V-Discs

V-Discs, Volume I

       V-Disc was a record label produced during the World War II era by special arrangement between the United States government and various private U.S. record companies. The records were produced for use of United States military personnel overseas. 

Many popular singers, big bands and orchestra of the era recorded special V-Disc records. These 12-inch, 78 rpm gramophone recordings were created between 1943 and 1949. The "V" stands for "Victory."

The V-Disc project actually began in June 1941, as a way to improve moral. By 1942, the Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS) sent 16-inch, 33 rpm shellac transcription discs to troops. Meanwhile, the American Federation of Musicians, under the leadership of James Caesar Petrillo, were involved in a major recording strike against the four major record companies.

Thanks to the efforts of Lieutenant George Robert Vincent, on Oct. 27, 1943, Vincent convinced Petrillo to allow his union musicians to record sides for the military, as long as the records were not offered for purchase in the United States. From that moment on, artists who wanted to record now had an outlet for their productivity  -  as well as a guaranteed, receptive, enthusiastic worldwide audience of soldiers and sailors.

The collected V-Disc recordings on this CD feature selections by the bands of Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Les Brown, Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Sam Donahue, Gene Krupa, Claude Thornhill, Louis Jordan, Hal McIntyre, Count Basie, Jimmie Lunceford, Charlie Spivak, and Del Courtney.

Also featured are The Andrews Sisters, Kay Starr singing with the Charlie Barnet Orchestra, Frank Sinatra crooning with Tommy Dorsey's outfit, and a rare recording of both Dorsey Brothers combining their bands for the good of the "cause."

V-Disc recordings are rare and offer a unique musical retrospective of the American home front during World War II.

Track  selections:  Take The "A" Train/Harlem Airshaft, Jersey Bounce, A String Of Pearls, The Devil Sat Down And Cried, What's The Use Of Getting Sober?, Jumpin' Jehosephat!, Long John Silver, I'll Never Smile Again, Brotherly Jump, Moten Swing, Just You, Just Me, Ooh Hot Dog, I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town, Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen, For Dancers Only, Blue Rain, Stardreams/The General Jumped At Dawn, Apple Honey, High Tide, Stealin' Apples, Cool As A Fool In A Pool, Victory Polka.

V-Discs, Volume I is $10 plus $2.50 shipping and handling. To order, send e-mail to jazzconnection@hotmail.com  

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