SwingItTrev

Slightly off-topic: Does someone have a recommended buying guide to early (pre-1947) Ellington, based on best sound quality? I have all of this material on cheap, poorly remastered discs and I'm gradually upgrading it, but I'm trying to avoid repurchasing the same material over and over again. I have... History: The Complete Works 1924-1947 BOX SET (poor) Dreyfus: Ko-Ko (okay) JSP: From the Cotton Club to Sweden (okay) RCA: Centennial Edition (good) Sony/BMG: The Best of Duke Ellington: 1932-1939 (good) Mosaic: Small Group Sessions (excellent)

Do you prefer these to the GRP set? I'd also vouch for the Pres Mosaic set. I prefer this earlier music SO much more than the later Pres material, but I guess it comes down to personal taste.

I've just listened up to disc 5, and I'm really happy with this set so far (although the Elder Eatmore sermons were a bit of a suprise). We've got cold rainy weather here at the moment and Louis makes everything warmer! BTW, did anyone else cringe during the Pee Wee duets "Rockin Chair" and "Lazybones"?

I just ordered this set. The comments here and the video on the Mosaic site convinced me! Looking forward to its arrival!

I've been saying for a few years now that a Charlie Barnet reissue/remastering project seems overdue. I would love someone like Mosaic or HEP to take this on board

Any update on this yet?

This probably doesn't help you, but I've looking for that Blanche Calloway CD for the past 5 years and recently gave in and purchased the digital version via emusic: http://www.emusic.com/album/Blanche-Callow...d/11337469.html (I believe it's only available to those outside the US) I'd prefer the actual disc, but at least I can listen to her now.

[off topic]Actually, after hearing them on Devilin' Tune I went and ordered that very disc. This is why I love well-thought out compilations by people that know stuff.[/off topic]

This sounds like another great project! I have Volume 3 of Devillin' Tune (1934-1945) and love it. It drew my attention to great recording by artists I hadn't heard of (Original Yellow Jackets anyone?) and I'm looking forward to this blues version. I'm curious about what is involved in putting together a release like this. Do you have to get licenses for each track? Are there recording you can't get permission to use, or is everything so old that it's in the public domain?

The % of alternates and the currently poor exchange rates are making me hesitate over what should have been an automatic purchase.

This set must be nearly ready. I'd sure love to see a track listing.