[Dixielandjazz] Golden Gate Orchestra

[Bill Haesler]

> And I wondered why the compiler of the tracks list  couldn't find out 
> what
> musicians where on the tracks, even if some names are doubtfully.

Dear Hans,
I understand your frustration, as I frequently feel that way with some 
reissues of our music.
Although, in your comments to the DJML (and on your site 'blog') you 
have managed to answer your own query. So did the producer in the 
second paragraph of the Gillian George booklet notes for this newly 
released Document CD of Edison material .
I suggest that as Document is a specialist label, particularly in the 
classic 20s, 30s and 40s Blues field, they feel that they are aiming at 
dedicated collectors, most of whom would know that the Golden Gate 
Orchestra name was used by the California Ramblers for the Edison, 
Perfect, Pathe Actuelle and Perfect labels (and associates). And for 
several other bands as well.
It was also what made jazz record collecting so interesting back when I 
was an eager junk-shopping kid. Trying to identify soloists.
Document have promised, in the notes to that CD, to compile a 
discography sometime later on their website.
I hope so. But even then it will contain a few guesses. I for one would 
not want to distinguish between the several trumpet and trombone 
players. Or confidently identify Jimmy Dorsey from Bobby Davis on some 
of the mid 1920s sides.
A proper discography of the California Ramblers is yet to be compiled.
However, I'm sure that if Jazz Oracle had issued that CD, it would have 
had comprehensive notes and an accurate personnel/instrumentation for 
each item.
Kind regards,
Bill.