Jo Ann Castle and Crazy Otto- One Album Each

(click on the picture for a great example of the good ol' back cover write up)

Found both of these records at Goodwill the other day, and it's not too surprising that they both came from the same person's collection (the name Dupuis is written on both covers). Two great ragtime/honky tonk piano albums, each in their own way.
Jo Ann Castle- 12 Great Hits in Ragtime
I recognized the name Jo Ann Castle from "Incredibly Strange Music Vol. 1," even though she was playing accordion on that, the lightning pace, lightness, and accuracy of her frantic playing remains. Its only weakness is the one song that adds overly wholesome vocals...would've been much better as an instrumental.
Crazy Otto- Golden Award Songs
Crazy Otto (classical pianist Fritz Schulz-Reichel) takes a much looser approach, using a de-tuned piano he calls his "Tipsy Wire Box." He also occasionally sings along, non-verbally, in a drunken Germanic slur sounding like it was picked up by the piano mic, to fantastic effect. Check out liner notes above. Great record.

both albums in one file:

http://www.mediafire.com/?hg5c2su4wvsccya

Elly Ellason with Rhythm- Piano Italian Pops

Sounds kind of like music Woody Allen could have used for a movie set in Italy (?). Minimal, breezy, and every track runs straight into the next, so I didn't separate the tracks on each sides. Easy listening records are best listened to without getting up or skipping...best not to break the mood.
Makes you feel classy when you're drunk, just like the title sounds.

http://www.mediafire.com/?lclzd4kbz149qjs

Die groBe Starparade

A find from a Goodwill on the outskirts of town, and seeing all the 60's Swiss records I found there too I presume these were souvenirs from someone's military service (seeing the age and that rural North Carolinians aren't normally into "world" music).
This was a great find: a collection of 60's German easy listening and pre-soft-rock. I also love the sound of the German language (check out the spoken interlude in the cover of "Are You Lonesome Tonight"). The worst is when one guy sings in english. I've said it before and I'll say it again: pop music is best in a language you don't know so you have no idea how bad the lyrics probably are.
This record isn't going to blow any minds, but it is a highly enjoyable listen.

http://www.mediafire.com/?nmml2w03zxy