[78-L] Koussey Played Bass

[Michael Biel]

Finally found an album of recordings I had been long seeking but hadn't 
know what form they took.  It is RCA Victor Red Seal DeLuxe Special 
Limited Edition LE-1 "Serge Koussevitzky -- Master of the Double Bass, 
25th Anniversary Souvenir".  3-12-inch discs, Ruby Red vinyl, numbered 
99-2000 thru 2002.  The matrix numbers are interesting.  They are in the 
vinyl but not on the labels.  The liner notes mention that two of the 
sides had been issued in 1929, and those two sides have the release 
number in the vinyl: 7159A and B.   "The other four sides are being 
released for the first time.  In 1929 Dr. Koussevitzky felt they did not 
represent fully what he had been able to accomplish on the double bass 
but today their historic value has persuaded him to approve their 
release"   These four have numbers D8-RC-741, 746, 747, and 748 or 9.  
1948, of course.  But usually these re-numbered masters are given the 
prefix of the year of recording, which would have been B9.  There are no 
VE marks on any of the six sides, and in all likelyhood the four 
unissued sides are dubs, but it is possible that the two issued sides 
are master pressings because there are some indications of shaving in 
the lead-out area. 

Anyone know how limited this edition was?  Were there shellac pressings 
also?   Is there info of these yet in the Victor discography project or 
do we have to look at the sheets and cards at BMG? 

The liner notes tell a story about how he wanted to restore the double 
bass back into the soloist status.  Sounds like a Russian version of 
Tubby the Tuba!

Mike (deep thoughts) Biel   mbiel at mbiel.com