vintage music!

[Hannigan Reilly]

(Is this the right forum for this thread?)

who are your favorites? I am on an Al Jolson kick right now, and the Andrews Sisters. Dean Martin is probably my favorite all-time, then Sinatra. Also Jimmy Durante and Louis Prima. I-Tunes is really facilitating on a lot of popular vintage music. I listen to the two streaming stations that were linked on here in another thread somewhere and I love them! I have them streaming 12 hours a day.
Anyone care to share their favorites/make recommendations?

[Vladimir Berkov]

Right now I am really interested in vintage tango as well as Viennese waltzes. A strange combination I know!

For tango my current favorites are:
Anibal Troilo
Orchestra Tipica Victor
Juan D'Arienzo

My two favorite Strauss waltzes are:
Vienna Bonbons
Gartenlaube

[Benny Holiday]

and of course I love Benny Goodman's work, hence my Lounge membership name.

It's unbelievable, and also great for my budget, that the music stores here are throwing away some of the best music ever made for just a couple of bucks per CD. Lately, I've been listening to a lot of Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby from the 1930's. I've got a brilliant version of 'Dinah' that starts a medium pace, then halfway through the tempo increases and the Mills Bros join in with Bing. Smooth as silk.

I've got two 'Fabulous Forties' box sets that I listen to a lot, and I'm mad about all the Swing bands, from Andy Kirk to Count Basie to Woody Herman.
And Dean Martin . . . now that guy was cool. Hannigan, whaddya think of Nat 'King' Cole? Man, the list could go on and on . . .

[Tony in Tarzana]

I use Rhapsody, it's a music subscription service by Real Networks. It's $9.99 a month and you can download music without anybody getting angry. ;)

[Absinthe_1900]

Check out the original 78's, Big band era 78's are generally fairly cheap, toss 'em on a schoolhouse type Califone phonograph, and you can hear them the way they were intended.

They'll outlive modern self destructing CD's.

[LizzieMaine]

I've been collecting 78s since I was 13 (first records I ever bought for myself were a Columbia album set of the Benny Goodman Sextet,) and have been accumulating them ever since. Right now they have a whole closet to themselves, and I've had to scale back on new purchases for the sake of lack of space...

I've got a lot of music from the late twenties/early thirties era, a period which produced some really lovely songs. My current listening is focusing mostly on mid-thirties pop -- Crosby, the Boswell Sisters, Dick Powell, Mildred Bailey, etc. -- as well as the dance bands of that era.

There's a *lot* of vintage music to be found most any day on the Usenet binary groups -- try alt.binaries.sounds.78rpm-era and you're bound to find something nifty!

[TheRetropolitan]

I second the recommendation of Rhapsody. You can pick an artist, click on "Artist So-and-So Radio," and voila! You've got a radio station that streams music of that artist and similar ones. Plus, you can stream the service from their website, so as long as you're near a computer you'll never be without it.

Try the Atomic Fireballs!

[Rosie]

I would like some music recommendations from you guys. Right now, I LOVE Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald (LOVING ELLA, I listen to her much of the day) Coltrane, Miles Davis, Benny Goodman, Nina Simone, Ellington, Jimmy Scott but truthfully, no one I know listens to older music and so, I don't know which albums are "essentials", etc. Not very long ago, someone posted a song by Billie I had never heard as well as a great song by an orchestra, I liked those a lot so, any suggestions guys?:)

[RetroMom]

My absolute top favorites are Nat King Cole and Billy Eckstine.:)

For easy listening I also like Perry Como, Keely Smith (with or without Louis Prima). For jazz I like Brubeck, Monk, Miles Davis,Getz, Simone, Etta James and of course, Ella! I also enjoy the "Rat Pack" singers, Sinatra/Dean Martin/Sammy Davis Jr and Bobby Darin (in his later years)

Where I live, I cannot get any type of Jazz or what used to be called, "Music of Your Life" type radio stations :mad: . Our cable station (Comcast) does offer music stations with the digital cable plan, so I have that tuned in all day long (or until my 4 year old wants to watch cartoons!)

[Naama]

I also LOVE Billie Holliday! Can't get enough of her wonderfull voice!

Naama

[Novella]

I love Annette Hanshaw, the Boswell Sisters, Cliff Edwards, Dick Powell, and late 20s/early 30s jazz dance bands. I've been on a Dick Powell kick since I watched the Busby Berkeley musicals he's in.

[Wild Root]

I love Annette Hanshaw, the Boswell Sisters, Cliff Edwards, Dick Powell, and late 20s/early 30s jazz dance bands. I've been on a Dick Powell kick since I watched the Busby Berkeley musicals he's in.

Dick Powell is so cool! I love the Busby Berkeley movies he's in! The way he sang "I only have eyes for you" just sends me! I'm a big fan of his and the early to mid 30's films he was in! Got to love 42nd street!

Did I hear 78's? Hahahaha oh man, don't even get me started! There is nothing I love more then the sound of a real 78rpm on a vintage player! My 1940 GE is the player I use! She's a 78rpm only player. The sound that comes out of that thing is magic!

My taste spans from the 20's to the late 40's. I do buy some 50's rock or pop only on 78rpm though. Any one here have some 78's with the "Perfect" label? It has two women kneeling with a great sun burst! Such a pretty label! I have only one on this lable and the A side is "On the good ship lollypop" it's so early 30's!!! I LOVE IT! I'm a big time Boswell fan, early Bing Crosby fan and well, just about anything from the late 20's and to the early 40's fan!

=WR=

[MelissaAnne]

Anything Big Band. And Frank Sinatra. I can listen to his one album "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" over and over.

[shindeco]

While on holiday in Asia, I discovered the girl singers from Shanghai in the 30s and 40s. Some fabulous music! Pathe has rereleased a lot of the recordings. Some good names are Lee Hsiang Lan (also spelled Li Xiang Lan) who has a voice like Deanna Durbin; Bai Kwong (Bai Gwong) and Yao Lee.

Vladimir, if you're into vintage tangos, check out some of these singers; they all recorded tangos (as well as rumbas) but all in Chinese!

If you have a Shanghai Tang store nearby, go in and just listen to the background music. They have 6 different songs that they play. They sell the CD; it's pretty good but fairly pricey. You only get 6 songs and the same 6 songs remixed as modern pop songs. If you go in to listen, you may get the remixed versions. Go for coffee and go back later; it will cycle through!

If only I could find the original 78s of these...!!

[Powerhouse]

Django Reinhardt & St?©phane Grappelli.

THE MOST AMAZING SOUNDS EVER CREATED!!!

[Powerhouse]

also try... Fred Waring, Coon-Sanders, Teddy Weems, George Olsen, Jimmy Lunceford, Woody Herman(HAPPY BIRTHDAY YESTERDAY!), Will Bradley, the Dorseys, Artie Shaw, ..... I could go on forever. Those are a good bunch to start with. Check out http://www.wfuv.org/wfuv/conaty.html. Every Sunday night from 8 to midnight on the air and also streaming on the web archived broadcasts. IT'S AMAZING! Ciao.

[Powerhouse]

oh yeah... as for the Boswell Sisters... Angelic Voices, I wish I could bring them back!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a9/m_maringola/connieboswell1.jpg

[Wild Root]

Ok, any one ever see this label? I mentioned it in my last post I think but, here's an image of what it looks like! I want more on this label!

http://www.dgarrick.com/cliffedwards/recordings/labels/images/78-California%20Here%20I%20Come.jpg

[Matt Deckard]

That label is perfect...

I'm stuck on fast paced 20's stuff at the moment Fletcher Henderson, Mills Brothers are my favorite... Radio Dismuke my friends, Radio Dismuke...

I have some random 78's from my friends Beauregards insane, "here take these kid" days back when we would get up at 5 to hit estate sales Now I randomely do that myself here in Ventura... anywho... Yeah, old music better... like fire to the cave man.

[otterhound]

Django Reinhardt
Louis Jourdan
Cab Calloway
Count Basie

... and more votes for Rhapsody. It is the best deal going.

[skwerl-hat]

i like this thread!
the early crooners just slay me

annete hanshaw (sp?)
rudy valee
smith ballew
bing crosby (when he was a young fellow especially)
ukealele ike edwards
:)

also hello to anyone here i havent been introduced to yet

[Uncletoad]

Hello. First post. Being a musician I thought I'd weigh in here first. I think the finest music composed and performed in the late 30's into the War years was by Duke Ellington. The band from '38 to '41 was amazing. The players during that era had distinct and singular musical personalities. Ellington used this to great advantage by writing around these players personalities in his composing rather than asking them to accommodate their playing to his ideas. His arrangements and compositions are considered by many to be the best of American composition from the 20th century. The CD "The Blanton Webster Years" has a lot of those tunes in it. I'd start there. The original "Black Brown and Beige" recordings and "Braggin in Brass the Immortal 1938 years" also document that high point in the band's output. There is much great music all around that era but it's my opinion that it all funnels out from the Duke.

[Rosie]

Thanks guys, I'll get very busy with all of this. Thanks again! :)

[Mr_Misanthropy]

Skerwl-hat,
I really dig that avatar. Gin or vodka?

[skwerl-hat]

thanks Misanthropy
well i would have said gin originally but i recently tried stoli vodka a favorite of one of my idols mr sinatra and now ill never go back :-D are you a connoseur?

[mysterygal]

welcome to the lounge skwerl-hat and uncletoad!
I could listen to Nat King Cole's voice all day, love it! so soothing
I also love Sinatra

[Mr_Misanthropy]

Yes Skwerl-hat, I suppose I am something of a connoisseur. But, our martini talk is a tad :offtopic: ... but never fear, you inspired me to start a new thread (http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?p=110375#post110375).

[skwerl-hat]

hah thats true... glad you were inspired

[The Reno Kid]

Hi, another newbie. I find that I like just about anything pre-1945 (and quite a lot of post '45). I really enjoy the Nat King Cole Trio. Oscar Moore (with Nat's trio) was a guitar pioneer. It seems like any of the big bands that I listen to rub me the right way. I'm especially fond of Glenn Miller, although his contemporaries tended to run him down (esp. Artie Shaw) because they didn't think he was jazzy enough.

Western Swing (Bob Wills, Milt Brown, Spade Cooley) are all a lot of fun. If you haven't listened to any, give it a try. I even have a couple of Sons of the Pioneers albums. I guess when it comes to the golden era, there really isn't much I don't like.

[Absinthe_1900]

Ok, any one ever see this label? I mentioned it in my last post I think but, here's an image of what it looks like! I want more on this label!

http://www.dgarrick.com/cliffedwards/recordings/labels/images/78-California%20Here%20I%20Come.jpg

I have some of those on brown shellac, I bought part of a collection in '94 that had several 20's dance band numbers on Perfect, I remember thinking the brown shellac was kind of different for a 78.
They are fun 20's numbers to spin.

[Quigley Brown]

Check out the original 78's, Big band era 78's are generally fairly cheap, toss 'em on a schoolhouse type Califone phonograph, and you can hear them the way they were intended.

They'll outlive modern self destructing CD's.

They're self destructing? Yikes! I'd better get them transfered onto 78s.

[Absinthe_1900]

The metal layer in CD's can, and will oxidize, when that happens the laser in your CD player will no longer be able to read the CD.

I've seen it in Laser Discs, CD's, and DVD's, it's not a new problem, and one the industry doesn't like to talk about.

[Wild Root]

Hi, another newbie. I find that I like just about anything pre-1945 (and quite a lot of post '45). I really enjoy the Nat King Cole Trio. Oscar Moore (with Nat's trio) was a guitar pioneer. It seems like any of the big bands that I listen to rub me the right way. I'm especially fond of Glenn Miller, although his contemporaries tended to run him down (esp. Artie Shaw) because they didn't think he was jazzy enough.

Western Swing (Bob Wills, Milt Brown, Spade Cooley) are all a lot of fun. If you haven't listened to any, give it a try. I even have a couple of Sons of the Pioneers albums. I guess when it comes to the golden era, there really isn't much I don't like.

Hey there Reno, I liked what you say. I enjoy early Nat King Cole Trio, some times it's just the right stuff to set the mood. I also love western swing! I have a CD of Milt Brown, it's fun stuff!! Bob Wills... Aah Haaa! Also a fun one! Say, there's a bad out this way in CA that call them selves the Lucky Stars... they play on vintage instruments and wear authentic 40's western outfits! They play really good! I love their music, they're a great band!

Glenn Miller:
What can I say, I couldn't agree more with you! Why is that most people today run him down? Oh yeah, they say he was too commercial and he wasn't Jazzy enough. Well, I have news for those guys... he wasn't a "Jazz band" he was a popular "Dance Band". If his music wasn't any good, he wouldn't have made gold records and also become a huge success with our fighting men in WWII. I understand that for some, if they hear "In the Mood" one more time, they'll tear their hair out! So, they write off all the wonderful songs he recorded with his pre-war band and his war time band. Well, before I go off the deep end, I'll just say that I'll defend that Band Leader to my dieing day.;)

I also love Coleman Hawkins! His sax is really smooth! I enjoy his style. What about Chick Webb? Any one know of this guy? His music was very popular at the Savoy in the mid to late 30's. He died at a young age due to spinal-bifida. He was in pain most of his life but, he pounded out some hot rhythm nevertheless! I believe he also gave Ella Fitzgerald her start!


They're self destructing? Yikes! I'd better get them transfered onto 78s.

lol lol lol Here I was planning to transfer my 78's to CD's!

=WR=

[The Reno Kid]

Glenn Miller:
What can I say, I couldn't agree more with you! Why is that most people today run him down? Oh yeah, they say he was too commercial and he wasn't Jazzy enough. Well, I have news for those guys... he wasn't a "Jazz band" he was a popular "Dance Band".

Glenn Miller made this very point himself in an interview I read a few days ago. He said explicitly that his band was not a jazz band. I think the point that a lot of people miss when they make these kinds of criticisms is that Glenn Miller (and many others, thankfully), played for an audience. The reason why I have no use for most modern jazz (or modern art, etc.) is that it seems to be aimed more at other artists than at a general audience--and intentionally so. I get the impression that a lot of people who aren't musicians (or artists) are "fans" of this stuff because they think it makes them appear more cultured or hip or whatever. I may be wrong on this one but...

Lord knows I've tried to listen to Miles Davis, John Coltrane, etc., but I just can't get into the freeform anarchy of it. I remember hearing some jazz quartet playing "Autumn Leaves." To me, it sounded like four very talented musicians improvising at the same time with no clear connecting theme. In a word, chaos.


What about Chick Webb? Any one know of this guy? His music was very popular at the Savoy in the mid to late 30's. He died at a young age due to spinal-bifida. He was in pain most of his life but, he pounded out some hot rhythm nevertheless! I believe he also gave Ella Fitzgerald her start!


Chick Webb was the man! He was badly deformed and in awful pain most of the time, but man, he could pound those skins. He did give Ella Fitzgerald her start. If for no other reason, he deserves immortality for that. In fact, I believe Ella led the Chick Webb band for a while after he died. There was a battle of the bands one night at the Savoy between Chick Webb and Benny Goodman. While most in attendance thought both bands were in top form, it was pretty much universally agreed (even among Goodman's players) that Chick's band was the clear winner.

I'll keep my eyes open for the Lucky Stars. A lot of California bands make their way to Reno on a fairly regular basis. They sound like a lot of fun.

[Sefton]

Well, I am a bit of a fanatic for music from the 1920s and 1930s. Anything Blues or Jazz or rural music. I'm not very interested in anything after about 1940 (there are exceptions, of course!). I just feel that the best music is played on acoustic instruments. It seems very odd to me that when you go see live music now you have to wear earplugs to protect your hearing from the music that you are paying to "enjoy". Enough of the ranting. Today I was listening to 1920s Hawaiian slide guitar by King Bennie Nawahi. I also listened to the great Roy Smeck. More Hawaiian guitar and banjo, ukulele. Great stuff!

[Benny Holiday]

Lord knows I've tried to listen to Miles Davis, John Coltrane, etc., but I just can't get into the freeform anarchy of it. I remember hearing some jazz quartet playing "Autumn Leaves." To me, it sounded like four very talented musicians playing improvising at the same time with no clear connecting theme. In a word, chaos.

I caught a documentary on Miles Davis once, and one of the featured 'hard bop' tunes was simply four guys all playing a different song. No one can convince me otherwise! Having studied musicology, I can dig what they were trying to do, but musically, for me, anyway, you can only push the boundaries so far.

As for Glenn Miller - what's so bad about being commercial? The songs were brilliantly written and performed. I'm with you and Wild Root 100%.

Miller's friend and well-known jazz critic George T Simon once wrote that if Chick Webb was recorded with today's sound equipment, the tones and colours of his playing would surpass that of any other jazz drummer he could name.

[K by the bay]

I agree with Reno about the jazz cacophony. I like a recognizable melody. I like Ella but not Billie Holiday. It would be interesting to hear her sing "Happy Birthday To You". Rosie, have you tried Ethel Waters? You might like her. The Magic of the Andrews Sisters is a good cd. I really like Whispering Jack Smith. I like Dick Powell singing I Only Have Eyes For You too. In fact Wild Root resembles him if that's you in your pic.

[Nathan Dodge]

The poster who mentioned the "Blanton-Webster" Ellington band is dead on! THE best band and the best bandleader ever! Who kept it all together while all of those bands decayed in a state of nostalgic toothlessness...and while the "Free Jazz" of the late sixties and early seventies is a big turnoff for me, I happen to LOVE the bebop era (let's say around 1945-1955) and to generalize it as "cacophony" is just plain wrong...:mad:

[Caledonia]

I'm a great fan of anybody else's choice in music. I love dancing and driving with the CD up. Check that - dancing, and driving with the CD up. But have a ridiculously bad memory ear. So, I've noted down everything everybody's said and will hugely enjoy it. Dredging it up - Nat King Cole, Cole Porter, Billie Holliday, Sinatra, Crosby, and the gang, lady who went through the 50s into the 60s........Got it! Aretha Franklin (spelling mistake I think), and oh so many others that I love when I hear them and can't ever remember. And my deepest respects and apologies to them all.

[VintageJess]

I just LOVE Glenn Miller. I enjoy Artie Shaw as well. I could listen to Billie Holiday forever, and Ella Fitzgerald too.

[Cousin Hepcat]

The poster who mentioned the "Blanton-Webster" Ellington band is dead on! THE best band and the best bandleader ever!

My Man! lol My favorite title he's been bestowed is "America's Greatest Composer" (of any kind).

If you haven't already heard it, check out this one of Ellington & Dorsey playing together. (http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=4826)

Glenn Miller's great too, anyone who says he couldn't play hot needs to listen to "Carribean Clipper". Never heard of that tune till I ran across the 78, but his orchestra played it when I went to see them last, & Tore, It, UP! (Root, that's on the CD I sent you)

http://www.eternalgoods.com/tmpsh_small.jpg
Swing High, (http://www.eternalgoods.com/swing_high__t_dorsey.mp3)
- Cousin Hepcat

[K by the bay]

Well, Mr. Dodge, I haven't listened to that much jazz since I didn't care for the stuff I heard which WAS cacophony. As the Romans say, "De gustibus non est disputandum". Or, There's no accounting for taste. You look remarkably like William Holden.:D As for Glenn Miller, some of you might like Swinging Miller Thrillers.

[FedoraGent]

Ok, any one ever see this label? I mentioned it in my last post I think but, here's an image of what it looks like! I want more on this label!

http://www.dgarrick.com/cliffedwards/recordings/labels/images/78-California%20Here%20I%20Come.jpg

Root, I have indeed seen that label. Live and in the 78. :) A buddy of mine is the largest collector of 78s in San Francisco...and I have seen that label. He has EVERYTHING, and I do mean everything.

Jon

[FedoraGent]

Gang, I've been thinking of putting together a Window Media Stream full of 30s and 40s music. Would anyone listen if I put it up?

Jon

[Cousin Hepcat]

Ok, any one ever see this label? I mentioned it in my last post I think but, here's an image of what it looks like! I want more on this label!

http://www.dgarrick.com/cliffedwards/recordings/labels/images/78-California%20Here%20I%20Come.jpg

Root, I have indeed seen that label. Live and in the 78. :) A buddy of mine is the largest collector of 78s in San Francisco...and I have seen that label. He has EVERYTHING, and I do mean everything.

Jon

Like Absynthe said, you do see them now & then, got a few including one red shellac 1920s "pop-jazz" flapper number like that.

But the coolest stuff on Perfect has got to be Cab Calloway's very early c. 1930 recordings (purple label) the year he first got the job at The Cotton Club but wasn't yet a MEGA star! Have one of those somewhere around here (the pic here is a different one), got it autographed backstage in person at one of his last concerts. His reaction was funny: "Where'd you get this?!" Wish I'd just given it to him now. Oh well (I did make him a tape of several unavailable on CD & gave him that). When I get a place where I can "stretch out", it's going prominently on display beside an 8x10 in the living room :)

http://www.eternalgoods.com/temp_cab.jpg

(P.S. Aren't those images of Ruth Etting & Annette Hanshaw at the bottom "to die for"! :D :D )

Swing High, (http://www.eternalgoods.com/swing_high__t_dorsey.mp3)
- Cousin Hepcat

[Nathan Dodge]

My Man! lol My favorite title he's been bestowed is "America's Greatest Composer" (of any kind).

If you haven't already heard it, check out this one of Ellington & Dorsey playing together. (http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=4826)

Glenn Miller's great too, anyone who says he couldn't play hot needs to listen to "Carribean Clipper". Never heard of that tune till I ran across the 78, but his orchestra played it when I went to see them last, & Tore, It, UP!

http://www.eternalgoods.com/tmpsh_small.jpg
Swing High, (http://www.eternalgoods.com/swing_high__t_dorsey.mp3)
- Cousin Hepcat

Thanks for the link!

Well, Mr. Dodge, I haven't listened to that much jazz since I didn't care for the stuff I heard which WAS cacophony. As the Romans say, "De gustibus non est disputandum". Or, There's no accounting for taste. You look remarkably like William Holden.:D As for Glenn Miller, some of you might like Swinging Miller Thrillers.

Call me Nathan... or Joe "Sunset Blvd." Gillis! lol I wish I could have hair like William Holden's...:( Oh, I have hair, but it's more like Holden Caufield's...:D

As for Bebop...just don't paint it all with the same big brush...there's great music there...but, as you already said...

[K by the bay]

OK Nathan. Good old reliable Nathan?:)

[Daisy Buchanan]

I don't know how I missed this thread, but I'm glad I found it. I'm learning so much about "vintage music", which I'm sad to admit, I don't know much about.
One of my new favorites is Noel Coward. I think he's a hoot, and has a lovely voice. "Nina" is such a pip, and for that era, the lyrics are quite scandelous.
Not as vintage as others, but I've always since childhood loved Frank Sinatra. My Grampa was a huge fan, and I can remember sitting on his lap, and him trying to sing to me. I was lucky enough to see him in concert (Frank, not my Grampa), a night I will never forget, not only because it was incredibly romantic, but the music was fantastic. He was at the end of his life when I saw him so unfortunately he was forgetting a lot of the words, but he laughed about it and improvised quite well. What a night.

[Feraud]

Not as vintage as others, but I've always since childhood loved Frank Sinatra. My Grampa was a huge fan, and I can remember sitting on his lap, and him trying to sing to me. I was lucky enough to see him in concert (Frank, not my Grampa), a night I will never forget, not only because it was incredibly romantic, but the music was fantastic. He was at the end of his life when I saw him so unfortunately he was forgetting a lot of the words, but he laughed about it and improvised quite well. What a night. Cool story. My grandmother saw Ol' Blue Eyes in concert years ago. She met him and he signed her concert program something to the effect of, "To Rosie, let's do it again sometime." :)

[Rundquist]

Glenn Miller made this very point himself in an interview I read a few days ago. He said explicitly that his band was not a jazz band. I think the point that a lot of people miss when they make these kinds of criticisms is that Glenn Miller (and many others, thankfully), played for an audience. The reason why I have no use for most modern jazz (or modern art, etc.) is that it seems to be aimed more at other artists than at a general audience--and intentionally so. I get the impression that a lot of people who aren't musicians (or artists) are "fans" of this stuff because they think it makes them appear more cultured or hip or whatever. I may be wrong on this one but...

Lord knows I've tried to listen to Miles Davis, John Coltrane, etc., but I just can't get into the freeform anarchy of it. I remember hearing some jazz quartet playing "Autumn Leaves." To me, it sounded like four very talented musicians improvising at the same time with no clear connecting theme. In a word, chaos.



Chick Webb was the man! He was badly deformed and in awful pain most of the time, but man, he could pound those skins. He did give Ella Fitzgerald her start. If for no other reason, he deserves immortality for that. In fact, I believe Ella led the Chick Webb band for a while after he died. There was a battle of the bands one night at the Savoy between Chick Webb and Benny Goodman. While most in attendance thought both bands were in top form, it was pretty much universally agreed (even among Goodman's players) that Chick's band was the clear winner.

I'll keep my eyes open for the Lucky Stars. A lot of California bands make their way to Reno on a fairly regular basis. They sound like a lot of fun.

Not everything has to be high art, I agree. But music does need to retain its relevance if it is to be remembered for anything other than historical purposes. Just because something is popular, that in itself doesn’t automatically make it worthy of remembrance for the ages. It should also be noted that Bop (or modal jazz) & Swing are two different things. Just because you can appreciate one, it doesn’t automatically mean that you can appreciate the other. Duke Ellington said that there are only two types of music: good and bad. I agree with that statement. Of course what’s good and what’s bad is subjective. But I would never judge a piece of music based on what genre of music it is. I think that a lot of people miss out on good music because of such pigeonholing. Cheers

[Wild Root]

Music does need to retain its relevance if it is to be remembered for anything other than historical purposes. Just because something is popular, that in itself doesn’t automatically make it worthy of remembrance for the ages.

And this is coming from someone who thinks Benny Goodman was a fake.:rolleyes:

Miller was an artist! He tried three times till his band finally took! He worked hard and had some amazing arrangers... for some reason, every one only knows of his top hits... In the Mood, Tuxedo Junction, String of Pearls, Chatanooga Choo choo, and so on. No one seems to listen to some of the hot stuff or the very romantic ballads his band recorded in 1939-1944.

If 70% or more of the US loved one band's music enough to buy over million copies of more then one song, thus, making more then one record go Gold, I think it would be worth remembering!

His music is still making money over 60 years later... food for thought!

=WR=

[FedoraGent]

And this is coming from someone who thinks Benny Goodman was a fake.:rolleyes:

Miller was an artist! He tried three times till his band finally took! He worked hard and had some amazing arrangers... for some reason, every one only knows of his top hits... In the Mood, Tuxedo Junction, String of Pearls, Chatanooga Choo choo, and so on. No one seems to listen to some of the hot stuff or the very romantic ballads his band recorded in 1939-1944.

If 70% or more of the US loved one band's music enough to sell over million copies of more then one song, thus, making more then one record go Gold, I think it would be worth remembering!

His music is still making money over 60 years later... food for thought!

=WR=

I never in my life ever thought that I'd be defending Glenn Miller's music as I'm more of a Goodman fan but...I have to admit that I do like them both. In another post in The Observation Lounge, we've been talking about Miller and Goodman and all the great work both of them did. Like I said there, Miller was one hell of a showman and there were alot of songs just as WR said that were just special and wonderful to that generation that still ring til today. My father was a Miller fan and my mother was a Goodman fan which brought together some really interesting weekends listening to swing. We should remember that one of the reasons that Miller's music is so remembered (as I said in the other thread) is that he gave us Americans something that we needed during the War. What was that? A piece of home, and still today we remember him and his music with fond memories. Think about it, a whole generation removed still loved him and his music as they do today. When we think of the Golden Era and what do most of the ignoramouses out there think of? GLENN MILLER. His music did not only bring that joy, love and clever diversion to a war wraught world during that era but has now come to symbolize that to which was great about the late 30s and 40s. When you think about the 40s, often you think about Miller, when you think about the 60s, you often think about The Beatles. Not a bad way to be remembered. Miller's music is as valid today as it was yesterday.

One last thing, for someone to think that Benny Goodman was a fake...well you're entitled to your own opinion and right to speech but if it was one thing that Benny Goodman was not ... HE WAS NOT A FAKE. He contributed to the Golden Era and that to which we think of fondly just as much as Miller, Shaw, Crosby (Bob), Whiteman and many many others. His music, just as Miller's was thoroughly executed, beautiful and VERY REAL. Without Benny we wouldn't have Fletcher Henderson, Lionel Hampton, Gene Krupa, Glenn Miller and lest we not forget Charlie Christian. Pull those small group sessions together in a compilation and you have the makings of true art. To say that Benny Goodman was a fake is as bad as claiming that we didn't land on the moon. Just plain rubbish. But then again, everyone is entitled to their own opinion no matter how wrong or right their interpretation of history is.

FG.

[Wild Root]

:eusa_clap

In the golden era, there were very little fakes! One could easily spot fakes and they were only actors portraying musicians in movies when they really weren’t musicians. I recall seeing a short film from the 40’s of an all girl orchestra and one can easily spot how the women really weren’t playing the instruments.

Benny Goodman was an amazing clarinetist! By hearing his story and his music, one can’t possibly come to a deduction that he was a phony. He didn’t only play Jazz or swing, he was also a classical clarinetist as well. Some of his recordings of playing classical can be found if one should look. His technique is amazing, he earned his fame and popularity, he was a slave driver to his band to stay tight and on key. Goodman, Miller and just about every bandleader of the day were all tough men to work for. That is how they produced some of the best sounding music! Ever hear an original recording and then a contemporary recording? There is always something lacking! Playing in a big band meant uniform playing with some variation when the solo permitted. These bands played in front of thousands of people at a time, played live on the radio and recorded hundreds of songs and some are lost over time and some remain on 78rpm only.

The Big Band Era was a time in the 20th Century that will become known as America’s classical period because that style of music originated here.

=WR=

[FedoraGent]

:eusa_clap
:p Sank you, Sank you, I be here all seeaa week.

[Rundquist]

And this is coming from someone who thinks Benny Goodman was a fake.:rolleyes:

Miller was an artist! He tried three times till his band finally took! He worked hard and had some amazing arrangers... for some reason, every one only knows of his top hits... In the Mood, Tuxedo Junction, String of Pearls, Chatanooga Choo choo, and so on. No one seems to listen to some of the hot stuff or the very romantic ballads his band recorded in 1939-1944.

If 70% or more of the US loved one band's music enough to buy over million copies of more then one song, thus, making more then one record go Gold, I think it would be worth remembering!

His music is still making money over 60 years later... food for thought!

=WR=

Nowhere in this thread did I call Goodman a fake. Don’t put words in my mouth. In the past I might have said that he personally was a “long hair” and couldn’t swing. I’ll stand by that. Goodman was a technician. His solos were mostly composed of classical scales. His solos might touch you, but they don’t do much for me.

Arguing record sales and popularity will never persuade me that something is good. Don’t get me wrong, something can be good and popular at the same time (although the chances of that are very remote in today’s society), but just because something is (or was) popular, that in itself doesn’t make it good. A case in point would be the movie “Titanic”, or really any pop record on the charts today.

One last thing. Just because I don’t care for something (or agree with your opinions), that doesn’t mean that I don’t know what I’m talking about. I was listing to big band/swing music when I was eight years old. I’ve read George T. Simon’s book on the big band era. I’m a musician (trombone). I’ve listened to all kinds of different music throughout the years. And I might add that I don’t self impose strange limits on myself (like only listing to music from a 20 year span of time). If anyone is qualified to have an “opinion”, it’s me.

[Girl Friday]

Keely Smith!

The best ever version of Sunny Side of the Street, that song was made for her.

[Wild Root]

Nowhere in this thread did I call Goodman a fake. Don’t put words in my mouth. In the past I might have said that he personally was a “long hair” and couldn’t swing. I’ll stand by that. Goodman was a technician. His solos were mostly composed of classical scales. His solos might touch you, but they don’t do much for me.

Arguing record sales and popularity will never persuade me that something is good. Don’t get me wrong, something can be good and popular at the same time (although the chances of that are very remote in today’s society), but just because something is (or was) popular, that in itself doesn’t make it good. A case in point would be the movie “Titanic”, or really any pop record on the charts today.

One last thing. Just because I don’t care for something (or agree with your opinions), that doesn’t mean that I don’t know what I’m talking about. I was listing to big band/swing music when I was eight years old. I’ve read George T. Simon’s book on the big band era. I’m a musician (trombone). I’ve listened to all kinds of different music throughout the years. And I might add that I don’t self impose strange limits on myself (like only listing to music from a 20 year span of time). If anyone is qualified to have an “opinion”, it’s me.

Adam, I wasn’t putting words into your mouth at all, I just recall when I met with you gents at the Pub back in ’03 with MK, we talked about big band music and Benny Goodman came up, you said something to the effect that he pulled his songs out of his butt… that is a false accusation. I play clarinet and brother, it took me three weeks to pick out a song of his note by note seeing there isn’t many good song books of his.

So, you think you’re the only one who can talk about this? That’s a laugh in a half! Are you aware that two of my great uncles played in many of the Big Bands? They both played with Goodman, Whiteman, Spike Jones, Tommy Dorsey and so on… both played amazing Trombone and knew their stuff… I only have my great uncle John left and he was playing Trombone all the way up to the late 90’s. Big Band is in my blood, it’s something I have studied and listen to all the time. I think I have a valid right to speak about such things.

I know your type, you think just because you don’t like something that every one who does are wrong or have no taste. I’m not trying to make you like Glenn or Benny, I just want you to understand that because you don’t care for a band doesn’t mean that they’re not good talented musicians.

It also just annoys me when some one is saying good things about these musicians that some one has to come in and act like they have better taste because they don’t care for their music… that’s just lame.

I have read Simon’s book about the Big Band era and also his book about Miller… yeah, I can read too. I listen to Jazz, Swing, Country Western Swing, Hawaiian, American, German, French, and English Swing and Jazz. I have a collection of over 300 78rpm records spanning from the 20’s to the 50’s, I have also a large collection of CD’s and tapes. I don’t only listen to Miller’s or Goodman’s music, I listen to most of everything mainly from the 20’s to the 50’s because I don’t care for modern music.

=WR=

[Rundquist]

Adam, I wasn’t putting words into your mouth at all, I just recall when I met with you gents at the Pub back in ’03 with MK, we talked about big band music and Benny Goodman came up, you said something to the effect that he pulled his songs out of his butt… that is a false accusation. I play clarinet and brother, it took me three weeks to pick out a song of his note by note seeing there isn’t many good song books of his.

So, you think you’re the only one who can talk about this? That’s a laugh in a half! Are you aware that two of my great uncles played in many of the Big Bands? They both played with Goodman, Whiteman, Spike Jones, Tommy Dorsey and so on… both played amazing Trombone and knew their stuff… I only have my great uncle John left and he was playing Trombone all the way up to the late 90’s. Big Band is in my blood, it’s something I have studied and listen to all the time. I think I have a valid right to speak about such things.

I know your type, you think just because you don’t like something that every one who does are wrong or have no taste. I’m not trying to make you like Glenn or Benny, I just want you to understand that because you don’t care for a band doesn’t mean that they’re not good talented musicians.

It also just annoys me when some one is saying good things about these musicians that some one has to come in and act like they have better taste because they don’t care for their music… that’s just lame.

I have read Simon’s book about the Big Band era and also his book about Miller… yeah, I can read too. I listen to Jazz, Swing, Country Western Swing, Hawaiian, American, German, French, and English Swing and Jazz. I have a collection of over 300 78rpm records spanning from the 20’s to the 50’s, I have also a large collection of CD’s and tapes. I don’t only listen to Miller’s or Goodman’s music, I listen to most of everything mainly from the 20’s to the 50’s because I don’t care for modern music.

=WR=


I’m a “type”, huh? The point of me giving you a bit of my musical background was not to belittle you. It was just to inform you that I’ve not totally uneducated in music. I never called into question your knowledge of period big band music. Also, I would never presume to tell anyone that their opinion is “wrong”, and neither should you. I was just giving you reasons for my opinions. This is a discussion board after all. I could see how you might take offense to my comment about your window of music appreciation. But I did not state anything that you haven’t said before about your own tastes with regards to the time period window . That is “strange” to me. So what? Don’t take it personally. Cheers

[Wild Root]

I give up:rolleyes:

[FedoraGent]

I give up:rolleyes:

Potsdam Declaration time. ;) Just kidding.

[Nathan Dodge]

Lately it's been:

Fred Astaire: Many of the standards were written with him in mind.

Jimmie Lunceford: A little "Sweet" with some of the vocals, but otherwise great.

Fletcher Henderson: I am really loving this! (I know of the Goodman connection)

[Girl Friday]

Lately I have been on a Gene Autry, Marty Robins, Patsy Cline, and the Carter Family kick. yee haw!

We saw a Tribute to The Rat Pack Saturday at the Bass Performance Hall on Saturday, so now I have Fly Me to the Moon stuck in my head!

[Wild Root]

As of late, it's been the Boswell Sisters and Jack Hylton... good late 20's and early 30's stuff! Can't forget the young Bing as well, his early work is amazing!

=WR=

[Cousin Hepcat]

As of late, it's been the Boswell Sisters and Jack Hylton... good late 20's and early 30's stuff! Can't forget the young Bing as well, his early work is amazing!

=WR=Speakin' of which, backslid recently & got these on my doorstep last week, among others...

http://www.eternalgoods.com/temp_bing01.jpg . http://www.eternalgoods.com/temp_bing02.jpg

(Good thing I've stayed off the lounge recently; A Miller vs Goodman debate made me start listening to Miller clips online, then go buy about a dozen of the somewhat more obscure Millers, along w/ these two Bings ;) well at $2 a pop w/s&h, can't complain)


Swing High, (http://www.eternalgoods.com/swing_high__t_dorsey.mp3)
- C H

[Amy Jeanne]

Just today I got my Frances Langford CD in the mail. I've yet to hear this wonderful songbird, but I'm sure I will not be unimpressed since I'm a HUGE fan of female singers from the 1890s to the early 1940s.

In my purse right now I have:
Dick Powell
Jane Green
Lee Wiley
Busby Berkeley Soundtrack
Marion Harris
Hits of '20
Hits of '33
Hits of '39
Pop Music The Early Years: 1890 to 1950

Yes, I have a big purse! All of this music is on CD but that's ok with me. I'd LOVE to own a 78rpm player, but it'll never happen :( The only time I ever really get to listen to music anyway is when I driving so CDs are perfect for me. I ADORE the surface noise that these CDs still contain -- I really hate it when they try to cover it up with that static air and/or heavy bass (my Helen Kane CD suffers from this!) I'm probably in the minority, but just leave the scratches, please! It lets me IMAGINE I'm listening to vinyl!! ;)

[Brian Sheridan]

I dig the "1920's Radio Network" on my Itunes radio station. Dismuke also has a great stream.

Again, I love the irony of using high-tech, futuristic equipment to listen to vintage recordings.

BRS

[LadyStardust]

Of course I love all the very famous music--Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, et. al. I'm also wonderfully fond of Johnny Mercer & Hoagy Carmichael.

My favorites though are early jazz and swing, Annette Hanshaw, being at the top of my list. I also love Bert Ambrose & His Orchestra, Ben Selvin, Ray Noble, Al Bowlly, Whispering Jack Smith, Helen Forrest, and also going way back, Billy Murray, Eileen Stanley, Ada Jones, Ed Smallee, American Quartet, and Peerless Quartet. I'm also fonder of vintage barbershop quartets than anyone I know, and right now, there's this one I love listening to, Del Monico Four, that seem to be very obscure, but I think they're just about the best ever. The bass part is simply phenomenal. Gives you chills.

[Kim_B]

Lately I've been listening to a lot of Patsy Cline (her voice gives me chills), Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, and Ruth Brown. I also have a collection of CDs titled "Rock and Roll Era" and have 1954-1961 programmed on my iPod.

[Lady Day]

Lady Day is my favorite singer of all time, but I find Ella a smoother lighter listen.

I also LOVE just about any 50s doo wop I can find. I have a lot, and a friend just gave me more! They cranked those songs out like gang busters, but most of those groups could sang'!

LD

[dhermann1]

If you like Billie Holiday, give a listen to Mildred Bailey. A lot of people point to Louis Armstrong as a strong influence on Billie's singing style, which is true. But listen to little old Mildred Bailey and you'll hear a lot that with into Lady Day's style as well. Can't beat Ella. But also check out Ivy Anderson, Joya Sherrill, Maxine Sullivan. MANY great artists of that day with not quite the fame of some bigger nmes, but still very great.

[Parallel Guy]

Hope this is the right thread for this post. Apologies, if not.

Anybody have any idea how to find out the month and year popular songs came out? Currently, I'm trying to track 1945 songs, but can't seem to Google the magic words. Ideas?

[onlyoneintown]

Did you guys know he sang in Spanish too? Thick accent but still he did it, its pretty good music too I was at a swampmeet in Chino when I heard a guy actually playing Big Band music I was surprised, I don't hear that every day. Anyways it turns out I got three Big Band Cds for 12 bucks a whole set (all the titles were in English and Spanish thats when I saw the Nat King Cole Cd and it was in Spanish! I quickly bought it it was great it turns out it was recorded in Mexico ( sorry if i went on guys I get of track a lot. ) Anyhow I was curious to see if anyone knew he sang in Spanish.

[Steve]

I've been stuck on Cab Calloway lately. I love how infused some traditional soul into traditional big band and jazz. Great sound.

And just as a heads up to everyone, this site has a ton of the aforementioned artists recorded as wav files:
http://vintager02.tripod.com/

[LadyStardust]

At present, I've been listening to The Chordettes quite often. What a fun group they were! :) :eusa_clap Also been listening to a lot of The Browns.

[LizzieMaine]

A bunch of Alice Faye sides from 1935-37. Talk about your great forgotten singers!

[Amy Jeanne]

Really digging Lucille Bogan at the moment.
A fresh alternative to the sappily-sweet mainstream jazz I've been listening to :)

I still can't get enough Dick Powell, though :cool2:

[cookie]

I still like the early Miles Davis stuff and am very fond of some early stuff from Dave Brubeck that you can buy now for AUD10 a CD in the cheap shops.

An interesting DVD that a friend had of an early Rat Pack concert hosted by
Johnny Carson was also a hit around the house.

[big kahuna]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/coehornboy/fats.jpg

Thomas "Fats" Waller
Stephane Grappelli & Django
Joe Venuti (especially the '30s recording w/ Louis Prima
Louis Armstrong (Hot 5 and Hot 7 recordings)
:D
Louis Jordan
Louis Prima/ Keely Smith