[Dixielandjazz] Re: Record Collection Data Base

[Bill Haesler]

Dear Robert and Luis,
Regarding my record collection data base.
Many years ago, I watched my friends laboriously filling in special books,
file cards and the like. It took them ages and they didn't have much time to
listen to their records.
Then came computers and they redid it all again. Hours of typing, often to
loose the lot in a 'crash', because they hadn't kept up-dated hard copies in
separate files.
My collection (as you know) is specialised and is generally covered by
published discographies including;
Brian Rust's Jazz Records 1897-1942
Brian Rust's American Dance Bands Discography 1917-1942
Brian Rust's Entertainment Discography
Brian Rust's British Dance Bands on Record 1911-1945
Dixon & Godrich's Blues and Gospel Records 1890-1943
Jorgen Jepson's A-Z Jazz Records 1942-1967
Jack Mitchell's Australian Jazz On Record (3 volumes)
Selected discographies published by listmate Gerard Bielderman
My record collection (from its infancy when they were only 78s) has been
stored alphabetically. (Aaronson to Zurke).
When I acquire a record the title is underlined (in soft pencil) under the
artist/band in one of the discographies.
If it is on CD a small circle is added to the left hand side of the matrix
number. Minor notes (catalogue numbers, extra take numbers, etc.) are added
as an aid, as necessary.
For record compilations the discs/CDs are stored alphabetically by label
name (ABC to Yazoo).
Australian, British and comedy records are stored in their own sections, as
are special series like 'Jazz Greats' and the 78s, 7" and 10" vinyls.
Want Artie Shaw's "Rosalie" (as I did earlier today to answer a query)?
Check the Artie Shaw page numbers in Rust. Find a version of "Rosalie"
within this range in the Rust tune index. Pages 1401 and 1404 are listed.
Check each. Both are underlined, with a circle against one entry, so I have
it on LP and CD. Different dates - a transcription and a studio session. The
studio date is in a Bluebird boxed set. Today's specific query was "who is
the singer?", so all the details were in the Rust discography.
Want to hear the CD version? Go to the shelf, find Shaw, then find the CD
set with "Rosalie".
Need to find "Ja-Da" by the Original New Orleans Jazz Band.
Look up the band in Rust and find the tune title. Only 6 tunes in all by
this band, including 3 "Ja-Da"s, all underlined. There is a circle against
each of them. Notes on the right hand margin of the page provide a reference
to each of the CDs - Timeless, Retrieval and Fremauex, plus a Riverside LP -
with album titles and cat. nos. indicated. All filed alphabetically in the
label sections.
Not a perfect system, but if records are entered shortly after they are
purchased then all is fine. I have saved myself a lot of extra typing over
the last 60 years!
Well, basically, that is it.
Other aids are been added to refine the system.
I have gradually compiled, or collected, additional discographies for things
like 'airshot' material, which are generally not included in the above
reference books.
I also have a lot of old record catalogues and lists.
Want to find a specific Bob Crosby 'Camel' radio program? Look up the
special Bob Crosby disco, find the item and it should have the LP/CD
reference marked.
Memory plays an important part too and I tend to recall most of what I have,
although not every tune title!
There is very little here by Kenton, Miles Davis or Thelonious Monk. But
what little that is there, can still be found.
For my extensive collections of Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Louis
Armstrong, Fletcher Henderson, Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Big Bill Broonzy,
Clarence Williams, Teddy Wilson, et al, the records are stored roughly in
chronological order. So I know which end of the row to look.
However, if I misfile a record, I'm in trouble.
But then, so are those collectors who use a numerical system.
The other week I put a Knocky Parker CD in with Don Ewell.
I found it. Eventually!
Kind regards,
Bill. 


















 
It is on a CD.