June 2003

I have the CD 'The Swinging Guitar of Tal Farlow' and would also like to obtain 'Fuerst Set' done at the same session. Where can I find it?

Jerry:

Although the personnel is identical on the two sessions you mentioned, as well as 'Second Set,' they are from different dates. Both 'Fuerst set' and 'Second Set' were private recordings made in the apartment of Ed Fuerst. They were finally released as LPs on the Xanadu label, but never were reissued on CD before the label folded. I have purchased both of these excellent LPs from euclidrecords.com, so you might check it and other used LP sites if you're interested.

Alan Stevenson from Marietta, GA wrote:

I have an album of Ron McCroby's The Other Whistler on vinyl. Is this recording available on CD, and if so, where could I purchase it? Thanks for your help.

Alan: Ron McCroby recorded 2 LPs for Concord Jazz, of which 'The Other Whistler' was the second. Neither it nor its predecessor, 'Ron McCroby Plays Puccolo,' were ever reissued as CDs, though both were available as cassettes. As you probably know, McCroby passed away in 2002.

Peter R. Stricker wrote:

I am looking for the album by Phil Woods titled ‘Live at the Showboat’ in Washington, DC, recorded live. It was recorded about 1976. I don't think it ever came out on CD. Grammy winning album. With the great Harry Leahey on guitar. Harry is now deceased. Too bad he died so young. Probably one of the greatest guitarists there was. A true humble human being and knowledge of music was just incredible. Everyone wanted to work with Harry. He just did not like to travel away from his family.

Peter:

Phil Woods 'Live at the Showboat' was reissued on CD, though in condensed form, as Phil Woods 'Live' on the RCA subsidiary Novus, though it has long since been deleted.

My friend Joe at www.euclidrecords.com has a copy of the 2 LP set you're seeking right now for just $6.99 + shipping. Happy shopping!

[email protected] wrote:

Who was first to record and make famous the song, “At Last”? I say, Etta James, my mother says Dinah Washington. Who is correct? Did both record it? What year? Thanks.

Chief3238:

Etta James recorded “At Last” initially in 1960, while I haven't been able to confirm that Dinah Washington recorded this Warren/Gordon composition at all. However, “At Last” was recorded by a number of different groups and singers prior to Etta James’ version.

Heitor Herculano Pedroso wrote:

Long ago I listened on the radio a very curious version of “My Favorite Things” with John Coltrane, in which he was playing the soprano, after switching to the flute (I´m not sure if it was Coltrane playing the flute). I´ve collected many versions of this song, but I was never able to find this specific one. Looking for it at allmusic.com, I found what could be my desired record (the timing is the same), released on 'Transcedence,' by label Summit (and a very similar disc, by Bluenite, named only John Coltrane). Have you heard about this records? (I am almost sure they are not authorized) Can you tell me if the song on this discs is the one I´ve been looking? and, more important, can you tell me something about the session in which it was recorded? Is it Coltrane playing the flute? and who are the rest of the performers? anything about dates? any help will be welcomed. Thanks.

Heitor:

There are numerous bootlegs of live performances of “My Favorite Things” which feature Eric Dolphy on flute to expand John Coltrane's classic quartet. There are two versions from Nov. 18, 1961, one of which appeared recently in the Pablo boxed set 'Live Trane,' both appear on a Mag(Luxe) boot, one from Nov. 20, 1961 on a different Mag(Luxe) boot, two from Nov. 23, 1961, one which appears in 'Live Trane,' the other on a Jazz Bird boot. The ones you refer to are likely copies of some of the above concerts, though I haven't run across them and they aren't listed in my sources under those labels.

Other recordings exist but are in private hands. To my knowledge, no other flautist appears in any other Coltrane recording of “My Favorite Things.” Some of these bootlegs have appeared on other pirate labels, but there are too many to list. It is worth buying a copy of John Coltrane: A Discography and Musical Biography for the wealth of information available within it. It is published by Scarecrow Press.

J. C. Russell from Lake Forest, CA wrote:

I am a longtime Jazz enthusiast. I go back to the 50's (so I'm no spring chicken). I remember some years ago, a controversy which I believe subsequently involved a lawsuit in which Phil McNasty sued either Eddie Jefferson, Art Blakey, or Cannonball, for recording a tune entitled “Filthy Like Nasty.” Can you shed some light on this issue? I would appreciate a very expedient answer and thank you for your assistance.

J. C.:

I'm not aware of this controversy, though Horace Silver composed and recorded a song called “Filthy McNasty” on his 1961 album 'Doing the Thing-Live at the Village Gate.' He also included on his Emerald LP 'Live 1964;' Fathead Newman and the Bronx Horns have also recorded the piece. If this lawsuit actually happened, I imagine it was covered in one of the jazz magazines of the period.

Carol Ann Maniatakis of Brooklyn, NY wrote:

I recently came across this website and thought It might be a good idea to email you my question. I have been searching for an instrumental version of Etta James' “At Last” to sing over at my Wedding. It's impossible to find one of good quality! I was wondering if you knew who the composer or Orchestra was that did the song. I hope you can help me out! Thanks for your time!!

Carol Ann:

This Mack Gordon & Harry Warren composition was first recorded by Glenn Miller in the early 1940s. If you're looking for an instrumental version of recent vintage, you might check out Warren Vache's CD Warren Plays Warren, on the Nagel-Heyer label.

Morris Ferguson from Washington, DC wrote:

I'm searching for the CD “Live In Japan” by The Crusaders. Date of Release: January 1981 I'm told it was available on CD: GRP 9746

There was also a video by The Crusaders titled 'Live in Concert,' Image Entertainment 7912. I have searched the Internet, but no luck. Any leads to where I may purchase the items listed above?

Morris:

I've been frustrated in my attempts to find the video, though I stumbled on something else which may be of interest to you. One great discount site, hitmenow.com, has the brand new video of The Crusaders 'Live: The Eternal Triangle' available for just $4.65 + shipping and tax (it can alternatively be ordered through their link at half.com with $2.49 shipping, but no sales tax. It is worth you time to search hitmenow's site, as it has some great stuff really cheap.

The out of print CD is available from a half.com dealer for $19.99 + $2.49 shipping, also in brand new condition. There's a chance that you might find a used copy much cheaper, but there's only one available.

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