Song:Mr. Sandman
Album:25 All-Time Greatest Recordings
This 1954 hit epitomizes the innocence of the 1950s and is still very popular today. Some classify The Chordettes as doo wop but they're more of a cross between the 40s pop of The Andrews Sisters and Barbershop Quartet music. The Chordettes were from Sheboygan, WI. Jinny Osborn's father was the president of the Barbershop Harmony Society. So she grew up with that music. Other members were Janet Ertel, Carol Buschmann and Dorothy Schwartz. Lynn Evans replaced Dorothy in 1953. In 1949, they won Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts radio program. That got them a record deal with Columbia and with Godfrey's musical director Archie Bleyer. They became regulars on Godfrey's TV show. Bleyer married Janet Ertel and signed to his new label Cadence Records. On Columbia, The Chordettes recorded a capella. When they moved to Cadence, Bleyer started backing them with a band. In 1954, Mr. Sandman was #1 for seven weeks. The Barbershop Quartet elements are still there but Bleyer's production gives it a bounciness that appealed to listeners. Bleyer is also playing his knees at the beginning of the song and that's him as Mr. Sandman. Mr. Sandman was originally recorded by Vaughn Monroe. The Chordettes were one of those groups that recorded covers of doo wop songs. They had a top 20 hit with The Teen Queens' Eddie My Love and in 1958 they reached #2 with Lollipop which was originally recorded by Ronald & Ruby. Jinny Osborn left The Chordettes and they split in 1961 when they couldn't find a decent replacement. This comp from Varese has all their hits. Lynn Evans reformed The Chordettes in the 90s to work in Branson, MO. Jinny Osborn died in 2003. So here's a video for Mr. Sandman by The Chordettes and see if that brings back any memories.
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