[Dixielandjazz] Louis and the Dukes of Dkxkieland

[Bill Haesler]

Andrew Homzy wrote [in part]:
> I think the Dukes' records on Audio Fidelity are hokey - even pandering for commercial success.
> However, some of their last recordings made for Columbia are quite good.....
> For me, their masterpiece is "Farewell Blues" - on a very rare Columbia recording, I believe - it is not listed in any discography I have seen. Their arrangement is wonderful,  features two trombones and great solos from all the horns.
> I'll send an mp3 on request -

Dear Andrew,
Thank you for the mp3.
As you promised, there is nothing much wrong with that one.
*>)
A fine arrangement (as you said), good solos and definitely professional.
What discographal details, if any, do you have?
Unfortunately, some of our listmates seem to imply that Jerry Brown and I are criticising the Dukes.
All we mentioned was that, as kids we did not like the Dukes.
No criticism and certainly no 'jealousy' on our part just because they became famous. 
In fact, to most non-American 'jazz-lovers' success is rarely an issue, believe it or not.
Good luck to those who achieve it.
Better jazz bands?
Well, the Brits had Kenny Ball and Chris Barber, Alex Welsh, etc. 
For Australians there was Graeme Bell, Frank Johnson, Bob & Len Barnard, the Paramount and Port Jackson jazz bands, the Red Onions, among many others.
All deserved their well-earned fame.
As young turks we loved Watters/Murphy, the Fire House 5, Pete Dailey, Sharkey, Santo Pecora, the Lawson-Haggart band, the Black Eagles, et al, but not the Dukes, Pete Fountain, Al Hirt, Stan Rubin, post-war Jimmy Dorsey and Red Nichols, Billy May's Sorta Dixie, some later Bob Crosby groups (apart from the reunion band), the Village Stompers and similar others.
With our limited background knowledge, we assumed (at the time) that these were all professional studio men and arrangers, jumping on the popularity of our dixieland jazz bandwagon.
They certainly did not seem to be carrying the torch for groups like Muggsy Spanier and Bob Crosby.
For most of us Aussies the Eddie Condon mob were in a upper class of their own, with an impeccable pedigree.
Some of us even liked Bunk Johnson and George Lewis, Kid Howard, Albert Burbank and Wooden Joe .... but that could be another contentious thread.
*>)
Unfortunately, the 'official' Dukes of Dixieland discography is far from complete, which surprises me.
I also found it hard to navigate. Like a can of worms.
Refer:
  http://www.thedukesofdixieland.com/index.htm
As a well-intended work in progress help is still obviously required.
Here is another link, but it doesn't cover many of the Columbias.
  http://www.discogs.com/artist/Dukes+Of+Dixieland,+The
I have the following listing of Dukes of Dixieland Columbia LPs.
  Columbia CL1728	Breaking It Up On Broadway
  Columbia CL1793	Now Hear This
  Columbia CL1871	Dixieland Hootnay
  Columbia CL1893	Compilation?
  Columbia CL1966	Dukes At Disneyland
  Columbia CL1970	Compilation?
  Columbia CL2194	World's Fair
  Columbia CL2042	We Gotta Shout
Are there any other Columbias? Singles? EPs? 
Where is the one with your "Farewell Blues"?
Unfortunately, any search for the 'original' Dukes is always complicated by the inclusion of recordings by the later, unrelated, Dukes of Dixieland group (who did record "Farewell Blues").
Very kind regards,
Bill.