MGM Album Discography, Part 18
Extended Play 45s (X-1 EP Album Series)

By Mike Callahan, David Edwards, Patrice Eyries, and Peter Preuss
Last update: March 4, 2000





Extended play 45s were an attempt to get more songs on the standard 45. They typically had two songs on each side and came with a stiff cardboard cover, making them look like a miniature version of a normal LP. In 1953, when the EPs were introduced, the LPs introduced at the same time were the 10-inch discs with four songs on each side. The EP was therefore equivalent to half of one of these albums, and a two-EP set in a fold-open cover was the equivalent of a 10-inch album. When the 12-inch LP disc began to become popular in the mid-1950s, the EP was reduced to a one-third equivalent of the LP, so three-EP sets were issued to correspond to the (then-standard) 12-inch LP. For all intents and purposes, the multiple-EP "album" was discontinued in 1956, being a poor seller relative to the 12-inch 33-1/3 rpm discs.

EP albums, which were introduced in 1953 with X207, first used the X-1 series, which had started in 1950 and was the counterpart to the E-1 (10-inch LP) and K-1 (45 album) series. The X-1 EP albums essentially corresponded to the 10-inch LP series. When 10-inch LPs were discontinued in late 1955, the numbering system for EP albums continued with the 12-inch LP series catalog numbers (E3000 series). In each case, while the LP had an "E" prefix, the EP album had an "X" prefix.

We would appreciate any additions or corrections to this discography. Just send them to us via e-mail. Both Sides Now Publications is an information web page. We are not a catalog, nor can we provide the records listed below. We have no association with MGM Records or Universal Music Group, who currently own the masters. Should you be interested in acquiring albums listed in this discography (which are all out of print), we suggest you see our Frequently Asked Questions page and follow the instructions found there. This story and discography are copyright 2000 by Mike Callahan.



MGM DISCOGRAPHY, PART 18

Number - Title - Artist [Release Date] Contents

Early X-1 EP Album Series (1953-1955):

These EPs corresponded to 78rpm, 45rpm, and 10-inch LPs issued in the same series. All of the EPs in this series are two EP sets unless indicated otherwise.

X-1 - Till the Clouds Roll By (Soundtrack) - Lennie Hayton [1953]
X-2 - [not issued on EP]
X-3 - Holiday for Strings - David Rose & His Orchestra [1953]
X-4 - [not issued on EP]
X-5 - Square Dances - Carson Robison [1953]
X-6 to X-14 [not issued on EP]
X-15 - Christmas Hymns and Carols - Canterbury Choir [1953]
X-16 - Lionel Barrymore as Scrooge in "A Cristmas Carol" - Lionel Barrymore [1953]
X-17 - Good News (Soundtrack) - Lennie Hayton [1953] With June Allyson and Peter Lawford.
X-18 - Barbershop Ballads - King's Men [1955]
X-19 to X-27 - [not issued on EP]
X-28 - Serenades - David Rose & His Orchestra [1954]
X-29 to X-39 - [not issued on EP]
X-40 - Easter Parade (Soundtrack) - Johnny Green [1953]
X-41 to X-49 - [not issued on EP]
X-50 - Annie Get Your Gun (Soundtrack) - Adolph Deutsch [1953]
X-51 - [not issued on EP]
X-52 - [not issued on EP]
X-53 - Three Little Words (Soundtrack) - Fred Astaire & Others [1953]
X-54 - [not issued on EP]
X-55 - You're Hearing George Shearing - George Shearing [1953]
X-56 to X-62 - [not issued on EP]
X-63 - A Sentimental Journey with David Rose - David Rose & His Orchestra [1955]
X-64 to X-83 - [not issued on EP]
X-84 - Showboat (Soundtrack) - Adolph Deutsch [1953]
X-85 - David Rose and His Orchestra Play Music of George Gershwin - David Rose & His Orchestra [1953]
X-86 to X-89 - [not issued on EP]
X-90 - Touch of Genius - George Shearing Quintet [1955]
X-91 - [not issued on EP]
X-92 - [not issued on EP]
X-93 - An American in Paris (Soundtrack) - Johnny Green [1953]
X-94 to X-110 - [not issued on EP]
X-111 - Original Music Themes from "Danger" - Tony Mottola [1954]
X-112 - [not issued on EP]
X-113 - Singing in the Rain (Soundtrack) - Lennie Hayton [1953]
X-114 to X-141 - [not issued on EP]
X-142 - Christmas Chimes - James Blades & Philip Green [1953]
X-143 -to X-154 - [not issued on EP]
X-155 - I Hear Music - George Shearing Quintet [1953]
X-156 - [not issued on EP]
X-157 - The Merry Widow (Soundtrack) - Jay Blackton [1953]
X-158 to X-167 - [not issued on EP]
X-168 - Moanin' the Blues - Hank Williams [1953]
X-169 to X-175 - [not issued on EP]
X-176 - Stars and Stripes Forever (Soundtrack) - Alfred Newman & 20th Century Fox Orchestra [1953]
X-177 - [not issued on EP]
X-178 - [not issued on EP]
X-179 - Ivanhoe/Plymouth Adventure (Soundtracks) - Miklos Rozsa [1953]
X-180 to X-184 - [not issued on EP]
X-185 - Square Your Sets - Carson Robison [1955]
X-186 - Hands Across the Table - Johnny Desmond [1954]
X-187 to X-193 - [not issued on EP]
X-194 - Jazz Battle: Hot vs. Cool - Dizzy Gillespie/Jimmy McPartland [1954]
X-195 - [not issued on EP]
X-196 - The Magic Music Box - David Rose & His Orchestra [1955]
X-197 - The Wonderful Waltzes of Richard Rodgers - Paul Britten [1954]
X-198 - Organ Interlude - Richard Elsasser [1953]
X-199 - [not issued on EP]
X-200 - The Wedding Album - Richard Elsasser [1954]
X-201 - [not issued on EP]
X-202 - The Hank Williams Memorial Album - Hank Williams [1954]
X-203 - Hank Williams as "Luke the Drifter" - Hank Williams [1953]
X-204 - [not issued on EP]
X-205 - Keyboard Kings - Ken Clarke Trio [1954]
X-206 - [not issued on EP]
X-207 - The Bandwagon (Soundtrack) - Adolph Deutsch [1953] This was actually the first 2-EP album set issued by MGM, according to the X4000 cross reference index provided in Part 20 of this discography.
X-208 - Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (Soundtrack) - Lionel Newman [1953] Cast includes Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe.
X-209 - Maggie Fisher's Piano Playhouse: Panorama - Arthur Ferrante & Louis Teicher [1953]
X-210 - Highlights from the Musical Comedy "Chu-Chen-Chun" - Paul Britten [1953]
X-211 - [not issued on EP]
X-212 - Joy to the World - Richard Elsasser [1953]
X-213 - Holy, Holy, Holy - Richard Elsasser [1953]
X-214 - Walter Gross Plays Songs from MGM's "Torch Song" - Walter Gross [1953]
X-215 - [not issued on EP]
X-216 - [not issued on EP]
X-217 - At the Jazz Band Ball - Preacher Rollo & Five Saints [1953]
X-218 - The Most Beautiful Girl in the World - Ted Straeter & His Orchestra [1953]
X-219 - [not issued on EP]
X-220 - [not issued on EP]
X-221 - Music from "The Joe Louis Story" - George Bassman [1953]
X-222 - Let There Be Love - Joni James [1953]
X-223 - Kiss Me Kate (Soundtrack) - Andre Previn [1953] (3-EP set)
X-224 - Dancing at the Waldorf - Nat Brandwynne [1953]
X-225 - Neopolitan Nights - Leroy Holmes & MGM Strings [1953]
X-226 - When Lights Are Low - George Shearing Quintet [1953]
X-227 - Street of Dreams - Leroy Holmes & His Orchestra [1953]
X-228 - Selections from "Naughty Marietta" and "Firefly" - Paul Britten & His Orchstra [1954]
X-229 - Rose Marie (Soundtrack) - George Stoll [1954]
X-230 - Gypsy Music - Various Artists [1954]
X-231 - Dixieland vs. Birdland - Bobby Byrne's Dixielanders/Kai Winding's Birdlanders [1954]
X-232 - The Music of harold Arlen - David Rose & His Orchestra [1954]
X-233 - Beautiful Music to Love By - David Rose & His Orchestra [1954]
X-234 - Have You Heard? (The Award Winning Album) - Joni James [1954]
X-235 - The Great Ones - Leroy Holmes & His Orchestra [1954]
X-236 - Foolish Questions - Arthur Smith [1954]
X-237 - Fiddlin' for Fun - David Rose & His Orchestra [1954]
X-238 - Manhattan Serenade - Joe Lipman [1954]
X-239 - Under Paris Skies - Odetta [1954]

X-240 - MGM's 30th Anniversary Album - Various Artists [1954] Artists: Louis Calhern/June Allyson & Peter Lawford/Esther Williams & Ricardo Montalban/Debbie Reynolds & Carleton Carpenter/Judy Garland & Fred Astaire/Leslie Caron & Mel Ferrer

X-241 - I'll Be Seeing You - Sammy Fain [1954]
X-242 - Honky Tonkin' - Hank Williams [1954]
X-243 - I Saw the Light - Hank Williams [1954]
X-244 - Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Soundtrack) - Adolph Deutsch [1954]
X-245 - [Classical music]
X-246 - Snuggled on Your Shoulder (Mood Music for Sleepy People) - Leroy Holmes [1955]
X-247 - Suite from "The Three Penny Opera" - Izler Solomon & MGM Orchestra [1954]
X-248 - Serenata - Starnoters [1954]
X-249 - Accordion Music - Tito & His Swingtet [1954]
X-250 - Serenade of the Night - Philip Green & His Orchestra [1954]
X-251 - Organ Reveries - Richard Elsasser [1954]
X-252 - An Evening with George Shearing - George Shearing Quintet [1954]
X-253 - Buddy DeFranco with Strings - Buddy DeFranco [1954]
X-254 - Encores in a Quiet Mood - Menahem Pressler [1954]
X-255 - Cats vs. Chicks - Clark Terry/Terry Pollard [1954]
X-256 - [not issued on EP]
X-257 - I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart - Billy Eckstine [1954]
X-258 - [Classical music]
X-259 - Nostalgia - David Rose & His Orchestra [1955]
X-260 - South Sea Island Magic - Pua Almeida & His Polynesians [1955]
X-261 - All Star Dixieland - Max Kaminsky [1955]
X-262 - The Jose Melis Trio - Jose Melis Trio [1955]
X-263 - Brigadoon (Soundtrack) - Irwin Kostal [1955]
X-264 - Mambos & Cha Chas - Rene Touzet [1955]
X-265 - Kay Thompson Sings - Kay Thompson [1955]
X-266 - Piano Music for Children By Modern American Composers - Marga Richter [unissued]
X-267 - Let Me Off Uptown - Leroy Holmes [1955]
X-268 - If You Feel Like Singing, Sing - Judy Garland [1955]
X-269 - Love in Bloom - Jack Fina [1955]
X-270 - Winter Sequence - Leonard Feather [1955]
X-271 - Autumn Nocturne - Ray Charles Singers [1955]
X-272 - Little Girl Blue - Joni James [1955]
X-273 - Our Favorite Encores - Ethel Bartlett & Rae Robertson [1955]
X-274 - [Classical music]
X-275 - Songs By Father Sydney MacEwen - Sydney MacEwen [1955]
X-276 - Deep in My Heart (Soundtrack) - Adolph Deutsch [1955] (3-EP set)
X-277 - Kay Armen Sings "For No One But You" - Kay Armen [1955]
X-278 - Dorothy Donegan at the Piano - Dorothy Donegan [1955]
X-279 - Van Smith at the Piano - Van Smith Trio [1955]
X-280 - 'S Wonderful - Jack Kelly Quintet [1955]
X-281 - Let's Get Cat-Static - Claude Cloud [1955]
X-282 - Cool Europe - Jutta Hipp/Mike Nevard [1955]
X-283 - Melody of Love - Franklyn MacCormick [1955]
X-284 - Blue Flame - Woody Herman [1955]
X-285 - Oh Rock - Lionel Hampton [1955]
X-286 - Spring Is Here - Ray Charles Singers [1955]
X-287 - Hit the Deck (Soundtrack) - George Stoll [1955]
X-288 - Country Gems - Hank Williams [1955]
X-289 - The Unforgettable Sound of the Dick Hyman Trio - Dick Hyman Trio [1955]
X-290 - [not issued on EP]
X-291 - Ramblin' Man - Hank Williams [1955]
X-292 - Lost Love - Coronet Orchestra [1955]
X-293 - Music with "The Big Beat" - Sam (The Man) Taylor & Claude Cloud [1955]
X-294 - Robert Maxwell's Harp Magic - Robert Maxwell [1955]
X-295 - Lush Themes from Motion Pictures - Mary Mayo with Leroy Holmes & His Orchestra [1955] (3-EP set)
X-296 - Leroy Anderson Favorites, Volume II - Richard Elsasser [1955]
X-297 - [not issued on EP]
X-298 - [not issued on EP]

X-299 - Pop Parade, Volume 4 - Various Artists [1955] Artists: Joni James/Rush Adams/Naturals/Pat O'Day/Tommy Mara/Billy Fields/Franklyn MacCormick/James Brown

X-300 - Tony Mottola, His Guitar & Orchestra - Tony Mottola [1955]
X-301 - A Shearing Caravan - George Shearing [1955]
X-302 - The Crazy Otto Cafe - Various Artists [1955] Artists: Dick Hyman/Mike DiNapoli/Jack Fina
X-303 - I'll Always Be in Love with You - Mariano & His Orchestra [1955]
X-304 - Interrupted Melody - Eileen Farrell [1955] (3-EP set)
X-305 - More Leroy Anderson favorites - Richard Elsasser [1955]
X-306 - [unissued]
X-307 - [Classical music]
X-308 - [Classical music]
X-309 - Thrilling - Roger Roger & His Orchestra [1955]
X-310 - That Old Feeling - Billy Eckstine [1955]
X-311 - El Toro (Music of the Bullfight) - Spanish Air Force Band of Madrid [1955]
X-312 - Bill Hayes - Bill Hayes [1955]

X-313 - Pop Parade, Volume 5 - Various Artists [1955] Artists: Art Mooney/Leroy Holmes/Gene Sheldon/Billy Eckstine/Ginny Gibson/David Rose/Billy Fields/Cindy Lord

X-314 - Erin, O Erin - Richard Ellsasser [1955]
X-315 - Melodies of Faith and Hope - Richard Ellsasser [1955]
X-316 - Paris After Dark - Cyril Stapleton & His Orchestra [1955]
X-317 - Invitation to the Dance (Soundtrack) - Andre Previn/John Hollingsworth [1956]
X-318 - Rendezvous - Billy Eckstine [1955]
X-319 - The Notre Dame Glee Club - Notre Dame Glee Club [1955]
X-320 - Dream World - Gary Alan [1955]
X-321 - Fiesta Flamenca - Mario Escudero [1955]
X-322 - Hey, Mr. Banjo - Gene Sheldon [1955]

X-323 - Movie Pop Parade - Various Artists [1955] Artists: James Brown/Charles Wolcott/Billy Fields/Kay Armen/Alan Dean/Naturals/Elliott Brothers/Billy Eckstine

X-324 - Dances for Four Pianos - Manhattan Piano Quartet [1955]
X-325 - Fritz Kreisler Favorites - Richard Ellsasser [1955]
X-326 - When I Fall in Love - Joni James [1955]
X-327 - Easy to Remember - Eddie Heywood [1955]
X-328 - Soft Lights and Sweet Music - Lew White [1955]
X-329 - Outlaws of the Old West - Dickson Hall [1955] (3-EP set)
X-330 - If You Believe - Kay Armen [1955]
X-331 - It's Always Fair Weather (Soundtrack) - Andre Previn [1955] (3-EP set)
X-332 - The Dick Hyman Trio Swings - Dick Hyman Trio [1955]
X-333 - Kismet - MGM Stars [1955] (3-EP set)
X-334 - Music from Out of Space - Stuart Phillips & His Orchestra [1955] (3-EP set)
X-335 - Victor Herbert Favorites - Richard Ellsasser [1955]
X-336 - Wintertime Suite, Volume 1 - Richard Ellsasser [1955]
X-337 - Wintertime Suite, Volume 2 - Richard Ellsasser [1955]
X-338 - Candlelight and Wine - Leroy Holmes & His Orchestra [1955] (3-EP set)
X-339 - Lovers' Serenade - David Rose & His Orchestra [1955] (3-EP set)
X-340 - Indian Love Lyric/Lost Love Lyric - Jim Ameche/Dave Ballard [1955] (3-EP set)
X-341 - Poodles on Parade - Bill McGuffie Trio [1955] (3-EP set)
X-342 - As Time Goes By - Sam (The Man) Taylor [1955] (3-EP set)
X-343 - Shearing in Hi-Fi - George Shearing [1955] (3-EP set)
X-344 - Movie Pop Parade - Various Artists [1955] (3-EP set)
X-345 - Springtime Suite - Richard Ellsasser [1956]
X-346 - Sheb Wooley - Sheb Wooley [1956] (3-EP set)
X-347 - The Water Music of Debussy - Johana Harris [1956]
X-348 - The Nature Music of Debussy - Johana Harris [1956]
X-349 - The Evening Music of Debussy - Johana Harris [1956]
X-350 - The Personality Music of Debussy - Johana Harris [unissued]
X-351 - The Exotic Music of Debussy - Johana Harris [1956]
X-352 - The Dance Music of Debussy - Johana Harris [1956]
X-353 - [Not issued on EP]


In late 1955, MGM abandoned the X-1 series (except for the few EPs, mostly by Johana Harris, that were already scheduled) in favor of the system of numbering the EPs with the corresponding LP numbers, but with an "X" prefix instead of an "E" prefix. The following were issued as EP sets:


X3162 - Spring Is Here - Ray Charles Singers [1955] (3-EP set)
X3212 - The Notre Dame Glee Club - Notre Dame Glee Club [1956] (3-EP set)
X3281 - Kismet (Soundtrack) - Andre Previn [1955] (3-EP set)
X3288 - Candlelight and Wine - Leroy Holmes & His Orchestra [1955] (3-EP set)
X3289 - Lovers' Serenade - David Rose & His Orchestra [1955] (3-EP set)
X3290 - India's Love Lyrics/The Lost Love Lyrics - Jim Ameche/Dave Ballard [1955] (3-EP set)
X3291 - Poodles on Parade - Bill McGuffie [1955] (3-EP set)
X3292 - Blue Mist - Sam "The Man" Taylor [1955] (3-EP set)
X3293 - Shearing in Hi-Fi - George Shearing Quintet [1956] (3-EP set)
X3294 - Movie Pop Parade, Volume II - Various Artists [1956] (3-EP set)
X3300 - Teenage Dance Party - George Russell & His Orchestra [1956] (3-EP set)
X3301 - Arthur Smith Specials - Arthur Smith [1956] (3-EP set)
X3302 - Italy After Dark - Cyril Stapleton & His Orchestra [1956] (3-EP set)
X3303 - Music for My One and Only Love - Various Artists [1956] (3-EP set)
X3305 - Latin American Tempos Designed for Dancing - Rene Touzet & His Orchestra [1956] (3-EP set)
X3306 - Latin American Moods Designed for Dancing - Dave "Tico" Robbins [1956] (3-EP set)
X3308 - The Lamp Is Low - Robert Maxwell, His Harp & His Orchestra [1956] (3-EP set)
X3313 - Easy Come, Easy Go - Monica Lewis [1956] (3-EP set)
X3324 - Cole Porter Medleys - Jerry Jerome & His Orchestra [1956] (3-EP set)
X3326 - Strings with a Beat - Peter Todd & His Orchestra [1956] (3-EP set)
X3327 - The Merengue: Designed for Dancing - Frank Damiron [1956] (3-EP set)
X3328 - Joni James Sings "In the Still of the Night" - Joni James [1956] (3-EP set)
X3330 - Moanin' the Blues - Hank Williams [1956] (3-EP set)
X3346 - The Award Winning Album - Joni James [1956] (3-EP set)
X3347 - Little Girl Blue - Joni James [1956] (3-EP set)
X3348 - Let There Be Love - Joni James [1956] (3-EP set)
X3352 - Ranch House Favorites - Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys [1956] (3-EP set)
X3464 - The Wizard of Oz (Soundtrack) - Herbert Stothart/George Stoll [1956] (3-EP set)
X3533 - Joni James Sings Songs By Jerome Kern & Harry Warren - Joni James [1957] (3-EP set)
X3641 - Gigi (Soundtrack) - Andre Previn [1958] (3-EP set)
X3788 - Benny Goodman Treasure Chest, Volume 1 - Benny Goodman [1959] (3-EP set)
X3789 - Benny Goodman Treasure Chest, Volume 2 - Benny Goodman [1959] (3-EP set)
X3790 - Benny Goodman Treasure Chest, Volume 3 - Benny Goodman [1959] (3-EP set)



Back to the MGM Records Story


Back to the MGM Discography, Part 17 Stereo Singles and Little LPs


On to the MGM Album Discography, Part 19 Extended Play 45s (X1000 Series)


Back to the Discography Listings Page


Back to the Both Sides Now Home Page