Newsletter

Newsletter

June 23, 2010

Hello friends:

Here are a few new items in the store we'd like you to know about, from early New Orleans jazz all the way to Cyndi Lauper's latest.

And if you haven't been by the store in a while, we think you will be surprised how much John has restocked and kept up with the huge variety of genres we try to carry. Drop in and see for yourself!

Scroll down for two book reviews by Mr. Chris: Tony Russell's Country Music Records: A Discography, 1921-1942, and Cary Ginell's Hot Jazz for Sale: Hollywood's Jazz Man Record Shop.

Come find us on Facebook! And don't forget to check out our eBay store for some of the more collectible items we have to offer. Lots of excellent vinyl and a dwindling number of classic super 8 films in pristine condition. Get them while they last.

Remember, we are still physically located at:

10341 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530

Hours: Thursday – Sunday 11AM to 7 PM

Call us during store hours at (510) 525-2129.

We sell & buy CDs, LPs, 78s, 45s, books, etc

Essential Title in Paperback

Country Music Records: A Discography, 1921-1942

This incredible work was put together by the indefatigable Tony Russell with help from the late Bob Pinson and the staff of the Country Music Museum and a whole bunch of other country music collectors! Almost 1000 pages of discographical details about sessions are listed using the same unsurpassed layout Dick Spottswood, Brian Rust, and Dixon/Godrich used in their superb discographies, plus song and artist indexes! Russell even included almost 50 pages of Vernon (Vermin!) Dalhart, who was usually considered just not country enough. Re-issues, however, are not included - neither 33s like in Spottswood, nor CDs, but how could anyone keep up with the CD inundation?? You can make your own fill-ins if you wish! At only $30, this paperback is a real bargain! A true gem for any collector and essential!

Hardly Strictly the History of a Record Store

Hot Jazz for Sale: Hollywood's Jazz Man Record Shop

Folklorist and writer Cary Ginell, whose bibliography includes award winning books on Milton Brown, Terry Gibbs, and Red Foley, now brings us a detailed history of a legendary record store and the influential label that grew out of it. However, this book is much more than just the history of the Jazz Man Record shop and label - it's really a history of the traditional jazz revival of the 1940s and 50s, which was perhaps spawned by the music of Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band. But it also deals with the resurection of the great New Orleans musicians from the past like Bunk Johnson, Jelly Roll Morton, George Lewis, Kid Ory, etc - who all appeared at various times on the Jazz Man label. It makes very nice reading for anyone interested in that era or who lived through it, and includes incredible details about the individuals involved and their interrelationships! There are a remarkable number of letters from owner Dave Stuart to Bill Russell, who made all those fantastic American Music recordings in New Orleans, asking for his advice or comment. Unfortunately Bill's responses are not evident! The only time I recall going to the shop back in the 50s was when Nesui Ertegun was there and seemed like a very devoted jazz fan! Of course I stopped by many times later when Don Brown was the proprietor and sometimes had something of interest to show or at least play! It really seems like a shame that specialty record shops are gone for good - but perhaps it's just us old timers who miss the jazz and folk and blues shops since there seem to be small stores still going which specialize in obscure hip hop or punk rock platters or even new LPs! And who can tell - maybe traditional jazz in some form will see a revival - just like Bluegrass?

A Sleeper at a Bargain

One O'Clock Jump: The Unforgettable History of the Oklahoma City Blue Devils

Douglas Henry Daniels, professor of black studies and history at UC Santa Barbara, brings us what writer Cecil Brown calls "the best general book ever written about jazz history and culture." In their ten-year existence, the Blue Devils included such giants as "Hot Lips" Page, Lester Young, and Count Basie, and even a teenaged Ralph Ellison. Get it now at Down Home for only $9, and find out more about this significant though often overlooked band.

Cyndi Lauper's True Color?

Memphis Blues

Here's one you weren't expecting. '80s pop icon and creator of such hits as "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" and "Time After Time" proves once again she's so unusual, this time turning out a bona fide blues album featuring appearances by Charlie Musselwhite, Allen Toussaint, Jonny Lang, Ann Peebles and B.B. King!

New Double CD of Rare and Restored N.O. Jazz

Cabaret Echoes: New Orleans Jazzers at Work, 1918-1927

Another excellent release from Off The Record (Archeophone), featuring 40 rare cuts masterfully restored by Doug Benson and annotated by jazz historian David Sager, the team responsible for the Grammy-nominated King Oliver, Off The Record. Artists include Kid Ory, Johnny DeDroit, Fate Marable, Tony Parenti, Norman Brownlee, Jimmy Durante, and the Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra, among others. Songs are interpersed with 23 rare interview clips with some of the musicians and, in two cases, their daughters. The 60 page booklet includes many photos, ads, song sheets, and other rare graphic material. Not to be missed!

New Double CD from JSP

Swinging on the Golden Gate:

Blues, R&B and Jazz on West Coast Indy Labels, 1944-1958

Opal Nations, longtime employee and friend of Down Home Music Store, compiled and annotated this 2 CD set of San Francisco Bay Area recordings from the likes of Bob Geddins, Lafayette Thomas, Ivory Joe Hunter, Percy Mayfield, Johnnie Fuller, Jesse Fuller, Pee Wee Crayton, Nick Esposito, the Fabulous Flames, the Four Aces, and many more.