"CAPTAIN BILLY’S MAGIC 8 BALL" -THE MILLS BROTHERS- "JOY GENERATORS" FEATURING THE ALBUM "GREATEST HITS " BY THE MILLS BROTHERS IN HIGH DEFINITION WITH THE CAPTAIN'S NARRATIVE -EPISODE # 75 -THE CAPTAIN EXPLORES HIS COVE OF 8 TRACKS TREASURES- GROOVY!

JOY GENERATORS I first heard The Mills Brothers on a compilation disc in the 70’s with their rendition of F.D.R. Jones (a song with a complicated history). But, what struck me right off the bat was the fanfare of mouth trumpets, the infectious swinging groove, the unadulterated joy that gushed forth, and the perfectly in synch sibling harmony. This was one of the most enduring acts in American History: 54 years, 2000 recordings selling 50 million copies; the first African-American group to have their own radio show and a #1 on the Billboard Chart: Paper Doll, which is, of course, included on this collection. The cart is manufactured by GRT, a division of Paramount, but The Mills Brothers recorded multiple versions of their hits, so most likely these more mellow and mature evocations are third or fourth generation renderings, packaged for a nostalgic 8 track community. I had no clue the extent to which the “fart sound” that I learned to make by humming through my lips could be employed to such symphonic magnificence. The music these gentlemen created without instruments was mind blowing, and they employed their signature ensemble of ersatz trumpet, trombone, and tuba generously throughout their careers. Listen, and be swept into the joyous vortex. Spanning from early jazz, through Doo-Wop, and vocal Rock n Roll, The Mills Brothers embodied the entire spectrum of 20th century American popular music. Such titles as Lazy River, Glow Worm, Basin Street Blues are timeless, and when you hear them, you hear the past, present, and the future blend together as smoothly as their unparalleled genetic synchronization. They were the children of a barber who helmed his own actual barbershop quartet, so these gentlemen were born to harmonize, which they did better than anyone. Song titles: Paper Doll, Nevertheless, Till Then, Cielito Lindo, Basin Street Blues, Rockin’ Chair, You Always Hurt the One You Love, Across the Alley from the Alamo, I’ll Be Around, Lazy River, Glow Worm, Be My Life’s Companion.