The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

The first casualty of war is not the truth but jazz. Glenn Miller saw to that. How many afternoons I've wasted in dusty basements after a promise of "great stuff" only to be met with endless boxes of Miller on Bluebird I cannot tell. However, if you held a gun to my head and ordered me to pick the most hateful record of all time, I'd say "Santa Baby" by Eartha Kitt. If you proceded to play it, I'd ask you to pull the trigger.

Torjazzer wrote: However, if you held a gun to my head and ordered me to pick the most hateful record of all time, I'd say "Santa Baby" by Eartha Kitt. If you proceded to play it, I'd ask you to pull the trigger.

It's funny you say that. I actually like this record, not because of the song or even the artist, but rather because it always brings up memories of a show host back in Germany who was a big fan of Eartha Kitt. He frequently invited her to his show when she was probably already in her seventies and performed her songs in some kind of supposedly "sexy" tiger cat suits. Hilarious
Andreas

It's funny you say that. I actually like this record, not because of the song or even the artist, but rather because it always brings up memories of a show host back in Germany who was a big fan of Eartha Kitt. He frequently invited her to his show when she was probably already in her seventies and performed her songs in some kind of supposedly "sexy" tiger cat suits. Hilarious
Andreas[/quote]
Mostly I hate this record because it means that I have to avoid Jazz FM 91.1 for the whole month of December. Christmas is barely tolerable as it is; made worse by kitchy Christmas songs parading as jazz. Don't get me started on Diana Krall

Torjazzer wrote:The first casualty of war is not the truth but jazz. Glenn Miller saw to that. How many afternoons I've wasted in dusty basements after a promise of "great stuff" only to be met with endless boxes of Miller on Bluebird I cannot tell. However, if you held a gun to my head and ordered me to pick the most hateful record of all time, I'd say "Santa Baby" by Eartha Kitt. If you proceded to play it, I'd ask you to pull the trigger.

Oddly enough, one of my favorite jazz recordings features Glenn Miller, along with Pee Wee Russel, Coleman Hawkins, and Gene Krupa. The disc is, of course the Mound City Blue Blowes' incomparable Hello, Lola! Miller's fine hot chorus begins at 2:40.

[YouTube]http://youtu.be/z8kQzLbIEu8[/YouTube]

Oddly enough, one of my favorite jazz recordings features Glenn Miller, along with Pee Wee Russel, Coleman Hawkins, and Gene Krupa. The disc is, of course the Mound City Blue Blowers' incomparable Hello, Lola! Miller's fine hot chorus begins at 2:40.

[YouTube]http://youtu.be/z8kQzLbIEu8[/YouTube][/quote]

I completely agree with you. However, Miller was a young man when this was recorded; long before he and Ellington sold their souls.

My least favorite records are anything by Evan Williams. How that man was even allowed to make records is beyond me. The fact that any of them sold at all is nothing short of astonishing. He has a voice like an asthmatic can opener. He is the only Red Seal artist whose records I pass up without even considering buying them.

bbphonoguy wrote:My least favorite records are anything by Evan Williams. How that man was even allowed to make records is beyond me. The fact that any of them sold at all is nothing short of astonishing. He has a voice like an asthmatic can opener. He is the only Red Seal artist whose records I pass up without even considering buying them.

I understand completely. Speaking of "...anything by...", I tend to agree with Joe Bussard regarding Vernon Dalhart. Bussard refers to him as Vermin Dogfart and little wonder. Early in my record collecting days, a dealer talked me into buying one of Dalhart's records. A finer doormat I have yet to see! Someone, tell me please, how did he make Wreck Of The Old 97 popular?

bbphonoguy wrote:My least favorite records are anything by Evan Williams. How that man was even allowed to make records is beyond me. The fact that any of them sold at all is nothing short of astonishing. He has a voice like an asthmatic can opener. He is the only Red Seal artist whose records I pass up without even considering buying them.

Right.

The Evan Williams records I do have, I never play, and the ones I see, I never buy. The epitome of bland.

Torjazzer wrote:

bbphonoguy wrote:My least favorite records are anything by Evan Williams. How that man was even allowed to make records is beyond me. The fact that any of them sold at all is nothing short of astonishing. He has a voice like an asthmatic can opener. He is the only Red Seal artist whose records I pass up without even considering buying them.

I understand completely. Speaking of "...anything by...", I tend to agree with Joe Bussard regarding Vernon Dalhart. Bussard refers to him as Vermin Dogfart and little wonder. Early in my record collecting days, a dealer talked me into buying one of Dalhart's records. A finer doormat I have yet to see! Someone, tell me please, how did he make Wreck Of The Old 97 popular?

Well, that "Hillbilly" style was a novelty back then - it's all a matter of taste.

Dalhart made some nice duet records with Gladys Rice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow4zP3aorb8

bbphonoguy wrote:My least favorite records are anything by Evan Williams. How that man was even allowed to make records is beyond me. The fact that any of them sold at all is nothing short of astonishing. He has a voice like an asthmatic can opener. He is the only Red Seal artist whose records I pass up without even considering buying them.

Evan Williams was very popular in his day, before the 1918 influenza epidemic claimed him, and was considered good enough for an entry in Michael Scott's "The Record of Singing".

Yes he recorded some bland material, but if you get the opportunity listen to "Sound an Alarm" from "Judas Maccabeus" on G&T 02079 from 1906. It may change your mind.