Dr. Rat Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 I've always been intrigued by this group because so many of the players are favorites of mine (Chaloff, DeFranco, Terry, Rouse . . .), but I've never come across what looked to me to be a well-done reissue of their stuff. Does anyone have any recommendations regarding the band's music (which I've heard little of) or particular reissues of it. Thanks for any help, --eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 There's a reissue on Ocium that's pretty good and reasonably priced. It's got some Rouse (as I recall) but lots of Wardell Gray too! Here's a link to the CD at Amazon. Obviously you can get it cheaper elsewhere. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...glance&n=507846 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 ...or maybe it was Serge... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 If you ever see it anywhere, grab "How High the Moon" on Moon Records cd; this is Basie Octet live (Soundies?) and excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost of miles Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 The Ocium is pretty decent. (Some of the material is replicated on Sony's recent Basie set.) Thanks for the tip on that live CD, Lon, I'll keep an eye out for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 The soundies (videos) are also available, but rather more difficult to find. If you wish to try, send me a PM. Note: most of the soundies are Snader transcriptions and feature Wardell, Buddy, Clark & Co. with or without Helen Humes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 Almost forgot to mention, Neatwork is putting out an "Alternates" disc covering the late 40's into 1951 or 52 later this month. Haven't seen a track list, but... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Rat Posted March 4, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 Thanks a lot. There goes another Jackson, I suppose. I think I'll chase that live disc first. --eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Rat Posted March 4, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 What's the story with Soundies? These are videos? (DVDs?) --eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 My Soundies are on 16mm (as I recall - I'm traveling and away from my collection). I know they've made it to VHS video, both North America and Europe formats. I'd have to do a little research on DVDs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 (edited) Soundies were sort of videos of the day, short films of bands that were actually in a sort of film-jukebox as well as used to open feature films, etc. http://www.cinema.ucla.edu/collections/Pro...s/soundies.html Edited March 4, 2004 by jazzbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost of miles Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 (edited) Soundies were sort of videos of the day, short films of bands that were actually in a sort of film-jukebox as well as used to open feature films, etc. http://www.cinema.ucla.edu/collections/Pro...s/soundies.html Wasn't FDR's son James involved with them in some business way? Ah, yes. Just followed your link, Lon, which confirmed it! I love the Duke soundie of "C Jam Blues," where the musicians come into the room one by one... one of my faves. Used a soundie of "Bli-Blip" for the Jump for Joy special, too. Edited March 4, 2004 by ghost of miles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 These Basie soundies (with Clark Terry, Wardell Gray, de Franco, etc.) also featured a singer by the name of Billie Holiday! And de Franco who recorded the soundtrack did not appear on film because of his color and was replaced by Marshall Royal. Those were 'enlightened' days... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 Yes, there are a couple of tracks with Billie (and Sugar Chile Robinson!). God Bless the Child and Now Baby or Never. I've forgotten the genesis of these; they're out on CD/LP, but also a little tough to find. Sandy Hook Records is one source. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom in RI Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 (edited) I recently picked up the Ocium release of the Basie Octet sessions, it also includes a session from 1949 with Gene Ammons and Georgie Auld. I have had most of this music on vinyl since the '70's, the octet material with Wardell Gray is some of my favorite and among the 1st 100 or so lp's I ever bought. That said I would note that the transfers on the Ocium release were, to me, dissappointing. Several sounded as if they had been dubbed from vinyl. I swear my copies on Columbia and Tax have less surface noise. Edited March 4, 2004 by Tom in RI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king ubu Posted March 4, 2004 Report Share Posted March 4, 2004 All of the soundies-recordings coupled with some live dates are readily available on this disc recently reissued by Saga Jazz: I posted the discography of it in this thread earlier. Here it is again: Then I just picked up "Count Basie Septet & Octet - On Film & Live". This has the following tracks: Hollywood, late August 1950: Clark Terry - t, Buddy DeFranco - cl, Wardell Gray - ts, Basie - p, Freddie Green - g, Jimmy Lewis - b, Gus Johnson - d, Billie Holiday - voc (-1) GOD BLESS THE CHILD (-1) NOW, BABY, OR NEVER (-1) FELANGES ONE O'CLOCK JUMP Universal film shots, directed by Wil Cowan. NYC, prob. October 1950: same personnel, Holiday out, Helen Humes - voc (-1) ONE O' CLOCK JUMP BASIE'S CONVERSATION (BASS CONVERSATION) BASIE BOOGIE IF I COULD BE WITH YOU (-1) I CRIED FOR YOU (-1) Snader Telescriptions (short films) NYC, poss. December 1950: unidentified - t, Marshall Royal - cl, Gray, Basie, Green, Lewis, Johnson 3:15 A.M. BLUES DONNA LEE C JAM BLUES ROBBINS' NEST Live recording, unknown broadcast location NYC, April 20, 1951: Terry, Royal, Gray, Basie, Green, Lewis, Johnson, poss. Symphony Sid - mc ONE O' CLOCK JUMP MOVE BASIE BOOGIE BLUEBEARD BLUES ONE O' CLOCK JUMP (Note: Bluebeard Blues is announced by the MC as Golden Bullet) Stars on Parade, WNEW Broadcast Birdland, NYC April 28, 1951: same personnel as April 21, add Buck Clayton - t (-1), omit Sid JUMPIN' AT THE WOODSIDE HOW HIGH THE MOON / ORNITHOLOGY OH, LADY BE GOOD (-1) BLUEBEARD BLUES (-1) ONE O' CLOCK JUMP WNEW Broadcast This is a very good collection. Some of the tunes (from the live sessions) are quite long. How High The Moon Clock in at 8:42. Wardell Gray is BAAD! And DeFranco, Terry, Royal are not bad either. It's quite intriguing to hear Basie doing tunes as Move, Ornithology, or Donna Lee. Check it out! In the liner notes, another Basie "CD featuring all the other studio recordings of the Count's small groups in 1950-1951" is announced. So, does this disc above include all live / movie dates by Basie from 50/51? My question at the end is still unanswered, by the way. ubu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Rat Posted March 6, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2004 Thanks all for helping me spend my money wisely, I'll report back on whatver I end up with, --eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost of miles Posted April 5, 2005 Report Share Posted April 5, 2005 I'll be doing a Night Lights program on the Octet for the first Saturday in May. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartyJazz Posted April 5, 2005 Report Share Posted April 5, 2005 If you ever see it anywhere, grab "How High the Moon" on Moon Records cd; this is Basie Octet live (Soundies?) and excellent. Didn't you put it up for sale in the "Offering & Looking For" section? Was it a dupe or what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted April 5, 2005 Report Share Posted April 5, 2005 Yes, it was a duplicate. . . now in good hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medjuck Posted April 5, 2005 Report Share Posted April 5, 2005 (edited) These Basie soundies (with Clark Terry, Wardell Gray, de Franco, etc.) also featured a singer by the name of Billie Holiday! And de Franco who recorded the soundtrack did not appear on film because of his color and was replaced by Marshall Royal. Those were 'enlightened' days... Those items are not soundies but part of a (I think) Universal short film which featured the octet plus Billie plus some stuff with a child prodigy piano player whose name I now forget. The numbers with Lady Day are available on a Lazer disc which looks pretty good. The whole thing is on a new DVD of pretty well every known piece Billie Holiday on film though the stuff with the kid is in pretty bad shape. I've got the DVD at home and will add the information when I get there. Edited April 5, 2005 by medjuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom in RI Posted April 6, 2005 Report Share Posted April 6, 2005 Yes.....in good hands.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Posted April 6, 2005 Report Share Posted April 6, 2005 For those who may be looking the Moon cd was issued under Wardell's name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king ubu Posted April 6, 2005 Report Share Posted April 6, 2005 I saw these short films and other soundies, too, last year. The part with Billie is giving you goose bumps! The part with the child prodigy is - well, mildly put - ridiculous, and in fact, very sad, I think - that kid was told to behave like a cute little ape or something... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BbM7 Posted April 6, 2005 Report Share Posted April 6, 2005 Sugar Chile! (Robinson). I was so awed with this musical talent, I picked up the Classics CD. I'm joking on the 'talent' part, but I did pick up the Classics. (Classics? This is Classic?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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