[78-L] The TIME-LIFE sets (was) Alvino Rey and The Kings

[JD]

> Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010 10:24:42 -0400
> From: Geoffrey Wheeler <dialjazz at verizon.net>
> Subject: [78-L]  Alvino Rey and The Kings
> To: 78-l at klickitat.78online.com
> Message-ID: <b741aaad0af8f3a445f90304f64c6f18 at verizon.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252; format=flowed
>
> Yes, Joe Thomas was on the Lunceford Majestic band, as well as such
> stalwarts as Fernando Arbelo, Omer Simeon, and Truck Parham.
>
> I probably have all those boxed sets, including the complete Time-Life
> collection. Some I purchased from private vendors at really low prices
> for product in excellent condition, and some from thrift stores for
> never more than a few dollars. They don?t seem to have much appeal
> today or much resale value but they are certainly handy when it comes
> to accessing certain recordings! The Time-Life sets are excellent, if
> only for the well-illustrated hardcover books.
> ------------------------------

Agreed, but not just for the books. I treasure that collection. The playing, 
recording and recreations are superb, very probably the BEST of all big band 
collections, much of it done by the original musicians who play the old 
chestnuts and warhorses like they really mean it.  There's a famous story of 
Billy May who transcribed many of the scores from the original rcordings: he 
was telling a felow musician what a problem and how time-consuming  it was 
to transcribe one of the charts and how relieved he was when completed. To 
which the musician replied something like, " Oh, man, you should have told 
me, I've got the parts in my garage.
Jack Daney
        Big bands are definitely coming back.      How do I know? I read it 
in DownBeat in 1952