NEWSLETTER #140
Jazz, Dance Bands & Vocalists
Perry Bradford ->
Mary Lou Williams
| NOTE: Unless otherwise noted all
DVDs offered are in NTSC format which means that they will not play on a
European DVD players unless you have a multiple format player. |
| DUKE ELLINGTON |
Eagle Eye 39100 |
Love You Madley/ A Concert Of Sacred Music
From Grace |
● DVD $14.98 |
Eagle Vision DVD 39100 2 shows, essential Back when PBS
was NET (National Educational Television), there was a ton of wonderful
programming, not the least of which was SF columnist Ralph J Gleason's
"Jazz Casual", which caught live jazz legends. Rhino had put some shows
out during the birth of DVDs in the late 90s, but none since, now there's
the 55 minute episode "Love You Madly" which has The Duke & Orch. mostly
in concert at the Basin St West club in SF, with Ralph in attendance &
interviewing Duke during intermission or "coffee break" between sets. This
also has a taste of Duke at the '65 Monterey Jazz Fest & his first Sacred
Concert at SF's Grace Cathedral. There' is also the full show on just the
first Scared Concert, done at Grace Cathedral 9/16/65. During '65 many of
Duke's storied sidemen were still going strong, so you get to finally see
as well as hear such stalwarts as Cat Anderson, Cootie Williams, Johnny
Hodges as well as powerful drummer Louis Bellson. (GM)
|
| PERRY BRADFORD |
Timeless 1-073 |
A Panorama, 1923-27 |
● CD $15.98 |
25 track compilation featuring Perry Bradford & His Gang,
Lena Wilson with Bradford's Jazz Phools, The Gulf Coast Seven and other
groups.
|
| GEORGE FORMBY |
JSP JSPCD 1902 |
The War And Postwar Years |
● CD $28.98 |
The second volume featuring recordings by one of Britain's
most popular musical entertainers during the 30s and 40s with his
distinctive vocals and ukulele banjo accompaniment. This five CD set with
109 songs presents all his recordings made between 1939 and 1951 including
16 alternative and rejected takes.
|
| JEAN
GOLDKETTE & HIS ORCHESTRA |
Timeless 1-084 |
Jean Goldkette Bands, 1924-1929 |
● CD $15.98 |
24 tracks featuring some of the many bands led by
classically trained pianist Goldkette in the 20s with appearances by Don
Murray, Joe Venuti, Steve Brown, Hoagy Carmichael, Frankie Trumbauer and
others.
|
| ART HICKMAN'S
ORCHESTRA |
Archeophone 6005 |
The San Francisco Sound, Vol. 2 |
● CD $14.98 |
25 tracks, 76 min, recommended
The companion to Archeophone
6003. Hickman's orch was one of the 1st to incorporate a jazz flavor to
create a hot dance sound. This set has the remainder of Hickman's
recordings, all done for Columbia '20-21, & even includes a rare coupling by
The Hickman Trio, which were the trumpet & two saxes from the orch. As
usual, Archeophone does a great job of making acoustical recordings highly
listenable. With 24 page booklet loaded with notes, pics, even ads. One '20
coupling has 2 future standards, Japanese Sandman & Avalon.
Also Whispering/ A Young Man's Fancy/Siren Of Southern Sea/ Honeymoon
Home. (GM)
|
| GERRY MULLIGAN |
Proper Box 96 |
Jeru |
● CD $24.98 |
Four CD set featuring 82 tracks recorded between 1951 and
1954 by one of the most versatile figures in modern jazz. He was a gifted
composer and arranger and the only baritone sax player to have a popular
following. Session mates on these recordings include George Wallington, Chet
Baker, Chico Hamilton, Lee Konitz, Bud Shank, Bob Brookmeyer, Red Mitchell
and others. Includes 48 page illustrated booklet.
|
| ORESTE & HIS
QUEENSLAND ORCHES |
Jazz Oracle 8048 |
TRA: Edison Hot Dance Obscurities, Vol. 2 |
● CD $15.98 |
19 tracks, 72 min, recommended
The 2nd volume of Edison hot
sides focus's on a single unknown hot band led by pianist Oreste Migliaccio.
The band was based at the Brooklyn NY Queensland nightclub, hence the name.
Recorded from '26-29, these sides are noted for the probable appearance of
"ringers", studio musicians who sat in the orc.h, who include Jimmy Dorsey,
Don Murray & Joe Tarto, all highly respected NY sidemen. There is even
speculation that the first recording, Ev'rything's Peaches (For Peaches &
Me) is actually by Miff (Mole) & Red (Nichols)' Stompers. The music is
full of hot solos, you need this set if only to hear the hot Jew's Harp solo
on Eyeful Of You! Besides all the Edisons, there's even a test
pressing of a later-re-recorded coupling including When The Morning
Glories Wake Up In The Morning (Then I'll Kiss Your Two Lips Good-Night).
(GM)
|
| CHARLIE PARKER |
Proper Box 99 |
Chasin' The Bird |
● CD $24.98 |
Complementing Proper's previous Bird box which was devoted
to his studio recordings this one features a selection of his live
recordings presented chronologically between 1942 and 1954. venues include
the Savoy Ballroom in New York, The Finale Club in Los Angeles, The Royal
Roost in New York, Carnegie Hall and others with musicians like Jay McShann,
Dizzy Gillespie, Al Haig, Joe Albany, Tadd Dameron, Bud Powell, Tommy
Potter, Mundell Lowe, John Lewis and others. Includes 48 page illustrated
booklet.
|
| OSCAR PETERSON |
Proper BOX 94 |
Piano Power |
● CD $24.98 |
4 CDs, 84 tracks, highly recommended
If nothing else, the
man was prolific. Peterson, the only true heir apparent to Art Tatum started
making recordings in his hometown of Montreal in '45 before coming down to
the US for his long-time tenure with Verve. This set covers some of his trio
sides for RCA Canada in '45-'49 before coming to New York in 1950. This
packed box set only has Oscar's piano-led duos, trios & quartets & omits his
dozens of side-man recordings with the cream of jazz. Mostly here are his
incredible trio sides with Ray Brown (b) joined by guitar, firstst Barney
Kessel & then long-lasting Herb Ellis. Even includes a few duo sessions with
Brown, including a live Carnegie Hall date, & with bassist Major Holley.
There's even a couple tunes with Peterson on vocals sounding much like his
huge influence Nat Cole. With packed 44 page booklet. (GM)
|
| PRESERVATION HALL
JAZZ BAND |
Preservation Hall 05 |
Songs Of New Orleans |
● CD $21.98 |
2 CDs, total 21 tracks, 131 mins, recommended
This is a
bittersweet release, coming as it does soon after the destruction of New
Orleans. But if there was ever a sound that instantly evoked what New
Orleans once was legendary for, it has to be the Preservation Hall Band.
This band has evolved for nearly a century, playing in a wonderfully shabby
wooden space in the French Quarter. This CD set was recorded in 1999 at the
Hall and covers considerable musical ground, from the dixieland standards
like "Bill Bailey" and "Dr. Jazz" to ballads like "Summertime" to odd
novelty numbers like "Shimmy Like My Sister Kate". This generation of the
band tends to spend more time away from the joyful dixieland puppy pile
arrangements of the Billie and De-De Pierce era, but the equal abandon and
deep love for the music really come through. If New Orleans never quite
comes back to its old glory, it's good that we have recordings like this to
crank up and reminisce with. (DC)
|
| SHORTY ROGERS |
Proper BOX 92 |
West Coast Jazz |
● CD $24.98 |
4 CDs, 76 tracks, highly recommended
Trumpet/arranger Rogers
was one of the earliest & best architects & artists of the Cool School, AKA
West Coast Jazz, a sound based on & built up on Miles Davis's original
"Birth Of The Cool" sound, though Shorty himself places Count Basie's Kansas
City 7 as the main influence. The material here, 1950-54, starts with the
first Giants, done while he was still in Stan Kenton's band & features June
Christy on vocals. There's a session leased to Capitol in '51 then mostly
recordings done for RCA, with the cream of the left coast jazzmen, Art
Pepper, Bud Shank, Shelly Manne, Jimmy Giuffre, Hampton Hawes, Maynard
Ferguson, Zoot Sims and tons of others. Plenty of beautiful sides here, but
the two that stand out are material done for "The Wild One" in '53 including
Blues For Brando & a honking R&B coupling from '52 done as Boots
Brown & His Blockbusters. 40 pg booklet filled with everything you'd want to
know! (GM)
|
| ADRIAN ROLLINI |
Jazz Oracle 8050 |
1929-1934: As A Sideman/ And His Orchestra |
● CD $28.98 |
2 CDs, 51 tracks, highly recommended
When one of my fave
labels puts out a collection by one of my fave musicians, all I can say is
sit back & enjoy. One of the best & prolific of the early new York-based
jazzers is finally given a collection of all the material recorded under his
own name, from 2/33-5/34, for Decca/Vocalion/Perfect, as well as a session
done for UK Parlophone. Best known as a bass-saxist accompanist, Rollini is
1st heard here as a sideman with 9 tracks all containing a hot bass sax
solo, with bands headed by such masters as Ben Selvin & Freddie Martin,
1929-30. For his own band, Adrian was still using bass sax, but as the
stand-up bass was in more bands, he switched over to vibes & celeste. Among
the musicians in his group include Benny Goodman, Bunny Berigan, Artie Shaw,
Charlie Barnet, PeeWee Russell, The Dorsey brothers, Bud Freeman, Carl Kress
& Joe Venuti! These were done more for the jukebox market, so there's more
hot dance than hot jazz, but most have some fine solos, considering the
personnel! With 24 page booklet packed with info & pics, this must be one of
the last projects worked on by The Master, the late John RT Davies. (GM)
|
| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Archeophone 5003 |
The Complete Hit Of The Week Recordings,
Vol. 2 |
● CD $26.98 |
The second volume reissuing titles from "HIT OF THE WEEK"
series - a series of very cheap (15 cents) 78s record on a flexible material
(durium-coated cardboard) that could be sold at news-stands. This two CD set
features 48 tracks issued weekly between October 30, 1930 and July 1931
including unissued titles and some titles that were issued on Durium Junior
- a series of 4" "microgroove" recordings that ran around 1 1/2 minutes
each. Artists include The Hit-Of-The-Week Orchestra (with Bunny Berigan,
Tommy Dorsey, Mannie Klein and others), Ted Fio-Rito's Orchestra, Sam
Lanin's Dance Ensemble, The New York Twelve (with Harry Reser), Cal Carson
(Frank Luther), Eva Taylor and others. Includes 24 page booklet with
extensive notes, photos, label shots, ads and discographical data.
|
| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
ASV CDAJA 5243 |
25 Sweethearts Of Yesteryear |
● CD $11.98 |
Songs about girls recorded between 1927 and 1945 including
Let Me Call You Sweetheart by Bing Crosby, Sweet Sue, Just You
by George Metaxa, Liza by Al Jolson, Dinah by Bing Crosby &
The Mills Brothers, Honeysuckle Rose by Fats Waller and many more.
|
| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
ASV CDAJA 5560 |
Ring Ring De Banjo |
● CD $11.98 |
27 tracks, 77 mins, highly recommended
I suspect the world
is sharply divided between those for whom this release will be delight and
those who would view it as the devil's own soundtrack. But for tenor banjo
enthusiasts, this unusual collection will provide some real delights and
some surprises. The full range of banjo repertory from the ealy 20th century
is covered, from plantation tunes (including some by Stephen Foster) to
early ragtime and jazz to popular stuff like the kickoff track Blaze Away
recorded in 1937 but sounding like something from before the first World
War. Arrangements include warhorses like Turkey in the Straw and
Golden Slippers and bizarre novelty tunes like The Mosquitos' Parade
recorded amazingly clearly in 1902. Half this CD sounds like Max Fleischer
cartoon music and that's no bad thing. Includes detailed historical notes.
(DC)
|
| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
EMI Gold 93368-2 |
It's Trad Jazz! |
● CD $19.98 |
Budget priced three CD set with 60 tracks of British trad
jazz from the 50s and early 60s featuring Terry Lightfoot, Acker Bilk, Ken
Colyer, Chris Barber's Jazz Band, Dick Charlesworth, Joe Daniels Jazz Group,
Humphrey Lyttleton, The Clyde Valley Stompers, Freddy Randall & His band,
The Temperance Seven (featuring John R.T. Davies!), Crane River Band, Dougie
Richford's London Jazzmen and more.
|
| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Jazz Oracle 8049 |
Paramount Hot Dance Obscurities, Vol. 2 |
● CD $15.98 |
26 tracks, 75 min, recommended
Very rare tracks by 16
different bands, as these were mostly recorded at Paramounts home offices in
Grafton WI with some done in Chicago, these are all thought to be local
Wisconsin bands with some local Illinois. The best is the Mandel Terry Orch,
which may be a pseudonym for the all-girl Isa Foster & Her Ambassadors (also
here), with hot versions of Black & Tan Fantasy & Lady Be Good,
though I also like the Glenn Lyte Orch's jokey take on When I Take My
Sugar To Tea. This comes with the usual exceptional quality booklet (24
pages) which due to its history of the Grafton WI studios is worth the price
of the package in itself! (GM)
|
| MARY LOU WILLIAMS |
Smithsonian Folkways 40815 |
Mary Lou's Mass |
● CD $15.98 |
24 tracks, 62 min, recommended
Be forewarned, this isn't
typical Mary Lou jazz. After sitting out much of the 50s, she converted to
Catholicism & wrote religious-based music. This sounds more like
"Afro-American" music heard on public TV in the late 60's-early 70s (this
set was recorded 1969-72), with uplifting lyrics, slick vocals & lots of
soul flute along with Mary Lou's gorgeous piano. Titles include Praise
The Lord/Old Time Spirit/ Jesus Is The Best/ Act Of Contrition. Written
to be like a Catholic mass rather than a Baptist service, the music is more
formal, & the tunes range from nearly 6 minutes down to only 17 seconds. 30
pg booklet with pics & extensive notes by Fr. Peter O'Brien, head of the
Mary Lou Williams Foundation. (GM)
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