[78-L] Venuti & Pals

[r.barnes4 at btopenworld.com]

Re Barnacle Bill,
 
Some thirty years ago Bud Freeman and Ralph Sutton spent a week-end here in Dorset. 
 
After the concert it was time to for a few drinks, a meal and time to relax.   Bud was a great raconteur and it was an opportunity to record his reminisces on tape.
 
I asked him about the 'Barnacle Bill' recording.  According to Bud they arrived at the studio where Venuti (and a few others) shared some booze which Venuti was carrying.
 
Allegedly the engineer was difficult to please and there were a number of ruined takes due, it would seem, to drink driven tomfoolery.     Bud says the wisecracks by Venuti were aimed at the Engineer and the final line was ‘Sh**ter”. 
 
RB