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Thomas Magee mightymezz's avatar

Very careful listening to The Victory Dance aircheck will reveal that the name "Jack", is not correct.The word "Japs" appears five times in the song,just as plain as day to me.One listen was all it took for me to realize this.Let us all consider that the ridiculous and absolutely unnecessary concept of "political correctness" just did not exist until only a few decades prior to our current era,and that the war in Europe did not become World War Two until President Roosevelt declared war against Japan,after the "Japs" had destroyed Pearl Harbor in a reprehensible sneak attack on December 7,1941.So it is "Japs" in the lyrics of the song.

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Lewis Porter's avatar

You're right, except that it is Jap (singular). I've corrected it on behalf of Anthony. Good listening—THANK YOU THOMAS for catching that!

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Jim Brown's avatar

I've loved Stuff's playing since discovering him many decades ago. One of many things I dig about Regina Carter is how wonderfully she can channel him when she chooses. Stuff was born just 50 miles down the Ohio River from me.

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Lewis Porter's avatar

Great--THANK YOU JIM!

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Brewsk Litovsk's avatar

Great stuff again. Keep 'em coming. Here's yet another riddle which could get solved. I have the twofer "The Complete Una Mae Carlisle with John Kirby", recorded for RCA-Victor between 1940 and 1942:

https://www.discogs.com/release/7516317-Una-Mae-Carlisle-John-Kirby-The-Complete-Una-Mae-Carlisle-1940-1942-And-John-Kirby-1941-1942-Jazz-Tr

The last 13 selections are featuring the John Kirby Sextet. Here's track 12:

https://www.discogs.com/master/1901814-John-Kirby-And-Orchestra-St-Louis-Blues-No-Blues-At-All

Nr. 13 indicates that it would be an alternate take of St. Louis Blues, lasting 2'57. Alas, it isn't, it's the master take again (2'44), but heavily echoed.

I did a little research and found this:

https://catalog.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=LCCN&searchArg=2006656455&searchType=1&permalink=y

Would you have by any chance access to this test pressing? Or, would you know someone who could get it? It would be very interesting to compare the tracks, and if Buster Bailey had tried out the famous 45-seconds-high-G at this test already.

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Lewis Porter's avatar

This thread has nothing to do with Stuff Smith, but since you asked: I only listened to the first few seconds but this sounds to me like the alternate take--please check it and let me know:

https://youtu.be/Ws6qe0lJmOk?si=TsEVkLGmv2qCdjK8

The long held note is as you know done by circular breathing and it was part of the arrangement, so it should be there every time (like Harry Carney's long note at the end of Duke's "Sophisticated Lady" in the 1960s). THANKS BREWSK

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Brewsk Litovsk's avatar

Wow! Thank you so much. This is clearly a different take. It's been issued on a compilation, entitled "Jazz For People Who Hate Jazz": https://www.discogs.com/release/5945697-Various-Jazz-For-People-Who-Hate-Jazz Now, I can add it as track no. 5 to the mini album I compiled for my students during corona. I will search for Carney's long note. Sorry for having abused your original thread.

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Lewis Porter's avatar

No problem. In the future please send such questions directly to me by email. THANK YOU BREWSK

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Anthony Barnett's avatar

The Una Mae specialist is Timothy Buchanan. Write me at ab@abar.net for his email – Anthony

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Brewsk Litovsk's avatar

Thanks for the information, Anthony. My question was rather about the test pressing of St. Louis Blues. Anyway, it was new to me, that Una Mae supposedly hasn't written the today forgotten ballad "Walking By The River" who only a handful of big bands performed or recorded: Dick Haymes, commercially with Harry James, Ray Eberle with Glenn Miller (only live), and later on Ella.

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Anthony Barnett's avatar

Yes, and my answer meant that if anyone has access to it it is Timothy Buchanan

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Anthony Barnett's avatar

oh sorry, I see, it is not an Una Mae item – apologies

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