The complete Louis Armstrong Okeh material controlled by Sony?

[medjuck]

Has there ever been a box set of the complete Louis Armstrong Okeh material controlled by Sony?

I was looking for the 1931 Pops version of I Got Rhythm, discovered it was controlled by Sony and there doesn't seem to be available on a legitimate cd. Or have I just not looked in the right places?

Edited September 24, 2013 by medjuck

[jazzbo]

Right here, and on the original separate cd that this box set combines.

http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-okeh-columbia-rca-victor-recordings-1925-1933-mw0002410228

Many scream about the sound on this, but revisiting it the sound is not that bad especially if you have a bright system. The biggest problem is that a few of the tracks are not at the right speed, but that is not a problem with this track.

[medjuck]

Thanks. Somehow this slipped by me. I think I already have everything on the first five discs and much of what's on the later discs. But this looks like a reasonable price that won't take up too much room on my shelves.

[John L]

I have it on this CD that was issued a while back on Portrait. I also have it on the 2-disc JSP set: Louis Armstrong: The Big Band recordings 1930-1932. That was back in the day when JSP was (I believe) a legit label that did its own remastering.

Edited September 25, 2013 by John L

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Pretty good price. I think I'll ask my wife for this for Christmas.

Thanks for bringing it up. Didn't know about it.

MG

Well, I asked her and she said she'd get it for my birthday in a couple of weeks!!!!

(She's already got me a nice CD.)

[jeffcrom]

Yeah, worth it to have the Okeh big band sides complete - and they sound pretty good, too. Just have the earlier Hot Fives and Sevens elsewhere in your collection; this set shouldn't be your source for those.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Oh well, it's ordered. I have some Hot 5s and 7s already. I was thinking this would be an improvement because what I've got is a real cheapo 1 CD set

MG

[brownie]

I Got Rhythm is on CD1 of the 3-CD set 'The Complete Louis Armstrong, Vol. 6' out of the Frémeaux collection, as legitimate as any of the Sony releases

A beautiful collection!

[J.A.W.]

I Got Rhythm is on CD1 of the 3-CD set 'The Complete Louis Armstrong, Vol. 6' out of the Frémeaux collection, as legitimate as any of the Sony releases

Public-domain CDs like the Frémeaux Armstrong sets are legit in Europe, but not in the United States if I'm not mistaken.

Edited September 25, 2013 by J.A.W.

[crisp]

I have it on this CD that was issued a while back on Portrait. I also have it on the 2-disc JSP set: Louis Armstrong: The Big Band recordings 1930-1932. That was back in the day when JSP was (I believe) a legit label that did its own remastering.

I got into jazz 25 years ago partly through Woody Allen films and wanted to buy Louis' version of Stardust as heard in Stardust Memories. But I couldn't bring myself to buy the disc pictured above -- the cover art was just too revolting!

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I Got Rhythm is on CD1 of the 3-CD set 'The Complete Louis Armstrong, Vol. 6' out of the Frémeaux collection, as legitimate as any of the Sony releases

Public-domain CDs like the Frémeaux Armstrong sets are legit in Europe, but not in the United States if I'm not mistaken.

That can't be right, Hans - even in the US anything over 70 years old is public domain.

MG

[J.A.W.]

Just found this from the U.S. copyright office on the 'net:

How long does a copyright last?

The term of copyright for a particular work depends on several factors, including whether it has been published, and, if so, the date of first publication. As a general rule, for works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years. For an anonymous work, a pseudonymous work, or a work made for hire, the copyright endures for a term of 95 years from the year of its first publication or a term of 120 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first. For works first published prior to 1978, the term will vary depending on several factors. To determine the length of copyright protection for a particular work, consult chapter 3 of the Copyright Act (title 17 of the United States Code). More information on the term of copyright can be found in Circular 15a, Duration of Copyright, and Circular 1, Copyright Basics.

http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-duration.html

Edited September 25, 2013 by J.A.W.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Just found this from the U.S. copyright office on the 'net:

How long does a copyright last?

The term of copyright for a particular work depends on several factors, including whether it has been published, and, if so, the date of first publication. As a general rule, for works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years. For an anonymous work, a pseudonymous work, or a work made for hire, the copyright endures for a term of 95 years from the year of its first publication or a term of 120 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first. For works first published prior to 1978, the term will vary depending on several factors. To determine the length of copyright protection for a particular work, consult chapter 3 of the Copyright Act (title 17 of the United States Code). More information on the term of copyright can be found in Circular 15a, Duration of Copyright, and Circular 1, Copyright Basics.

http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-duration.html

Kind of unhelpful. Thanks US Copyright Office for clearing things up so neatly

MG

[J.A.W.]

And also this regarding sound recordings:

http://www.copyright.gov/docs/sound/

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

That's better. OK, you're right.

So the earliest Hot Fives are protected for 142 years!!!!

MG

[brownie]

Another discussion about copyright limits... they bore me to death!

Don't think Sony lost a ton of money when Frémeaux started its Intégrale Armstrong. If Sony had done a proper job with its material there would be no place for labels like Frémeaux. Did my part when purchasing those Armstrongs when they were reissued by Columbia but what a mess it was!

Glad to be a European and able to enjoy the material without any remorse

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Another discussion about copyright limits... they bore me to death!

Don't think Sony lost a ton of money when Frémeaux started its Intégrale Armstrong. If Sony had done a proper job with its material there would be no place for labels like Frémeaux. Did my part when purchasing those Armstrongs when they were reissued by Columbia but what a mess it was!

Glad to be a European and able to enjoy the material without any remorse

Me too!

MG

[J.A.W.]

Another discussion about copyright limits... they bore me to death!

Well, you prompted the discussion yourself when you said that the Frémeaux Collection was legit But you're right, this has been discussed ad nauseam - and it won't be the last time, I'm afraid...

Change of topic: who mastered the Frémeaux sets?

[bogdan101]

As with most other things, there is a large discrepancy between theory and reality when it comes to copyright. For example amazon.com happily sells these 'illegal' versions of recordings under copyright (to major corporations) to U.S. customers. Considering how copyright holders are known to request take-down of infringing youtube items, but they seem to leave amazon.com do their thing, I'm wondering for example if say Sony has confidentially demanded and received some sort of royalties from every Armstrong Fremeaux set that amazon.com is selling. This might explain why Volume 5 is available directly from amazon.com for $53.01, while the marketplace low price is $19.90...

I have the first 4 volumes from the Armstrong Fremeaux series, and it sounds okay; like with all such compilations from 78's there is quite a bit of variability, depending on the condition of the shellac they could get their hands on.

[crisp]

It's frustrating that, having acquired all of Armstrong's recordings up to 1933, Sony doesn't take advantage of it and remaster the lot in a coherent box but instead repackages the messy old CBS/RCA volumes. I mean, this is the 20th-century equivalent of Mozart we're talking about here...

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

When did this box come out?

MG

[brownie]

Change of topic: who mastered the Frémeaux sets?

Frémeaux does its own mastering. It's pretty good. The company is quite busy and pruduces a rich and varied catalogue as can be checked on their website

http://www.fremeaux.com/