Squeeze Play is an Ultra High Fidelity monaural phonographic album (33 RPM) which was released on the Dot Records label in 1956 (DLP-3024) featuring John Serry It includes an original composition by Serry, classical works, and popular music of the era. "John Serry cited as the composer of the song "Garden In Monaco" online on BMI Songview at repertoire.bmi.com Ben Selvin serves as the musical director/producer for the album. The works were arranged by Serry and performed with his ensemble featuring two accordions, piano, guitar, bass, drum, vibes, and marimba.Who Is Who In Music International 1958, Publisher: Who Is Who In Music International, Chicago, IL. Biography File # B11719 for John Serry. See International Biographical Center, Cambodge, England as the current publisher.The Billboard 1 December 1956 P. 22Squeeze Play Featuring the Dynamic Accordion of John Serry album listing on discogs.com
The liner notes of the album claim that
The album was cited in a critical review of new popular albums of 1956 in The Billboard magazine and was described as providing beautiful performances which created a soothing mood, in contrast to common entertainment. The album was also reviewed in The Cash Box magazine later that year. Serry's performances were noted for establishing a variety of musical moods with grace while also emphasizing a relaxed performance style.The Cash Box, Album Reviews, Cash Box Publishing, New York, 8 December 1956, Vol.XVIII, No. 12, P. 38 Review in Cash Box magazine Vol. XVIII, No. 12, Pg. 38 of "Squeeze Play" on americanradiohistory.com Review of the album "Squeeze Play" in "The Cash Box" magazine - See Album Reviews column on December 8, 1956 p. 38 on americanradiohistory.com
In 1958 selected songs from the album were released in France by Versailles records (#90 M 1788) as Chicago Musette - John Serry et son accordéon.Chicago Musette - John Serry on vintagemuisic.fmChicago Musette - John Serry et son Accordéon on catalogue.bnf.frChicago Musette - John Serry et son accordéon - John Serry performing on accordion on youtube.com Dot Records also released several songs from the album in Japan as part of a compilation recording including performances of easy listening music by both the John Serry Orchestra and the Billy Vaughn Orchestra (Ballroom in Dreamland, Dot #5006).Album: Ballroom in Dreamland featuring music by the Billy Vaughn Orchestra and the John Serry Orchestra on discogs.com
A copy of the album and the composer's original orchestral score have been donated for archival purposes to the Eastman School of Music's Sibley Music Library within the Ruth T. Watanabe Special Collections Department for the benefit of researchers and students (John J. Serry Sr. Collection).Eastman School of Music - University of Rochester - Sibley Music Library: "John J. Serry Sr. Collection" - archive of compositions arrangements, performances and photographs by John Serry in "The John J. Serry Sr. Collection" at the University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music Sibley Music Library: Ruth T. Watanabe Special Collections on esm.rochester.edu
Track listing Side One
"Garden in Monaco" (Composer - John Serry Sr.) BMI-Songview Catalogue - "Garden in Monaco" by John Serry on repertoire.bmi.com – 2:58 "Terry's Theme" - (Charles Chaplin) – 2:39 "When My Dreamboat Comes Home" - (Cliff Friend, Dave Franklin) – 2:31 "Blue Bell" - (S. Stanley) – 2:15 "Rockin' The Anvil" - theme by Giuseppe Verdi (See Anvil Chorus)/ music John Serry Sr. BMI-Songview Catalogue - "Rockin the Anvil" by John Serry on repertoire.bmi.com – 2:35 "Secret Love" - (Paul Francis Webster, Sammy Fain) – 2:18
Side Two
"Granada"- (Agustín Lara) – 3:14 "Side by Side" - (Harry M. Woods) – 2:18 "My Heart Cries for You" - (Percy Faith, Carl Sigman) – 1:58 "Hawaiian Night" - (Hans Carste, Francis Vincente) – 2:37 "Button Up Your Overcoat" - (Buddy DeSylva, Lew Brown, Ray Henderson) – 2:14 "Rock 'N' Roll Polka" - (Mort Lindsey, George Skinner) – 2:37
Ensemble artists John Serry Sr. - Lead Accordion/Conductor Squeeze Play Featuring the Dynamic Accordion of John Serry album credits including John Serry playing lead accordion and arranger on discogs.com Alf Nystrom - Accordion Bernie Leighton - Piano Squeeze Play Featuring the Dynamic Accordion of John Serry album credits including Bernie Leighton playing piano on discogs.com Al Caiola - Guitar Squeeze Play Featuring the Dynamic Accordion of John Serry album credits including Al Caiola playing guitar on discogs.com Frank Carroll - Bass Charlie Roeder - Drums Harry Breur - Vibes/Marimba
Archived recordings
The John J. Serry Sr. Collection - within The University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music Sibley Music Library: Special Collections contains a copy of the album Squeeze Play (DLP-3024, 1954) for the benefit of researchers and students.Eastman School of Music - University of Rochester - Sibley Music Library: John J. Serry Sr. Collection - archive of compositions arrangements, performances and photographs by John Serry. See p. 19 Item 12 "Squeeze Play"" in the archive on esm.rochester.edu
References
External links Worldcat.org -Libraries circulating copies of Squeeze Play Squeeze Play - album recording on listenbrainz.org John J. Serry Sr. Collection - Eastman School of Music - University of Rochester - Sibley Music Library: John J. Serry Sr. Collection "Squeeze Play" - audio recording of songs and arrangements by John Serry in "The John J. Serry Sr. Collection" p. 19 on esm.rochester.edu