ISSUE 70 y record August 1965 $ „ •X research SO CMTS THE MAGAZINE OF RECORD INFORMATION A STATISTICS 4Wftsxe 65 GRAND AVENUE 4 BROOKLYN 5. N. Y.
THE WORLD OF TED WEEMS &aU4.Z&L ^&2e. fia.fe 3, ffa &*mS JuWU 7*0*4 CAt&J- v»ea/*J&/ i ,
Rhoades was an early entry, with many fine vocals such as SMILE ^ REGARDING BLUES RESEARCH: A LITTLE BIT (19930), CHICK-CHICK-CHICK-CHICK-CHICK EN, ^ft (20206), which he duetted with their next jazz- tinged This publication is a subsidiary qf RECORD stylist, *\ PARKER GIBBS; CLIMBING UP THE LADDER RESEARCH, edited by ANTHONY ROTANTE and OF LOVE (20230), a 1926 Vanities number; WHAT'S THE USE OF CRYING (20234), ^5% PAUL SHEATS LEY, and is a vehicle for exploring and, to me, perhaps this very best performance on ROAM ON, jt the vast field of contemporary Blues recordings. It MY LITTLE GYPSY SWEETHEART (20892); IT WAS ONLY A SUN has been lauded as the singularly most important ^ SHOWER (20910) coupled with the duo again on HIGHWAYS ARE M document of research of the post-war (1946) Blues, HAPPY WAYS, W It is published irregularly, averaging 3/4 issues PARKER GIBBS began to receive the cream of the refrains at ^ per year. THERE IS NO SUBSCRIPTION SYSTEM f this point, including MY TROUBLES ARE OVER (21809), YOU RE TO BLUES RESEARCH, EACH ISSUE ^ COSTS THE CREAM IN MY COFFEE (21767), a marvelous Cobblestones 5 THIRTY CENTS (U.S.A.), THIRTY FIVE CENTS (21105), EVERYBODY LOVES MY BABY (21173), NOTHIN' ON ^ (FOREIGN). Also available from DEREK COLLER rMY MIND/HE'S TALL AND DARK AND HANDSOME (21364) and, € at 25 BROAD FIELD, HARLOW, ESSEX, ENGLAND, by John McAndrew ^perhaps his best two: WHAT A DAY! (22038) and MISS WONDER- i 2/6d each. &J*FUL (22137), from the film, PARIS, but not one of the Cole < Futureissues of BLUES RESEARCH are announced songs. The wax world, that is, I didn't and don't know much ^ Porter sides backed by other Weems gems featur- in the parent publication, RECORD RESEARCH. about Ted Weems as a person, but 1 never have forgotten my first ^ Some of these were ing one of the most stylish and jazz- influenced voices ever heard THE FOLLOWING BACK ISSUES Ted Weems record. 1 was young and callow and my slowly ) «^> V\ in a pop. dance band: ARTHUR JARRETT. He certainly was one AVAILABLE: sprouting taste buds hadn't progressed very far, and 1 was mainly ARE NOW tenors of his time who, interested in the other side, which was TED MORSE MEDLEY, by $ ^of the most persuasive and unhackneyed
paralleling the fate of the band that brought him fame t jO$v BLUES RESEARCH Victor's house band, The Manhattan Merrymakers. Then I turned *>§ somewhat stride he so richly deserved. Early Jarrett* ^v it over and got a far bigger kick out of the bubbling, bouncy MY y never quite hit the Ijjui Gi COVERING wonders for DREAM RIVER (21339); ANYTHING YOUR^f | GAL SAL by this band thatwasn't quite jazz but was indescribably 4S V refrains did ME AND THE MAN IN THE MOONJ*^ more alive than the polite, placid Sunday-school essay on the V > HEART DESIRES (21767), liE I PASSING FANCY (22038) , To me f |*i back. Although they stuck fairly close to the melody, the arrange- * OL(21809) and especially AM A to a waltz that imbued it with the vigor of ment was fresh and quite unorthodox for its day, and the instru- ^ji he brought distinction Jy*j a tingling fox-trot; the previously mentioned Dream River, for \^ (from UC ments were cleverly blended and judiciously featured and they JX ?J & - I'M ASKING IS SYMPATHY OF jGOfTTSTAR improvised in a special delightful quite different from the | one, and the memorable ALL THAT v$ It's a great little book with a great big heart for one of our way Issue 6 out- of- supply ^(22236) which unquestionably is the standout version of this great troupers, PETE JOHNSON hack dance bands on most of the labels. The originality, verve who is down on his luck, physically. David melody. The orchestra and Jarrett shared Label and clean musicianship weretocarry Ted Weems and his Orchestra gossamer Burke- Issue 7 The MODERN There are many BLUES, who know Pete - and there are many who will get honors on LITTLE JOE (22646) and the first (I think) YOU GAVE Issue 8: More MODERN; RPM, METEOR, ever higher until he reached quite a dazzling peak a decade to know Pete through this smart little volume. Here EVERYTHING BUT LOVE (by Gus Kahn and his lyricist wife); & RHYTHM, FLAIR, CROWN (78rpm), is a good later and a bit beyond, or until the advent of the brassy swing ME letter Prom HANS J* MAUERER, I FOUND YOU OUT (21773), THERE'S TOO MANY EYES (22157) CROWN (LP), KENT. 6 Frankfurt/Ma in-Rodelheim, band changed the face of dance music completely and killed off is bracketed with a deft ' I STILL GET A THRILL, which Burgfriedenstr*2, WEST GERMANY, most of the lesser bands; and by 'lesser, I in popularity, and Issue 9: out- of- supply mean GIBBS SING from M. G, M's THE DOUGHBOY. * v "LET ME DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO MY RECENT BOOK, THE PETE JOHNSON not quality, for the Weems group ranked with the very best, but PARKER (22515), Is sue 10: ABCO, COBRA, ARTISTIC, PARROT, thirties, recording was beginnin to lose its appeal had always been rather specialized and consequently It was then the early g V<£ STORY - A COMPLETE BIOGRAPHY AND DISCOGRAPHY WITH SOME \$ PIC BLUE LAKE, UNITED, STATES, Weems was now at its invig orating, red- with little mass popularity so that it was among the early casual- N^ ^? its thinness, and the frand TURES (MOST OF THEM NEVER ISSUED BEFORE). THE BOOK SABRE; BLUES & REVIEWS WAS EDITED that the later bands labeled CHANCE, MoodeT"peak~. It swung in a way ties, although it did not fade out quickly. ^Y^f ^ (Barry Hansen). BY MYSELF IN BEHALF OF PETE JOWS0N, THE AILING BOOGIE-WOOGIE and withal never murdered a melody A * The first Weems records were made in the last months of the 'swing' hardly ever swung, N > PIANIST. SUN, GOLDBAND. BULLET THE BOOK SELLS FOR US-DOLL AR $$,95 PER COPY, ALL TfC It a perfectly integrated, compact group with a Issue 11 ACE. acoustical method, which was kinder to Weems than to some of ^ as they did. was
CONTINENTAL JAZZ DISCOLOGY to have been given. This was at Green's Playhouse Ballroom. !*&? by Harold Flakser But, the date of this performance has not been pinned down. But, THE COBWEBS en ie*wo™ Af /ft it is believed to have taken place between the 5th & 7th. THE 1933 DUKE ELLINGTON EUROPEAN SOJOURN Prior to returning to London, the Orch. gave a concert at Harrogate, at the Royal Hall, on the 9th (Sun.). One of the most important tours, of the Old World, made by Returning to London, the Orch. commenced a six- day engage- an American jazz orchestra during the mid-30*s, was that by the ment at the Holborn Empire, doubling at the Firisbury Park Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1933. This researcher had always Empire. This took place from the 10th (Mon.) thru the 15th been curious about the day-to-day itinerary of this first European (Sat. ). It was during this week, specifically on the 13th, that the sojourn by Ellington and decided to try to document the British De (E) session was cut. It is very possible that the Or(E)-cut inter- LETTERS! We get letters and they are piled all over the desk, and Continental tour by pinpointing the public concert and ball- view session obtained during this week, too. in drawers and on the shelves. And it is almost impossible for us room appearances, radio broadcasts, recording sessions and other On the 16th (Sun.) at 2:00 p.m., there was a concert given, to answer all but a very few of them by writing a letter in return. highlights of the tour. at the Trocadero Cinema, sponsored by the MELODY MAKER. Those that offer listings of issues on labels we've asked for data The tour embraced only three countries: Great Britain, The This was the Duke's farewell concert in Great Britain: but, it was about or items they feel are of importance to our research, are Netherlands and France. The time- span was from June 9th thru by no means, his last appearance there in July. Barry Ulanov errs data entered in the proper master and Aug. duly processed and the 2nd, of which 55-day period, only nine days were spent on in his 1946 -published work, "DUKE ELLINGTON" (p, 148) in catalog files. If questions are asked or opinions preferred, we the Continent and 46 in Great Britain. Panassie, writing his stating that there were two concerts at the famous Salle Pleyel in will put the material in a column if we feel it is of sufficient "souvenirs" in his "DOUZE ANNEES DE JAZZ (1927-1938)", has Paris, "on successive Saturdays, (page 102) 1233-2/1234-3 also on Triangle 11185; 1879 and 1880 July 22 and 29,..". It was interest. If we do feel we should answer any, these get put in a it (p. 107) that Ellington toured, in addition to Great Britain and believed that Duke would either commence a Continental tour also on Grey Gull/Radiex 1234 and Carnival 11421; (page 105) or pile and, with luck, they will get answers in the future , , . which The Netherlands, "quelques autres pays europeens. " But, precise- return 105481 also on Domino 379 as by Lucky Strike Dance to the States on the 17th, And, by as late as, the 13th, no may be a few months or a year or so! But we do want everyone Orchestra ly which European countries the Ellington Orchestra performed in, firm booking with Domino control number 11079; 106209 also on Banner 1601 had been fixed. At the last moment a final six- day to know that we appreciate your interest and we do want you to prior to its arrival in France, aside from The Netherlands, (as by Imperial Dance Orchestra) and Oriole 475 (as by Dixie Jazz and engagement was fixed for Birmingham, where the Orch. commen- keep writing. Great Britain, Panassie does not state. It will be Band) (with assigned Plaza add to date Oct. shown that this ced on the 17th at the Hippodrome, terminating on the 22nd LABEL OF THE MONTH! We've been listing so many New mx 6153); of 14, is not correct and that Ellington performed only in Great Britain (Sat.). 1926 - 107144 - "She Belongs To Me" on Perfect 14724 and Pathe Obviously, then, the Duke did not perform in Paris on Flexo records in the previous two columns that it seems appropriate and The Netherlands before arriving in France. July 36543; (page 109) mx 108500 should be for title " Gloria na" and 22nd. In actual fact, the Duke and his Orch. did not depart to have that label-as this month's entry in the LOM category. So, Unfortunately, there are still a very few performances that Great Britain until not as given; Page 116 - Joe Candullo; Master for August 1926 the 24th (Mon. ) (8:30 p. m. ). here is the
WE HAVE HAD SOilE reminiscing in 1 BEYOND THE IMPRESSION LETTERS ASKING J OBSCURITIES Woody ^~v— US FOR THE BACK } REPORTED BY JOHN STEINER Small /Change Backemto ISSUES WHICH DO by Frank Kelly CONTAIN DATA FOR THE FOLK AND/OR Al Starck, Nee nan, Wisconsin is constantly on the Dear Mr. McAndrew, FOLK BLUES lookout for unrecognized jazz. records NICHOLS' CORNET 625 West 169 Street, New York, N. Y. 10032 He brought two FANCIER which 1 thought of interest, and I sent copies to Frankie I have read, with great interest, your article on HERE IS A TOKEN Quartell and to Brian Rust. They were: MUTED FOREVER "WHERE ARE Isham Jones in the current issue of Record Research. LIST OF THOSE THEY NOW?" ISSUESo THEY ARE BAL TABERIN JAZZ ORCHESTRA Vamp (Gay) 12034 It was a fine band and its Victor records, especially, ALL AVAILABLE Don't you remember the jazz vocal trio, Lambert, You'd Be Surprised (Berlin). 120 51- 2 Lyric 4210 proved this time and time again. NICHOLS' CORNET MUTED FOREVER- dateline Las Vegas, AT 30 CENTS EACH* Hendricks & Ross? DAVE LAMBERT this past Summer did a #*) My interest in the Isham Jones band of this period is Nevada, June 28, 1965. TV and radio flashed the news? news- RR 23 comedy part in a film with the Chicago troupe called The further enhanced due to the presence of Milt Yaner in papers carried the obituary along with a capsule flashback 27 of his the -- Second City. Next Fall he will spin jazz discs (live) four Rust: Alto sax certainly Bennie Krueger, others unidenti- line-up, for Milt is a native Oshkoshian. 29 life Loring "Red" Nichols was on the music scene for over 40 nites per week over N. Y. City's FM station WBAI, JON Shortly after the release of the Victor LP reissue of years, he helped start fiable, 30 many big name leaders to their successes, 1 HEND1CKS has been doing a single touring of the Nation's some of Jones sides, I had an opportunity to be with 31 he led orchestras for hit Broadway shows and top early radio pro- Quartell: If I am not mistaken it was Greer's Orchestra clubs thru the G. A. C, office. ANNIE ROSS is married in Milt and we both listened to this record. 34 grams, and had his life immortalized in the Paramount movie of San Francisco, and they made Vamp about 1920, England and doing record and TV work there. YOLANDA At that time, I asked him for the line-up and this 36 "The Five Pennies" in 1959, 1 Steiner: of ODJB (styles of BAVAN, who took ANNIE ROSS place when Miss Ross re- Pre- Ted Lewis imitators is what he gave me: 35 Ironically, Red left his Pennies at The Mint -- yes, Red 40 turned to her native England, has been doing road shows Raderman, Wiedoft, Fuller) Tpts: Johnny C a risen, Billy Scott, George Thow Nichols and his Five Pennies opened at the fabulous new Mint 41 and this past Summer was performing at R. C. A. 's World's HAROLD WHITE & HIS ORCHESTRA - Gosh Darn (Young- Tbns: Jack Jenny replaced by Sonny Lee Hotel on May 27th, in the Lounge on top of Nevada's tallest 42 Fair Exhibit, GEORGE HANDY, the arranger for BOYD Coots) 11649-1 _Pe 15597, Red Ballard replaced by Earle Hag en building, the plus $14 million, 26 stories of 350 rooms, almost a 43 RAEBURN's far out big jazz band, re- married and lives in (Andy Griffith show) self-contained city, in 47 the downtown entertainment area of Las Rust: Rec, Orch. NY's NYC, Apr, 5, 1932 as Lou Gold & his Reeds; Milt Yaner - alt, clt, Vegas. Greenwich Village section. He plans to re-enter the 54 Sounds like Charlie Butterfield (tbn. Dick McDonough active Jazz World. JERRY JEROME, who blew tenor sax with ), Vic Hauprich - alt 56 This column has been dedicated to Red's activities , so a recap T (gtr, ) or perhaps Carl Kress, HARRY RESER s Cliquot Eskomos, BENNY GOODMAN, GLEN Saxie Mansfield - tenor 58 is hardly in order. Red's impact on the music scene has been felt Quartell: The only Harold White I can remember was a MILLER, ARTIE SHAW, RED NORVO, NBC staff, radio Chuck Gentry - bar 62 and will never be forgotten WNEW — fortunately thousands of recorded guitarist and vocalist. Gosh Darn was a 1932 tune. and WPLX-TV staff, etc. - nowadays is doing very well in Violins: Nick Hufner, Eddie Stone, loe Martin a passages live on in his memory. First a schooled musician, a Marty Marsala: Harold White was in brother Joe's band in 66 N. Y. 's Madison Avenue's radio - TV jungle factories. PETER Piano: James "Jiggs" Noble born leader, an innovator, an organizer, a perfectionist, a task- Chicago for a time. Good guitarist, DONALD, the ex -big time radio comedian & panelist, etc. - Guitar: Jack Blanchette master, a true professional, a businessman, a showman, loved by 6Q nowadays lives in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. where he does radio, String Bass; Dick Kissinger millions, often misunderstood by critics but rarely by musicians, SAMMY WATKINS & HIS ORCHESTRA - Memphis 69 TV, club and occasional film acting. FRANK QUINN, 2 Tuba: Joe Bishop *************** sometimes outspoken, always dedicated, warm hearted and (Watkins-Watkins- Davidson) B- 11464 A Pe 155#97 movie & amusement writer for the defunct N. Y. Daily Mir- Drums: Wally Lageson FOLLOWING HAVE friendly — just a few of the words fitting to Red, Mortal minds ror, today does publicity for the Hotel Diplomat in Holly- Rust; Rec, NYC Mar. 12, 1932 as Les Peabody and his Vocalists: Eddie Stone, Joe Martin, Billy Scott INFORMATION can not conceive that Red's Maker rewarded him with eternal wood, Fla. FRANKIE LAINE still sings in Las Vegas, Los Memphis Ramblers, Seems to be Mannie Klein (tpt. and for a while, Ina Ray Hutton, ON peace as compensation for a successful mission. Angeles, etc. clubs and owns & operates a Rambler auto Quartell: I remember Sammy from Cleveland. He sang Arrangers: Isham Jones, Gordon Jenkins, James EDISON IA Shortly before Red's Quartet closed at the Sheraton- West in agency in L. A. LEON AMES, the actor, and played sax, "Jiggs" Noble, Joe Bishop -30 CENTS EACH L. A, on May 10th, peddles Fords in we received our last bit of direct news -- Red RR 23 L. A. HAL CHANSLOR who played piano with several West Marsala: There was a Sammy Watkins around St. Louis. Managers: Arnold Frank (1932-34), Jim Breyley was busy making plans for a European tour with the Pennies next 27 Coast top bands, two of which were BEN POLLACK and (late in 1934) year — this was before The Mint beckoned for Nichols and his Of some Isham Jones sides which Clyde Hahn brought 2? HENRY HALSTEAD, nowadays is Director of Product Devel- You will note a slight Pennies. With a heavy pen, aching heart, confused mind, watery to my attention, Quartell had the identifications: difference in this line-up 33 opment at WHITESTONE ASSOCIATES in eyes, and lumpy throat, Fullerton, Calif, from that in the picture accompanying your article. we make the last "Small Change" unless GET LUCKY Br 2678 - Al Eldridge, piano, Louis % there appears MICHAEL KIDD, the Broadway choreographer, is now the Most likely, the unidentified violinist in your 37 to be a future need for this currency, Panico, trumpet. prop, of the Red Fox Inn in the Vermont Alps. Singer MARY picture is Nick Hufner and, of course, you now have 38 RIVER BOAT SHUFFLE - Br 2854 - Art Layfield, drums FORD, who split with hubby LES FORD professionally & per- the complete last name of the pianist. 40 SAM RUBY, long-time tenor saxophonist with the CALIFORNIA Frank Quartell, trumpet. 41 sonally, is currently doing a single, using her sister and I have ordered extra copies of this issue of RR and RAMBLERS (see RR #32), has been in touch with staffer Woody SWEET GEORGIA BROWN - Br 2913 - Frank Quartell with 44 brother in the act. What do great show beauties and models plan to mail one of them to Milt, who resides in Backensto. Sam has been very ill for several years. Perhaps a who had palpitating derby over bell. 47 men not too many years ago do? Well, Kenosha, Wis. and then talk to him about it (article) - - 48 few readers would like to supply a cheery thought or helping hand. ^ORIGINAL CHARLESTON Br 2970 Joe Miller, Banjo; )' we have CHOO CHOO JOHNSON, who was drum beater for I will advise you of the results, if interested. (Yes! Ed. Ruby served in the Royal during World Clarence Heidke, sax; Frank Quarterly 4J Sam Canadian Navy the swank N, Y. restaurant BOCACCIO and hostess- saleslady -i^ Have you the line-up of the Isham Jones picture in 54 War II, As a result he decided to go to a Canadian Veterans and - - at B. Altman's on Fifth Avenue, nowadays works in N. Y, for SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD Br 3022 F.Q., the book "Great Dance Bands?" If so, I would be most 55 Military Hospital for treatment (Sunny Brook Hospital, Ward 5-B the trumpet; Al Moulding, sax solo; Roy Bargy, piano; publishers of the ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA, HARRY grateful if you could see vour way clear to forwarding % West, Bed 533-2, Toronto 12, Canada). Music has been his life. tenor sax by Isham Jones, Leo Murphy, violin. CONLEY, who headlined at N. Y. Palace theatre during its this to me. -Dave Kingsbaker Osbkcsh, Wise. 58 He especially would like to learn what is new and jumping in the Vaudeville heyday, is now a member of the current N. Y.hit, Concerning the Melody Shieks on early Okeh*s, Hahn 60 field of Dixieland music. He reports that others around him have THIS IS BURLESQUE. B. MITCHELL REED, who was a very suggests that the trumpet sounds like^Qualey, which Loads of correspondence are In, similar interests. popular R&R DJ at N. Y. 100% R&R station WMCA, nowadays seems to me to be a good guess. \0/^A Loads of correspondence will be Apparently many records produced in the States can not be C«6| iWfjJl. spins R&R at L. A, 's KFWB radio. ANDY MANSFIELD, once printed. See next issue. purchased in Canada. Actually, Sam has had unfortunate ex- pianist- arranger with RAY MILLER'S band, has for several Mention of Louis Panic o as solo trumpet on the early periences with shipping records from NYC to Canada. Sam pur- BEYOND THE IMPRESSION (CONTINUED) years been a very successful DJ at L, A, 's pioneer station, Isham Jones record recalls that in a recent conversation chased several items at the Colony Record Shop in NYC -- The KFI. Remember cutie pie MARY CARLISLE in BING CROS- Panico denied mat Frank Teschemacher ever worked with Best of Al Hi rt and Pete Fountain, Red Nichols* first and second GLOVER COMPTON ft BY'S early film COLLEGE HUMOR? Today Mary and her ex- him, much less recorded with him (thus squelching a iff albums, and a couple of Pete Fountain recordings »- which never actor mate JIMMY BLAKELY operate ELIZABETH ARDEN's vague, old rumor). It also recalls that in an interview When Glover died a year ago, his wife Nettie gave I" arrived because they were lost, stolen or strayed. Furthermore, Beauty Salon in Beverly Hills, Calif. Yes, Mary still looks with Bill Davison three years ago, I learned that Bill's me a test pressing which had pen- printed on the label he paid for a Pete Fountain album which was to be sent to the youngish, but Jimmy looks older. BENNY STRONG (vocalist) bid for big time attention (early twenties) was based on CHIRPING THE BLUES Alberta Hunter and Glover Comp- hospital; he never received this or has been able to trace it. who had successful bands in the L. A. area is back in action his being able to duplicate the recorded Panico solos. ton. The test is a pressing with the master number 5016. IIP If readers could locate a spare record or two in the category with a band in L, A, 's MYRON BALLROOM. PHIL DUEY of Now, in George Kay's story about the Fosdick's in the A bit worn, Glover must have loved it. Alberta speaks mentioned, Sam and the people around him would be most the orig. REVELERS QUARTET now is choral dir, at the Uni- current JAZZ NOTES, Dudley Fosdick is quoted as saying to him after her first chorus saying "play it Glover". appreciative to receive them. In sending records to Canada, versity of Michigan. Remember KELLER SISTERS & LYNCH of Panico that Red Nichols was playing an imitation JOHN'S ADDRESS IS 1444 No&reenvi&w, M 3 shipment should be marked as an "unsolicited gift having no Ghioago 22 111 of vaudeville & radio??? Frank LYNCH (pianist for the sis- when he arrived in New York. The young fellows were intrinsic value". Here's a chance for those who enjoy Sam's kind ters) f nowadays owns an Oklahoma radio station. TATTY apparently swayed by Panico s recording success, for even TT3 # BLOBS RESEARCH 02 HAS BEEN PUBLISHED, 20 PAGES #F of music to share it with him. KELLER is deceased, and sister NAN lives in Chicago and is his contemporaries, for example Quartell and Jug Jernberg, HUNDREDS OP LISTINGS ON CORAL 65000, GROOVE, AND 0KEH6800 retired from biz. ^UES RESEARCH 13 IS RI0HT ON THE HEELS OP BR 12 AND WOODYts ADDRESS show DAVE GARROWAY, for awhile a DJ- knew the style as "banda del Roma" and leaned their j IS 37 R.0IRARD ST., WOODBURY tm JERSEY WIlITbE A dRIAT"CHlCA00 ISSUE. CHECKERJ MIRACLE* SUNRISE! talker over WCBS radio, recently r was co-host of ABC- TV's ears to Ray Lopez and Joe Oliver. PREMIUM4 COLTI AND U0REIJ GET EH WHILE THEY'RE HOT. "NITELIFE". 300 EACH TO RECORD RESEARCHES ORAHD AVE».BROOKLYN U20S —
Some of the 'Kansas City Blues" things piled on the table are record albums - at BLUES ARE MY BUSINESS by VICTORIA SPIVEY by WILLIE JACKSON least the covers and the notes, the records are leaning against the By phonograph - and over the last few years a great deal of new Ton all ANTHONY know Willie j>ckton tod jog material has been printed by unsuspecting record companies who all know tbat & you'll be really BLUES mining plenty don't want anything more than a sentence printed in large ROTANTE if joy don't hear hit latest letters - "THIS IS Colombia A GREAT RECORD! ! IF YOU DON'T BUY IT Record. Tne titlet of the selection* ire YOU'RE NO FRIENDS OF OURS. " They have to put up with real "KanmCity H Blue." and T,B. Blue*"- note writers, however, who have often had important new material be lore to hear them, for they to add. are good. There are albums piled up like the Shirley Griffith record THE DISCOGRAPHY OF BOB that Art Rosenbaum did for the Prestige Bluesville series. Shirley GAPPY EXPLORATORY NAME LISTING Record No. 14284-D, mm. tsc learned ...Bob Gaddy many of his blues from Tommy Johnson, the great singer Is an excellent Blues pianist aid vocalist and Kansas City Blues living in Jackson, Mississippi, and in the notes Art has included has remained in comparative obscurity except for T. B. Blues a local VociU—Willi* Jttkioa Shirley's reminiscences Tommy's of life in the 'twenties. In popularity in Harlem New York City, Chris Strachowitz's A*k first Arhoolie release by Ma nee Lipscomb he Your Dtahr fa, Utttt flaee Record Catalog and His Alley Cats included a lengthy booklet written by Mack McCormick which *~**+**m im »*»» *» a* goes into ^5£» M Mance's musical" backgrounds' «7^U althelourc^^f Mi*5 I BELIEVE YOU GOT A SIDEKICK JACKSON 250? the S°ngS themselves and this is in a of ' Pile papers on top of the COlUlIlJbia^fl^'Re n » V wto COrdS**-*^ BICYCLE BOOGIE ^gVXkr .uj_jAr oPB "" piano bench. I've also gotten out Duncan Schiedt's excellent (Kt*2 pw*f Itrmv&q piece or L IQ Ufy are Sonny Terry) f* M.deth*NWw^ y p* rr that Columbia Panted on the back of their ! u ^ reissue album and the newest Del mark release, Stavin Chain Blues, and His Alley Cats with Bob Koester's reminiscences of the early years of Delmark NO records and JW55 HELP WANTED JAX 508 ***** the sessions he did with Big Joe Williams and J. D. A PHOTO IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS****** Short. (Len Kunstadt and Vic Spivey have Ji*05l* LITTLE GIRLS BOOGIE (Ellen Gaddy)" « been busy, toot and SOME THOUGHTS ON BLUES WRITING - 1965 I've got their newest release, "Mr. Shortstuff near (W55 & 1*056 are by Brownie die phonograph McGhee) TWEE NEW KINGS WITH THE POOR QUEENi That's a convertible, by to play whenever I take a moment off. One of the truly fine and His Keys Samuel Charters Folks. Seated next to me are Little Brother Montgomery who contemporary blues Ip's!) 0760K BLUES HAS WALKED IN MY ROOM HARLEM 2550 was in NYC for an appearance at Gerde's Folk City, and right D76I SLOW if I spent the summer of The magazines have been generous with the space they've DOWN BABY ft 1959 living in the cellar of a small behind him is Lonnie Johnson who was blaring New York City for house in Brooklyn, given to blues pieces, and I've got a folder full New York, while I worked on the book of pages that I've (758*759 are Sonny Terry) (7624765 are "THE Brownie McGhee) 5 months with engagements at Gerde's, The Owl and The Gaslight, COUNTRY BLUES" - "JAZZ, A HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK ripped out of some of the issues of the last five years. Pete piano to Lonnie's side is Sonny Greer who was gigging at the SCENE" as Welding, writing for Downbeat in Chicago, and vocal j Brownie McGhee, guitar and And well, once the blues book was finished - and I've has been doing an etc. never forgotten the hot nights and excellent job filling in the stories of some of the local men, and 855 OPERATOR (Dupree-Smith) OLD TOWN Metrcpole. We had just finished a t* hour recording date for the bleary mornings that I worked 1051 over the there's a piece on Sleepy John Estes that I me all the solid typewriter. This summer, six years later, I'm spending I've left near the top of 856 LOVE MY BABY(Mordy Dupree) « ti my own record company in which the boys gave another the pile. Jim Delehant, hot summer in New York working on another blues book, too, has managed to print a number of support you could expect from great true blue veterans. In piino,bass, guitar but writing blues pieces in the "Rythm and Blues" and drums on the blues now is very different from writing then.' Magazine that he edits for addition to my vocals, Little Brother chimed in beautifully 871 PAPER LADY(Dupree) Sometimes in 1959 I had Charlton publications. Thanks to Jim we have pieces on Muddy OLD TOWN 1q6i* spent weeks in libraries and collections with two vocals, surprising me with one being my Black Snake Waters, Bobby Bland, B, trying to find something that someone had written about the B. King, Tommy Tucker, and Howling piano and vocalj early Jimmy Wright,tpj Larry Dale(gu)f Al Hall(b) Blues. And did he sing itll Lonnie also made the date a blues and the early Wolf. Koester and Welding have done some of the writing, blues singers, but I found almost nothing. A and Gene Moore(dms) few interviews Jim has done quite a bit of interviewing himself. strong one by adding to 2 vocals. Lonnie is so much blues in old jazz magazines, some reviews in a literary re*Cashbox U/lO/58 run down the climaxes of journal in the late 1920's, and some I've got another folder of letters and manuscript articles that that tears his face when he reached ads from the Negro news- 895 WOE WOE IS ME(Bob Gaddy) OLD TOWN 1050 papers were about the extent of the written I've been sent, too. George Mitchell has been sending material nis songs. And then there is Sonny Greer. Everybody knows documentary material 891* RIP ANp RUN(Gaddy-Dupree) " tt tt v ' on the Georgia singers, and John Fahey did a I same available to someone doing any research. On these hot July nights long series of inter- pereonnel) what a wonderful great drummer Sonny is (history can tell you) views of 1965, however, I sit with piles with Bukka White for an article which is still waiting to be YOU ARE THE ONE « of material beside me, There 909 (Gaddy 4 Richburg)" 10?7,107U - and I can tell you that his drumming for Blues singers is printed, are articles, record jacket notes, Victoria Spivey, of course, has been writing her column magazine interviews, even 910 TAKE MY ADVICE (Gaddy & Richburg) " « « « a dream* You can't be lazy with Sonny around on the skins, in Record newspaper stories, as well as pages of new interview Research's pages, and her old friends have made their and historical as he really made me give out with his inspiring technique. material. In the last six years appearance for Record Research readers. Taken all in all, the there has been a small revolution Unknown amount of paper I have sitting around the front in the writing and the research being done in the blues, room of our very 925 WHAT WOULD I DO It is particularly small apartment is enough to make the place look like a second- (Gaddy) OLD TOWN 1061* interesting to see that none of this work is being done by the academic hand book store. folklorists of the American academic Jnknown The writing goes slower with so much to look through - I community. There have been no grants or assistanceships have given TILL THE to hundreds of pages of new research material myself from the work m DAY I DIE (Gaddy) OLD TOWN 1070 anyone who wanted to do work in tracing down old singers and over the last six years - but it certainly is more tun than it 955 I'LL GO MY WAY (Bob Gaddy) ff « ir the sources of their music. The collectors have done the job was because they in 1959. Send us more revolutions like this! felt it had to be done, and thanks to their efforts Unknown the story of many older bluesmen has been saved from what would 91*8 EARLY ONE MORNING (Bob Gaddy) OLD TOWN 1077 probably have been complete oblivion in only a few years time. It 91*9 WHAT WRONG DID I DO It ff It would be an * = overwhelming job to list all of the new materials —^— * • ^ that the new writers have found and written about, but it's inter- DOWN HOME BLUES DEPARTMENT: MONROE "MOE " JACKSON ON MERCURY esting to leaf through some of the piles of printed work around the MUNROE "MOE" JACKSON With His Guitar Blues typewriter to see some of the things that have been done. MY DOOR(Boyett) BH1 2*50)MER 8127 One 2205 GO 'WAY FROM (Wing of the recent pieces that was added to the stack was a printed MUNROE "MOE" dACKSON With His Guitar Boogie Piano by folder that Bill Givens and Pete Whalen slipped into Volume \ Mason Brown 8 of their Origin Jazz Library series. With the help of IT ON 0VER(Wi Uiams){Acuff-Rose BMI 2jl*0) « " Gayle Dean Wardlow, who is doing research in Mississippi, they 22QI* MOVE have tried to Just in* 2205 has been reissued on BLUES CLASSIC LP No.5 give as much available biographical information as possible Who is this most intriguing dispenser of the happy down- on some of the bluesmen whose records they've reissued, blues vehicle? A real super be Item Tor those who dig including Sam Collins, Skip James, Charley Patton, and Son home House. They already included Bernard Klatzko's fine story on the their blues earthy. "Moe" is Ul. .Versatility en 2205 trip Bernie and Wardlow made through Charley Patton's country as you can hear streaks Of Blind Willie Johnsontgrowl and To my left is none other than Mr. Folk Music hi itself, Moe in Mississippi in the notes to their volume 7, which was a second nasality), Leadbelly (moans and dramatics) and Charlie Asch - and to my right is Little Bro. Montgomery who I have volume of Patton reissues. The new Son House recording is not Lincoln (sardonic humor and laughter!, and a heck of a lot yet mentioned above. This photo was taken of out on Columbia, but Julius Lester did a lengthy interview in the rear Gerdes of Moe. He's an old fashion guitar picker, too. On the with Son and itwas printed in a recent issue of Sing Out magazine. Folk City where Little Brother and eharming Barbara Dane had flip side Moe captures the Hokum Boys chanting style, ace. The copy on top of my desk is already well thumbed. a two week engagement in June. 8 by a Tennesse-style of Blues piano, Mason Brown. , 2 A 1 I
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