Stereojack

Was Big Al sears living in Baltimore at this time? Listening to this version, it sounds like a pick up group of top whack pro jazz musicians, not a bunch of local guys. The rhythm section in particular is so loose and groovy it just swings the hell out of the Bryant version, which is fairly strict tempo. Maybe Brown DID form a band in Baltimore but it sounds like when they got to the New York studios, there were all these other guys who'd been assembled by a producer who knew what was what. MG I'm pretty sure Al Brown was New York based, and the players on his version are all NYC session cats. Brown's name can be found as leading the backing band on a number of R&B sides from the late 50's and early 60's. Brown's record was definitely the hit Madison tune in the Northeast at the time. I never heard Bryant's record until years later when I had gotten into jazz. I was in high school when the "craze" happened, and nobody ever danced the Madison at any dances I attended! I believe it was a Baltimore fad, and has already been suggested.

I looked at it carefully - really couldn't tell!

A great talent. Her music has brought me a lot of pleasure. RIP

These are fantastic records! The first three were first issued in the 1980's. Terry had brought Wally Heider out to record the band in 1959, but none of the material was released at the time. The first three LP's were so well received that Fantasy licensed two more albums from Universal (originally issued on Mercury & Verve) and released them as volumes 4 & 5, although these are from two years later and feature a slightly different lineup. Eventually they were able to squeeze out a sixth volume from the 1959 tapes.

I've said goodbye to several pets over the years, and it's never easy. My condolences.

Why not show us a list of what you already have, and maybe we can add to it. I'm not too young to have heard of him!

Spanky returned the favor a few years later - Little Brother Montgomery appears on one track on one of the Spanky & Our Gang LP's.

That is a really good album, in my opinion. I'd say it is his last real masterpiece.

No arranger credit is given. Looked it up in Chris Sheridan's Bio-Discography, and there's no credit there, either.

7 out of 12. And every one was a guess!

The picture of my house looks like it was taken over a year ago, perhaps earlier, judging from the trees and the car in the driveway.

There are two double CD's on Musicmasters of the 1954 Gramercy Five sides: The Last Recordings, Musicmasters 65071 More Last Recordings, Musicmasters 65101 And these are not complete, but they are close. Obviously, the ASV set (which I have not seen) is far from complete.

I have it from a reliable source that this set will contain a fair amount of unissued material. Good news (bad news for the pocketbook) for those of us who already have the LP's!

I believe it is Steve Gibson & The Red Caps.

Please continue it. I've seen a lot of interesting stuff. We'll take the ego-tripping with a grain of salt.

I'll accept Chris' offer to answer this one. Alberta Hunter had been a star in the 1920's and 1930's. When Chris produced her for Riverside in 1962 she had long since left music. Her Columbia debut came 15 years later in 1977. I don't think one can blame John Hammond or Columbia for "ripping her away" 15 years later! I imagine that she enjoyed the major label attention at that late date in her life. Sometimes it's possible to look the wrong way through the telescope. One time years ago I devoted a program to paying tribute to Norman Granz, and all of the great records he had produced. I got an indignant call from a listener who questioned why I would pay tribute to someone who had "all this power", as if he was a bad guy ripping off the musicians. I tried to explain to her that it was because of Granz that many great musicians were given opportunities to work and record that might not have happened without his efforts.

Ozzie Cadena was an employee, not a partner. Produced many fine jazz sessions in the late 50's.

The Audiophile LP was a reunion of sorts. He and his brother recorded six sides for Bluebird as the Emilio Caceres Trio in 1937. Great musician!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY-EuyEsYTE

My memory is pretty good about these things, but I have to say I can't recall attending that show.

My apologies also for not responding. I listened to it through twice and had every intention of posting my responses, but life got in the way. I also recognized track 1, but the others were all unfamiliar to me, and I have to confess that a number of them were just a little too "out" for my comfort zone. Still, Thom, you put a fair amount of work into it, and you deserved a better turnout.

Dave was one of my favorites. A tremendous musician - knew more tunes than just about anybody! Here's a nice tribute: http://www.aahome.com:80/dave

What they all said....... -_- Happy birthday, Chris!

Big loss - great voice! We listened to several Four Tops albums in the store today, in remembrance, and the Motown stuff is just classic!

I saw Eager in Florida around 1987. Big disappointment - sounded sorta like very late Pres, in the worst sense. I was thrilled to see a legend, but there wasn't much left by this time.