[Dixielandjazz] Re: Armstrong in Paris, 1934

[Bill Haesler]

> Westerberg's discography shows the alternative (and probably non-existent)
take of "Will you, won't you be my baby" as the second - 1480½wpp.<

Dear Anton,
I was going to post this to the DJML, but decided it would not be of much
interest to most (if not all) of them.
The above  may be incorrect. [Note the TT symbol, which I presume was meant
to be 1/2 (half).] Somewhere, I have seen an explanation for this half sign
used for Polydor takes, but can't recall where.
I think that Polydor (French Brunswick) used the sequence:
  First take. A full number.
  Second take. Same full number plus a half symbol.
  Third take (if any). The next full number in the sequence.
Silly bloody Frogs!
The fact that "St Louis Blues" from this 1934 Louis session was numbered
1478 and 1483 is probably because it represents the actual recording order.
If you compare both versions you will find that 1478 (the first tune for the
day) is much looser, particularly Louis' vcl and comments during solos.
However, in trying  to unravel which was the UNissued take for "Will You,
Won't You Be My Baby?" I opened up a real a can of worms.

>From Rust Ed. 4 (1978) and Ed. 5 (1982):
1480wpp          Will You, Won't You Be My Baby?
                          Br A-500492, Pol 580041, Vox 16059
1489 1/2wpp   Will You, Won't You Be My Baby?
                         Br A-500492

>From Rust Ed. 6 (2002):
1480wpp          Will You, Won't You Be My Baby?
                          Br A-500492, Pol 580041, Vox 16059
1489 1/2wpp   Will You, Won't You Be My Baby?
                         Br A-500492, Pol 580041, Vox 16059
(He may be hedging his bets but it is more likely to be an editing error.)

>From Hans Westerberg (1981):
1489wpp         Will You, Won't You Be My Baby?
                        Brunswick (F) A 500492, Polydor (F/G),  580041, Vox
16059, Brunswick (F/G) 87529 LPBM
1489 1/2wpp   Will You, Won't You Be My Baby?
                        Brunswick (F) A 500492
                   
>From Tom Lord (2006). Note the change from 1/2 to .5:
1480wpp       Will you, won't you be my baby? (la vcl) (**)   Br(F)A500492
1480.5wpp    Will you, won't you be my baby? (la vcl)    Br (F)A500492,
(G)87529LPBM, Pol 580041, Vox 16059, Classics (F)509 [CD], Naxo Jazz
(Eu)8.120676 [CD]
Note: 
Despite various claims to the contrary there appears to be no reissue of mx.
1480wpp and there is doubt it even exists.
All titles except (**) on Musicmouth (F)LA1900, Rare Records (F)6, Onyx 213,
Jazz Anthology (F)30-JA5116, Hot 'n Sweet (F)FDC5101 [CD]
All titles except (**) on Musidisc (Eu)550182 [CD] titled "Louis Armstrong -
Paris 1934, New York 1938".
Classics (F)509 [CD] titled "Louis Armstrong 1934-1936".
Naxos Jazz (Eu)8.120676 [CD] titled "Louis Armstrong, Vol. 3 - Rhythm Saved
The World"; listing date for this session as October-November, 1934.
(which I have) is not mentioned. I also have Musicmouth (LP) LA 1900 and
Musidisc (Eu) [Jazz Anthology] 550182

>From the 'Satchography Discography' [www.satchography.com] by Scott Johnson
(Denver) based on Hans Westerberg's 'Boy from New Orleans' and later input
from Ingemar Bjurel (Sweden) and Jos Willems (Antwerp):

1480 1/2wpp   Will You, Won't You Be My Baby
                        Brunswick 500492
The supposed first take of Will You, Won't You Be My Baby remains uncovered.

>From Musicmouth ( a French LP released mid 1970s ) LA 1900:
Will You, Won't You Be My Baby (1480 1/2wpp)

The last three sources above seem to agree that 1480 1/2wpp was the issued
take for "Will You, Won't You Be My Baby".

Both Lord and Rust Ed. 6 agree on the recording date of [Wednesday] 7 Nov
1934 which fits nicely, and logically, with the two Armstrong concerts
featuring Louis' orch at the Salle Pleyel on 9th and 10th May 1934.
I wonder where the precise date came from after all these years?

Additional red herring: Laurence Bergreen in 'Louis Armstrong. An
Extravagant Life' gives the Louis concert location as Salle Rameau. Assuming
a name change at some time, I Googled for confirmation but gave up. However,
it seems that the Salle Pleyel opened in 1927 as an arts 'centre'.

What say you about the above? Your turn to waste a few retirement hours.
Regards,
Bill.