Ted O'Reilly

Now that I think of it, they won't even let you listen to the audio clips if you're not in the US. Anyone want to get one for me, and ship it on?

I tried to order it, and they won't ship outside the United States of America. (Not even if you send in your Fleischmann's boxtops!)

Wasn't Buddy Ebsen a song-and-dance man originally? He was to be The Tin Man in Wizard of Oz, but was allergic to the aluminum paint.

This appears to be a Gary Larsen cover too... Yup! That's the one I was referring to in post #75... (Gotta love the hanging sign outside! )

I was thinking of this one, too. The story I heard is that apparently Larsen is an amateur jazz guitarist and a a big Jim Hall fan. When the record company approached Larsen to do the cover, he said, "OK, my fee is one million dollars...OR...a private lesson with Jim Hall." Apparently calls were immediately made to Hall to find a time for the lesson. I don't have it at hand, but Larsen did one for a Herb Ellis / Red Mitchell duo album. Again: apt, accurate and funny...

...in German.

Hmm. How does the water get in? If there's no water, there's no suds. I like suds.

Yeah, that kind of blew. But THAT didn't blow. Good one!

It's true: Kevin's mother is Ray Bryant's sister.

As I think on this, it seems to me that Ray Bryant's "Little Susie" made a bigger impression than "Shake A Lady", but maybe it was more of an LP hit than a single.

Not "Ampeg" the bass amplifier people, but Ampex. From the late 1940s, the leading tape recorder company. A very early investor was Bing Crosby, who used tape on his radio shows, so he wouldn't have to do live both an east-coast, then a west-coast version of his show... Good info at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ampex

I remember seeing this as a kid, loving it but not realizing what a wonderful piece of work it was. Later, I came to appreciate it as great for both the art and the music. It's Norman McLaren's 1941 animation-without-a-camera to the Albert Ammons' Solo Art recording of "Boogie Woogie" (rec. April 8, 1939). http://beta.nfb.ca/film/Boogie-Doodle/

New car? What's that? I've never bought a new car. One of the world's stupidest purchases. (Well, I did once, I guess. An orphan: a baby-poop-beige 1964 Ford Falcon -- found on the back lot of a dealer in February of 1965. NEVER considered it a NEW car, just undriven. It was made in '63 and had about 6 miles on the odometer. Paid $1800 bucks for it once they put in a new battery. Drove it for 11 years. )

Thanks again, Shawn, but just ordered it (along with a few others) for only $6.98 from Oldies.com. That's ten bucks cheaper than Amazon! http://www.oldies.com/product-view/28122.html

That was reissued by Collectibles back in 2001 or so as a twofer with Lock The Fox. Not sure if it's still available or not. Thanks, Shawn. I'll start a search. I had them both on LP. In mono!

There's a Davis record (never on CD?) for RCA in late '66 that never got much attention, but I always liked: "The Fox And The Hounds". It's also with a big band, directed by Bobby Plater.

I wouldn't suggest anyone get after John any more....he's not doing auctions any longer. (That was incredibly labour-intensive work back then, all done by mail. John is a bit of a Luddite: does not have a website, and is not even online).

There are two terrific jazz pianists here in Toronto (who are not as well known internationally as they should be), who are both southpaws: Bernie Senensky and Mark Eisenman. I doubt that they, or anyone else, would reduce the function of either hand to the simplicity of rhythm/solo as you have. Players with great left hands, say Ralph Sutton, can be either lefties or righties. (Ralph was a rightie). It's probably not important for reed/woodwind players, as both hands are pretty much equally needed. Trombonist Slide Hampton is right-handed, but plays left! I recall Harold 'Money' Johnson played the trumpet valves with his left hand, but I don't know if he was a southpaw. And there are left-handed bassists: Jennifer Leitham and Earl May come to mind. (I know, Paul McCartney, but let's be serious); and guitarists: Wayne Wright for one. (I know, Jimi Hendrix, too) I'd suggest that lefties simply learn to play right-handed instruments in the most part, considering the price of an odd-ball axe, and everyone starting on any instrument is going to find it awkward until motor skills are trained. (I am on the lookout for a Sinister Steinway, though...

I'm happy to learn that I'm not alone in disliking those particular jewel cases. I'll have to try the "Mosaic Twist", as I'm unlikely to shave the gripper-hooks.

It has probably been discussed before, but I've got to admire the folks at Mosaic for their service. I took advantage of their current sale, and picked up the OKeh/Brunswick Bix, Trumbauer and Teagarden set. Played through Disc 1, then, in taking Disc 2 out of the case, it snapped! Now, I've been handling records since 78s as a kid (and have even had some cylinders as collector's items), but have never had that happen before. I phoned them, and they said "Sorry, it happens....we'll send you a replacement right away." Damn, that's Taking Care Of Business! It may very well have been my fault, and I was prepared to pay for the single disc replacement, but they're doing it on their own hook. This is the first time I've ever had to call them for any problem whatsoever (and when I was with a radio station, we bought EVERY Mosaic release, from the first one onward, including the Commodore sets). It's a good thing, dealing with reputable companies. Now, if I can only get them to change the jewel case they use for doubles. It's the type that is hinged to the right for the second disc, which means you've spread out three 'units' wide. You have to set it down to get to Disc 2, and Disc 1 is now exposed to the surface below. With centre-hinged cases, it's a one-handed operation, and Disc 1 is facing the booklet. Much easier and safer...

Agreed and agree. But the dude made 7 bucks. It DID cost him a buck at a yard sale.

I don't understand what you're saying here. Did Joe quit smoking, but it was too late, the cancer was unbeatable? Or he didn't stop, and died slowly (which I guess we're all doing, in a way)? Fortunately, I'm cancer-free, so no "shoes". I quit about 25 years ago, (got hooked around 16, as many do), and finally broke free in my early 40s. Cold Turkey worked for me. I found the physical need for a smoke went away in 10 - 15 days, but the triggers -- having a drink, speaking on the phone, after dinner and other things -- made me want a smoke for years. Still do, sometimes.

Hmmm. Jazzbo: I've stopped smoking, and mostly don't drink liquors, but wines and beer are food. Yeah, right...

The 'better' your collection, the more 'social value' you'd put on it, you would wish it to go to the widest possible audience: an archive, a library, a college. Unfortunately, they're understaffed, and given their standards/needs, would want it all documented and properly annotated before accepting it into their collections. I don't know about your collection, but none of that has been done to MY discs, tapes, LPs, books and ephemera. Universities etc. aren't likely to take it off my hands, however much they might like to have it. They simply don't have the people to safeguard it, and make it widely usable and available. I have several close friends with good, large collections facing the same concern. The local 'jazz' stations are NOT a destination given its programming, which ignores the bulk of these collectors' interests. And knowing how too many of those operations work, within a month or two the CDs would end up being stolen from the library by someone anyway.

Good musician. Don't know whether Joe smoked or not, or whether he tried to quit. It's a terrible habit that I had for decades (minimum 50 a day), but I know it was my choice to smoke them, and can't blame the cancer stick. (Did Miles say in his autobiography that it was harder to stop smoking than stop heroin?)