[78-L] Length of jazz recordings

[Cary Ginell]

Yes - most jazz LPs were studio recordings back then. The prevailing pattern was for a 10-inch LP to include 8 songs. When the format expanded to 12-inch LPs, the standard was 12 songs. 

In their jazz reviews, "Down Beat" often complained about the brevity of jazz songs. They wanted to hear the soloists "wail," but the three-minute format dictated by the necessities of recording for 78 rpm discs was still

adhered to by most labels, despite the advantages presented by the introduction of the LP. I'm asking which label recognized this first? I'm guessing Clef and Prestige. Even Blue Note was still sticking to the singles

format in the early 1950s.

There were many live sessions that were issued on 10-inch LPs that had extended performances. One of the most famous is the electrifying Lionel Hampton vibraphone solo on "The Man I Love," which was issued on the "Just Jazz" LP on Decca (DL-7013). 

Cary Ginell

On Jul 9, 2013, at 4:19 PM, Julian Vein <julianvein at blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:

> On 09/07/13 23:46, Cary Ginell wrote:
>> Yes - but these were isolated recordings that were ruled by the restrictions of the physical limitations of a 78 rpm disc. I'm looking for the label or labels that decided to capture the performance REGARDLESS of any limitations due to technology. Record till you're done and we'll issue it as is. The JATP live recordings were probably the first - and many were excerpted on two and sometimes three 78 rpm singles. But when the LP came in, musicians could record for an entire side without stopping. I'm checking my 10-inch LPs and it seems that Clef (again with Granz in charge) was the first to do this on a regular basis.
>> 
>> Cary
>> ==================
> Zoot Sims did a long version of "Zoot Swings The Blues" for Prestige in 
> 1951. Gerry Mulligan did a long "Mulligan's Too" (18mins) for Prestige 
> the same year.
> 
> In the UK, Ronnie Scott recorded some side-long tracks for Esquire which 
> were direct cut.
> 
> I assume you are enquiring about studio rather than live recordings?
> 
>      Julian Vein
> _______________________________________________
> 78-L mailing list
> 78-L at klickitat.78online.com
> http://klickitat.78online.com/mailman/listinfo/78-l
>