[78-L] Mp3 revelation, one dollar LP bins, and thoughts on George Barnes

[Dennis Flannigan]

This is perhaps old hat for most of  you. I've begun converting WAVE files
of my 78 rpm records to mp3 files; then transferring hundreds at a time to
CD-Rs as data (not music) files. I can play 24 hours of my collection
without changing CDs on my Priyus CD playe (holds 6). It's like owning an
NPR station. Does anyone (or everyone) else do this? On to the dollar store
of good news.

I stopped by Golden Oldies Records in Tacoma, WA recently. Jeff's one buck
LP bins held the following treasures (from 78 rpm): 1. Eddie Cantor, MCA LP
1506; 2. Stuart Hamblen's KAPP LP, "This Old House Has Got to Go"; 3. Marais
and Miranda, Glendale GLS 6022; and, 4. "Songs Girl Scouts Sing," 1956. When
you pick up this last example, you're a collector with little restraint.

And, while not 78s, plundered a plethora of post 78 era delights at a buck:
Kidney-Stone Trio, "On Fraternity Row," Duo Records D-3; "The Humorous World
of Justin Wilson," Ember ELP 801, "The Whimsical World of Irving Taylor," WB
1352; "Laugh a Spell," by Doug Harrell, M.D., ABC-364; "Fool Britannia,"
Peter Sellers; and "The Ernie Kovacs Album," Col PC-34250. There's more I've
yet to hear, but all are promising.

Finally, LPs led me to 78s, or rather, back to 78s many years ago. I heard
guitarist George Barnes on LP, and sought out his 78s. For 5 bucks, I
brought home a George Barnes masterpiece, "The Uncollected George Barnes,"
w/GB and his Octet, Hindsight HSR-106. Do others share my reverence for
Barnes (especially this recording)? Remarkable music, talent and
arrangements.

Personal back-patting aside, a wonderful time flipping through bins of joy.

Dennis of the Northwest