Billy Vaughn "Pearly Shells"

[electra225]

I am arguably one of the world's most dedicated Billy Vaughn fans. He never recorded a bad note. His main claim to fame was doing background music for rock and roll stars in the 1950's and 1960's. His trademark saxophone quintet is legendary. His band had the second best drummer who ever recorded a note. Hank Thompson had the best one, Hugo Chambers. The un-named drummer of the Billy Vaughn Orchestra did what a good drummer should do---he kept time for the band, period. His forte was the rim shot. Not very many drummers are good at it, this person was an expert.

Pearly Shells represents a departure from the Billy Vaugh signature sound. Instead, it features xylophone/bells, flutes and picolo, the little round thingies that you hit with a drum stick. The whole album features this basic combo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PSJvD5 ... rt_radio=1

While we are mentioning rim shots, here is "Sail Along Silv'ry Moon". Along with "Mexicali Rose" this is one of the best "rim shot" recordings by Billy Vaughn. This is one of his better albums certainly. This one is dated 1957. I'd say that is a couple years early. It was recorded in stereo. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwCPAYQ ... rt_radio=1

The incomparable Mexicali Rose. When I come home from work, feeling like I've been run over by a freight train, this song puts the world right......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnBHXT_ ... rt_radio=1