Christiern

Every once in awhile, I have a problem accessing the Big "O" through my regular browser, Safari. Several tries eventually gets past this obstacle. This does not happen when I try to access other sites. Does anone else get this message? Mac users? PC users? Anybody?

The last time I saw the Hi-Hat (Boston) it was a Pizzeria Uno.

Frances Faye was more of a cabaret singer/pianist than a jazz singer. A lesbian who made no bones about it (as it were), she sometimes prefaced her show with: "My name is Frances Faye... Gay gay gay... Is there any other way?" And that was pretty bold for the 1950s. I really don't think P&B did Bethlehem in. Even when it first came out, one had the impression that most of the tracks were leftovers, or extra numbers from other sessions. It's really the kitchen sink Porgy and Bess, isn't it?

It's an odd mish-mash, for sure, but I wouldn't ignore it. Admittedly, it has been years since I heard these tracks, but I used to play many of them when I was on the air; and I only played what pleased my ears. BTW, you have the wrong year for the original release--it was actually 1956.

This thread brings back fond memories of Lem Winchester, who used to come to my apartment in Philadelphia to listen to early jazz recordings. As I recall, I mention his fondness for vintage jazz in my notes to the original LP release. One day, Lem brought his grandfather with him and as I played Bessie, early Louis, Morton, et al, he watched the old man's face. "You can see in their eyes the good times they had back then," he said, although probably not in these exact words. His death came as a big shock, especially because he was so full of life. Pianist Roy Johnson was a gentle soul and a close friend. This was his first recording, and it wasn't planned--he came to Rudy's studio that day because he had written a song, "Lady Day," that Lem wanted to record. It made sense to have him play the piano.

The Mac OS has a system-wide spell checker built into it. I can spell check anywhere, including Organissimo. I assumed that Window had the same feature, but I guess Microsoft hasn't gotten around to copying that yet! Love the improvements and new features, Jim.

Now ain't that just like a Bushista, to bemoan the loss of a snoop op! ←

A curson him. Seriously, I am sorry to hear that about Ted. I haven't seen him in many years, but I remember him as one of the most amiable musicians I had the privilege of knowing beyond an interview.

What did Ted do/say?

As Jim mentioned, Benson started on what you call "the dark side," even recorded as a pop singer in 1954 (for RCA's X label). So, he simply returned to pop--nothing wrong with that decision, per se. I wish he had stuck to jazz, but I don't blame him for going for the green. When I first interviewed him, he was still with Jack McDuff and living in an East Harlem apartment that he didn't want me to see (he told me this later). BTW, I wrote the liner notes for his first album (Prestige) a couple of years before John Hammond "discovered" him!

Then, Alfred, you must feel the same about Riverside releases.

...and 13 years later (NYT Feb. 20, 1972), at Slugs:

And you shouldn't be left hanging, as it were. Here's the NYT item re the sentencing...

Then, February 21, came the denial...

Here's what the NY Times reported on January 27, 1959...

A couple of years ago, I received one such letter via snailmail. Their use of my full name, includding middle, told me that their address source s probably Who's Who, but the funny thing was that the address ended with: New York, NY 10025 England Obviously not Who's Who in America

They are as funny as they are pesky, which is why I keep them. My collection, at this point, could fill a small book. I don't think these letters are clever, but that may be because they are so transparent. Still, the fact that they keep coming, year after year, tells me that there are takers (i.e., losers). That people can be so gullible is a measure of their greed.

If this is the groove you are talking about, it is normal.

What "fine piece" is he talking about??

It's amazing how often bad writing escapes an editor's scrutiny--I speak from personal experience.

...and just one more.

Here's a sign with figures higher than any I thought I'd find in my neighborhood, much less in the next block...

And look what we find right next door...a inexpensive hotel with an intriguing name. Well, it is, after all, on Duke Ellington Boulevard...

And here is the original main entrance, which I love...

Thank you, Gary, for pointing that out to me. The reviewer is correct in saying that I pointed this out years ago (30 years, actually), but he could also have questioned the playwright's claim that Bessie was driven around in an ambulance searching for a blacks-only hospital. She was taken directly there by that hospital's own ambulance. That said, I might as well add another photo. Here's one showing the north side of the building, the one facing Duke Ellington Boulevard.