Music Series # 1 - My Vinyl Records Collection featuring The Lettermen

This hubber literally ransacked a local radio station for the acquisition of the remaining vinyl records that were replaced by radio automation system on the computer. His friend personally requested for the DIY (do-it-yourself) mission and a fruitful outcome resulted.

No harassment was done for the visiting hubber (a former announcer himself). The radio technician also nodded for his approval and said that the clutter inside the radio station will be lessen because of travel man.

The most important thing is: he was able to prolong the life of those vinyl records, waiting to be played again.

Six vinyl records of  The Lettermen were brought home by travel_man1971 and immediately he played it one by one, much to the amusement of his neighbors. He usually play it during Sundays for a more relaxed period of rest and communion with the Almighty God.

By just listening to the trio, interpreting songs in a heaven-like harmony of voices,  problems are momentarily forgotten as your mind travels along with the beautiful music emanating from the group.

Never mind the scratches or hissing sound at the beginning of the record. As long as it is playable, the immortality of the songs will never be tampered by those glitches.

If you still have collections of it in your homes, please take note of the following:

1. Store it in a cool, dry place. Moist environment can accumulate fungi on it. Heat can curl up the vinyl records.
   
2. Clean it from dust with a clean cheese cloth.
3. Don't rub alcohol on it for cleaning. It can distort the recording.
4. Always have a plastic casings to cover the vinyl one by one.
5. Don't let the children play it. It will be broken , I'm sure of that.

Note: If you want to convert it into mp3 music, Audacity is the best free software to use. You must buy a peripheral or plug-ins to be used in order to convert it from the vinyl player into the computer. The procedure is somewhat tedious, but I'll stick to the original vinyl sound. I'll convert it  later.

1. The Best of The Lettermen (1966) - It showcased the #1 song: When I Fall In Love at AC (American Countdown). You can also enjoy another chart-topper, The Way Look Tonight and my personal favorite, Love Is A Many Splendored Thing.
2. The Best of The Lettermen, Vol. 2 (1968) - enjoys airplay time bacause of this medley: Goin' Out of My Head/Can't Take My Eyes Off You.  Check out other covers, like: The Impossible Dream, Sealed With A Kiss and the surprisingly beautiful Volare (Italian song: Let's Fly) with an American touch.
3. I Have Dreamed (1969) - This hubber also included a video of the title cut. Among the songs you can enjoy on the album are: Traces, I Love How You Love Me, California Dreamin' and other covers.
4. All-Time Greatest Hits (1973) - The theme from : A Summer's Place (movie) banners this LP album. The did a cover of Paul Anka's hit: Put Your Head On My Shoulder.
5. Love Is (1993) - Side A features single 1: What I Did For Love, a classic song. Check out other covers , like: Barbra Streisand's Evergreen, Neil Sedaka's Breaking Up Is Hard To Doand Boz Scaggs' We're All Alone.
6. The Lettermen and WEA Various Artists, Vol. II (1994) - This is the second installment of the tribute of the Philippine music industry for the group. The trio did two cuts, namely: Midnight Blue and I'm Coming Home.

Note: This hubber never intended to violate the copyrights of these albums. This hub was made for reference and for the enjoyment of those who like the artists.

The group was formed in the late 1950s with Tony Butala as the regular singer, until these days. Bob Engemann and Jim Pike completed the trio who recorded successful LP (long playing in vinyl) albums. Bob and Jim resigned in different years and were replaced by Donovan Tea and Mark Preston. The new trio has been dubbed as the best sounding group and best combination of voices up to the present.

The Lettermen was rivaled by a five-member R & B group with the same name, but the latter conceded when they had their first hit record. The trio was awarded to use the name exclusively.

The Lettermen were unknown until they signed with Capitol Records in 1961. Their first single for Capitol, "The Way You Look Tonight," succeeded on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Chart. Their next, "When I Fall in Love," reached the Top 10 in late 1962 and hit #1 on AC.

They had several other Top 10 AC hits, such as 1965's "Theme From A Summer Place". In late 1967 Bob Engemann resigned, and was replaced by Jim Pike's younger brother, Gary Pike.

The hits continued with the 1968 medley "Goin' Out of My Head"/"Can't Take My Eyes Off You", and in 1968 with "Put Your Head on My Shoulder", plus 1969's "Hurt So Bad", which reached #12.

What's fascinating about this group is that they are able to sing fluently and beautifully some kundiman (Filipino folk songs), like Dahil Sa'Yo (Because of You) and Sapagkat Kami ay Tao Lamang (For We Are Only Human).

1. Tony Butala - the consistent Letterman

2. Bob Engemann - part of the original recording trio

3. Gary Pike - part of the original recording trio

4. Donny Pike

5. Rick Corbin

6. Jim Pike - replaced his brother Gary

7. Allen "Puddler" Harris

8. Doug Curran joined in 1969, as Jim Pike's replacement due to voice problems. With tours and recording ahead, he was able to accomplish three albums with the group: I Have Dreamed (May 1969), Hurt So Bad (October 1969) and Traces / Memories (Jan. 1970).

9. Ralph "Chad" Nichols

10. Don Campeau

11. Ernie Pontiere

12. Bobby Poynton

13. Darren Dowler, joined the group in 1995, also the lead singer for Paul Revere and the Raiders in 2008, and starred in the motion picture Rock and Roll the Movie in 2009 (I've seen this. ), a film he wrote, directed, scored and starred in. Dowler also had smaller parts in the films, Hancock and Eagle Eye. Dowler is also the author for a novel entitled THE WAR OF ANGELS (Author House Publishing 2007).

14. Donovan Tea -the present part of the trio

15. Mark Preston - part of the present trio

16. David "Red" Saber -now a maritime captain

1. A Song For Young Love (1962)

2. Once Upon A Time(1962)

3. Jim, Tony and Bob (1962)

4. College Standards (1963)

5. In Concert (1963)

6. A Lettermen Kind of Love (1964)

7. Look at Love (1964)

8. She Cried (1964)

9. You'll Never Walk Alone (1965)

10. Portrait of My Love (1965)

11. The Hit Sounds of The Lettermen (1965)

12. More Hit Sounds of The Lettermen (1966)

13. A New Song for Young Love (1966)

14. The Best of The Lettermen (1966; re-released 1988 on CD/Capitol)

15. For Christmas This Year (1966; re-released 1975 and again in 1990)

16. Warm (1967)

17. Spring! (1967)

18. The Lettermen!! ...And Live! (1967)

19. Goin' Out of My Head (1968)

20. Special Request (1968)

21. The Best of The Lettermen, Volume 2 (1968)

22. Put Your Head on My Shoulder (1968)

23. Close Up (1969)

24. Hurt So Bad (1969)

25. I Have Dreamed (1969)

26. Traces/Memories (1970)

27. Reflections (1970)

28. Everything's Good About You (1971)

29. Feelings (1971)

30. Love Book (1971)

31. Lettermen 1 (1972)

32. Spin Away (1972)

33. A Time for Us (1972)

34. Alive Again ...Naturally (1973)

35. Now and Forever (1974)

36. All-Time Greatest Hits (1974: re-released 1987 on CD)

37. There Is No Greater Love (1975)

38. Make a Time for Lovin' (1975)

39. The Time Is Right (1975)

40. The Lovin' Touch of The Lettermen (1975)

41. Kind of Country (1976)

42. With Love from The Lettermen (1977)

43. To a Friend (1977)

44. Love Is... (1979)

45. Why I Love Her (1986; re-released 1993 and 2006)

46. It Feels Like Christmas (1987)

47. Twin Best Now (1988)

48. When I Fall in Love (1989)

49. Best Now (1990 CD: Capitol/Japan)

50. Greatest Hits - 10 Best Series (1990)

51. Close to You (1991)

52. Live in Concert (1991)

53. Collectors Series (1992)

54. Sing We Noel (1992)

55. Best Hits (1993)

56. The Best of The Lettermen (1993)

57. Best of The Lettermen (1993)

58. Love Is All (1993)

59. Their Greatest Hits & Finest Performances (1994)

60. Christmas with The Lettermen (1995)

61. Deck the Halls (1995)

62. Super Now (1997)

63. Memories: The Very Best of The Lettermen (1998)

64. Greatest Movie Hits (2000)

65. Today (2001)

66. A Song for Young Love/Once Once Upon a Time (2002)

67. Soft Rock Collection (2003)

68. Greatest Hits: The Priceless Collection (2003)

69. Absolutely the Best (2004)

70. Complete Hits (2006)

71. Live in the Philippines (2006)

72. Why I Love Her (2006)

73. Complete Hits Volume Two (2007)

74. The Lettermen: Best of Broadway (2008)

75. The Lettermen: Favorites (2008)

76. The Lettermen: New Directions 2010 (2010)

(Reference: Wikipedia for parts and parcel about The Lettermen)