Bill Harry

Harry Choates - Devil In The Bayou (2002) {2CD Set, Bear Family BCD 16355 BH rec 1940-1950}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 442 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 322 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 70 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1940-50, 2002 Bear Family | BCD 16355 BH (Gold Star)
Cajun / Country / North American Traditions / Honky Tonk

Here's one of the great untold stories in American music, revealed at last! Harry Choates was a natural-born musician. He's famous as a Cajun fiddle player, but he could play matchless Western Swing fiddle and jazz guitar to rival Django Reinhardt. His fellow musicians say he played piano and mandolin superbly, too. In 1946, Harry Choates recorded the Cajun classic Jolie Blonde, forever mistitled Jole Blon. It was cut for a tiny local label, but became a nationwide smash, inspiring numerous cover versions, sequels, and prequels. For the first time, the story is revealed here.

Two CD set containing all of the sextet recordings made by Ben Webster and Harry Edison in the studio. Consists of two complete albums, Sweets and Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good To You (both issued under Edison's name), as well as all of the tunes included on two more obscure sessions that the pair played on. Other musicians include Barney Kessel, Red Norvo, Oscar Peterson, Herb Ellis and others. 27 tracks recorded in 1956-57.

I must admit I winced when I read the label information, especially the bit about "The Enchanted Melody From The Shirley Temple Show". My fears were virtually groundless, however. This is a good big band, with plenty of soloists, and an arranger (Harry Betts, late of the Kenton trombone section) who treats these television and film themes with praiseworthy perfunctoriness. ~ Alun Morgan

Harry Nilsson spent almost all of his rich, idiosyncratic, sometimes maddening career at RCA Records, releasing his bravura debut, Pandemonium Shadow Show, in 1967 and fading into the sunset with 1977's Knnillssonn. During those ten years, he released 14 albums and left behind a bunch of stray tracks, almost all of which are gathered on Legacy's massive and wonderful 2013 box The RCA Albums Collection…