Tune Req: Alleged/Legendary Tin Whistle Recordings

Subject: Alleged/Legendary Tin Whistle Recordings
From: GUEST,Tom Dowling
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 12:42 AM

I was told recently that Louis Armstrong made a very early recording with Sidney Bechet on which he (Louis A., though perhaps under a diferent name?) played a tin whistle/pennywhistle. Does anyone out there have information in this regard? Similarly, I have been informed that a musician named Les Lieber recorded one or more tunes on the whistle, one with Benny Goodman and another with Django Reinhardt.

Any leads will be very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Tom D.

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Subject: RE: Tune Req: Alleged/Legendary Tin Whistle Recordings
From: Deckman
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 04:34 PM

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Alleged/Legendary Tin Whistle Recordings
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 06:03 PM

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Alleged/Legendary Tin Whistle Recordings
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 06:14 PM

Sorry last was accidental submission (JC delete please).

You can find details of the recordings in the discography at Dave Gould's Django pages

Charles Delaunay's biography of Django makes no specific reference to Les Lieber, but does cover Django's playing with the ATC (Air Transport Command) Band. "Django reached Paris sometime in October. He was immediately invited to play with the ATC band at the American base at Orly...Django took advantage of this band's presence in Paris to make some records, and was also featured at the Salle Pleyel in the first concert he had given for a year. The concert was relayed by the AFN, the BBC and the French national network". (This was in December 1945, just before Django and Stephane were reunited after the war.)

The Delaunay discography also lists the recordings but with Lieber shown as alto (although with an unexplained small circular diacritic - whistle?).

Les Lieber seem to be still playing as a quick search on "Les Lieber" will show.

Mick

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Alleged/Legendary Tin Whistle Recordings
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 06:25 PM

While on the subject of unlikely combinations (although I have played jazz whistle (and guitar) to Grant Baynham's guitar on a few odd occasions), I seem to have a distant memory that Fats Waller, in the days when he would play with anyone for money, was paid by a bagpiper to make a couple of records with him (possibly with Waller on organ rather than piano; I can't remember). I believe the records are lost (or a caring government agency is hiding them until mankind is ready to face them).

Mick

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Alleged/Legendary Tin Whistle Recordings
From: GUEST,Tom Dowling
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 09:52 PM

Mick:

Thanks for the good leads. The reference to the odd diacritic mark is especially interesting. I will look into the site you suggest.

Thanks,

Tom D.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Alleged/Legendary Tin Whistle Recordings
From: The Pooka
Date: 18 Jun 02 - 10:04 PM

Remarkable!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Alleged/Legendary Tin Whistle Recor
From: greg stephens
Date: 19 Jun 02 - 03:39 AM

Anybody heard that extraordinary recording of Beecham conducting the London Philharmonic with Blind Lemon Jefferson on harpsichord?

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Alleged/Legendary Tin Whistle Recordings
From: GUEST,Leadfingers
Date: 19 Jun 02 - 04:51 PM

Armstrong played Slide Whistle on a Track titled 'Whosit'with the Hot Five in June 1926

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Alleged/Legendary Tin Whistle Recordings
From: Deckman
Date: 19 Jun 02 - 05:03 PM

You might consider asking BILL OCHS of "The Pennywhistlers Press", Box 2473, New York, N.Y. 10108. I suspect if anyone knows, he might. CHEERS, Bob (deckman) Nelson

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Alleged/Legendary Tin Whistle Recor
From: greg stephens
Date: 19 Jun 02 - 05:08 PM

On the fabulous King Oliver recordings made in Chicago in 1923, Louis Armstrong also played slide whistle on "Sobbin' Blues". But I've never heard tell of any penny-whistle stuff. Good hunting... I want to hear it!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Alleged/Legendary Tin Whistle Recordings
From: GUEST,Tom Dowling
Date: 20 Jun 02 - 12:13 AM

Regarding my original 'lead' on the Armstrong cite, which came from "an older woman" who came up to me while I was playing tinwhistle in Propsect Park in Brooklyn last Sunday, I am beginning to think she may have meant the slide whistle, not the tin whistle. The Les Lieber/Django Reinhardt stuff is much more intriguing. It turns out that as recently as last year, Mr. Lieber was still hosting a Friday afternoon jazz show and performance in midtown Manhattan. The website advertising the weekly get together--in addition to listing his citations from about three New York City Mayors and acknoweldging his contributions in general--shows him playing a (new looking) Generation F whistle!! Also, thanks for the suggestion about Bill Ochs, with whom I take classes. This has sort of arisen out of that context. Thanks, Tom D.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Alleged/Legendary Tin Whistle Recordings
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 20 Jun 02 - 06:42 PM

Just found this in my (1992 edition) of The Penguin Guide To Jazz on CD, LP & Cassette - review of Swing Guitar Jass J-CD-628.

"Django and the European Division Band of the Air Transport Command recorded from the American Forces Network Bandstand and Beaucoup De Music (sic) broadcasts...Eric Bogart likens the ATC band to one of the 'scrapping, blues-heavy' territory bands of the interwar years, of which only Basie's made it to the big time. They certainly have a tougher feel than one normally associates with such outfits...There is a fine interpretation of 'Belleville', with the first really classy guitar solo. Django excels himself on the unaccompanied 'Improvisation No.6', taken from a slightly later small-group session, after which the group returns for rather more routine runs through 'Honeysuckle Rose' and 'Sweet Sue', the latter featuring a surprisingly effective penny whistle solo by Lieber..."

Mick

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Alleged/Legendary Tin Whistle Recordings
From: Sky-Coyote
Date: 20 Aug 04 - 07:18 PM

Hello, My name is David-Sky Marchant I have a copy of the ATC Band with Django. If you are interested in a free copy please feel free to contact me at [e-mail]