[78-L] Bessie Smith Album

[Geoffrey Wheeler]

Yes, all the records issued in the Bessie Smith album are dubs. By 1937 
when the album was released, the standard size of a 10-inch 78 had 
become 9-7/8 inches so they could be accommodated by changers in juke 
box and home record-players. About 1998, I asked George Avakian why the 
records had been dubbed, and this is the answer he gave me. Also, the 
first batch of 200,000 records that Decca released in August or 
September 1934 to coin ops were all returned because they were a full 
10-inches in size and would not fit the changer mechanisms in juke 
boxes. They had been pressed in the Gennett plant on out-of-date 
equipment. The end of Prohibition not only changed liquor laws, it also 
changed the kind of entertainment former speaks and blind pigs could 
afford to offer. Live music went out the window and in came the juke 
box. Budget labels were not only created to appeal to Depression Era 
incomes but provide low-cost product for juke-box operators.

Early cover art was limited by creative people dealing with a new 
medium, the limitations of existing manufacturing technology, and cost. 
Victor’s 1937 12-inch “Symposium of Swing” album (released in 
round-gold and later, black-and-silver versions) and Artie Shaw’s 
Bluebird album used half-tones for cover illustrations, Early Decca 
album covers tended to look like print advertising. By 1940, a new 
approach was emerging that was manifested in the jazz album cover art 
of all three majors plus that of HRS, Keynote, General Records, Delta 
Records, and a few others. In Britain, Brunswick issued three albums 
with nondescript covers. Parlophone had an eight-record Bessie Smith 
“Memorial” Album (R-2476 to R-2483), HMV a “Swing” album, and Decca two 
“Jam” albums. As I say in my book on Bootleg & Reissues 78s, “The 2nd 
Jam album comprised seven discs featuring various groups under the 
leadership of Teddy Wilson. These discs sold separately for 2s 6d. If 
you bought all seven at once at 17s 6d you received the hardcover album 
free. Curiously, the first four records, Decca J10-J13, were released 
in January or February 1938, while the remaining three discs were 
released later. In short, you had to wait until all seven records had 
been released before you could avail yourself of the album offer.”
Geoffrey Wheeler