Edmund Denney with the Pleasant Valley Gang The Melodious Voice Meadowlark Record Co. Unknown Year

Edmund Denney with the Pleasant Valley Gang The Melodious Voice Meadowlark Record Co. Unknown Year No CAT#

Edmund Denney appears to be from Nebraska originally.  He was born blind and attended the Nebraska School for a Blind.  His first spot on the radio was also in Nebraska as part of a talent contest in 1934. This all according to the back cover of this LP. At some point, he made it to Topeka, Kansas, and performed daily on Topeka's WIBW with his Pleasant Valley Gang.

The trio would just fill airtime playing songs from the early morning and later slots throughout the day.  Per the back cover regular shows included, "The Kansas Round Up", "The Dinner Hour", and the "Pleasant Valley Gang". Years ago, this was a common practice in radio, an act would be hired on to fill the out the programming schedule with music. Apparently, Edmund was so beloved in Topeka, the station dubbed him "The Voice of Kansas". Further, the act would frequently play at State Fairs and whoever else may want to see the gang live. They were so successful regionally that they performed on the radio all the way up until the mid-1980's, a time when almost all radio stations moved on from such programs.

The music is pleasant, airy, kind of something you can kind of just hum along to and never get offended by. I wouldn't call Mr. Denney's voice "melodious", but he's got a nice tone, it's again, pleasant. The "Gang" is Denney on vocals and rhythm guitar, Bill Kirk on aaccordion and a Miss Elsa on organ. The sparse accompaniment sometimes gives the music a creepy, carnival feel.  But, mostly, it's easy listening fair with some polka's thrown in. Think Kansas' own version of the variety show done by Lawrence Welk and you're in the ballpark.

Burt Bacharach & Friends A&M

Burt Bacharach & Friends A&M Cat #SP1907 No Year Listed

Dude was born in Kansas City, MO and writes the songs the world sings.  Pretty big score for KCMO.  Too bad he moved to New York City at a young age.  And in all honesty, it just seems right when you listen to the tunes.  The whole Tin Pan Alley thing, guy should be a New Yorker like the rest of them.

This LP was something I picked up for free.  All his jazz influence, breezy, pop hits.  Further, it showcases the hitmakers this guy was writing for, plus a nod to his true love of Jazz music with the Wes Montgomery selection.  It's hard to hate some of these songs.  They're so absurdly non-confrontational you just kind of want to sit still in a elevator and wait for the doors to open.

Dave English Softly Speaking Infinity, Inc

Dave English Softly Speaking Infinity, Inc [Year Unknown] CAT # NR5642

I photoed the back cover to emphasize a few things.  1) It's a heavy set kid in overalls and 2) It's all covers.  Which begs the question, if this kid can't pen his own tunes, why is there an LP?  Surely, he must make these songs his own.  This must be some lost, great Kansas musician that no one gave a shot based on looks.  It must be incredible.

Sadly, no.  It's awful.  The big guy sings in a romantic baritone.  The surrounding musical accompaniment is classically arranged and boring.  It's not challenging, it's not even good for what it is.  It's just bad.

It is a private pressing form Topeka, Kansas, though.  There's no year listed, but I'm going to guess mid to late 70's.  It may be early 80's, but the sepia toned back cover just screams 70's.

The best part about the LP was the conversation a friend and I had about it after sending him the photos.  His immediate response was, "That looks awful."  To which I replied, "It's from Topeka, everyone I know from Topeka is rad," since my friend is a Topeka native.  I then went on to make the bold statement that all artists that wear overalls kick ass.  Woody Guthrie, Boyz to Men, Dexy's Midnight Runners, TLC (Left Eye), and Kris Kross are all awesome.  He quickly sent me a photo of Justin Beiber in overalls and said, "Unless you can find a photo of John Coltrane in overalls, this is over."  I sent him a photo of Miles Davis wearing overalls and mentioned, Coltrane was born and raised in North Carolina, chances are, he wore overalls before he flashed kick ass black suits with no ties.  Ultimately though, Dave English proved to be an exception like Beiber.  Not all artists who perform in overalls are amazing, some are just boring and not worthwhile.

*Afterthought - The kid does have a nice voice that would do well on shows like America's Got Talent and American Idol.  And, the cover of "Everything I Own" is pleasant and has some baroque styling.