[Dixielandjazz] Phil Napolen, and more

[Marek Boym]

Dear Bill,


> But one from me first.
> What is the "protected housing" your friend has moved to?

A euphemism for 'old age home."
>>  The liner notes describes the Napoleon band as "a large slice of jazz history," whereas, according thereto, "the Pete Daily band represents a conscious revival of the old style by a rough and ready group of younger men."

> The back of the cover has no details, apart from tune titles and band names. No notes at all.
> To me. there is no doubt that the Original Memphis Five, was historical. Its first records (under Napoleon's nominal leadership) where made in 1922. Phil N was carrying it over into the 40s, as did his contemporary, Red Nichols.
> And the Pete Daily band was, basically, "a rough and ready group of younger men."

I have the early Memphis Fives, as well as Ladds' Black Aces.  Still,
on the Daily record there were more old timers than on the Napoleon
one.

> Ask our listmate Don Ingle.
> Napoleon [Filippo Napoli] was born in 1901.
> Pete Dailey was born in 1911 but did not record with his own band until the 1940s.

But started playing in 1930.  Rushton and McHargue were both born in
1907, aqnd recorded in the '20's.
>
>> Marshall W. Stearns, ...either he was
>> much less knowledgable than is generally believed, or he distorted
>> facts on purpose.
>
> I can't agree with you on that.
> Jazz critic and musicologist Marshall W[ilson] Stearns was born in 1908 and started contributing to Downbeat from about 1942. He founded the Institute of Jazz Studies in 1952, so was well established as a jazz authority when that Decca LP came out in the mid 1950s.



> Stearns was, by then, into the current modern scene,

Leopnard Feather distorted facts to suit his (modern) purposes.  Why
not Stearns?


> However, his book 'Jazz Dance' (co-authored with his wife, Jean, and published posthumously) is one of my favourites.

I don't know that one.
>
>> Another Napoleon LP (also 10") is "Dixieland Classics, vol. 2" by Phil
>> Napoleon's Emperors of Jazz" on EmArcy MG 26009.
> My 1963 edition of Jepson has, I believe, the correct date and personnel details for the four sessions.

Thanks.  That's what I'll put in my catalogue.
>
>> Some more more questions: were the Commodore records originally issued
>> on 78?
>
> Yes. I still have several original Commodore 78s.
>
>> And the Firehouse 5 plus 2 on Good Time Jazz (GTJ33-1 and GTJ
>> L-2)?
>
> All FH5+2 records from May 1949 to January 1954 were Good Time Jazz 78s.
> The L series were 10" LPs.
> Therefore, 33 ("Lonesome Mama/Sweet Georgia Brown") was a 78.

Perhaps my query was not clear.  My GTJ33-1 isa 10" LP; the tunes
there are: "Firehouse Stomp," "San," "Fireman's Lament," "Blues My
Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me," "Brass Bell," "Everybody loves My Baby,"
"Riverside Blues" and "Red Hot River Valley."


>> Is the Napoleon-Daily LP the original issue?
>
> Yes. The Decca LP was the original issue.

Thanks.  Kind of exciting to own an original issue from those days.


Very kind regards,

Marek
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