Brazil

The Dinning Sisters (Ginger, Jean, Dolores) sing "Brazil" in this Snader Telescription from 1952.

When we think of "sister" groups, the Boswells in the 30s, Andrews in the 40s and McGuires in the 50s are the best known, but of all the others the Dinnings were the next best-known and loved. Farmer and Mrs. John Dinning of Wichita, OK, raised 9 children, all but one of which went into a music career. Twins Jean and Ginger and older sister Lou began their career in 1935 performing with brother Ace's orchestra, and continued in one form or another up into the 1960s. Their biggest hit was "Buttons and Bows" from the Bob Hope and Jane Russell movie "Paleface." Buddy Clark, Perry Como, Kate Smith, Ozzie Nelson, Tennessee Ernie Ford and many others appeared with or recorded with the girls. This is a 2-CD set, and prolific is not a strong enough word: 24 hits on the first disc and 28 on the second (all big band accompanied). It's fascinating to listen to the Sisters turn a chestnut like "Sentimental Gentleman From Georgia" into their own love story, or apply their bright, cheery, sexy sound to might-have-been hits like "Lolita Lopez" and "Love On A Greyhound Bus." On every level the Dinnings deliver sheer entertainment with the best of them, and the hits just keep on coming - highly recommended!

Songlist: DISC ONE, (He's Just A) Sentimental Gentleman From Georgia, Beg Your Pardon, Harlem Sandman, Buttons And Bows, Where Or When - Version One, Aunt Hagar's Childern Blues, I Love My Love, Please Don't Talk about Me When I'm Gone, Brazil, Lolita Lopez, Your A Character, Dear, Love On A Greyhound Bus, My Adobe Hacienda, San Antonio Rose, Oh Mohah, Do You Love Me?, Fun And Fancy Free, The Iggity Song, The Bride And The Groom Polka, Wave To Me My Lady, Years And Years Ago, Melancholy, The Way You Look Tonight, If I Had My Life To Live Over, DISC TWO, They Just Chopped Down The Old Apple Tree, A Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow, Pig Foot Pete, Down In The Diving Bell, and more

Although the Dinning Sisters found commercial fame in the 1940s as a close harmony trio in the style of the Andrews Sisters, their roots lay in the developing Country music of the 30's-not surprising as the girls were raised in rural Wichita, KS. "Back" has 26 tunes, many of them featuring George Barnes on guitar, all fairly lightly accompanied. This is upbeat music, falling into the general category of the 1920's Western Swing of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys ("San Antonio Rose," cut #19), and 1950's and 60's Rockabilly music. "Turn Your Radio On," Gene Autry's "You'll Be Sorry," "Gospel Cannonball," the jazzy "Oh! Monah," "Louisiana Hayride," "Sweethearts or Strangers - this is a generous helping of authentic, fun stuff from the sweet harmonied Dinnings. Recommended!

Songlist: Turn Your Radio On, Thanks for the Buggy Ride, You'll Be Sorry, You Are Me Sunshine, Farther Along, Trouble In My Mind, Gospel Cannonball, Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie, I'm Sorry Now, I Wonder Where You Are Tonight, Let's Draw Straws, I Only Want A Buddy Not A Sweetheart, The Last Thing I Want Is Your Pity, Home on the Range, Oh! Monah, I Called But Nobody Answered, Louisiana Hayride, Ridin' Down the Canyohn, San Antonio Rose, Morning On the Farm, In the Pines, Sweethearts or Strangers, The Traiil of the Lonesome Pine, When the Bloom is on the Sage, No Letter Today, Till We Meet Again