[78-L] Comments on the new book "360 Sound" - Story of Columbia Records coming in November

[Steve Ramm]

I know there was discussion here a while back about the forthcoming book, “360 Sound: the History of Columbia Records” by Sean Wilentz – which is due in early November. Some folks were talking about pre-ordering the deluxe volume that comes with a second book of essays by Dave Marsh about 263 important recordings and a flash drive with the “original” recordings.
 
Well the Wilentz book isn’t out yet but I was able to get a copy of the Marsh book in advance – without the drive – and wanted to share a few comments. I’m sure folks like Mike Biel will want to know this (but, Mike, save your anger for when it actually comes out in November <g>)
 
First, you should know that Marsh does not acknowledge anyone I’ve ever heard of in the collecting field so HIS book has obviously not been proofed by anyone we know. He credits the “images” section at LoC for the graphic images of the records but, as I’ll explain in a minute, there are wrong ones there.
 
So far I noted the following three MAJOR errors – and I’m not an expert as some of you are:
 
1 The first recording is a cylinder of “Washington Post March” by Sousa’s Band. In the text, Marsh says it’s a wax cylinder; what’s shown is an indestructible.
 
2. He lists the recording od “Some of these Days” by Sophie Tucker but the label shown is Ted Lewis and his band.
 
3. Later on (the records are chronological by recording date) he gets to two recordings by Eubie Blake – one from “The 86 years of…” Lp and another from the later “Wild About Eubie” one. In the text Marsh says that Eubie lives “Just short of 100 years old” (He made it. And that he recorded the “86 Years” album when he was only 82. I don’t remember hearing that he lied about his age!
 
Those are just three of major items. I haven’t read all the essays yet.
 
Also, in a few cases (like a Bessie Smith record, he shows the CD or Lp reissue cover instead of the actual disc label. And lastly, quite a few of the early recordings are credited as to their source the “Soundtrack of a Century” box set. And, trust me, there are no previously unissued tracks here and the variety is all over the place.
 
I can’t comment on Wilentz’s book as I haven’t seen any of it but the graphic samples make it look like it’ll be attractive and I'm HOPING that there will be accurate info. I just wanted to let you know if you are considering getting the deluxe set. Unlike Rainer Lotz’s Bear Family set, there is nothing here you probably don’t already have.
 Steve Ramm