On January 23, Jonas blew into New York City like the fierce winter storm that it was! It dropped enough snow to make it the second biggest snow storm on record in New York City since 1869! However, even with a good two feet or so of snow on the ground, the BIG TEN INCH took place the next evening (the 24^th) as scheduled. Eight people braved the snow and ice to join host Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus in the spinning of the old shellac. Also, there was a fabulous group of attendees who just came to dig the sounds at Club Hi-Fi in the East Village.

This particular BIG TEN INCH featured two new-comers: DJs Mike Crash and Tony Salvaje.

Mike Crash DJs regularly at Union Pool in Williamsburg. His debut appearance at the BIG TEN INCH was a notable one because he played five records—all of them from the Chess/Checker catalog! This sort of activity keenly excites BIG TEN INCH trainspotters.

 

Tony Salvaje is one of our favorite people to see out at clubs. He and his wife Sonya are excellent dancers and they always spark up the room. Mr. Salvaje is also an excellent DJ, who has been a fine guest at such terrific events as ABC Rebel Night or Shake It Up Sundays at Rockaway Beach in the summer.

Other folks who brought 78s to play included regulars Adam Lore (50 Miles of Elbow Room), Alex De Laszlo, Andy Upsetter FC, DJ Rata (Mambo Jambo), Juke Joint Jonny (Grade A Fancy) and Michael McMahon (Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co.).

In spite of the snow and the slippery sidewalks, there was no report of any 78s broken in transit to or from the BIG TEN INCH. Jonas did not win!

Most of the records played on this day dated from the forties and fifties. We heard a lot of swing, hillbilly, rock’n’roll, R&B, doo wop, bebop, mambo, jazz and even a couple novelty numbers. However, some in the audience complained that there were no pre-war records played. Folks, we’ve got to fix that. If you have pre-war 78s, bring them on down and play them at the next BIG TEN INCH, which will take place on March 27—Easter Sunday! After your annual Easter Egg Hunt, bring yourself and your friends to Club Hi-Fi and swing to real swing music!!!

Here’s a list of all the 78 RPM records played by Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus at the January BIG TEN INCH:

 

• Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra–Take the ‘A’ Train (RCA Victor)
• Roy Milton and his Solid Senders–Milton’s Boogie (Roy Milton)
• Perez Prado y Su Orquesta–El Mambo (RCA Victor; Argentina)
• Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five–If It’s Love You Want, Baby That’s Me (Decca)
• Earl Bostic–Jungle Drums (King)
• Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra–Jungle Rhumba (Columbia)
• The Clovers–Ting-A-Ling (Atlantic)
• Oscar McLollie and His Honey Jumpers–The Honey Jump – Pt. I (Modern)
• Nervous Norvus–Dig (Dot)
• Joe Houston–Guided Missile (Imperial)
• Earl Bostic and His Orchestra–Cherokee (King)
• Flash and His Calypso Masters–Cocoa-Tea (Jet)
• The Eagles–Tryin’ to Get to You (Mercury)
• Joe Loco his Piano & Quintet–Why Don’t You Do Right (Tico)
• [no artist listed]–The OKeh Laughing Record (OKeh)
• The Paragons–Hey Little School Girl (Winley)
• Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five–Onions (Decca)
• Conjunto Caney; canta: Negret–Ogunde (Verne)
• Donald Woods and the Vel-Aires with the Ray Johnson Combo–Man From Utopia (Flip)
• Moose Jackson–Big Ten Inch Record (King)

None of these 78s are for sale.

Some of the records played at the BIG TEN INCH are shown below. Click on the images and they will Big-O-Fi utilizing an exclusive electronic process perfected by The Military: