Mercury Records Collection: MG-20128: Salute To The Aragon Ballroom

Aug. 1, 2004: replaced with earlier pressing (matrix imprints with MF1 suffix on both sides). My previous copy (as seen below) had an indicator “III” both on the labels and the back cover, as well as matrix imprints with smaller MG prefix (MS2 F-S / MS2 F-S). This was probably one of the early 1960s pressings. Please compare these photos with early pressings' (seen at the bottom of this page).

Inside The Groove

A great dance band's nice performance with best regards and respects to a famous ballroom.

Personal Impression (and brief notes)

Strictly Personal Rating (to what extent I could enjoy this album)

Track Listing

Personnel

Personnel/recorded date/master numbers confirmed with the Ruppli's discography.
(“The Mercury Labels - A Discography” by Ruppli and Novitsky, Greenwood Press, 1993)

A-1:
Larry Brooks (tp), Ralph Marterie (tp), Corny Panico (tp), Bobby Sutherland (tp), Ron Walters (tp),
Larry Ransom (tb), Paul Severson (tb), Bobby Speer (tb),
Jim Cooke (as), Jack Gaylo (as), Kenny Mann (ts), Larry Regan (ts), Charlie Spero (bs, cl),
Matt Alagna (p), Henry Poston (b), Henry Riggs (ds).
Recorded at Universal Recording Studios, Chicago, IL in March 1953.

B-5:
same personnel as A-1, except Yano Spano (as) replaces Jim Cooke.
Recorded at Universal Recording Studios, Chicago, IL in January 1954.

A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2:
Larry Brooks (tp), Ralph Marterie (tp), Rudy Scaffadi (tp), Marvin Simon (tp),
Larry Ransom (tb), Paul Severson (tb), Bobby Speer (tb),
Jack Gaylo (as), Yano Spano (as), Kenny Mann (ts), Larry Regan (ts), Charlie Spero (bs, cl),
Matt Alagna (p), Henry Poston (b), Henry Riggs (ds).
Recorded at Fine Sound Studios, NYC in October 1954.

B-3, B-6:
Larry Brooks (tp), Ralph Marterie (tp), Rudy Scaffadi (tp), Marvin Simon (tp),
Larry Ransom (tb), Paul Severson (tb), Bobby Speer (tb),
Jack Gaylo (as), Yano Spano (as), Kenny Mann (ts), Larry Regan (ts), Bill Walters (ts), Johnny Alberding (bs),
Matt Alagna (p), Henry Poston (b), Henry Riggs (ds).
Recorded at Universal Recording Studios, Chicago, IL in December 1954.

A-5:
same personnel as B-3.
Recorded at Universal Recording Studios, Chicago, IL in March 1955.

A-6, B-4:
same personnel as B-3.
Recorded at Universal Recording Studios, Chicago, IL in May 1955.

A-2:
Ralph Marterie (tp) and his Orchestra, including:
Carl Bernhardt (tb). Dick Bradey (tb). Ralph Craig (tb). Vince Forrest (tb).
(other personnel unknown).
Recorded at Universal Recording Studios, Chicago, IL in November 1955.

The Artist Also Appears on...

Ralph Marterie (tp, leader) :

Mercury MG-25085 10-inch : Ralph Marterie And His Orchestra
Mercury MG-25102 10-inch : Marterie Moods
Mercury MG-25121 10-inch : Junior Prom
Mercury MG-25171 10-inch : Dancing On The Downbeat
Mercury MG-25195 10-inch : Marterie Blows And The Cats Play
Mercury MG-25201 10-inch : 3 Guys On A Note / Vic Damone - Ralph Marterie - Rusty Draper
Mercury MG-20010 : Sweet And Lovely (Ralph Marterie With Strings)
Mercury MG-20053 : Dance Date
Mercury MG-20054 : Alone Together (Music for Smoochin')
Mercury MG-20066 : Dance Band In Town
Mercury MG-20124 : Swing Baby
Mercury MG-20125 : On Bandstand No.1
Mercury MG-20128 : Salute To The Aragon Ballroom
Mercury MG-20174 : Love Themes From The Classics
Mercury MG-20198 : Young America Dances
Mercury MG-20294 : Jumpin' Trumpet
Mercury MG-20294 / SR-60035 : College Dance Favorites
Mercury MG-20336 : The Hits That Made Ralph Marterie And His Orchestra Famous
Mercury MG-20395 / SR-60004 : Dance Party / Ralph Marterie and his Marlboro Men
Mercury MG-20437 / SR-60109 : Music For A Private Eye
Mercury MG-20506 / SR-60183 : Big Band Man
Wing MGW-12154 : Marvelous Marterie
Wing MGW-12155 : Trumpeters Lullaby
Wing MGW-12160 : Love Themes From Classics (reissue of MG-20174)
Wing MGW-12179 / SRW-16179 : Dance Album
Wing MGW-12238 / SRW-16238 : Music For A Private Eye (reissue of MG-20437 / SR-60109)
Wing MGW-12259 / SRW-16259 : Dance Party (reissue of MG-20395 / SR-60004)