0359 The Polka Dots [Strictly For Kicks...] FLAC 4(10.04)

Contributed by azule serape, who writes:-
Their second ep from 1962. Wally Stott again and similar to the first ep.

Jimmy Walker - vocals
Don Riddell - vocals
Tony Mansell - vocals
Freddy Datchler - vocals
Wally Stott Orchestra

01 Lullaby Of Broadway (Warren) (1:59)
02 Rosie (Adams, Strouse) (2:40)
03 Pennies From Heaven (Johnston, Burke) (2:39)
04 Once In Love With Amy (Loesser) (2:45)

Label: Philips BBE 12528
Recorded: 1962
Lineage: EP>FLAC

0358 The Polka Dots [The Polka Dots!] FLAC 4(11.18)

Contributed by azule serape, who writes:-
Their first ep from 1961. Not quite as jazzy as the previous postings but some fine Wally Stott backing. Strings too in places.

Jimmy Walker - vocals
Don Riddell - vocals
Tony Mansell - vocals
Freddy Datchler - vocals
Wally Stott Orchestra

01 The Breeze (Lewis) (2:25)
02 Wha Cha Ma Call It (Saltzberg, Fallon) (2:30)
03 April In Paris (Harburg, Duke) (3:04)
04 There Is Nothing Like A Dame (Rodgers, Hammerstein) (3:19)

Label: Philips BBE 12487
Recorded: 1961
Lineage: EP>FLAC

0325 The Polka Dots [Singin' And Swingin'] FLAC 4(13.36)

Contributed by bluebird, who writes:-
Don't be put off by the fact that this looks like a pop vocal ep. Whilst it is a vocal ep there is some very superior jazz here with splendid arrangements and tasty solos.  There's a very interesting vocal version of  'Jordu' too.
Just look at the jazz names in the 'backing' group.  If you don't know who 'Redvers Reedworker' is, then it's Ronnie Ross, in top form here.
The Polka Dots made few records, some were in the pop field but they were very active in the studios and on TV in the late 1950s/early 1960s and first call vocal backing group for many singers. All the members played musical instruments. Jimmy Walker was an accomplished saxophonist in his own right and is heard here on soprano sax.
A lovely little record and well worth a listen.

Jimmy Walker - soprano, vocals
Ronnie Ross (Redvers Reedworker) - alto, baritone, clarinet
Art Ellefson - tenor
Ralph Dollimore - piano
Don Riddell - piano (02), vocals
Sammy Stokes - bass
Phil Seamen - drums
Tony Mansell - vocals
Freddy Datchler - vocals

01 Cherokee (Noble) (3:28)
02 Bal Musette (Jordu) (Jordan) (3:21)
03 You Hit The Spot (Mack Gordon) (3:32)
04 I Didn't Know What Time It Was (Rodgers) (3:15)

Label: Lansdowne Jazz Series SEG 7894
Recorded: January 27 1959
Lineage: EP>FLAC

0316 The Polka Dots [Nice Work & You Can Buy It] FLAC 12(33.00)

Contributed by azule serape, who writes:-
The all male vocal group had a highly successful, although short, life in the late 1950s/early 1960s and were much in demand for studio work and as backing for star vocalists.
This Wally Stott band included Kenny Baker, Bert Ezzard, Tubby Hayes, Laddy Busby, Harry Klein and Ronnie Verrell although the full personnel is not known. Hayes can be heard soloing on tracks 1, 7, 8 and 10.
Fringe jazz but good swinging arrangements from a great studio band. Vocals not bad either.

Personnel includes:
Wally Stott - leader
Kenny Baker - trumpet
Bert Ezzard - trumpet
Tubby Hayes - tenor
Lad Busby - trombone
Harry Klein - baritone
Ronnie Verrell - drums
Jimmy Walker - vocals
Don Riddell - vocals
Tony Mansell - vocals
Freddy Datchler - vocals

01 I’ve Got A Gal In Kalamazoo (Warren) (2:46)
02 Paducah (Redman) (2:42)
03 They Go To San Diego (Tormé) (2:36)
04 I’m Shooting High (Koehler, McHugh) (2:50)
05 Hundreds And Thousands Of Girls (Wayne, Rasch) (3:08)
06 Too Marvelous For Words (Mercer, Whiting) (2:39)
07 The Song Is You (Kern) (2:58)
08 The Late, Late Show (Berlin, Alfred) (2:37)
09 Nice Work If You Can Get It (Gershwin, Gershwin) (2:36)
10 I'm Just Breezin’ Along With The Breeze (Gillespie, Simon, Whiting) (2:44)
11 Dancing In The Dark (Schwartz, Dietz) (2:53)
12 Carioca (Eliscu, Kahn, Youmans) (2:31)

Label: Philips BL 7576
Recorded: 1963
Lineage: LP>FLAC