Case Files: 0899-2

Case File: Satchmo's Summer Trail

Question

Hello Cool Vic:

I am seeking an itinerary of concert dates that Louis Armstrong played in the summer of 1960.

Do you (or any of your cohorts) know of a reliable source (website, book, or database) where I might uncover this info?

Thanks for your time and concern (Love the website.)

—Brian Soule

Answer

Soule Man,

Your question takes me back. It was a time before I was even born, when Satchmo burst like fireworks over a Fourth of July carnival. My father never talked much, but when he did... Pop loved Satchmo, the whole "hot New Orleans" thing, as a matter of fact. Pop loved his "Pops," man.

Listen, my friend, and consider this information carefully. Its possession is an awesome responsibility, but it may lead you to the treasure of which you speak. The Louis Armstrong House and Archive founded and maintained by Queens College CUNY hosts a website. Go to Satchmo.net. If they ask, you can let on I sent ya.

You find the bibliography in the library, see? There's a chronology in a source in the bibliography. Don't ask me how I know. I just do.

Oh, what the hell! Let me just read you the damn note: That citation is:

Jones, Max and John Chilton. Louis: The Louis Armstrong Story, 1900-1971.
London: Studio Vista; Boston: Little, Brown, 1971. Reprint, New York: Da Capo, 1988.

Here's what I copied from the website: "The first book length biography to appear after Armstrong's death. Filled with much primary source material (e.g., letters from Armstrong to the authors, transcriptions of interviews). Much of the material presented in Salute to Satchmo appears again in this volume. Organization, however, is quite poor primarily because information is not presented in chronological sequence. List of films. Chronology. Insightful discographical essay by Chilton."

I must confess, Brian, that I have never myself seen this thing for which you search. But every so often, I have mysteriously heard that perhaps it really does exist.

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Case File: Porter's Pen

Question

Dear Mr. Vic,

I am 9 and our music teacher asked us who wrote the songs "Anything Goes" and "Night and Day" can you help me? Your friend,

—Jake

Answer

Little Man Jake,

So you decided to come to ol' Vic for the answers. Wise move my tiny friend.

Simple...

"Night and Day" by Cole Porter
"Anything Goes" by Cole Porter

Are you familiar with Terry Jones's "Anything Goes?" It goes somethin' like this:

Anything goes in.
Anything goes out!
Fish, bananas, old pyjamas,
Mutton! Beef! and Trout!
Anything goes in...

[ Repeat until ears fall off ]

Keep the spirit.

Vic

P.S. Tell your dad to buy you a scooter.

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That's a Wrap

My Whirlpool air conditioner (circa 1952) just went kaputy so it's not only hotter than a brick-oven pizza parlor in my office, but the street noise is driving me batty—horns honkin,' sirens blarin,' jack hammer jackin... ' Anyway, I'm off to a place where they serve long tall cool ones to the wee small hours of the morning. Hope you all enjoyed August's letters. Till next month, keep the spirit.

—Vic

Got a case that won't stay buried? Send it me.