Question: Rare George Roberts recordings
Posted: Mon Sep 18, 2017 6:10 pm
Hello all,
While doing research for one of my books, I recently acquired a 45 RPM record that features solos by George Roberts. I'm turning to TTF to see if anyone has particular knowledge about these recordings of which I have not been previously aware. Perhaps this well known and I've just missed it. But I find this to be of great interest.
See the photos of the A and B sides of the record, below. It is a promotional record and I have not seen these two tracks appear on any other known solo recording by George Roberts. Nor are they listed in the Roberts discography in David J. Krosschell's DMA document, "Meet Mr. Roberts: George Roberts' Influence on the Modern Bass Trombonist" (Northwestern University, 2008).
The "A" side (Columbia 4-41369, JRZSP 46100) contains "Lo Buoy" composed by George Roberts.
The "B" side (Columbia 4-41369, JRZSP 46101) contains "The Texan" - Theme from the CBS-TV program "The Texan" composed by W. Loose and J. Seely.
Both tracks simply say they are performed by "Mr. Roberts and his Big Bass Trombone."
These are striking for several reasons. They date from 1959-1960; most references that I have found regarding this places the release in 1959. This date makes sense because the TV show, "The Texans" only aired from 1958-1960, and "Lo Buoy" is listed in the United States Catalog of Copyright Entries, Volume 13, Part 5, No. 1: Music (January-June 1959) as having been composed and copyrighted by George M. Roberts on April 6, 1959; See the image from the Catalog, below:
"Lo Buoy" (clearly a take off on the words, "Low Boy") is a straight ahead feature for George and his bass trombone. The theme from "The Texan" seems to be the actual theme from the TV series, but plays longer than the theme as it was heard on the show and features George playing some seriously solid pedal tones, something he wasn't known for.
Neither track appears any of George's commercially available solo albums. The date of 1959/60 puts this release around the time of his "Meet Mr. Roberts" and "Bottoms Up" albums. Could these be tracks have been intended for inclusion on "Meet Mr. Roberts" but didn't fit? That would seem to be plausible, in particular with the use of the "Mr. Roberts" and "Big Bass Trombone" monikers that are part of "Meet Mr. Roberts." But if this is the case, it's surprising they are not included on the CD release of the album (Fresh Sound Records FSR-CD 642).
This 45 was subsequently released as a commercially available (not a test pressing) recording and copies can be found here and there on eBay, Discogs and other outlets. The commercial release has the same catalog numbers as the promotion record.
I'd be interested to know if anyone has more information about these tracks, in particular why this recording was produced. I'd also love to know who is accompanying George on "Lo Buoy."
I'm casting the net wide on this in hopes someone might know something about this.
With thanks,
-Douglas Yeo
While doing research for one of my books, I recently acquired a 45 RPM record that features solos by George Roberts. I'm turning to TTF to see if anyone has particular knowledge about these recordings of which I have not been previously aware. Perhaps this well known and I've just missed it. But I find this to be of great interest.
See the photos of the A and B sides of the record, below. It is a promotional record and I have not seen these two tracks appear on any other known solo recording by George Roberts. Nor are they listed in the Roberts discography in David J. Krosschell's DMA document, "Meet Mr. Roberts: George Roberts' Influence on the Modern Bass Trombonist" (Northwestern University, 2008).
The "A" side (Columbia 4-41369, JRZSP 46100) contains "Lo Buoy" composed by George Roberts.
The "B" side (Columbia 4-41369, JRZSP 46101) contains "The Texan" - Theme from the CBS-TV program "The Texan" composed by W. Loose and J. Seely.
Both tracks simply say they are performed by "Mr. Roberts and his Big Bass Trombone."
These are striking for several reasons. They date from 1959-1960; most references that I have found regarding this places the release in 1959. This date makes sense because the TV show, "The Texans" only aired from 1958-1960, and "Lo Buoy" is listed in the United States Catalog of Copyright Entries, Volume 13, Part 5, No. 1: Music (January-June 1959) as having been composed and copyrighted by George M. Roberts on April 6, 1959; See the image from the Catalog, below:
"Lo Buoy" (clearly a take off on the words, "Low Boy") is a straight ahead feature for George and his bass trombone. The theme from "The Texan" seems to be the actual theme from the TV series, but plays longer than the theme as it was heard on the show and features George playing some seriously solid pedal tones, something he wasn't known for.
Neither track appears any of George's commercially available solo albums. The date of 1959/60 puts this release around the time of his "Meet Mr. Roberts" and "Bottoms Up" albums. Could these be tracks have been intended for inclusion on "Meet Mr. Roberts" but didn't fit? That would seem to be plausible, in particular with the use of the "Mr. Roberts" and "Big Bass Trombone" monikers that are part of "Meet Mr. Roberts." But if this is the case, it's surprising they are not included on the CD release of the album (Fresh Sound Records FSR-CD 642).
This 45 was subsequently released as a commercially available (not a test pressing) recording and copies can be found here and there on eBay, Discogs and other outlets. The commercial release has the same catalog numbers as the promotion record.
I'd be interested to know if anyone has more information about these tracks, in particular why this recording was produced. I'd also love to know who is accompanying George on "Lo Buoy."
I'm casting the net wide on this in hopes someone might know something about this.
With thanks,
-Douglas Yeo