LF: Tommy Flanagan Solo Piano on Storyville

[blind-blake]

Anybody willing to sell, trade or provide copy. I know that much of it is not really Tommy, but the clips I've heard sound great. Thanks in advance.

[robviti]

sorry, but i don't own this recording. but your remark about it's "not all tommy" prompted an interesting search that has left me with a few nagging questions:

1) did our chris a. ever go back to his copy and confirm what he heard from others?

2) has scott yanow ever confirmed or denied this rumor, since he wrote the liner notes for the release?

3) what does our own ken dryden have to say about all this, what with his review of the release being featured on amg?

inquiring minds (with little else to do) want to know!

[blind-blake]

sorry, but i don't own this recording. but your remark about it's "not all tommy" prompted an interesting search that has left me with a few nagging questions:

1) did our chris a. ever go back to his copy and confirm what he heard from others?

2) has scott yanow ever confirmed or denied this rumor, since he wrote the liner notes for the release?

3) what does our own ken dryden have to say about all this, what with his review of the release being featured on amg?

inquiring minds (with little else to do) want to know!

Yes, I'd be curious, as well. If you ever find out...

[robviti]

well, the answers to #1 and #3 could come from board members, if they're willing.

[blind-blake]

well, the answers to #1 and #3 could come from board members, if they're willing.

C'mon Chris! C'mon Scott!

[robviti]

well, the answers to #1 and #3 could come from board members, if they're willing.

C'mon Chris! C'mon Scott!

very subtle.

actually, i forgot scott had registered on the board. he hasn't posted since the fall of '06.

anyway, if chris and ken choose to enlighten us, that's cool. if not...

[Ted O'Reilly]

Okay, here's a 2005 email from my friend Arild Wideroe, of Baden Switzerland, about the Flanagan release. (Arild has personally researched and created a massive Swiss Jazz discography).

"Well, it seems the original Storyville-CD "Solo Piano" (101 8387) of Flanagan is becoming a collector item:

"Storyville (Copenhagen) has stopped selling the solo-CD and is also instructing their retailers NOT to sell the CD anymore. Reason are the nine quite obscure tracks (12-20) which hardly can be of Tommy Flanagan!

"After all it seems executive-producer Anders Stefansen has been lured by Paul Meyer's wife Kiwano, who sold the tapes to Storyville. Paul Meyer (†1988) was the original producer of the original solo-recording (track 1-11), which was edited by Bruno Spoerri (Zurich) March 1975."

So, it would seem that even Scott Yanow, the liner note writer, was taken in, but in referring to some of the tracks (from12-20)he does say "Few would guess that it was Tommy Flanagan, who sounds even more versatile than normal."

The question does remain: who is the other pianist?

[Ted O'Reilly]

I forgot to mention in the above message that I do have that CD, and tracks 11-20 are OBVIOUSLY by a different pianist. I don't know how Storyville wouldn't have caught the change: the recording quality is different, so is the piano itself.

[robviti]

so who's the mystery pianist?

[Ted O'Reilly]

so who's the mystery pianist?

Dunno: I'm still trying to find out. It's no one I recognize, but a very good player, competent in solo playing -- stride/swing-to-bop. Maybe a European? I doubt if Storyville will ever tell, even if they know, having been duped. It would make a good Blindfold Test, though.

Maybe it was thought that the TF tracks at 47:13 were too short for a CD issue, and came up with 24 minutes of someone else to fill it up. (I've been told that especially in the UK, if there's not more than 60 minutes on a CD they think they're being ripped off).

[Quasimado]

actually, i forgot scott had registered on the board. he hasn't posted since the fall of '06.

It was decided that Scott was not welcome.

Q

[blind-blake]

actually, i forgot scott had registered on the board. he hasn't posted since the fall of '06.

It was decided that Scott was not welcome.

Q

Any idea why not? I like his work.

[blind-blake]

Okay, here's a 2005 email from my friend Arild Wideroe, of Baden Switzerland, about the Flanagan release. (Arild has personally researched and created a massive Swiss Jazz discography).

"Well, it seems the original Storyville-CD "Solo Piano" (101 8387) of Flanagan is becoming a collector item:

"Storyville (Copenhagen) has stopped selling the solo-CD and is also instructing their retailers NOT to sell the CD anymore. Reason are the nine quite obscure tracks (12-20) which hardly can be of Tommy Flanagan!

"After all it seems executive-producer Anders Stefansen has been lured by Paul Meyer's wife Kiwano, who sold the tapes to Storyville. Paul Meyer (†1988) was the original producer of the original solo-recording (track 1-11), which was edited by Bruno Spoerri (Zurich) March 1975."

So, it would seem that even Scott Yanow, the liner note writer, was taken in, but in referring to some of the tracks (from12-20)he does say "Few would guess that it was Tommy Flanagan, who sounds even more versatile than normal."

The question does remain: who is the other pianist?

Thanks Ted. I'd love to know who this pianist is, as well! Whoever he is, he's good!

[Quasimado]

actually, i forgot scott had registered on the board. he hasn't posted since the fall of '06.

It was decided that Scott was not welcome.

Q

Any idea why not? I like his work.

Some members obviously don't. He had the sheet kicked out of him.

Q

[John Tapscott]

I forgot to mention in the above message that I do have that CD, and tracks 11-20 are OBVIOUSLY by a different pianist. I don't know how Storyville wouldn't have caught the change: the recording quality is different, so is the piano itself.

I think "OBVIOUSLY" is too strong a term. Take track 20 for example, "All the Things You Are". It is very Flanagan-like. (The sequence around 1:30-1:40 is pure Flanagan). So whoever the mystery pianist is, he/she was doing a pretty good imitation of Flanagan, at least on this track. The one track that raises major questions for me is "Rosetta." But it's interesting that with the exception of this track all the other questionable tracks are tunes which appeared (sometimes frequently) in Tommy's live and recorded programs.

Here are two other points worth mentioning:

Ted O Reilly (whose knowledge I respect a great deal and on whose radio program I cut my "jazz listening teeth") mentions the difference in piano sound between Tommy's tracks and the "questionable" tracks. Actually the sound also varies a bit on the definitely authentic tracks. There is a noticeable sound difference between track 1 "Parisian Thoroughfare" and track 2 "Wail" .The other point we shouldn't overlook the ability of master jazz pianists to sometimes play in style different from their accustomed signature syle. It has been said that when

the mood struck him, Bill Evans could play down-home swinging blues in the style of Milt Buckner.

I'm not dismissing the "other pianist" theory, but until Storyville tells us who the pianist, is, I am not prepared to use the term "OBVIOUSLY."

One thing I will say is that it is an EXCELLENT CD.

[blind-blake]

I forgot to mention in the above message that I do have that CD, and tracks 11-20 are OBVIOUSLY by a different pianist. I don't know how Storyville wouldn't have caught the change: the recording quality is different, so is the piano itself.

I think "OBVIOUSLY" is too strong a term. Take track 20 for example, "All the Things You Are". It is very Flanagan-like. (The sequence around 1:30-1:40 is pure Flanagan). So whoever the mystery pianist is, he/she was doing a pretty good imitation of Flanagan, at least on this track. The one track that raises major questions for me is "Rosetta." But it's interesting that with the exception of this track all the other questionable tracks are tunes which appeared (sometimes frequently) in Tommy's live and recorded programs.

Here are two other points worth mentioning:

Ted O Reilly (whose knowledge I respect a great deal and on whose radio program I cut my "jazz listening teeth") mentions the difference in piano sound between Tommy's tracks and the "questionable" tracks. Actually the sound also varies a bit on the definitely authentic tracks. There is a noticeable sound difference between track 1 "Parisian Thoroughfare" and track 2 "Wail" .The other point we shouldn't overlook the ability of master jazz pianists to sometimes play in style different from their accustomed signature syle. It has been said that when

the mood struck him, Bill Evans could play down-home swinging blues in the style of Milt Buckner.

I'm not dismissing the "other pianist" theory, but until Storyville tells us who the pianist, is, I am not prepared to use the term "OBVIOUSLY."

One thing I will say is that it is an EXCELLENT CD.

.....and the plot thickens!

[John Tapscott]

Having listened to this CD once more this morning (and it is very enjoyable listening) I believe now that it is most likely not Tommy, but another pianist on tracks 12-19 (I hold out for Tommy on track 20). I even have a name to suggest for the mystery pianist, a pianist whose work also appeared on Storyville - Ralph Sutton (there are a few trademark Sutton licks & phrases, though I also have a nagging suspicion that it may not be him, either.)

[blind-blake]

Having listened to this CD once more this morning (and it is very enjoyable listening) I believe now that it is most likely not Tommy, but another pianist on tracks 12-19 (I hold out for Tommy on track 20). I even have a name to suggest for the mystery pianist, a pianist whose work also appeared on Storyville - Ralph Sutton (there are a few trademark Sutton licks & phrases, though I also have a nagging suspicion that it may not be him, either.)

Interesting! Ralph Sutton, huh?

[Ted O'Reilly]

...... (I hold out for Tommy on track 20). I even have a name to suggest for the mystery pianist, a pianist whose work also appeared on Storyville - Ralph Sutton (there are a few trademark Sutton licks & phrases, though I also have a nagging suspicion that it may not be him, either.)

Nah, it's not Ralph. Doesn't have his drive. And it sure ain't Flanagan. (I'll stick with "obviously").

I recorded both Tommy and Ralph playing solo piano (and in band settings) enough over the years to guarantee that. Also, remember that Storyville only released (then recalled) the material, didn't produce it. The tapes originated in Switzerland, so I think it unlikely that Storyville would have added tracks.

I listened again to track 20, John, ("All The Things You Are") and will concede it is slightly possible that it could be Tommy, but I'm still not convinced.

[John Tapscott]

I recorded both Tommy and Ralph playing solo piano (and in band settings) enough over the years to guarantee that. Also, remember that Storyville only released (then recalled) the material, didn't produce it. The tapes originated in Switzerland, so I think it unlikely that Storyville would have added tracks.

But somebody knows the story and who the mystery pianist is (I'll admit I'm grasping at straws), and they're not saying (unfortunately). Probably if it got out who the mystery pianist is, it would cost Storyville some $$$$.

[Ted O'Reilly]

I recorded both Tommy and Ralph playing solo piano (and in band settings) enough over the years to guarantee that. Also, remember that Storyville only released (then recalled) the material, didn't produce it. The tapes originated in Switzerland, so I think it unlikely that Storyville would have added tracks.

But somebody knows the story and who the mystery pianist is (I'll admit I'm grasping at straws), and they're not saying (unfortunately). Probably if it got out who the mystery pianist is, it would cost Storyville some $$$$.

Yes, somebody DOES know, though I'd guess they'll not own up to it. I have "My Man In Switzerland" working on it, so mayhaps he'll come up with something. I think the answer is there, not in Sweden. I don't care about the money involved, I just want the pianist's name revealed, and solve the mystery, Dr. Watson.

As to $$$$ being involved, I'd bet it's only in the range of $1000. Most people who have never been involved with jazz production or presentation have no idea of the small amounts of money involved. Other than a few people (Hancock, Krall, Shorter), the huge numbers that The Music Industry tosses around (or USED to talk about) have absolutely nothing to do with jazz. I'd guess that Storyville would consider selling 3000 to 4000 discs to be a major success on most titles.

In a curious way, jazz artists haven't been too badly affected by the whole download thing, because their numbers are too small for anyone to bother to rip off. (And the artists are used to getting by with very little in the first place). Indeed, jazz could benefit because of the improved distribution: on the internet, a small operation can have as big a presence as the majors.