V-Discs

V-Discs, Volume VII

       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 Volume VII feature selections by the bands of Benny Goodman, Harry James, Charlie Spivak, Frankie Carle, Sammy Kaye, Freddy Martin, and the combined orchestras of Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey.

Also featured are Hazel Scott, Mildred Bailey, Ethel Merman, Phil Brito, Andre Kostelantez, and Pvt. Vincente Gomez.

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

Track  selections: Rattle And Roll, More Than You Know, Sharp As A Tack, I'm In The Market For You, Maria Elena, The Sad Sack, Sierra, Blue Lou, Charmaine, The More I See You, Rose Room, Make Believe, I Want A Girl Just Like The Girl, Honeysuckle Rose, Cuddle Up A Little Closer, Tschaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, Downhearted Blues, Why Do They Call A Private A Private?, Come Back To Sorrento, I Love You, Minuet, Charlie Horse, Brother Bill, Arkansas.

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

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