Ray Henry Orchestra - Blonde Bombshell Polka (1952)

78 RPM - a speed we can live with!

A Dana Records original. Ray Henry was not one person, unlike I said in the intro. I want to give credit to the International Polka Association where I got the following information from:

Henry Mocarski, of Windsor, Connecticut started a polka band with Emil Juda on drums, Ray Zak on sax, and Henry Mocarski on accordion. Using the first names of Ray Zak and Henry Mocarski, the Ray Henry Orchestra was born. In 1947, while rehearsing in Hartford, Frank Wojnarowski happened to visit the rehearsal hall. Already a popular recording artist, Frank suggested that Ray contact Walter Dana with respect to making records. The name of Ray Henry reached national prominence. The orchestra recorded eighty four 78 rpm records for Dana. "Blonde Bombshell Polka" became a hit in 1952.

[richardosgood]

The maestro was and always will be one of my favorites. I appreciate the information on how the orchestra was named. Thanks.

[Wichtelchen]

Some people say the turntable spins too fast. This is not true. Probably one percent off or so. Not really matter.
That music is just so freakin' fast :-D.
I have that record as part of a 33RPM LP and it has the same speed.

[derail]

thank you ken for the input you are 100% correct, thats the way they played those polkas in the east, app 140 to 150 BPM. I am a musician i know that if you try to play this stuff in a slower tempo it comes out sounding very draggy, reason is this type of music is full of 16th note runs & arpeggios, if you want to hear a band even faster than r henry, just listen to the conn twins orchestra, timed some of their songs at 160

[samuelcolvin]

I have a million of these old fans Polk's records. Should I try to put them up on YouTube? I don't really know how.

[iggirotrot]

I think this inspired Bob Mocarsky to write "Street Theater" The apple doesn't fall far from the tree !

[derail]

to imnop, that is the way those bands played those polka back in 30, s 40, s 50, s!!!

[carlfetkenhour]

Transcribed many of Ray Henry's 78 RPM's as the "Velveteer's" trumpet in the late 40's and early 50's. Don't remember who played trumpet in the Ray Henry orchestra those years. Do you know who it was?

[Garr]

Actually, Henry Mocarski ultimately ended up adopting "Ray Henry" as a stage name. So, technically what you said in the video is correct.

[waltg]

He was my uncle, a very talented and funny man

[derail]

i have the original arrangement of this tune for accordion try playing it, its a tough one esp the acc solo part, took me a week to play it correct.

[derail]

hey huggy you got the date wrong, seen a ray henry interview he said he recorded that song in 1947, i of his first songs on dana records.

[lmnop]

whoa!!! Slow that turntable down 1/2 step!