[78-L] OFF SPEED RECORDINGS

[Tim Huskisson]

Actually the KEY of the arrangement is a VITAL aspect of determining the
correct speed. While it is true that there were arrangements in Keys not
ideally suited to Bb and Eb instruments - it is extremely unusual for an
arranger not to modulate to a  more suitable key for instrumental solos -
particularly if they are improvised. Thus a Benny Goodman improvised
clarinet solo that appears to be in the key of A, most definitely will be in
Ab or Bb (Good as Benny was!). Other clues can be taken from the
characteristics and limitations of various musical instruments. For example,
Double-Bass will not play a Low Eb, because the Bottom String is tuned to E.

Tim Huskisson



-----Original Message-----
From: 78-l-bounces at klickitat.78online.com
[mailto:78-l-bounces at klickitat.78online.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Sultanof
Sent: 27 August 2012 22:47
To: 78-L Mail List
Subject: Re: [78-L] OFF SPEED RECORDINGS

David,

With all due respect, it was not unusual at all for dance bands to play in
the key of A and E. Fletcher Henderson wrote in those keys all the time. I
just edited La Paloma arranged by Gil Evans, the first part of which is in
the key of E major. I've seen several arrangements for Benny Goodman from
the early forties which were in sharp keys as well.

This does not mean, however, that they speeds on these sides are indeed
faster than the norm. But one can't base an argument on the key of the
arrangement as evidence as far as I'm concerned. Are there vocals on these
records? How do they sound?

Jeff Sultanof

On Mon, Aug 27, 2012 at 3:23 PM, David Lennick <dlennick at sympatico.ca>wrote:

> Another word about records made at weird speeds (it was discussed on 
> this forum, right?)..there are Guy Lombardo sides made in Chicago for 
> Columbia that are a good 4% off. It was Jeff Healey who pointed this 
> out to me years ago when we were working on a Lombardo project, and 
> what he said matched up with the "correct key" situation for dance 
> band recordings. "I Can't Do Without You" on Columbia 1395-D, at 
> 78RPM, plays just slightly below A! No dance band would play in A. A 
> flat, yes. B flat, yes (but that would mean going up more than 5%). "I 
> Love You Truly", from this same session, is also this far off speed, 
> which must have caused some fancy dancing when it was played at 
> weddings over the years. (The flip of 1395, Waitin' for Katy, only 
> needs to go down 1.5% so they weren't too careful about running the 
> cutting tables at specified
> speeds.)
>
> dl
>
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