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.

On this evening’s show, we’ll go to town, get some sympathy, listen to some stories and celebrate the birthdays of Harry Reser and “The Fat Man”, no, not me.

Enjoy the show!

Here’s the complete playlist:

Segment 1: Town

Hotsy Totsy Town – Dixie Daisies
Back O’ Town Blues – Original Indiana Five
Talk Of The Town – Ted Weems AHO / Parker Gibbs, v.

Segment 2: Sympathy
On January 21 back in 1789, “The Power Of Sympathy”, widely considered to be the first American novel, was published anonymously in Boston by Isaiah Thomas. It was author William Hill Brown’s first novel, and is based on a well known local New England scandal. So here’s a sympathetic set.

I Need Sympathy – Jesse Stafford AHO / Jane Jones, v.
Sympathy Waltz – Frank Banta, Piano Solo
So Sympathetic – Merle Johnston and His Ceco Couriers

Segment 3: A Bit Plump
January 21 marked the debut in 1946 at 8:30 PM on ABC radio of the mystery adventure series “The Fat Man”. In the series, “The Fat Man”, Brad Runyon, weighed 239 pounds, as listeners heard each week in the opening when Runyon steps on a scale and drops in a coin. J. Scott Smart, who played the portly detective, in real life weighed in at 270 pounds. The series, which originated at WJZ in New York, was created by Dashiell Hammett and also featured Ed Begley, Sr. as Sergeant O’Hara. So, to commemorate “The Fat Man”, here’s a plump set.

Fat Man Blues – Tiny Parham and His Musicians
Big Fat Mama – Clarence Williams AHO / Ed Allen, v.
Fat Fanny Stomp – Jim Clarke

Segment 4: Stories
January 18 marked the debut in 1937 on CBS radio of “Aunt Jenny’s Real Life Stories”. A complete story was told in five, 15-minute episodes which aired Monday thru Friday each week. Aunt Jenny was played by Edith Spencer and later, by Agnes Young. The show continued on radio until September 28, 1956. Aunt Jenny’s whistling canary was played by animal imitator, Henry Boyd. Aunt Jenny was created as an advertising character created by Lever Brothers Corporation for their Spry brand vegetable shortening, which sponsored the radio program. Well, we’ve got some stories of our own, beginning with the voice that had them fainting.

A Bed-Time Story – Rudy Vallee
It Might Have Been A Different Story – Dick Himber and His Essex House Orch / Joey Nash, v.
What’s Your Story (What’s Your Jive) – Fletcher Henderson AHO / Jerry Black, v.

Segment 5: Harry Reser
January 17 marked the birth in 1896 in Piqua, Ohio of one of the greatest banjo players of all time, Harry Reser.

I’m Still Caring – Harry Reser’s Rounders / Tom Stacks, v.
Paddlin’ Madelin’ Home – Tennessee Happy Boys / Arthur Hall, v.
Whe