AllenLowe

another review just popped: "in the case of this extensive history of the blues, the first of 4 volumes, the whole is definitely the sum of the parts. Allen Lowe, who compiled the set of 9 CDS, has carefully articulated the larger musical picture of blues by assembling spirituals, folk songs and jazz tunes that have been identified as blues-based compositions be the artist white or black. The sound of these old, lo-fi, monophonic 78s and cylinder recordings is as clean and clear as I’ve ever heard from a major label. But getting past the sound fidelity is the whole point here because it’s the music, the voices and the spirit of real performances that has been effectively captured. The remarkable musical and historical journey on disc is aided by Lowe’s companion essay on a CD-ROM. Highlights include “Viola Lee Blues” by Cannon’s Jug Stompers and “Crucifixion” by pianist, Arizona Dranes. The set also includes inspired performances by Jelly Roll Morton, Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, Johnny Dodds and Lonnie Johnson. These artists are mixed into a collection that includes early Minstrelsy, Appalachian Folk songs, Gospel and New Orleans Street bands. --John Corcelli

all orders have gone out, domestic and European - I will be out of town until 4/19 and will only have limited access to my email, in case anyone is trying to reach me.

in my blues box (plug plug) I have a version of Willie Weep for Me with Les Paul and Benny Carter -

"Years ago my recurring dream was that Lee wasn't shot at Small's" actually, Dan, your dream came true - he was shot at Slugs - where I used to go as a wee teenager; scary neighborhood, run by (in those days) the Hells Angels but also infested with junkies and other scary characters. Great little club, though, with good acoustics (and how could you not like a place where Jean Genet hung out? I remember him as a sqaut, powerful looking guy that people made a fuss over). Actually, if Lee were still alive, I think he'd be leading the Glenn Miller ghost band doing Bobby Hackett solos.

I still dream of her in that nurse's uniform - though it doesn't fit me so well anymore -

30 pieces of chewing gum? A date with Chewy?

might do - it's just that this has happened before with a different (I think) New England jazz tribute organization - it's just that they never make any effort to look south of Massachusetts. The Connecticut musicians shouldn't have to work so hard.

well... how about as a credit toward volume 2?

thanks - yes, will ship to Norway for $16 -

I've hear it from more than one source - back when I was writing my '50s jazz book I talked to her on the phone (she was working as an artist and living in Long Island City) but I hadn't heard this story yet, or else I would have asked her. I'll bet Marian McPartland (who originally suggested I call her) would know.

the good news is that I've found out that the box fits into one of those flat rate priorty bags - so the new LOW shipping cost is $6.50, domestic (I've tacked on a little extra to defray paypal somewhat) - I will be out of town until the end of this week, and I expect the shipment will be here early next week - also, another (semi-) review: "The selection is a real revelation, and the mastering is amazing. A landmark piece of work." -- John Szwed

he convinced her to come to the States and, as I've been told, then torpedoed her career when she wouldn't sleep with him.

bumping for the paranoid insomniacs - you know who you are -

look what he did to Jutta Hipp - Feather was a true slime.

it's definitely a stylistic quirk - a little bit like Helen Merrill.

I've grown to like here more and more and used a version of Motherless Child on my blues set - I also like Bobby Troup.

I've always felt partially responsible for driving him underground. His phone number used to be in the book. So 20 years ago I called him up to ask if he was interested in a recording project I was working on, and he was completely paranoid that I'd gotten his phone. I explained to him that it was a public listing. When I checked the next week, it was unlisted. just doing my bit for American culture.

my cousin - actually some guy I never heard of. Probably from San Quentin, with a lot of time on his hands.

well, we're ALL Bird's children -

the boxes should finally arrive in about a week, I am told, Volume 1 of Really the Blues? A Blues History, 1893-1959. 9 CDs, I will be able to offer them for $50 plus shipping, which is $8 domestically, $16 to Europe. and here's the first review, from Amazon: "9 discs of music-79,79,78,78,78,78,78,79,79 minutes each approximately plus 1 CD-ROM crammed with information. It's much easier on the eyes to read the info off the computer screen. When this info is printed,it's the size of (roughly) a CD jewel case (I don't know if it can be enlarged),so the print is pretty small. But the information on the various artists is well worth having,both from an historical viewpoint,and for more enjoyment of the music. Included is a conversation with jazz musician Mathew Shipp,Allen Lowe (self-interview),much valuable information (track-by-track) on the artists,and a number of b&w photographs of some of the artists. Each disc is slipped into a paper envelope-like sleeve with a cut-out,covered with a clear plastic sheet in order to read the disc information. Everything is housed in a substantial cardboard box. The graphics on the box are basically ads for the product,but there are two nice period photographs of farming and cotton picking. The booklet has track information and that's all,the rest of the info is contained on the CD-ROM. This is the first release (of four similar sets) by Allen Lowe devoted specifically to the blues genre. Contained on these discs are tracks that virtually no one has ever heard-certainly not in the best possible sound. Saying that,don't expect miracles. There are tracks recorded beginning (in chronological order) in the nineteenth century (3),and then proceeding chronologically through the years,up into 1929. If you're an audiophile-forget it. But if the music is the most important thing to you,then there are many treasures to hear in this collection. The surface noise,while clearly discernible,is not as bad as the Paramount recordings,or other period recordings of many blues artists from roughly the same time period,and later. Almost without exception the vocals and instrumentation can clearly be heard on the vast number of these recordings. The breadth and depth of music contained in this set is truly staggering. From the UNIQUE QUARTET FALL (1893),to Bert Williams (1906),to Arthur Collins (1918),to Sam Moore (1921),to the Florida Normal and Industrial Institute Quartet (1922),the different forms of blues music is brought to life,and that's only disc 1. The music is represented in a number of forms-gospel,folk style,declarative,and a more or less straight blues vocal style,by Mamie Smith. As you progress through the years,a few more well known blues artists will come to light. Artists like Jelly Roll Morton,Alberta Hunter,Sylvester Weaver,Blind Lemon Jefferson,King Oliver,Meade Lux Lewis,Duke Ellington,Louis Armstrong,Buddy Boy Hawkins,Paul Robeson,Cannon's Jug Stompers,Mississippi John Hurt,Pink Anderson,Furry Lewis,and a number of others,are all here. But it's the many others (the majority) unknown to most blues listeners that will be a revelation. The mix of artists is second to none. Together,these artists perform the blues in all its many guises. This set isn't for the casual listener. This is aimed at the listener who wants to hear (and know) the history of the blues,from some of the very first recordings,through the years stated above. The price is very reasonable for whats contained in this compilation. The range of musical styles,coupled with a disc full of information,is hard to beat. After hearing this set,I can't wait to hear the remaining three. Allen Lowe has produced a number of these collections,all with close attention to detail and a good selection of music,in other genres. If the other three sets are as good technically as this set,and they continue to encompass the many styles of blues music chronologically,he will have produced one of the best collections of historical blues ever. Track after track produces many delights,and the juxtaposition of musical styles has a good flow throughout these nine discs. So if your taste runs through the many styles of blues,and you want to hear some great music from both known and unknown artists-pick up this set as soon as you can. You won't be disappointed. " my paypal is alowe5@maine.rr.com, which is the same as my email.

wait, Chris - I like Alice Coltrane's stuff. I take it you don't. Interesting about Chan vs Doris. Don Shlitten told me he thought Chan deserved the honor because she bore Bird's children - Tommy Potter, on the other hand, and his wife both loved Doris and told me she was the one they always regarded as Bird's wife.

interesting to thing of Alice and Chan's lives crossing - but not as interesting as the confluence of James Joyce and Lenin in Zurich (maybe 1918?) -

the biggest problem with that thing - and I think it's great in principle - is that they only hit part of New England - I lived in New Haven for 20 years, and that city had a long and very interesting jazz history, some great and brillliant musicains - Bobbie and Eddie Buster, Dickey Myers, Tommy Brasile, Ed Cercone, Jeff Fuller, Ray Kaczynski, Dave Dana - hell, I played there for 20 years and organized more work for musicians than probably anyone else (and I brought Max Roach, Jaki Byard, Tony Williams, Tito Puente, Freddie Hubbard, James Moody to town) - I ran the biggest jazz fest they ever had. and not a word about any of it. It's a problem for me.

excellent writer, I have that Stuido One album - I always thought they should call one of his albums "Smokin...." (of course I'm probably pronouncing his name incorrectly) -

nice - and it's a good thing that Jim just left Organissimo, as he only allows one organ group at a time on here.