Album Liner Notes
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“Have You Met–” Album Liner Notes
“This is an album which I have loved for a long time. I consider this to be the most well-bred of all my albums, in that it has more of a “courteous” feel than the others. Although not as intimate as my follow-up “Have You Slept With” album, it still has moments of breathtaking harmonies and light experimentation.
When this record was first released, I remember hearing my songs on the radio and thinking how polite and utterly respectful they sounded. Truth be told, I still feel that way.
I hope you enjoy these introductions as much as I enjoyed giving them.”
-Don Rondo
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Music Journalist Paul Schneider:
Don Rondo isn’t one to mince lyrics. His crooning style of singing never fails to call a spade a spade, and his no nonsense approach is reflected in his long-term lyrical career. However, despite his honesty and frankness, he has always been an extremely courteous and well-mannered gentleman, and his first Gold album titled “Have You Met” is a testament to this pleasant upbringing.
In fact, after listening to this gracious album, one can’t help but think that maybe , just maybe, chivalry isn’t dead after all.
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The following is a list of tracks from the album:
*****
“Have You Met Ramona?” -0:20
Lead Vocal: Don Rondo (Back-up Vocals: Billy Jacobs)
Don collaborated with his friend Billy Jacobs on this song, since they both met Ramona on the same night. Billy’s raw vocals are a perfect match for Don’s high-pitched falsetto.
Throw in an inventive combination of hand bells (two octaves), pan flute, strategically placed guttural sounds and audible jazz hands, and you’ve got the woman who calls herself “Ramona.”
*****
“Have You Met Stella?” -0:20
Lead Vocal: Don Rondo
This fine song is a curious choice as second song on the album, as Stella was actually introduced while he was working on his follow-up record. Still, it’s a spirited, well-constructed ditty that simply seems a bit out of place here.
*****
“Have You Met Margie?” -0:21
Lead Vocal: Don Rondo (Back-up Vocals: Margie)
The dynamic melody features the Eavestaff piano and Heritage Deluxe organ, plenty of handclaps and snappy noises, and of course, the sultry sounds of Margie singing “Pleased to make your acquaintance” in the background.
*****
“Have You Met Peg?”- 0:23
Lead Vocal: Don Rondo
This is generally accepted as the album’s standout track, and for the obvious reasons. Peg is quite the looker. Don’s instantly recognizable lyrics of approval include a tremendous “Nice gams, Peg!” along with an extremely sweet-talking chorus, words chosen more for obsequiousness than symmetry.
Indeed, Don’s extreme heterosexuality is gloriously proven on this track.
*****
“Have You Met Diane, Delores, Laura and Liza?”-1:30
Lead Vocal: Don Rondo
Side two lifts off with this lovely melody, reminiscent of the introductions given before Don’s first (and only) group sexual experience. The pedal steel perfectly compliments the palpable ache and anxiety in Don’s voice. It may not be what one expects from a normally respectable lyricist like Don, but it’s most definitely a rousing and memorable ditty.
*****
“Have You Met Miss Jones?” -0:21
Lead Vocal: Don Rondo
I find track to be among Don’s most criminally overlooked. Granted, seeing as Miss Jones was his High School English teacher the relationship was strictly platonic, but there really is no other music quite like this grammatically-correct and well-versed tune.
The over-the-top orchestration of Gerunds and Past Participles first smolders behind, then erupts with Don’s inner angst, as he tries to come to grips with the fact that when it comes to proper sentence structure, Miss Jones is a stickler. Wherever this came from, it’s real, and every time I hear it – to quote Don – it takes me back.
*****
“Have You Met Jeannine?” -0:34
Lead Vocal: Don Rondo
If you listen to Don belt out the words “Jeannine And I Used To Date In College” without getting a tingle in your spine, it’s obvious that you aren’t a true aficionado of the human voice.
*****
“Have You Met Charmaine” -0:17
Lead Vocal: Don Rondo
It’s safe to say that “Have You Met Charmaine” is one of the weakest tracks on the album. Whether it’s because the track is shorter than the others or because the ballad style song doesn’t match Charmaine’s bitchy and overly aggressive-seeming personality, is not known. But like Don says in the final verse, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”
*****
“Have You Met Mona Lisa?” -0:20
Lead Vocal: Don Rondo
I imagine his defenseless honesty at expressing love and emotion must have gone a long way with the woman in his life. Even though Mona Lisa wasn’t very responsive during their encounter, it doesn’t take away from the fact that this is a perfect album closer.
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Special Thanks To:
Ramona, Stella, Margie, Peg (aka. “Hot Stuff”), Diane, Delores, Laura, Liza, Miss Jones, Jeannine, Charmaine and Mona Lisa.
Without all of you, this album would not be possible.
Recording Engineer: Sam Knowles (not introduced on this album)
(P) 1958 JUBILEE STUDIOS
Copyright © 1958
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Wish I had something funny to say, but I’m just feeling wistful. It happens every time I see something 50s related. Seems like the 50s (and perhaps the 60s) was the last decade of the true-blue American (insert any country) aesthetic. Look at the dresses, silhouettes, coiffures and perfectly applied make-up the girls are wearing behind Don Rondo (incidentally, all ‘anorexic’ by today’s standards). We hardly see that anymore unless it is a formal affair. Beneath the hilarity of your post lies the civility, carriage and dignity of a bygone era.
P.S. I’m a little disappointed that Jubilee Studios dressed Don Rondo in something akin to a Cuban guayabera.
I agree on both counts, Elizabeth.
The closest I ever got to the 50′s/60′s type music was when my Dad would play the “Solid Gold 50′s” cassette over and over on our summer road trips. But even though I was slightly embarrassed to be the kid at the talent contest lip synching “Wake Up Little Susie” while everyone else was singing “La Isla Bonita” or “Thriller”, I remember thinking how cool it would have been to have linved in that era.
And I have a feeling that Don may have dressed himself…I’m sure that even back then, the girls were suckers for a man who looked well-traveled.
Odd and disturbing, classic and tribunal. All of these thing describe Don Rondo, and man am I drunk.
Sorry B! My loved ones are sleeping and I’m trying to wind down after a very long day of pond hockey in sub zero temps.
I can stll skate, but my brain is numb . . . soon to be dead. Par for the course. We’ll take ‘er slow tomorrow, eh.
You are superb with tongue-in-cheek, and absolutely hysterical. Thanks, B!
Thanks for the comment, Dan. I have to say that I’m impressed, your grammar is quite meticulous for an intoxicated person.
(Trust me when I say that it’s a rare gift…)
Irish, ya know. Much better today!
Glad to hear it!
Here’s some real music:
apparently I have more talent than I thought. I could top that…
I was distracted by the dangly things on the badgers.. tails or genitals?
I can’t even tell you how much I love this.
Screw everything I said before, this is going to be my wedding song.
I can see it now.. who’s the lucky Badger?
I haven’t quite decided yet, but the one in the back (far left) is looking very promising…
My little girl and I were laughing like crazy at the badgers. I still don’t know why . . . especially the vocals, when he said “A snaaaaaake . . .” Thanks FJ!
No mention of Carol Brown….
great.. i love these guys!
OMG, I can’t believe I’ve never seen this one before!
Thank-you for this, NM. I didn’t think it was possible, but I may like “Carol Brown” even more than my old FFL (favorite for life):
yeah baby… that’s why they’re called bizness socks…..
Absolutely my all time fav… those guys are hilarious.
“Then you go sort out the recycling…that’s not part of it but it’s still very important…”
Wow. I just got some serious music education tonight! Thanks!
Greatest album since Have You Met Richard or Peter or Johnson.
Or Mister Jones, even.
http://www.jazzfirstbooks.com/catalog/images/Hank%20Jones%20discography%20front.jpg
That there is my grand-dad (baby’s daddy’s daddy as we say) . Damn, kiss the rings, bitch!!
HA!
“Who’s your baby’s daddy’s daddy?”
I wanted to thank you for introducing me to Don; he’s one hell of a nice man-boy!
You sure have to admire his parents; for two people that combined, only have command of four letters of the English language, they sure picked a wonderful name for their baby boy. And they obviously did a great job in raising him as well. He’s by far the most wholesome and polite professional that I’ve ever met. And I adore his grim determination which is politely but barely concealed behind his impish, slightly retarded smile. And he never allowed his looks, lack of talent, or sufficient male hormones to get in the way of producing something which someone once may have called music.
There’s only one thing that doesn’t add up; he only averaged 22 seconds ‘singing’ about every other girl, and this was individually. Now even for someone who’s not accustomed to …. um.. ‘singing,’ that seems pretty damn quick. And a few of those girls aren’t exactly heartbreakers…. if you see my point?
But when he has one of those hit the lottery-type, unbelievable nights and has four girls on his …..um …’vocals’ he can hold out for a minute and a half? You’d think he would have hit the proverbial wall before they’d even taken off their scarves. –With this one song, I have some doubts about his ‘musical’ prowess and especially his honesty.
Do you think we could contact these women to verify that the ‘track’ really lasted 1:30 or for that matter ‘recorded’ at all?
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I am SO jealous I didn’t think of Scott’s comment.
If I had a nickel for everytime I said that, E…
That you were observant enough to discern the four-letter pattern in Mr. Rondo’s name, let alone figure out the average length of his “little ditties”, is one of the (many) reasons why I covet your mind, Scott.
In fact, I would call you a John Nash-like genius, if only there weren’t two things preventing me from doing so.
One, based on your acute sense of humor, you don’t seem to be suffering from asocial personality disorder.
And two, even though I spent the entire day trying, I am still unable to “see your point.”
I mean, call me thick-skulled, or extremely frigid and/or sexually unadventurous for that matter, but why would the length of his songs be inversely proportional to the number of women he’s singing to?
Does it have something to do with the duration of the refrain?
Or the number of iambic trimeters?
???
??
?
…Well regardless, since I consider your word to be “my gospel” (King James version) I’ll just have to trust you and agree that Mr. Rondo is one odd, prematurely ejaculating duck.
But needless to say, it’s times like these when I wish I would have taken Music in High School instead of opting for those pointless Sex-Ed classes.
Shit, now I don’t see your point. Not only do I not know what an iambic trimeter is, I can’t figure out where I am supposed to apply such an unguent. I’m extremely frustrated (sexually) that you are unable to see my point as well. Do you know the kind of preparation that went into the moment of my trying to show you? First the whole circumcision thing which was not a day in the park. Well, I guess it was a day in the park if a day in the park entails being held down while some maniac with a razor goes to town on your junk….
Then there was the man-scaping involved, again not so fun (clogged drains and such). Then the ‘chubing up’ so as not to embarrass myself. Finally trying to get the perfect shot; not an easy task with low camera batteries and bad lighting.
And after all that you still didn’t see my point. I only hope that this reply has made you as nauseas as it has made me. Sorry, sometimes I just can’t help myself in the name of (puerile nonsense ) humor.
Ok, well just so you know, I started seeing your point again.
But sadly, when I reached the paragraph about the manscaping and such, I went completely and utterly blind and am now unable to see anyone’s points ever again.
Perhaps you could send it in braille?
Hahahahaha, If I sent it in braille you’d drop dead from laughter. Hope your eyesight improves soon!
Funny…I always thought Mona Lisa was a Man.
Her features (and organs) may have been man-like, but her soul was all woman.
And really, isn’t that what matters?
I tell you that Don he gets around-o……hahaha
(too funny, early Sunday morning and I’m laughing in snorts at this!) sober.
Hahaha! Hilarious, DF!
I can’t believe I didn’t think of that…
(Then again, I’m usually not all that funny when I’m sober…;))
is this the same Don who, many years later, recorded ‘Have I Told You Why I Became A Mormon’
I am assuming so since genius such as this doesn’t just fall from the sky every day
According to VH1′s ‘Why Did They Record This’ Don closed out his career by marrying all his songs and forming a compound
Ha!
I think you may be right, Dianne. I mean really, how many lyrical genius-like Don’s are there? I mean, other than the illustrious Don Ho, that is.
Speaking of Don Ho, here’s a photo that my Dad took of he and my Mom when they met him at his concert in Hawaii. http://www.2angels.net/images/1984_Don_Ho_Dome.jpg
Friendly fellow, that Don.
But I digress.
As for Don Rondo, I heard that he and hisharem of ladysongs were the first to have their very own reality television series…
that photo is outrageous!!
That Don is a HO
Haha! Tell me about it!
(He may also be my younger sisters real father, but we’re not 100% sure.)
Fine, fine stuff all around, bschooled. Dan Rondo is certainly somewhat of a ladies’ man, what with all the names he’s collected and surrounded their heads with. Shame he could never lock down their digits, but if he had, no doubt the follow-up album would have caused any number of privacy violations and lawsuits. Kind of a shame, really, as Don looks like the kind of guy who would lose several lawsuits.
Of course, to see the ne plus ultra of the “Have You Met” series, you have to be willing to shell out nearly $500 for Wilt Chamberlain’s 131-album box set, “Have You Met Wilt’s Stilt?” Sales were extremely low due to its price point, but curious boys and girls across America have at least Googled it or borrowed it from the library to play side after side after side of it in a futile game of audio “Are You My Daddy?”
CLT!
You’re back!
I tell you, I just about fell out of my pro-strainted chair when I saw your avatar.
http://www.blacksteel.com/hcs/index.cgi?section=Collection&start=9&mode=1
…Ok, I know what you’re thinking. You’re probably all like “WTF? Why would she be sitting in a sadomasochistic barcalounger anyway? Doesn’t she have a regular desk chair? Or a recliner and matching ottoman, at least?”
Well, truth be told, I just find sadomasochistic barcaloungers to be a little more comfortable than regular chairs. Not to mention secure. And ergonomically-correct, for that matter.
Besides, I could tell that my friends were starting to get a little annoyed when I would constantly say things like “HAHA! I swear I just about fell out of my chair laughing…” when recounting a chortle-inducing anecdote over the phone (more often than not, it was something I’d read in Reader’s Digest “Life’s Like That” section).
But anyway, I’m sure that’s not why you stopped by.
Believe it or not, I, myself used to play the audio version of “Are you My Daddy” quite a bit as a youngster. But after I found out that my real papa was Fred “Curly” Neal, the game kind of lost it’s appeal. And it was a total fluke, too. Had I not been given the honorary title “Ballhandler of the Year” by the entire boys Basketball team in high school, I doubt I would have ever put two and two together.
Great to see you, CLT. Hope you’re BAK (Back At Keyboard).
I have to say, I’m a bit disappointed, well actually quite disappointed. With the album title of “Have You Met Don Rondo”, and then not having a track by that title, is true let down. I couldn’t care less about these hussies. I want to get to know about Don.
Just when i thought..i had you figured out…the linear notes happens….wait i need to catch my breath…….zman sends
Ha! I wouldn’t try to figure me out, Zman. I don’t even know myself half the time.
Always nice to see that avatar, Z…hope that snow is clearing up over there!
bsends:)
Bschooled.
First off, I have to say I agree with Elizabeth’s excellent comment.
And I I love the liner notes. They give you great insight into the man behind the music. And what a man. Not only does he have an outstanding first name, but rearrange the letters in his last name and you’ll find another “don” lurking in the letters. In fact, if I recall correctly, Rondo was a stage name. The lads real name was Don Donor. He was very generous with the ladies.
Excellent work as always.
Don
p.s. your friend Yang has asked me to remind you to tend to your tiles in Scrabble.
Don Donor…I wonder why he changed it?
I mean, I could see if his name was originally something like “Don OrDon” (I mean, is that really a choice, Don?), but don Donor sounds like a brilliant name for a man who, in his later years, coined the phrase “Old men are generous lovers.”
Er, wait…maybe that was a diferent Don? (Truth be told, I have trouble keeping them all straight…)
Anyway, thank-you for your always wisdom-laden insight, Don. And just so you know, I love the new avatar (professionally done, I assume?).
Your friend,
Bschooled
ps. If you get a chance, let Yang (and Top Dog Cole) know that my tiles are now up to date.
So Don’s a Mormon right ? I am guessing the woman nearest to Don on the left was the first wife, she looks real pissed
I think that’s Ramona…
She’s just pissed because Don thinks Peg is way hotter…
Hang on just one minute BeSchooled, is Peg feeling Ramona’s ass? OMG, I think the two are ……. lucky Don
“…plenty of handclaps” ! Okay, I can’t stop laughing!
The outstanding feature of this album is the way Don zips through those songs (and the ladies) and he can totally be forgiven for the one long song as it was, after all, a group encounter.
b, you definitely have the world’s most interesting album collection
Thank-you Talon.
Truth be told, this fascinating album collection isn’t really mine, per se. It actually belongs to my parents, who inherited it from their parents, who inherited it from their parents (or something like that).
I’m actually hoping they give it to my sister, and leave me their new brand new Range Rover Sport instead.
(Only time will tell…)