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I'm looking to buy a decent copy of Benny Goodman's, Sing, Sing, Sing. I don't know who pressed it.
Harvey Kravitz

That record is Victor 36205, 12", two parts. There is also a live version in the Carnagie Hall Concert set from 1938. The complete CD set of the concert is available from whoever is releasing Columbia material these days. The 78, although not rare is frustratingly hard to find, probably because it is a 12". In almost 60 years of collecting I have only found a couple of copies (and managed to buy one of them). I'm pretty sure a black Victor ring label with gold printing is the first issue as it was issued just after the retirement of the scroll.
This was recorded July 6, 1937 in Hollywood, mxs 09671-2 and 09672-2 and issued as 36205. Arranger is Jimmy Munday.
Beware, both sides were dubbed onto 10" 25796 and probably butchered in the process so stay away from that one.
Hope this helps. Sorry I don't have an extra copy.

Jim

The Victor record is one of four I believe in the 1938 "Symposium of Swing" album (the other artists including Fats Waller, Tommy Dorsey, and Bunny Berigan). Great album! I have only one copy, alas. The Berigan is often found alone (not sure if it was issued independently as well), as it contains "The Prisoner's Song" and "I Can't Get Started", and was apparently very popular.

Harvey, I'd be happy to send you a CD of my transfers of the entire album, if you'd like. Please PM me.

P.S. I just noted that a copy of Victor 36205 alone recently sold for $41 in one of Warren Hodgdon's auctions. Ow!

There is a later pressing of the album on the 'bay now starting at 9.95 (item #150776379750; no relation to the seller). Others are available ranging from $30-175. Do a search.

My copy of "Sing, Sing, Sing" (introducing "Christopher Columbus" [Louis Prima]) is 12" RCA Victor 36205A-B. The top of the label says "Swing Classic," perhaps suggesting that it was part of a set; I don't have the rest of the set, if indeed it came with. The entire personnel of the Goodman band at that time is listed on the labels (both sides!). Included are such luminaries as Hymie Schertzer and Adrian Rollini, saxes; Harry James and Ziggy Elman, trumpets; Harry Goodman (BG's brother), string bass; Jess Stacy, piano; Gene Krupa, drums. Total 14 (5 reeds, incl. BG; 3 trpts., 2 trombones, 4 rhythm (piano, bass, drums, guitar). Mmm, not a bad bunch

It was issued as both a single disc and part of the set mentioned above in 12 inch format.

Sean

Henry wrote:My copy of "Sing, Sing, Sing" (introducing "Christopher Columbus" [Louis Prima]) is 12" RCA Victor 36205A-B. The top of the label says "Swing Classic," perhaps suggesting that it was part of a set

Singles were issued with the 'Swing Classic' appellation. I believe it was Goodman's own Stardust, from 1936, that first saw use of that on the label.

beaumonde wrote: The Berigan is often found alone (not sure if it was issued independently as well), as it contains "The Prisoner's Song" and "I Can't Get Started", and was apparently very popular.

The Berigan disc was also issued as a ratty 10" dubbing, (I think it's in the Bunny Berigan Memorial Album, set, most, if not all of the 10" discs being dubbings and also side numbered for changers.) There are indeed a goodly number of the 12" version floating around. Good luck finding one that doesn't have the inner grooves greyed out. That was a hot cutting of a record that tracked badly on old machines.

phonojim wrote: Beware, both sides were dubbed onto 10" 25796 and probably butchered in the process so stay away from that one.

That Sing, Sing, Sing 10" dub was carried out right at the end of 1937.

phonojim wrote: The 78, although not rare is frustratingly hard to find, probably because it is a 12".

I imagine Sing, Sing, Sing as famous as it is, is probably in high demand, always. It may be the song of the swing era in the public imagination.

phonojim wrote:That record is Victor 36205, 12", two parts. There is also a live version in the Carnagie Hall Concert set from 1938. The complete CD set of the concert is available from whoever is releasing Columbia material these days.

There is a newer transfer of the acetates that is on Columbia / Legacy CD's.
It sounds thinner and brighter and considerably more noisy than the old transfers that were done ca. 1950. One might be excused for preferring the old CD's or LP's.

I've got a relatively OK copy on HMV that I found in a charity shop for 50p - I'd offer to sell it to you, but I don't have the boxes and sendign a 12" across the Atlantic probably would be more expensive than the record is worth

Thanks for the info. I was following that record on ebay. I got out bidded on it. Thanks for the tip for the 10" version. I'll stay away from that one.
Harvey Kravirz

phonojim wrote: I'm pretty sure a black Victor ring label with gold printing is the first issue as it was issued just after the retirement of the scroll.

I could be wrong, but I seem to have seen a scroll of Sing... somewhere, maybe just a picture. It would be right on the precipice of the label change, so scroll pressings would be rare, I imagine.\

It was issued as a scroll in Japan, but maybe it took longer for the switch over there...

I did a google video search and found Sing, Sing, Sing, by Benny Goodman on video. I can now have my fix until I get a copy. I also bought the Benny Goodman Story on Amazon.com.
Harvey Kravitz