Honey Dew Records

[mjzee]

I'm listening to Ben Webster's "Layin' Back With Ben, Vol. 2" on Honey Dew records. What are people's thoughts on this label? The Webster music is excellent, tho the sound quality is lo-fi and the pressing crackles. It's a date recorded in Rhode Island in 1964 with the house band. I think the two albums have been reissued on one CD (on Storyville?).

The back of the LP lists their other releases:

HD 6601 Nina Simone - Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood

HD 6602 Elvin Jones - Skyscrapers, Vol. 1

HD 6603 Elvin Jones - Skyscrapers, Vol. 2

HD 6604 Elvin Jones - Skyscrapers, Vol. 3

HD 6605 Elvin Jones - Skyscrapers, Vol. 4

HD 6606 Ben Webster - Layin' Back With Ben, Vol. 1

HD 6607 Ben Webster - Layin' Back With Ben, Vol. 2

HD 6608 Carol Sloane & Ben Webster - Carol & Ben

HD 6609 Davey Schildkraut/Tony Fruscella - Bebop Is Where It's At, Vol. 1

HD 6610 Davey Schildkraut/Tony Fruscella - Bebop Is Where It's At, Vol. 2

HD 6611 Joe Newman - Shiny Stockings

HD 6612 Joe Newman - Way Down Blues

HD 6613 Dave McKenna/Wilbur Little - Oil & Vinegar

HD 6614 Pee Wee Russell - Hot Licorice

HD 6615 Wilbur Little/Dave McKenna - Natural

HD 6616 Pee Wee Russell - Gumbo

HD 6617 Bobby Hackett - Butterfly Airs, Vol. 1

HD 6618 Bobby Hackett - Butterfly Airs, Vol. 2

HD 6619 Dizzy Reece - Possession, Exorcism, Peace

HD 6620 Bobby Hackett - Tin Roof Blues

HD 6621 Vera Auer - Positive Vibes

I once owned the Elvins, but thought they were boring. I'm curious about the Carol Sloane & Ben, Dizzy Reece, Dave McKenna and Pee Wee Russells. Thoughts?

[Dan Gould]

I've been curious about this label, too. I have the Newman, its pretty good.

[Chuck Nessa]

This was a '70s tax dodge label - there were a few. I forget the details but folks with money could invest in record projects and take huge "losses" on their taxes. This loophole was filled after a couple of years and the labels disappeared. Honeydew had a bunch of interesting music, from sometimes questionable sources, usually in lousy sound. I think Art Zimmerman had a piece of it.

[ejp626]

I had a copy of Elvin Jones Skyscraper (v. 2 I think). I can't recall about the sound quality.

I thought it was too bad that there wasn't a legit release, since the music was pretty interesting. Haven't checked, but it might be a concert that has ended up on dime or a torrent.

[JohnS]

I tried a couple of these, an Elvin and a Fruscella. Neither were anything to get excited about imo.

[AllenLowe]

while the Schildkraut has got some amazing music on it, Bill Triglia complained that they had stolen his tapes -

Edited July 30, 2008 by AllenLowe

[BeBop]

To my tastes, the Ben Webster is prime stuff; my favorite era of his career. Some of the recordings aren't everything I'd like in terms of sound quality, but I recall a naturalness or presence that drew me in. (It's been a while since I've heard them, but that's my recollection.)

I've also got the Davey Schildkraut/Tony Fruscella and have generally positive memories of it.

I know the Sloane/Webster is good, but...well, I like Ben's contributions. Sloane's just one of those singers I underappreciate.