Sonny Til And The Orioles Live In Chicago 1951 (Uptown)

[Big Beat Steve]

I'd agree about the secular aspect too. This is how I understood it form the start.

And no, to the best of my knowledge there indeed weren't many live R&B vocal group recordings "made" at the time at all. I've checked a few compilations where I figured something might be on there, but no - "just" single vocalists, instrumentalists, band features.

What I figure was meant that it is surprising that no privately taped/acetate-cut live "on location" recordings, airshots or other non-official documents of live performances by vocal groups have surfaced in the decades since.

An interesting field to plow, anyway ...

BTW, do movie appearances of doo-wop groups in front of "live" audiences count, and are the Treniers a "vocal" group (in a way)?

[AllenLowe]

darn.

[JSngry]

BTW, do movie appearances of doo-wop groups in front of "live" audiences count, and are the Treniers a "vocal" group (in a way)?

Don't think so, and yes, definitely but I don't think TV footage counts (in this case).

Which perhaps raises the question, were there any radio variety shows aimed at any audience on which these groups might have appeared. No air shots around?

[AllenLowe]

wait, how about live Motown things? There was a 4 Tops album, I think.

[AllenLowe]

here we go: http://www.allmusic.com/album/four-tops-live!-mw0000313682

yeah, '60s but would be '50s if it were 10 years earlier.

Edited February 16, 2015 by AllenLowe

[John L]

From the 60s, we have a number of R&B singing group live recordings, but the majority of live recorded African American group singing still seems to have been in gospel. We have great live recordings from the 50s and 60s of the Soul Stirrers, the Pilgrim Travelers, the Violinaires, Swan Silvertones, Staple Singers, Pilgrim Jubilees, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Sallie Martin Singers, Caravans, etc. etc.

[danasgoodstuff]

Not live - but great:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs8Su_iIqjA

Other sources way that's Gator Tail on sax.

[paul secor]

Not live - but great:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs8Su_iIqjA

Other sources way that's Gator Tail on sax.

I've read that it was Gator on sax and was surprised to see Mr. Taylor's name come up. Perhaps someone with better ears than mine can tell who it is.

[JSngry]

So...is anybody buying this Sonny Til thing? It's not like he's still famous outside of serious Doo-Wop folks, and this release is really not Doo-Wop, not like it would become, I don't think the term was even invented yet, that came a few years later...and I can't see a lot of "jazz fans" getting engaged in the notion. But historically, I think it's a pretty significant issue. Maybe it'll prove to be one of those "long term" catalog items?

[Clunky]

So...is anybody buying this Sonny Til thing? It's not like he's still famous outside of serious Doo-Wop folks, and this release is really not Doo-Wop, not like it would become, I don't think the term was even invented yet, that came a few years later...and I can't see a lot of "jazz fans" getting engaged in the notion. But historically, I think it's a pretty significant issue. Maybe it'll prove to be one of those "long term" catalog items?

Mine's on the way , the description had me sufficiently interested. I like to hear 'new' music, that's why I like jazz.

[Big Beat Steve]

I'm planning to get this one along with the next round of Uptowns (have 1 or 2 others where a decently priced source has so far been lacking).

[king ubu]

jazzmessengers.com has many at decent prices, but of course I don't know which ones you're looking for ... me, I still miss McGhee, Chubby Jackson and a few older ones (Gryce, Christian, Gordon ...), but I finally just got the Tristano. And yeah, this one does go onto the shopping list as well, I guess!

[Clunky]

Sonny Til arrived yesterday . It's very interesting. Lovely harmonies , plenty of humour and nicely intimate rapport with the audience. Some real cracker tracks and few others that are too saccharine. Great release. Pleased I got this .