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talking-shellac.com
Dave Cooper's website
About Me
This site is named after my regular column in Memory Lane magazine, that discussed artists and bands who appeared on records (especially on 78 rpm discs.) I also wrote for a number of other periodicals and a summary is listed below.
I was a professional musician for thirty years. I started as a semi-pro in various outfits in and around Blackburn, Lancashire where my family had moved to in 1964. My musical career took me all over the world on cruise liners including SS Calypso, MS Leonid Sobinov, Cunard Princess, SS Black Watch, MS Mikhail Lermantov. Residencies included May Fair Hotel in London, tours of the Home Counties and various gigs across the country. Dave Cooper
Memory Lane Magazine Compact Discs
Since 2009, in partnership with Ray Pallett, I have produced on average eight CD masters (almost 200 78 sides) per year.(All recordings remastered by Dave Cooper, liner notes by Dave or Ray.)
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Al Bowlly - his complete recording output with rare alternate takes and existing broadcasts plus British Dance Bands and their vocalists including personalities Evelyn Dall, Elsie Carlisle and Jessie Matthews.
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You can order current CDs through the Memory Lane Magazine web site.
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You can order bespoke copies of Discontinued Memory Lane CDs using this link.
My Books on Buddy Rich (Hover over the images for more information on each.)
BUDDY RICH DISCOGRAPHY
I compiled this book in 1974. There had been little research on Buddy Rich as a 'solo' artist before this. It was a self-published item and is now very rare since only about 100 copies were printed. It has to be said however, that at 18 years of age, I was rather uninformed and rather over enthusiastic about the subject at the time! It sold originally for £1.50.
BUDDY RICH A LIFETIME OF MUSIC
This book was researched with my friend John Titsworth.
It contains information about Buddy's recordings, day by day itineraries and listings of all known magazine articles.
The book was first published in 1989,1991 (2nd edition) and again by the National Drum Association in the USA as a revised 2nd edition in 1995.
BUDDY RICH HEADLINES
This 36 page booklet with index, was the companion to 'A Lifetime of Music'.
It aimed to include all the newspapers and other articles about Buddy Rich as well as including any additions to the magazine articles already printed in 'Lifetime'.
It was released in 1992.
My Contributions
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Memory Lane Magazine CD Jewel Case Notes (from 2009, ongoing).
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Memory Lane International Magazine articles (from 1975 includes 45 regular columns 'Talking-Shellac' which this site is named after and many other features).
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Hillandale News - For the Record (1996 - 2009)
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Artie Shaw Club Journal (contributor from 1971 - 1972, Editor 1973 - 1975).
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Buddy Rich - Rich Report (1985 - 1992)
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Plus various features and reviews in Perfectly Frank (Sinatra), Der Jazzfreund (Germany), Jazz Journal, Crescendo, Aether (Netherlands), Canadian Antique Phonograph Society, Mississippi Rag (USA), Rhythm, Best of British and various local newspapers from 1974.
LP and CD Releases
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That's Rich (Black Jack LP) Buddy Rich and his Orchestra (1975) I contributed to the release of this German produced collectors issue.
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Al Bowlly Sings The Marvelous Melodies of Peter Mendosa (1998) I contributed raw recordings for this release working with the late and lamented jazz musician and writer Warren Vache sr.
TV Contributions
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Robert S Levi's American award winning two-part 1991 Duke Ellington documentary 'Reminscing in Tempo'
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Olivia Lichtenstein's 2010 Vera Lynn Story for BBC TV.