V-Discs

V-Discs, Volume VI

       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 VI feature selections by the bands of Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Charlie Spivak, Red Norvo, Kay Kyser, Hal McIntyre, Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra, Freddy Martin, Sam Donahue's Navy Band, and George Paxton.

Also featured are Muggsy Spanier and his V-Disc All-Stars, Peggy Lee with Les Paul, Hoagy Carmichael, Eddie Heywood, the Three Suns, Nat "King" Cole, the Korn Kobblars, and Cpl. Buddy Clark singing with the 344th Army Service Forces Band.

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

Track  selections: After You've Gone, Liza, Happiness Is Just A Thing Called Joe, Laura, I Wonder, Ride On, Pee Wee Speaks, My Melancholy Baby, My Ideal, I'll Remember April, Don't Take Your Love From Me, I Get The Blues When It Rains, Billy-A-Dick, Just You, Just Me, The Touch Of Your Lips/My Devotion/You've Got Me Crying Again, Lily Belle, When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, My Wild Irish Rose, Twilight Time, Let's All Sing Like The Birdies' Song, Candy, How Little We Know, Flying Home, Victory Polka.

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

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