[78-L] Rhapsody

[Michael Biel]

Michael Biel wrote:
> David Lennick wrote:
>   
>> This is the Oscar Levant recording in its original issue. 

I should have remembered before posting that this is Levant's SECOND 
recording of the RIB.  His first was on Brunswick with Frank Black and 
his Orch with Harry Reiser added on banjo.  Same cuts as the 
Whiteman/Gershwin Victors on 2 12-inch sides, and Black is listed in the 
ledgers as the arranger.  Dec 2, 1927, mxs XE25382-83 and XE25384-85 
with takes 82 and 85 issued.  US and Australia Brunswick 20058, British 
20059, and German A5040.  I haven't listened to it in a while but I 
remember it as being pretty good.  Anybody know of any reissues?

Let me bring up something else about the Rhapsody Victors.  When I was a 
kid, an undergrad at Temple Univ in Phila, I did a weekly radio program 
with my old records called "The Record Shelf."  One week I found a copy 
of the blue label acoustical and I played it on the program mentioning 
that I had read that Gershwin had also made it electrically a few years 
later and that I would LOVE to find a copy of it.  I got a phone call 
from a guy who said he would give me a copy of the 10-inch LP reissue.  
A few weeks later I played them both.  I spoke to this guy a number of 
times during the three years I did that show.  I know that he taught me 
a lot in those calls -- I was a young whippersnapper -- but the only 
other thing I remember specifically was when he called to correct how to 
say Schenck (as in Van and Schenck).  We never met in person at that 
time, but years later, probably at the 74 ARSC, this gray haired guy 
came up to me and introduced himself to me as my caller.  He was Wilfred 
Graham.  Oh the things we talked about every year thereafter at ARSC but 
I could never get him to do a presentation or write an article or to let 
me videotape him even during the bull sessions.  Oh how I wish he had 
invited me as a kid over to his collection.  He was a treasure-trove of 
information.  He knew EVERYTHING about what went on inside Victor and 
about the ledgers and vault, but kept all of it secret.  Something must 
have happened when he left Victor, but he was really taking it out on us 
rather than taking it out on Victor.  He knew things that Victor needed 
to know and didn't want us to somehow tell them. 

By the way, in case some of you do not know who Wilfred Graham was, HE 
was the Victor Heritage Series.  He was the entire staff that did that 
series of ruby red vinyl repressings of original acoustical operatic 
masters with the gleaming gold sleeves.  

Mike Biel  mbiel at mbiel.com

>> What you need to 
>> check is any numbers after XCO 34781 and the other two parts (such as -1 or 
>> -2).
>>     
>
> Let me go into a little more detail.  You need to be looking at the 
> engraved numbers in the shellac, not the ones printed on the label.  
> Columbia often put the take info in a different place from the matrix 
> number itself.  It will often be in the form of a number then a letter 
> them another number.  The first number is the take.  The letter is the 
> metal positive or mother, and the number after the letter (sometimes not 
> there) is the stamper from that mother.  These last two items are not 
> discographically significant.
>
> Mike Biel  mbiel at mbiel.com 
>
>   
>>  The fourth side is "Preludes 2 & 3"..this is actually a dub from an 
>> earlier recording of the 3 Preludes, which were on a ten-inch.
>>
>> I have a couple of copies of that set on American and Canadian Columbia, but 
>> not immediately at hand.
>>
>> dl
>>
>> P G C wrote:
>>   
>>     
>>> Hi Mike:
>>>
>>> My Father's 78rpm records (mine now) are 4 sides in 2 discs I can read in the blue label:
>>> Columbia Master works
>>> MX 251-1 to MX 251-4
>>> Also, in side 1  label: "12126-D" and "(XCO 34781)"
>>>
>>> In the Paper album: SET X-MX-251
>>> Any ideas?
>>>
>>>  
>>> Regards, JorgeF. (PGC)__,,,^..^,,,__
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ________________________________
>>> From: Michael Biel <mbiel at mbiel.com>
>>>
>>> David Lennick wrote:
>>>     
>>>       
>>>> Levant did indeed record the Wrapsidney in 1945, with Ormandy and the 
>>>> Philadelphia Orchestra..classic performance, for my money, despite cuts. 
>>>>       
>>>>         
>>> There are issued alternate takes.  It was a huge seller, so check each 
>>> copy. 
>>>
>>> Mike Biel  mbiel at mbiel.com 
>>>
>>>
>>>     
>>>       
>>>> He 
>>>> also played it with Toscanini, and Benny Goodman played the clarinet 
>>>> glissando..and flubbed it.
>>>>
>>>> dl
>>>>
>>>> simmonssomer wrote:
>>>>  
>>>>       
>>>>         
>>>>> I need some help with a flagging memory.
>>>>> Now then...what was I about to say..?
>>>>> Ah yes....Didn't Levant record "Rhapsody In Blue" circa 1945?
>>>>> Or...was it a live performance at Lewiston Stadium in New York by Levant 
>>>>> that was recorded and issued?
>>>>> Anybody?
>>>>>
>>>>> Al Simmons 
>>>>>
>>>>>