Sunday, August 06, 2006
Larry Hall, Mills Bros, and Ace in the UK
I am still a bit confused on the issues of the hit "Sandy" by Larry Hall. I know it was released on the Hot label, as issue number one. I now have both a promotional and stock issue. Both are stamped originals. I also have the common Strand label record, but the one in question is the Evergreen label issue. I believe there was a very scarce picture sleeve that was made, but what I am really interested in, is when the Evergreen issue was made. The books say Hot came first, but I keep thinking I saw a picture of the Evergreen release that had a sticker referencing the Hot label release. Anybody know for sure? Was Evergreen before Hot?
I love group harmony, but I seldom delve into some of the "Old Timey" groups that really do deserve more credit. Groups like the Ink Spots, the Four Aces, The Four Knights, and the Mills Brothers. One of my favorite records by the Mills Brothers is a song they did in 1968 called Cab Driver. I can't explain why, but it is a fun song to listen to. It is upbeat, under three minutes long and has a good sound. I recently found it on blue vinyl, and it is not marked as a promotional copy. I also have it on the standard black wax.
News out of the U.K.: Ace records is working on a CD of Johnnie And Joe. There was an Italian CD on the Gold Dust label that included most of their recordings that was issued several years ago. I was asked to assist on the project with some label pictures, and they may include a picture of me with Joe Rivers taken at the 2002 Red,White, and Rock show. I have a celebrities page where you can see the picture and a few record label shots. Getting an entire page of Johnnie and Joe will take some time, as there are a ton of records in their discography. One of the labels, J+S, is an extremely tough label to date. Peter Gibbon is in charge of the project for Ace, and he gave me an early look at the discography he has. It should clear up any confusion to what was released when. Look for this CD towards the end of the year. If you have not seen their catalog, you should stop by the Ace website. They have a wide variety of excellent releases with top notch liner notes.
Have you seen any wild records on Ebay lately? Let me know. Remember the guy with the Chuck Higgins record I told you about last week? He had Pachuko Hop for sale on the purple Combo label for $199.00 in VG condition. Well folks, he decided to try and cut his losses and offer a deep discount. Last I saw, you could "steal it" for $149.00!! Then, it disappeared from Ebay because the seller ended the listing early. And well he should have.
I love group harmony, but I seldom delve into some of the "Old Timey" groups that really do deserve more credit. Groups like the Ink Spots, the Four Aces, The Four Knights, and the Mills Brothers. One of my favorite records by the Mills Brothers is a song they did in 1968 called Cab Driver. I can't explain why, but it is a fun song to listen to. It is upbeat, under three minutes long and has a good sound. I recently found it on blue vinyl, and it is not marked as a promotional copy. I also have it on the standard black wax.
News out of the U.K.: Ace records is working on a CD of Johnnie And Joe. There was an Italian CD on the Gold Dust label that included most of their recordings that was issued several years ago. I was asked to assist on the project with some label pictures, and they may include a picture of me with Joe Rivers taken at the 2002 Red,White, and Rock show. I have a celebrities page where you can see the picture and a few record label shots. Getting an entire page of Johnnie and Joe will take some time, as there are a ton of records in their discography. One of the labels, J+S, is an extremely tough label to date. Peter Gibbon is in charge of the project for Ace, and he gave me an early look at the discography he has. It should clear up any confusion to what was released when. Look for this CD towards the end of the year. If you have not seen their catalog, you should stop by the Ace website. They have a wide variety of excellent releases with top notch liner notes.
Have you seen any wild records on Ebay lately? Let me know. Remember the guy with the Chuck Higgins record I told you about last week? He had Pachuko Hop for sale on the purple Combo label for $199.00 in VG condition. Well folks, he decided to try and cut his losses and offer a deep discount. Last I saw, you could "steal it" for $149.00!! Then, it disappeared from Ebay because the seller ended the listing early. And well he should have.
