More Great Jazz News, the Savory Collection

[ironbut]

On the heals of the of the "Jazz Loft Project" and Wolfgang's Vault making live recordings from the Newport Jazz festival (both of which were mentioned here) comes another source of live recordings of the early jazz greats. I have to admit that I've only heard mention of the Savory Collection of disc recordings of very early radio broadcasts a few times and it lived as more of an urban legend than anything else to me. But here's the poop on what it really is and where it's been all these years.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/17/arts/music/17jazz.html?_r=1&ref=larry_rohter

[steveidosound]

That is absolutely fascinating! I hope we can hear some of that material at some point.
I own some "air check" lacquer discs of 30s radio programs myself and it is true that the condition (and recorded quality) of these can vary from pretty good for the era to just awful due to disc deterioration or poor initial recording of the disc itself. The balance etc. is as good as the original live broadcast engineer made it, so typically an excellent mix.