Music Monday - Jim Flora does BG

Things are sort of dull around the Music Monday composing room, so for the next few weeks the cracked editorial staff has decided on a new feature for the day:

The artwork of David Stone Martin on record covers.

One exciting work of art (called Illustration by some) will be presented here each week until they run out. Each is a scan from the editor's personal library and the original copyrights apply.

They are presented here for admiration and educational purposes only.

Today in 1986 we lost Benny Goodman to a heart attack so let's look at some Goodman record sleeves.

We have been looking at David Stone Martin record cover work for a few Music Mondays. But to my knowledge, no David Stone Martin work was used on any of the many Goodman disks. So to pay respects to the memory of Mister Goodman today, we’ll present a well know BG cover by Jim Flora, another artist who designed many record covers. The one at the right is one of the most famous.

Next week: Back to David Stone Martin

The three covers below seem a little like Jim Flora work but probably are not. Flora's signature appears in most of his work.

Flora's signature appears in most of his work.

These all seem to have an "arrow" theme.

If anyone can identify any of the artists here, send me a note.

The Profile (more than you really wanted to know)is HERE.

Lost Gallery The rescue mission for battered and abused orphan photographs.

Still the most popular page on this blog. The Subway Collection

Music Monday - Benny Goodman

Things are sort of dull around the Music Monday composing room, so for the next few weeks the cracked editorial staff has decided on a new feature for the day:

The artwork of David Stone Martin on record covers.

One exciting work of art (called Illustration by some) will be presented here each week until they run out. Each is a scan from the editor's personal library and the original copyrights apply.

They are presented here for admiration and educational purposes only.

Today in 1909, Benny Goodman was born.
Now, he didn't have any David Stone Martin covers on his many albums. At least not that I know of.

Curious though, a pirate, unauthorized 10" LP appeared from Jolly Roger records with some fine art work on it. It is probably Burt Goldblat's art work and not David Stone Martin as Goldblat was doing some other work for Jolly Roger records at the time. Their work is very similar.

The recordings came from old 78 rpm originals, transferred to LP and released. Goodman was understandably peeved about it.

The personnel on these recordings:
Benny Goodman - Clarinet
Teddy Wilson - Piano
Lionel Hampton - Vibraphone
Gene Krupa - Drums

The recordings on this disk are
Tea for Two
Moon Glow
My Melancholy Baby
Avalon
Vieni, Vieni
The Man I Love
Handful of Keys

The Profile (more than you really wanted to know)is HERE.

Lost Gallery The rescue mission for battered and abused orphan photographs.

Still the most popular page on this blog. The Subway Collection

Music Monday - BG on 45

No Reason. I just thought it was clever. Things ain't what they used to be. (In fact, they never was.) The Profile (more than you really wanted to know) is here.

You don't have one of these. No. You don't.

These are the most popular pages: Alison Young Art Pepper Barney Kessel Bettie Page Curl-up-and-dye Edgar Degas and the lost Ginger Nude Ginger Panda Gnat Trap Little Annie Fannie Marilyn Resident Alien Sunday Funnies

Music Monday - The Famous Benny Goodman pirate LP

Actually, famous only to avid Benny Goodman fans, this pirate record from Jolly Roger Records is quite rare. The company blatantly copied old 78rpm records and re-released them in compilations on 33rpm LP records. Goodman was understandably peeved about it. There is one factor however that makes this an unusual record. The cover. The cover art is either by David Stone Martin or Burt Goldblatt. I can't decide which. Goldblat was doing some work for Jolly Roger around that time but the technique looks a lot like Martin too. Which do you think it is? Avid fans of the two artists can easily tell, I am sure.

These are the most popular pages: Alison Young Art Pepper Barney Kessel Bettie Page Curl-up-and-dye Edgar Degas and the lost Ginger Nude Ginger Panda Gnat Trap Little Annie Fannie Marilyn Resident Alien Sunday Funnies Things ain't what they used to be. (In fact, they never was.) The Profile (more than you really wanted to know) is here.

Harry James. He could do it all.

He led a big band for 40 years. Today, in 1983 we lost Harry James, swing-era bandleader/trumpet player. This is Harry with Ziggy Elman and Chris Griffin. For two years he led this trumpet section in the legendary Benny Goodman big band '37-'38. Then early in 1939, Harry James struck off on his own and fronted his own band for more than 40 years. His first singer was that guy from Hoboken, NJ... oh, you know, the one with the blue eyes....He went on to sing with Tommy Dorsey and made a few records on his own....ah well, I can't be expected to remember everything... Harry Married Betty Grable 1943 to 1965. They had two daughters. Here is a good bio about them. For those of you fortunate enough to have this old LP of Harry James, "One Night Stand" from Columbia (GL 522), you have the very best of James and his orchestra. Yes, there were recordings that were more popular, more famous. But this was the best jazz, the finest of the big band and yes, a fine example of Harry at his solo best. Now, get ready for this: It has never been released on CD. You must have the old LP. Neener Neener Neener.... Here's Feet Draggin' Blues... I saw the Harry James band a couple times circa 1960, in a roadhouse club near Wichita, Kansas. Once Betty Grable was sitting at a stage-side table watching the show. I think I have his autograph someplace. Jilla Webb was the vocalist. Here is an excellent web page about this legend of the big band era.

Can anyone identify this painting? Is it Francois Schuiten? Looks like his work but can someone confirm it?? Click for larger version. Yes, I refuse to use Kleenex until THIS stops.