Billie Holiday test pressing found, more info sought

[mindlessrobot]

Hello all,

I found a Billie Holiday test pressing in a stack of records on the streets of NYC.

The more interesting part is that it's signed.. from what looks to be someone associated with the recording.

I haven't been able to google up any leads on who the names are. I thought perhaps someone here would be able to shed some light on it.

I'm not looking for a value, or to sell, or anything like that.. I'm just curious about the origin of this disc, and if has any historical relevance.

Thanks, ELP.

[Christiern]

That could be pianist Jack Laforge, who recorded for the Paramount label, and the material might be Billie at Carnegie Hall. It would help if you told us what you hear on this disc.

[Chuck Nessa]

Test pressing of Paramount 6059. This was issued in 1973 and is a rehearsal with Jimmy Rowles and Artie Shapiro. It was also included in the big Verve Billie box.

[AllenLowe]

that's an interesting one.

[mindlessrobot]

Thanks folks.

I feel a bit daft, I hadn't considered that it was in fact "songs and conversations". It sounded more like a summary than a title.

I'm horrible at deciphering hand-writing, but Laforge would seem possible.. though it's a bit odd if he doesn't play on it.

As far as what I hear, my table is out of commission at the moment, but I'll take it to a friend's and confirm that it is 6059.

[chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez]

u fond it literally, "on the streets"? awesome! were u dumpster diving for records or somethin? hell yea! i do that too!!!

[JohnS]

Nice find elp.

[Teasing the Korean]

u fond it literally, "on the streets"? awesome! were u dumpster diving for records or somethin? hell yea! i do that too!!!

One of the advantages of New York is that, because of all the shoe box apartments, all kinds of amazing stuff ends up on the sidewalk on garbage night.

[mindlessrobot]

u fond it literally, "on the streets"? awesome! were u dumpster diving for records or somethin? hell yea! i do that too!!!

Yes. Literally in a pile of garbage, along with a variety of less remarkable (but still enjoyable) records.

It's not quite on the scale of an unlabeled Velvet Underground acetate, but I'm happy. I'd still like to know more about the significance of the signatures, but such is life.