dance Orchestra. Really. For sure this time! There’s lots of great music and interesting information so set aside an hour with your favorite beverage and prepare to be transported back to a different–and we think better–musical era. Just click the link above to listen streaming online and/or download for listening at your convenience.

THANKS FOR LISTENING! ENJOY THE SHOW!

Here’s the complete playlist:

Segment 1: Joe Harris

Hangin’ Around – Georgia Melodians
Ole Mammy Ain’t Gonna Sing No More – Ben Pollack Orchestra / Joe Harris, v.
Blue River – Prairie Ramblers

Segment 2: Birth of the Modern Railway

Let Me Be Your Sidetrack – Jimmie Rodgers
There’s Lots Of Stations On My Railroad Track – Ada Jones & Billy Murray