These songs are chosen from those we rate in the "second tier" of quality material: they make for great listening, yet remain just a notch below the rarefied level required for inclusion in the MSR Madness series. Two routes of access: you can download your selections either from the list below, or from the songs' spots on their respective discography pages, where they are designated with an MP3 icon: 
The AS/PMA is deeply indebted to Rob Coleman of Designstein, Inc. for his generous help with this project. Rob has asked for nothing in return for his time, so our recommendation of Designstein for all your web hosting and design needs is unsolicited, as well as unequivocal. Their CEO, by the way, is Steven Greenberg, the creator of the great 1980 disko hit "Funkytown."
A big hearty song-poem thanks also goes out to our MP3 contributors: John Fitzpatrick, Brian Linds, Tom Ardolino, Jeff Miller, Jeremy Pisani, Michael Greenberg, Will Louviere, Barbara Economon, Pea Hicks, John Trubee, Robert Dayton, Chuck Foster, Jim Blanchard, Bob Purse, Narkspud, Marc Smith and Gregg Turkington.
No claim of ownership of the sound recordings or underlying musical compositions of the files posted here is made or implied. Such content is offered for educational purposes only, and may not be redistributed for profit. Copyright owners who object to the inclusion of their material here need only contact us to request its removal.
Batch #2
Batch #3
Tin Pan Alley 13-390: Bob Gerard -- Snow Man (Randall-Dienna) 1.6mb
Batch #4
Batch #5
Batch #6
Batch #7
Batch #8
Batch #9
Batch #10
Batch #11
Batch #12
Batch #13
Batch #14
Batch #15
Batch #16
Batch #17
Batch #2
from Kay Em 515: Common Sense Is One (From Basic To "Spacic")
from MSR 238: 1975 Christmas Album
Batch #3
from Royal Master 7003: Peace Through Love And Song, Vol. IV
from Royal Master 8080: Songs Of Love, Songs Of Life
Batch #4
Batch #5
Batch #6
Batch #7
Batch #8
from Columbine CRH-130: The Now Sounds Of Today
Batch #9
Batch #10
from Columbine NST-31: The Now Sounds Of Today
Batch #11
Batch #12
from Royal Master 5656: Hit Songs Of Tomorrow
Batch #13
Batch #14
-- Singles --
Blue-J 3: Mary Kaye -- I Don't Want A Bracelet Or Diamonds, I Just Want Elvis Instead (Chaw Mank-Elsie Childers) 2.8mb
Cinema 7516: The Real Pros -- In Love With Elvis (writer unknown) 2.5mb
Igloo 126: Bobby Swanson & His Sonics -- Rockin' Little Eskimo (Officer Mactavish) 1.7mb
MSR 851: Bobbi Blake -- My Husband, Lover, Friend (Mary Bolton) 2.1mb
Preview 1270: Rodd Keith -- The Ballad Of Juan Rio (Juanito deDenny) 2.6mb
Preview 1339: The Downtowners -- Baby, I'll Give It To You (Christopher Perry) 2.4mb
Preview 1870: Gene Marshall -- The Amazing Helicopters (Chick Sandone) 2.3mb
Preview 2153: Gene Marshall -- Scat Car Scat (Joe Gallucci) 2.6mb
Preview, number unknown: Rodd Keith -- Like The Lord Said (Henderson-Brooks) 2.9mb [note: a big hit on the Northern Soul scene]
Sterling 467: Norm Burns -- Our Thanksgiving Blessings Are Great (Shirley & Lew Tobin) 2.3mb [note: the Tobins owned the Sterling label]
Sterling 802: Mel Moore -- Speed (Ernie Lee Held & Lew Tobin) 2.6mb
Tin Pan Alley 354: The Silhouettes -- I'll Follow (Ladd Anthony Sutherland) 2.2mb
Tin Pan Alley 27-445: Billy Grey -- What Love Is All About (Rosemary Karshis) 2.0mb
MSR 3002: Dick Kent -- Five Feet Nine And A Half Inches Tall (Pablo Feliciano) 3.5mb
Mayhams Collegiate B-1976 (mach I): Norris The Troubadour, Seaboard Coastliners -- Midwifery (Norman Casserly) (Mayhams) 2.8mb [note: 1949 version]
Mayhams Collegiate A-1976: Norris The Troubadour, Seaboard Coastliners -- Midwifery (Norman Casserly) (Mayhams) 2.2mb [note: 1975 version]
Mayhams Collegiate B-1976 (mach II): Norris The Troubadour, Seaboard Coastliners -- Midwifery (Mayhams) 2.1mb [note: "Midwiffery" version]
Tin Pan Alley 39-494: Billy Grey -- Let's Really Rock (Jim Gross) 2.0mb
Ronnie 2065: Ben Tate -- Betty-Sue (Kittie Emery) 2.5mb
Sterling 433: Norman Burns -- Checker's Blues (Raymond Eavenson, Jr.-Lew Tobin) 2.0mb
Preview 1262: Rodd Keith -- Gloria (Douglas H. Tindall) 2.2mb
United Recording, unnumbered acetate: Rod Keith -- Put A Little Love (Barrett-Bray) 2.3mb
United Recording, unnumbered acetate: Rod Keith -- Whisper To Me (Barrett-Bray) 2.3mb
United Recording, unnumbered acetate: unknown male artist -- Put A Little Love (Elizabeth Bray) 2.7mb
United Recording, unnumbered acetate: unknown female artist -- Rock Me Slow (Elizabeth Bray) 1.4mb
Preview 1737: Gene Marshall -- We Are The Men Counting Sheep (Joshua Watson) 2.0mb
TJB Brandes 101-T: Therese Playboys, vocal by [Singing] Sammy Marshall -- Jingle Mint Twist (Brandes-Norris) 1.7mb [note: track covers both releases under this title and catalogue number]
MSR 2402: Bobbi Blake -- Four And Twenty Big Black Crows (Chester T. Finley) 2.3mb
Preview 1407: Bonnie Graham -- I Just Knew In My Heart (Grace Brainerd) 3.2mb
Film City, number unknown: Rod Rogers [presumably] -- It's Shindig 1.9mb
Film City, number unknown: Rod Rogers [presumably] -- Beatle Boys 2.2mb
Air 1585: The Sophamores -- Mama Wears The Pants (Mary Frances Odle) 2.5mb
Tin Pan Alley 18-409: Cathy Mills -- Monster Hop (Gregory-Dienna) 2.2mb
Preview 1642: Gene Marshall -- Dig, Dig, Girl (Mary Frances Odle) 1.9mb
Tropical 106: Charles Vickers -- Come On, Baby (Valenti-Philipp) 2.3mb
Co-Ed 4246: Norris The Troubadour Collegians, vocal by Norris & The Collegians -- The Wall Street Daily Cry (The Seaboard The Southern Or The A.C.L.) (Mayhams) 4.2mb
Co-Ed 4246: Norris The Troubadour Collegians, vocal by Norris -- Mary Ann McCarthy (She Went Out To Dig Some Clams) (Yes She Went To All The Parties) (Mayhams) 2.7mb
Co-Ed 115-120: Norris The Troubadour -- Yamtang Yamtang Rankytang (No Meat Sweet Potato Swing) (Mayhams) 2.5mb
Air 1592: Cara Stewart with Lee Hudson Orch. -- Any Dance, Any Dance (Stelzer-Perky-Latkovich) 2.2mb [note: this track was also released as Songwriter's 105]
Belle Meade 426: Chuck Jones & The Links -- Sputnik Hit The Moon (Roberts-Lee) 1.3mb
Cinema 7201: The Real Pros -- Deep Freeze Mama (Alberta F. Lancaster) 1.5mb [note: original of this ends abruptly]
Cinema 7205: The Real Pros -- I'm Having My First Heartbreak (Randy Johnson) 2.1mb
Columbine 874: Erica Campbell -- Remember Me (Darling) (Fanny Fantin) 2.5mb [note: stereo version; also released as Columbine 102]
Dolly-O 1020: Jack Kim -- Lady Off Pedestal At Notre Dame (Dolly-O Curran) 1.6mb
Film City 4140: Jimmie James -- Mini Girl Song (Russ Kopasz) 2.4mb
Film City 4140: Jimmie James -- Free Love For Sale (Russ Kopasz) 2.4mb
Hallmark 15774: Bob Storm -- Let's Lay It On The Line (Frank L. Tucker-Ted Rosen) 1.7mb
Halmark G-1864: no artist named -- I Am Going To Where Jesus Is (Addie Cochran) 2.5mb
Halmark OV-498: no artist named -- Life Is A Flame (Barbara E. Trescott) 3.2mb
MSR 2342: Dick Kent -- Christopher Columbus And The Compass (Chester T. Finley) 3.4mb
MSR 2769: Dick Kent -- Never Seen A Thing (William Siemers) 2.7mb
MSR 2769: Liza Evans -- Yea, That's Me! (Bev Blackwell) 3.7mb
MSR 2786: Dick Kent -- Your Body's Makin' Eyes At Me (Ray Harris) 2.3mb
Nu-Sound 1061: Jim Wheeler -- What I Like (R. Bowen) 2.2mb
Nu-Sound 1152: Bonnie Haven -- Total Woman (Marguerite) 1.9mb
Preview 2126: Gene Marshall -- Life And Myself (John Shaloub) 2.1mb
Sterling 723: Gary Roberts -- Keep Those Hopes Up (Mary McBride & Lew Tobin) 1.7mb
Mayhams Collegiate 214-22: Prof. Marcell Collegians -- The A.C.L. And The S.A.L. (Norridge) 1.9mb [note: flip of 215-NBM, below]
Mayhams Collegiate 215-NBM: Prof. Marcell Collegians -- Be No Fool-Play It Cool-Stay In School (Mayhams-Klibanaw) 2.4mb [note: flip of 214-22, above]
Tin Pan Alley 24-435: Bob Gerard -- Joedy Is A Wise Guy (White-Dienna) 2.4mb
Tin Pan Alley 167-1149: The Melodiers -- Barbra (Thadeus Jones) 2.6mb
Sterling 270: Lew Tobin's Orchestra, vocal Norm Burns -- Darling, Don't Put Your Hand On Me (John O'Conner & Lew Tobin) 1.7mb
Songuild 902: Dick Rogers -- I Understand Him (Willie F. James) 2.1mb
Songuild 902: Dick Rogers -- I Wouldn't Hide The Moulding Rock (Willie F. James) 1.9mb
Songuild 903: Dick Kent -- George's Song (George Herman Coppage Jubilate) 2.7mb
MSR 2125: Bobbi Blake -- Sometime Somewhere (Lillian Taylor) 2.1mb
MSR 2207: Bobbi Blake -- I Got A Record (Margaret Flenory) 2.8mb
MSR 2207: Dick Kent -- Unlock My Chains (Stanley Jones) 2.2mb
Preview 1339: Jerry Britton & The Downtowners -- Lazy Old River (Al Doherty) 3.0mb
Preview 2249: Rod Keith -- Get Down And Wiggle It A Little (James O. Middleton) 2.1mb
Sherwood 1074: Cara Stewart with Lee Hudson Orchestra -- Mr. Memory (F. Leinweber-A. Korb) 2.5mb
Sherwood 1074: Cara Stewart with Lee Hudson Orchestra -- The New Year Song (F. Leinweber) 3.1mb
Spin-Out 282: W.L. Horning -- Rockin & Rollin (W.L. Horning) 2.7mb [note: not technically a song-poem record, but must be heard no matter what it is]
Process 107: Jim Hall & The Radio Pals -- Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Potassium (Lolla Mont Gue) 2.9mb
Sterling 579: Norm Burns & The Five Stars -- Whirl, Whirl, Whirl (Flora M. Sanders & Lew Tobin) 1.8mb
Preview 1266: Rodd Keith -- Danny's Return (Fredrick Fargnoli, Jr.) 2.5mb
Preview 1097: Rodd Keith -- Get Wet (Nick Croshaw-Gene Brooks) 1.9mb
Preview 1739: Gene Marshall -- Nurse, Nurse (Waskey Walls) 1.9mb
Preview 1413: Bonnie & Nita -- Dance With Me (H.P. Reddick) 2.4mb
Preview 1418: Bonnie Graham -- Tiny, Tiny Heart (Ray Hanson) 1.7mb
Preview 1438: Bonnie Graham -- Train Of Destiny (Aurelio Martellacci) 2.1mb
Preview 1474: Bonnie Graham -- Let's Fall In Love Again (Francis M. Mutale) 1.7mb
Brite Star 7871: Sue Lloyd & William O'Donnell -- The Ballad Of Patty Hearst (Listen To Tania) (B. Elmore Lloyd-William O'Donnell) 3.4mb [note: not technically a song-poem record, but must be heard no matter what it is]
Preview 1317: The Downtowners -- The Pink, Pink, Lady Of Malibu (William J. Quarry) 2.5mb [read the story of the Pink Lady (scroll down)]
Air 1521: Johnny Cargill (Sound Effects by J. Stevens) -- A Soldier's Prayer (D. Tyree) 2.7mb [note: Johnny Cargill aka Sonny Marshall]
Air 1592: Sonny Marshall -- I'm Sam The Handy Man (Edward Tumulty) 2.3mb
Air EP-1602: Joe Freeman -- My Nana (Alfred Guixogn-T. Rosen) 1.6mb [note: Joe Freeman is believed to be aka Lance Hill]
Air EP-2504: Jim Reid -- Evening Time (Emil Sekyra) 1.4mb [note: Jim Reid aka Ramsey Kearney]
Air 2528: Joe Freeman -- Are You Giving Green Stamps, Baby? (John Grose) 1.8mb [note: Joe Freeman is believed to be aka Lance Hill]
Air 5070: Bob Brown with Orch. -- Let's Twist (James Granville) 2.3mb
Air 5110: Jeff Reynolds -- Music For Four Footers (Fred Wolf) 2.2mb
Air 5110: Sonny Marshall -- A Two Buck Fiddle (Paul Macpherson) 2.9mb
Ronnie 2142: Ben Tate -- She's Gone (Tony Carillo) 2.6mb [note: Ben Tate aka Sonny Marshall]
Air EP-1602: Sonny Marshall -- The Saddest Story (John H. Kelley) 2.0mb
Columbine HV-36: Kay Weaver -- Watch It (Jessie Lee Tuft) 2.5mb
Command Performance 467: Clear Vision -- A Little Morning Rain (Enza Cooper) 2.0mb
Fable 548: Maggie Morgan, music by Sandy Stanton & His Fable Record Stars -- Sugar Blues (Maggie Morgan (?)) 2.2mb
Fable 706: Little Donnie Lane, music by Sandy Stanton -- Go Away (Donald Culton) 1.7mb
Film City 3022: Rod Rogers & The Swinging Strings -- Sing Your Address (Jack Garrett-Rod Rogers) 2.0mb
Film City 3022: Rod Rogers & The Swinging Strings -- Big Weekend (Jack Garrett-Rod Rogers) 2.7mb
Halmark 750136: no artist named -- Love Song Of '74 (H.D. Simpson) 3.3mb
Halmark OV-514: no artist named -- The Virgin Child Of The Universe (Carrie & Bonnie Postell) 2.5mb
MSR 598: Rodd Rogers -- Mary's Launderette (Mary Neimy) 2.6mb
Preview 1100: Rodd Keith -- Los Angeles City Lights (Kenny Kelly) 2.3mb
Preview 1242: Rod Keith & The Raindrops -- The Merry-Go-Down (Ray Bon Giorno) 2.8mb
Preview 1707: Gene Marshall -- Do It While You Can (Martin Massey) 2.7mb
Preview 2229: Gene Marshall -- The Great Richard Nixon (John Montague) 3.6mb
Preview 2280: Gene Marshall -- The Didgeridoo (Viola P. Dickerson) 2.3mb
Preview 3002: Bobbi Boyle -- The Fruit Of Self Control (Alice Wilson) 2.8mb
Songuild 965: Dick Kent -- I'm Pushing For Love (William Scarborough) 2.6mb
Tin Pan Alley 34-474: Billy Grey -- Tongue Tied (Johnson-Dienna) 1.9mb
-- Albums --
from Columbine NST-31: The Now Sounds Of Today
John Fulker: She Knows How To Do The Doo Dee Do (Raymond N. Moore, Sr.) 2.1mb
Dick Kent:
Common Sense Of LOVE (Michael Kasberg) 2.4mb
The Sisterhood: During Evening (Thomas Guygax, Sr.) 1.9mb
from Royal Master 2727: Songs From The Heart
Matt Vincent: Sky Diver's Lament (Alvin W. Finks) 2.5mb
Linda Lane: Tribute To America (Michael Grant) 2.5mb
"Linda Lane": A New Kind Of Letter (Dale Maddox) 1.7mb
[note: although credited to a female singer, actual vocalist is male]
Allen Scott: Bopping In Flip Flops (Margrett Eddleman) 2.6mb
Allen Scott: A Corner Of Your Heart (Fern Lindblad) 2.0mb
from Columbine CRH-138: The Now Sounds Of Today
Keith Sargent: What's In A Mind? (Amanda Cooper) 2.4mb
from MSR 210: Rod, Teri & The MSR Singers in Variety Songs For '69
Rod Rogers: Beat Of The Traps (Dorothy Schneider) 2.5mb
from Columbine CRH-32: The Now Sounds Of Today
Ralph Lowe: The Crime Shows (Anne Collins) 1.7mb
from Columbine CRH-94: The Now Sounds Of Today
Kay Weaver: Junkies And Monkeys (James I. Yates, II) 2.8mb
Kay Weaver: Is It The End? (Charles Potter) 2.2mb
from Columbine CRH-51: The Now Sounds Of Today
Kay Weaver: Wish I Could Shoot A Gun (Juanita Young Felker) 1.9mb
Kay Weaver: Ripoff U.S.A. (Dan Moon) 1.9mb
Ralph Lowe: An Old Man's Life (Gary M. Gaston) 2.4mb
Ralph Lowe: Becky (Charlotte Fiore) 1.8mb
Ralph Lowe: Grow Up And Go Away (Willie Bostick) 2.3mb
Ralph Lowe: Joe Goes Disco (Nicholson Pierre) 2.4mb
Kay Weaver: Sleep On (Dasha Toth) 2.2mb
from MSR 282: A Gift Of Christmas Spirit For 1980
artist uncredited: The Rocking Disco Santa Claus (William Dibble) 2.1mb
from Star-Crest NFTR-1: New Favorites Of Tony Rogers
Tony Rogers: Her Name's On My Locket (William Dibble) 1.1mb
John Fulker: An Unpredictable Girl Like Julia (R. Holder) 2.0mb
from Royal Master 1212: Thoughts ... Feelings
Matt Vincent: Broken Promises (Clarence Johnson) 2.5mb
Jim Ward: Working Chant of A Woman (Mary Nycum) 1.9mb
Jim Ward: Dusk (Jeanine Ralstin) 2.0mb
Gina Val: Here With My Luna Love (Christine Campbell) 1.6mb
from Royal Master 4444: Hit Songs Of The Future, Summer Edition
Matt Vincent: Whiskey Friend (Marlin Woods) 2.7mb
Matt Vincent: Heading Out Of This World (Frank Swan) 1.7mb
Matt Vincent: Bo Derek On My Mind (Nick R. Schroeder) 2.4mb
from Hollywood Artists HAR-62: Music Of America
William LeBlanc: The Green Mandala (Bruce Bitkoff) 2.6mb
from Hollywood Artists cass. B-277: Cassette Album For Radio Promotion
William LeBlanc: Domestic Violence Is A Deadly Sin (Isabelle Jones) 3.6mb
William LeBlanc: A Long Walk Home (Henry Thomas) 2.5mb
Charlie Clark: America's Love Carrier (James Wilson, Jr.) 2.6mb