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Deep Purple/S’Wonderful

Samuel HoffmanDeep Purple/S’Wonderful

Hear Sam play two great standards, with a vocal and multitracking on S’Wonderful. The theremin is recorded with outstanding clarity. Uncle Howie

That Sweetheart Of Mine

Samuel HoffmanThat Sweetheart Of Mine

Released by Essex records of Philadelphia PA. Dr. Hoffman is only featured on one side. The title is ‘That Sweetheart Of Mine’ with Monte Kelly and his Orchestra and Skeets Herfrod on Alto Sax.

Kol Nidre (All Vows)

Samuel HoffmanKol Nidre (All Vows)

Sam plays this sad Hebrew song relating to absolution of all vows taken but remaining unfulfilled. Forgive the poor fidelity of this old 78 RPM recording Uncle Howie

Eli, Eli (My God, My God)

Samuel HoffmanEli, Eli (My God, My God)

Sam plays the lament of all oppressed peoples. “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me.” An old 78RPM recording. Uncle Howie

Moonlight Sonata

Samuel HoffmanMoonlight Sonata

Here is the reverse side of the Capitol 45 RPM listed below. Sam plays his beloved console theremin with piano accompanyment. Uncle Howie

The Swan

Samuel HoffmanThe Swan

Here is a rare old Capitol 45 RPM recording of Sam Hoffman, with organ accompanyment, playing the standard for this instrument. Uncle Howie

Sam And Johnny Carson

Samuel HoffmanSam And Johnny Carson

I believe this is the only recorded voice of Samuel Hoffman. He is trying to teach Carson to play the theremin. It’s quite funny. Uncle Howie

Cricket Fight

Samuel HoffmanCricket Fight

From the liner notes: Two cricket owners call the farmers to attend the fight. There is laughter and banter as bets are made. Tension mounts until the fight begins and the loud hum of the crickets is heard. The owners tease the crickets with bristles, and they become furious. The crickets begin to fight madly, fending with their legs. The noise become louder until one cricket is killed, his body slowly turning over. Losers and winners begin to chatter again, tom toms break out in honor of the winner. But he, too, has been wounded, and slowly dies. The crowd leaves the arena and only the two dead crickets remain.

Ghosts of the Chinese Wall

Samuel HoffmanGhosts of the Chinese Wall

From the liner notes: Dark clouds cover the sky, the wind whines across the plains around the Great Wall, constructed by the cruel emperor of China, Chin. It is told that Chin and his retinue reside here, his ghostly voice calling orders to the unhappy men who were forced to build the wall. Mingled in the wailing winds are his commands and the bitter replies of the men. Two thousands years ago, these men were buried alive in the wall so that their spirits might hold back the enemy. But their spirits are imprisoned and in pain. The wind still blows, moaning across the plains, carrying the lost voices and ghostly secrets of the Great Wall.

Jade Lady

Samuel HoffmanJade Lady

From the liner notes: Very long ago, the emperor Chan-Tsung visited Tai-Shan, a great mountain of China. There among its temples, in a pool of crystal water, he saw the image of a lovely woman, whom he called The Daughter of the Spirit of Tai-Shan. In her honor, he built a temple containing the Jade Lady, and chinese women believe that this goddess has a power to bestow children upon barren women. At the foot of the mountain, hopeful women wait to make the pilgrimage. The coolies carry them up slowly, chanting. At the temple, a prayer-song echoes through the arches, across the sounds of a phoenix-flute, a Yang-Ching or Chinese harpsichord, Pi Pa or guitar, a Ku drum, and shudderings gongs. Other women take up the song, but at sunset, the coolie leader calls impatiently. The descent is made quickly, and the coolies are happy at the close of the day. But the women are questioning and hopeful, wondering if the powers of the Jade Lady will be of help to them.