[Dixielandjazz] Question regarding Isle Of Capri

[Bill Haesler]

> Anton Crouch <anton.crouch at optusnet.com.au> wrote (in part):
> There are some interesting aspects about Wingy Manon's 8 March 1935 Vocalion recording of 'Isle of Capri'. The band is the Bob Crosby Bobcats...

Good morning Anton,
Over the weekend, I too have been reviewing aspects of Wingy Manone's version of "Isle Of Capri" and Bert's initial query and Ken Colyer.
(More later.)
However, in March 1935, the Bob Crosby Orchestra (and therefore the Bob Cats) had not been formed.
The ex Ben Pollack musicians who had defected in California, and founded the Crosby band, where still gigging and recording around New York. The one with Wingy being one of the first sessions.
Bob Crosby's Orchestra didn't make its official debut and records until 1st June 1935.
The first reference to the Bob Crosby 'Bob Cats' was in the program for the legendary benefit concert for pianist Joe Sullivan in Aril 1937, and its initial  recordings were not made until November 1937.
Sorry about that old mate.

> Then there's the non-vocal version which, as far as I can tell, was never released on78. On the non-vocal version the time taken by the vocal is taken by an extended clarinet solo by Matty Matlock. Why was this non-vocal version made and not released? It was relatively common in the 1920s for bands to make non-vocal versions for release in non-English speaking countries, but why this one?

Not just that one. Instrumental second takes of all four tunes were recorded for Vocalion on 8 March 1935, but never released at the time.
Perhaps as backups in the event of vocal mishaps. Wingy and Nappy Lamare on "Lollipop" come close. <big grin>
 
Wingy Manone And His Orchestra.
New York, March 8, 1935
17005-1    The isle of Capri (wm vcl)	Voc 2913 
17005-2    The isle of Capri (inst)    Meritt 7
17006-1    I believe in miracles (wm vcl)    Voc 2913
17006-2    I believe in miracles (inst,*)    Mosaic MD6-217 [CD]
17007-1    Fare thee well, Annabelle (wm,nl vcl)    Voc 2914
17007-2    Fare thee well, Annabelle (wm,nl vcl,*)    Mosaic MD6-217 [CD]
17008-1    On the good ship lollipop (wm vcl)    Voc 2914,
17008-2    On the good ship lollipop (inst,*)    Mosaic MD6-217 [CD]

All titles, except (*), also on Collector's Classics (Dan)COCD5 [CD].
All the above titles also on Mosaic MD6-217 [CD].

For Wingy's next Vocalion session on 8 April 1935 only the second takes were released. All instrumentals!
All the tunes have lyrics so, perhaps, the 1st takes were rejected vocals.
We need to find the elusive Vocalion recording sheets.
Cheers,
Bill.