Expert: Bruce R. Gilson - 10/4/2011

Question
QUESTION: Where can I download a copy of Vic Damone's 1951 recording entitled "WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE LOW"(not When Lights Are Low)?

ANSWER: Your question puzzles me. You say "'WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE LOW' (not When Lights Are Low)," but I have no evidence that Damone recorded a song called "When the Lights Are Low" that is different from "When Lights Are Low." Or do you mean "After the Lights Go Down Low" by any chance?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Bruce--

I know for certain that there is such a 78rpm recording because I have a broken record of the same(WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE LOW). Am just wondering where I can download a copy. It was released here flip-sided with IT'S A MARSHMALLOW WORLD. Hope you can lead me to it. Tnx.

Frank

Answer
You gave me a flip side, which gives me more to go on, and I checked with the best source I have for these things. According to the information I have, the flip side of "It's a Marshmallow World" (Mercury #5496) was "When Lights Are Low" -- the very song you said it wasn't. And I tend to trust this source -- http://www.78discography.com/Merc050.htm -- so I am further puzzled by your question. I don't often look for download sites, so I don't have favorite locations for them. I have found a number of sites that have "When Lights Are Low" so you can look them up on Google.

On the other hand, an ad in Billboard (which I can find in Google Books) does give the flip side of "Marshmallow World" as "When the Lights Are Low." (And the number is 5496.)  But I note that the ad also gives the title of "Marshmallow World" that way (without the "It's a"). I also found someone offering the 78 on Belgian eBay, with a picture that shows the title with "the" in it. So I wonder whether they really are two different songs.