Great site! I have been looking for even a bootleg copy of Tales of Manhattan for years. Do you have one?

I have its original record. You can listen "Manhattan Fable" tune in the TALES OF MANHATTAN on the CD called "The Beat Generation" of Rhino Records. It also contains one more tune of Babs. He is a crazy but really one of a kind!

I have been into Babs for about a year and a half. I had been into Lord Buckley for about four years, when my wife bought me the UK "Cool Wailin'" LP for a birthday, after a dealer with whom I haev dealt told her that it would be up my alley, and the "Babs was rare." I'd heard of Babs but never any of his music, so I really anjoyed the two cuts on the LP. Very hip, a la the Lord Buckley era. Just last Sunday, I found a copy of the "Small's Paradise" re-issue on Chairoscuro for $30 at Amoeba Records here in San Francisco. I'd traded some CDs toward it, so it only cost me $13 or so. It's a great record, and I loko forward to SOMEDAY finding more LPs. I've seen some 78s (and even bought one), but since my player doesn't do 78, I'd rather invest in /search for the rarer LPs. The one from Sunday is the first I'd ever seen. One dealer in town sold an autographed Babs for $300. How rare is that?

$300 for a Babs lp? Good Grief! I had no idea that his music was THAT rare! I used to occasionally hear a vocal version of 'Stolen Moments' w/Babs Gonzales on a late-nite Jazz station in NY btwn 1992-95/ but for the life of me/I can't remember the call letters. I recall the opening lyric was "Why must we have these stolen moments?"/but none of the other words come to mind. A while back/I bought the Oliver Nelson reissue of "The Blues & the Abstract Truth" (which is playing now) hoping to find Bab's on it as an uncredited vocal. But Nelson is the original compuser of the tune & the cut has no vocals on that CD. I wd be crazy to pay $300 for an lp -- esp. since I no longer have a turntable. But I know women who spend that much on a pr. of shoes/ which to me is insane. I guess cd justify paying 3 bills for a record -- if I had it like that. But I intend to seek until I find that Babs cut! And thanks guys for all yr tips.

Hey does anyone know how to get the Wierd Lullaby CD - it is out of print. Also there are cuts of his on the hipsters holliday and another christmas cd- cant remember = I think it had some lambert hendrics and ross too. Well hope that helps anyone looking . And if anyone can help me by any of his cds records etc write me at smerril2@bsumail.idbsu.edu thanks stay hep ya'll steve- Boise Idaho

Yes, but remember the $300 disc was signed by the man himself! I see your point, tho. 3 bills is steep. The "Weird Lullaby" CD is in San Fran where I am, if anyone requires it. does anyone have access to the "Shuckin' and Jivin'" on Charly UK? Damned if I can order it!

I think Babs signed on several records, books, photoes and so on. I have seen several his signed records, books and photoes. When he sold his records and books(or gave away to his friends) directly to his fans, I think he always signed on them and says (dig?) at last of his words. One LP is US$300.00(!) with his signature....ummm....Only his signature? Maybe some other words? I am very interesting in knowing what he wrote on it! I think US$300.00 is depending on his record- label, its title, its condition and what he wrote on it. What he wrote on it..uhmmmm.......??

There are certain things in life where money is no object. Music is commonly one of those things. You just cant predict when something touches you so deeply that you just have to have it. errrr..does anyone have any original Studio One 45s?

What do you mean by any original "Studio One 45s"?

Seriously into Babs, although I only have a best of CD on Blue Note. If it's Studio One you are after, also have a deep collection of originals, from Slim Smith to Half Pint. With reference to Tetsuro's question, Studio One 45's, are 7" reggae/ska singles pressed in Jamaica, spanning a period of around 20 years or so, which along with other small labels, such as Teasure Isle, Trojan etc, has set the tone, or been deeply influential on reggae as we now know it. Many reggae artists such as Bob Marley & the Wailers (formerly known as the Wailers (pre Island recording era)) and Burning Spear amongst many others, began their reggae recording careers with Studio One.

Oh yeah, any responses with ref to the above can ketch me at the following address: asben@lineone.net

Anyone ever hear of RedHot Records ??

Are we talking about the RedHot & Cool selection collection, or simply a label entitled RedHot??

Simply a blues label entitled Redhot Records.....

Lop-Pow, Oop-Pop-A-Da, Stompin' At The Savoy and Babs' Dream of originally recorded on BlueNote (also in "Weird Lullaby" CD) were released by Indigo Records(England). Its Title is OOL-YA-KOO/ The BeBop Vocalists. The CD number is IGO-CD-2088. If you have no "Weird Lullaby" CD, you can listen to the above songs on the Indigo' CD.

i just saw weird lullaby on sale at tower.com pretty cheap..is on the blue note label.

I picked up a copy of "Tales of Manhattan" a couple of years ago, along with the 3 Jack Kerouac albums, Dylan Thomas & Langston Hughes' Weary Blues for about $250. I ran into a very old cat who has or had original Babs pieces and recorded them for me on a cassatte. Believe me, the versions are quite hip and sazzier than the pieces combed together for the Blue Note CD (which is very available out here in L.A.) If I can help anyone track down any pieces out here, drop me an email. Before there was Gil Scott Heron, the Last Poets, Watts Prophets or Rap music...there was Babs...Cool, aloof, hip, witty & sharp as a tack!

Here I am again. I have still been looking for the TALES OF MANHATTAN album and their is nothing on the world wide web. This might be on the most difficult things to find and I have been loking under every rock and tree for it. Can anyone make a tape of it for me?

i have a copy of "voila" which I got used for like, 10.00 or so because the folks at the record store were *not hip* to babs. highlights include: "le continental," "them jive new yorkers," "the preacher," and "me spelled m-e, me" the band is roy haynes, horace parland (given credit as horace pyland- babs' humor?) charlie rouse, & a few others. its a spanish pressing, but the text is all in english and the label's address- hope records- is in new york. babs' raspy voice and goofy talk make me wish i was just that kool. still looking for "I paid my dues..."

I spotted an ad in the May / June 1995 issue of CODA magazine and I held onto it, even though I never checked it out. I think you will all find it interesting. Someone was selling Babs Gonzales books and one recording. The person's name was Lee Norris Brown c/o Expubidence Publishing Co. (!), 1188 Raymond Blvd., Suite 153, Newark, N.J. 07102. Phone 201-623-6248/824-1551. I wonder if this business is still around? Too bad its Saturday evening, or I would give them a call...I'd like to hear if anyone else tracks this person down...

For people who are looking for "I Paid My Dues" by Babs.// They are selling copies for $20 each at dustygroove.com I just picked up a second copy and was tempted to buy all of them..so act fast..cause I might change my mind! Thanx so much for the message above..have been looking for a contact for awhile for Expubidence.

a trumpeter I know who played with cecil taylor's unit (his band, I mean) around "3 Phases" told me a great babs story. apparently, babs was something of a dr. jekyl/ mr. hyde type of fella when he drank. our trumpeter was playing the montreux festival with cecil, and cecil's unit was staying in town for the week. this trumpet player started dating a woman who babs had been keeping company with- a wealthy woman who was probably babs' meal ticket and hotel room. a drunken babs, none too happy about this, tried to break a whiskey bottle over our trumpet player friend's head! that's the story as he told it to me- no internet apocrypha, honest! crazy jazzbo' antics- when will they stop?

Thanks! Ben, Very interesting story. I want to know more about Babs' life. Any more?

i have been serching for two songs by babs gonzales, they are 1. two times seven, and 2. git ta dat! can anyone tell me where i can find these?

I've been looking for an album by Tupelo Chain Sex called "Ja-Jazz" Don't know the label. I will _pay_ for this. . . I'd even pay for a good quality cassette or CD recording.

Babs Gonzales?

Tupelo Chain Sex ????

"I Paid My Dues..." is available at dustygroove.com once again, but get to steppin', cause the last time I heard they were there I checked and they were gone.

TO get copies of "I Paid My DUes" plus other Babs Gonzales stuffs call Expubidence..listed above..the first # does not work..but the second does. It is now run by Babs's nephew. The stuff is a little pricey..but if you want it...it is there. By the way..I recommend "I Paid My Dues" to everyone..not just jazz fans.

Wow! I can't believe I've found a BABS bulletin board and website! LOL! Check out my internet Radio station "Bebop Radio" 100% Jazz Vocals! http://members.aol.com/bebopspokenhere I've got several Babs tunes on my playlist. I'd have more except that my vinyl copies of "Babs" "Cool Whalin" and "Small's Paradise" are so old and scratchy, instead I only use tracks I can find off of CDs. My favorite LP is "Babs" with Melba Liston and company doing "Le Continental" and "Round Midnight" great stuff! If anyone can send me clean MP3's of any Babs tunes, I'll put them "on the air"! Thanks!

My modem's only 33.6 but I'm able to hear it fine w/RealPlayer. Thanks, Jazzman!

Glad you liked it! (Now playing on Bebop Radio: Anita O'Day with Count Basie Band scatting Malaguena (and with Wardell Gray on tenor!))

I FOUND A 78 RPM RECORD ON WHITE LABEL APOLLO PROMO BY BABS ----SIDE ONE; "A COOL TALE OF LOVE" SIDE TWO; "WHEN RIGORMORTIS SETS IN THE CRIB" I BELIEVE THESE WERE NEVER ISSUED AND COOL TALE OF LOVE IS BABS GREATEST EFFORT (AND THATS SAYING SOMETHING) I FOUND THIS 78RPM IN 1977 AND HAD NO IDEA WHO BABS WAS (EVEN DOING A JAZZ PROGRAM ON LISTENER SUPPORTED RADIO HERE FOR 5 YEARS (MOSTLY POST 50"S TO EARLY 70"S STUFF) I STILL AHDNT HEARD OF BABS TILL I FOUND THIS 78 RPM.------HE TALKS (AT THE END OF "I PAID MY DUES" ABOUT MAKING A COUPLE SIDES FOR APOLLO BUR NOT REMEMBERING MUCH ABOUT THEM-----anyone ever heard of these two sides??????

For a book on the history of Rhythm and Blues, I'm in urgent need of Babs Gonzales' "Oop-Pop-a-Da" record. REWARD available. contact: david@omniphoto.com

Ever hear of a thing called Search Engine? Try here: http://www.getmusic.com/artists/amg/Album/214/A381214.html

. o O Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, Dougie.

The address for "BEBOP RADIO - 100% JAZZ VOCALS" has changed. Please note the new URL is http://www.bebopradio.com. We play lots of Babs! In fact now playing is Babs singing BACKUP for Eddie Jefferson on Miles Davis' "So What"! By the way, I have never heard of Babs doing "Stolen Moments" but we do play a really hip duet of Betty Carter and Carmen McCrae doing a vocalese "Stolen Moments". Bebop Radio - 100% Jazz Vocals! http://www.bebopradio.com

Babs Gonzales vs. Slim Gaillard in a rasslin' / performin' match: who would emerge victorious? I shlep at the throne o' Babs faithfully, but at the end of the day, my money's on Slim Gaillard.

Babs vs Slim? Hmmm, how about adding some more scat singing contestants to the ring? Babs Gonzales, Slim Gaillard, Slam Stewart, Leo Watson, Eddie Jefferson, Dave Lambert, Buddy Stewart, Louis Armstrong, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Carroll, Jon Hendricks, Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, Bob Dorough, and Woody Herman are just a few of the male scat masters we play on http://www.bebopradio.com. Come visit BEBOP RADIO 100% Jazz Vocals! And join the message board there too! http://www.bebopradio.com All Scat All the Time!

Could someone please e-mail the lyrics to the song speedy gonzales recorded in 1968, at englishangel69@hotmail.com. Thanx

didn't they have something to do with the right's of migrant farm workers?

english angel 69? damn that's kinky. i mean, Israel wrestled an angel.. but 69? goddamn.

I have Expubidence 004 which is "The Story Of BeBop" The tracks are: Oop-Pop-A-Da/Babs Mood / Be-Bop Santa Claus / Round Midnite / Keep An Ugly Woman / La!La! / Be-Bop Story / Song For Lady Day It's in a neutral cover with the personal handwritten with a big blue pen: Clark terry - James Moody - Gene Ammons - John Griffin - Roy Haynes - Benny Green - Horace Parlan - Paul Chamber (sic!) I wonder if someone knows more about this, how about you, Tetsuro? For example: did this ever have a printed cover?

I had heard about its EXP-004(Expubidence 004) but I have not seen it. Is it LP? Only 8 tracks? Is its label green? One guy had informed me about similar LP in a white cover(no printed). I do not know whether it was exact same one or not as he did not informed me all tracks on it. Are they all "Live" recordings? I am not sure but it looks like compilation. No printed cover originally for Expubidence LP is possible because Expubidence company had been owned by Babs himself as you know. He sings, he records, he sells, he does.... No money, no printed cover... whatever... That's Babs Style! I guess..... I wonder who had written the personal....?

Has anyone heard or know babs gonzales songs"two times seven plus one and one mo" or "Git ta dat"? I had the 45 disc 35 years ago but it was destroyed.If you know please let me know where I can find this.

Read further up and call Babs Nephew. He will hook you up with anything you want if the price is right. In the next few days Ebay: Babs book: and other stuffs http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1515053927 http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1513807513

FYI, Chiaroscuro says that the Babs items that were released on their label in the late 1970's were actually released by Audiofidelity Enterprises, who are now defunct.

Babs available at dusty grove http://www.dustygroove.com/vocalscd.htm#71323

I have a book by Babs called "Movin On down De Line" by Babs Gonzales © 1975 Expubidence Publishing Corp. 143 numbered pages plus about 50 more chiefly photographs of Babs and his friends. A fabulous book about the real travails of a jazz musician surviving in a tough world. I could not find it listed in the Library of congress catalog on line. If it really was copyrighted they are supposed to be given two free copies. I am surprised that no one mentioned this book in your correspondence. Steve Gross

Hello everyone My name is Joe Adams. I am at this time representing William King who is the execotor of the Babs Gonzales/ Lee Norris Brown Estate. If any of you would be so kind to contact us we would appreciate it. We are in desperate need of copies of his recordings and any info from album covers and credits. We are at this time makiing an effort to get his legacy in order. A scholorship in his name a foundation , a street corner named after him in his home town Newark Nj and all sots of other initiatives. So if anyone is willing to help me please give me a call at (973)672-8353 or at jujuproductions@yahoo.com

I just openned a WebSite of BABS GONZALES RECORDINGS at http://www.geocities.jp/babs_gonzales/babsgonzales.html Please visit on it and I hope you can enjoy them! Tetsuro

hi, i am looking for the lyrics of "manhattan fable" will be glad to pay for it thanks, yoram ariely

well, i tracked down a copy of ja-jazz, by tupelo chain sex. ordered it a few weeks ago from some dude in north l.a. nothing. ten days after he acknowledges receiving payment, i email him to ask if it's on the way. here's the timeline: 7/9, initiated an online check transaction Dave wrote: >> cool. i'm sending a check. it says 7/15 but it'll probably be a >> couple days earlier. Payee: Eddie Amount: $24.80 Initiation Date: 07/09/2005 Estimated Delivery Date: 07/15/2005 How Often: Single Payment Memo: tupleo chain sex - ja-jazz + s&h + ins >> >> my shipping info: >> >> Dave >> 1120 San Francisco Ave NE >> Olympia, WA 98506 Eddie wrote: Yep. I'll hold until I receive your payment. Thanks! 7/17 followed up on payment status >> Hey Eddie. Didja get the check? Not trying to nag you, just concerned that maybe you didn't. Let me know. . . Eddie wrote: > Payment received. Thanks, Dave! 7/28 re-followed up to check status >> Dave wrote: >> So, is this thing on its way up here? Eddie wrote: > It's on the way. Thanks! patrick, would you go up there and kick this guy's ass for me? Eddie 16473 McKeever Street Granada Hills CA 91344

dave,so you go through the same shit I do? you are looking at a 3 month time span,if you get anything at all it wont work,but will give give you an understanding of human nature,happens to me most days.If I want a d.v.d., I get a VIDIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Life is full of surprises,and like your self,it pisses me off no end.

...and I got a VIDIO just yesterday,but I wanted a d.v.d.,so it happens to me also.

...and dont EVER chuck out your old vidio player.,I just had to borrow one from my Sister.,the stuff I want to see is is "Driving snow cats in the Antartic"...its stuff I want to do.

i got the album. dude sent it the day after i nagged him. am i a shitty customer or is this guy just a shitty businessman?

Babs' books were published by himself..therefore not in the library of congress..the book you have is very rare..and very hard to find.. re: "Movin On down De Line" by Babs Gonzales