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Don Byas on Dimeadozen


Jaffa

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Has anyone else downloaded the puzzling 1944 Byas live-recordings from dimeadozen ?

Although parts were previously issued on Caete-LP 2 a lot is completely new to me ! Incidentally, I doubt the presence of Lucky Thompson on the opening pair.

The two tracks from the "Three Deuces" are quite amazing !

Opinions anyone ?

Edited by Jaffa
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what/where is dimeadozen to be found ?

dimeadozen.com

its a bit-torrent download site, but its membership only, and membership is capped at a certain level. I don't think you can signup at present.

As for the download, of greater interest to me is the second disc from that set:

Don Byas, Clifford Jordan ts; Kenny Drew p; NHOP b, Albert Heath d

Cafe Montmartre, Copenhagen, 1968

1. But Not for Me 19:13

2. Bag's Groove 26:11

3. I'm Old Fashioned (incomplete) 6:32

4. Darn That Dream (incomplete) 14:22

5. Stella by Starlight 10:43

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Dimeadozen is free and well worth trying. I got access to the search/download part about the 5th time I tried (all within an evening).

IMHO the first part of the Byas-torrent is historically remarkable and well worth getting and includes this:

Don Byas, Lucky Thompson (?) ts; Kirk Bradford as;

Ted Brannon (?) p; Al Hall b; unknown d.

Unknown venue, December 1944

1.Body & Soul 11:33

2.Cherokee 10:25

Don Byas ts; possibly Ed Hall (very unlikely him) or Tony Scott (could be !) cl;

others unknown.

Three Deuces, NYC, 1944

3. Whispering 4:47

4. Stardust 5:31

Don Byas ts; John Mehegan p.

Timme Rosenkrantz’ apartment, NYC, 2 Sept 1944

5.Stardust/Memories of You/I Can't Get Started 10:40

Same date, but (definitely !) Jimmy Jones p.

6. My Ideal/Sweet Lorraine/Sweet & Lovely/

Don't Blame Me 18:37

5/6 were on Caete-LP 2 !

Quite a few discographical things remain unclear, I think, which is why I started this thread. I do not not question the importance of the other set with Clifford Jordan yet I am not specially fond of either Byas' nor Jordan's playing there; I think Kenny Drew was in great form that night, though !

Edited by Jaffa
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Hi Anatol

As you know, I'm the guy who uploaded these. They are from my same sources, with which you are familiar. I can't vouch for the discographical information, I have only repeated the information provided on the tapes when I had access to them.

What do you think of the guess that the early club recordings might be from Jerry Newman's collection? Or is 1944 too late for him? For some reason they remind me of the material on "Midnight at Minton's" on the old Onyx label.

Of course, I'm sure you're familiar with the Timme Rosenkrantz material from releases of Erroll Garner and Stuff Smith. Wouldn't a comprehensive treatment of that collection be a treat?

Pete

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Hi Anatol

As you know, I'm the guy who uploaded these.  They are from my same sources, with which you are familiar.  I can't vouch for the discographical information, I have only repeated the information provided on the tapes when I had access to them.

What do you think of the guess  that the early club  recordings might be from Jerry Newman's collection? Or is 1944 too late for him?  For some reason they remind me of the material on "Midnight at Minton's" on the old Onyx label.

Of course, I'm sure you're familiar with the Timme Rosenkrantz material from releases of Erroll Garner and Stuff Smith.  Wouldn't a comprehensive treatment of that collection be a treat? 

Pete

Hi Pete,

Of course I know that this is also from your collection and I once again would like to thank you very, very much for opening your treasure-chest to all "mid-forties maniacs" !

Well, I don't think the first two are from Jerry Newman's; the "sound" and "atmosphere" seem quite different and I assume they ARE from 1944/45; i.e. slightly later than Newman's recordings at "Minton's" - however they might have been recorded by Newman at his home. On the other hand, Rosenkrantz may also be the "culprit" for these - I haven't got a clue.

To be honest, I am more interested in who is actually playing than who had originally recorded these gems.

And yes, I fully agree that a comprehensive treatment of all Rosenkrantz-items is a wish - but I'm afraid there is so much material in different vaults that it would never be possible to produce a "complete" set - if that were intended. The Erroll Garner-stuff is available, fortunately !

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So were Newman's recordings strictly from Mintons, 1941? I don't really know much about him.

It could be these are all from Rosenkranz. The same tape had some Erroll Garner material that I left out of the torrent since I believe it is in print.

Regardless, it is some wonderful stuff isn't it? I'm glad to share it.

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So were Newman's recordings strictly from Mintons, 1941?  I don't really know much about him.

It could be these are all from Rosenkranz.  The same tape had some Erroll Garner material that I left out of the torrent since I believe it is in print.

Regardless, it is some wonderful stuff isn't it?  I'm glad to share it.

Pete,

I'm no expert on Newman, either - but the stuff I know; i.e. the material issued on various Xanadu and Onyx-LP's (albeit without checking all albums just now) was recorded at Minton's in 1941. One noteworthy exception: Xanadu-LP 186 collates (outstanding !!!) recordings featuring Roy Eldridge, Willie Smith and the inevitable Herbie Fields that were recorded at Newman's home in November 1940.

Yes, I think it's more likely than not that all of your Byas-torrent IS from Rosenkrantz-material - not least because the Danish baron has always had a crush on Byas' playing; he recorded him more often that others, I gather.

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the material issued on various Xanadu and Onyx-LP's (albeit without checking all albums just now) was recorded at Minton's in 1941. One noteworthy exception: Xanadu-LP 186 collates (outstanding !!!) recordings featuring Roy Eldridge, Willie Smith and the inevitable Herbie Fields that were recorded at Newman's home in November 1940.

His recordings of the Gillespie band at the Spotlite Club date from the summer of '46.

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