Big Al

I'm glad you guys are diggin' it; Lord knows I've been trying to. Maybe I'm just not a fan of lightning-quick runs (of which Sonny is one of the undisputed masters). Or maybe it's the stuff-as-many-notes-into-a-line runs on a ballad like "If I Had You." OTOH, I love the duet between his own tenor and alto on "Norman's Blues." Not giving up on it yet; but I'm still waiting for it to grab me!

Man oh man oh MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN I wish I coulda seen them! I was hoping to see them earlier this summer, but that trip fell through. My employer keeps talking about opening a warehouse up in Flint; hopefully, they'll send ME as the company rep!! Needless to say conn500, I am SOOOOOOO jealous!!! Keepin' the greeeeeaze alive: THANKS GUYS!!! :tup

Just tell her it's "necessities!" You won't be lyin'! Besides, I thought you got this from BMG awhile back! Another suggested listening environment: cruisin' down the highway!!! In fact, I gotta hit the highway in a little bit to pick up the family from the airport. Thanks for reminding me of this one. This is perhaps the MOST FUN album that's been selected!

Sonny Meets Hawk Ellington's Far East Suite Complete Artie Shaw Gramercy 5 Desmond's Take Ten AND Bossa Antigua Diminuendo, Crescendo, and Blues (by a conglomerate of jazz greats callin' themselves the C-Jam All-Stars!) THANK YOU, VIBES!!!

I'm pretty sure Freberg was satirizing the Chords version; even his satire has a whale of a tenor solo on it! And while I'm at it: BOMP-B-B-BOMP-B-BOMP-B-BOMP-BOMP-DINGA-DONG-DANG BLUE MOOOOOOOON!!!

Re: I Only Have Eyes For You What the heck are they saying?!?!? "Sludge-mop?" "Do whatcha want?" "Drudge Fop" Anyone ever hear Stan Freberg's version of "Sh'boom?" Dis a rhythmnblooz record, you gotta be careful somebody liable ta unnerstand what yer talkin about, you want that to happen? You guys wanna sell a few records? Well then stick some old rags in yer mouth and lets take it again from the top. Oh and one another thing: YOU NEVER GIVE ME A CHA-HA-HANCE!!!

Another vote for Chicken Shack & Midnight Special. JAzzmoose hit it right on the head on why I haven't purchased these in their current form.

SHADDA-DA-DA SHADDA-DA-DA-DA BABY!!!!

Ed, you are my best friend in all the world, you have impeccable taste, and you are also the most generous man I've ever had the pleasure of conversing with online. And I'm not just saying that in yet another desperate attempt to be chosen to lead the next AOW!!!

Whattya doin' just sittin' here reading this?!?!? Didn't you just hear what I said?!??! Or read what I just wrote?!?!? Or somethin'?!?!!? GO GET IT!!! NOW!!! "Will 'n Jug" just set my house on fire, and I can't even blame it on the greeeeeeaze!!!!

Not to brag about my son, but he can play a killer set of drums (by that, I mean he can keep a steady beat and do some things on the toms that most guys in actual bands seem to have trouble doing). The chess set we got is a great learners set: it has all the possible moves that a particular piece can make, imprinted on the piece itself. This was VERY helpful for me. I still lose a lot, but that's only because my son learns this stuff quicker than me. He'll either be an accountant or a bass player (or both, like me!). Or (shudder!) an engineer like his Grampa! You got THAT right!!! As every good father should! I just wish I could use that excuse!

Y'know, I used to have both Mulligan Meets Monk AND Songbook; the former I traded away because programming the CD player was getting bothersome (I know, I know; I'm ridiculously anal when it comes to that, but dammit, Keepnews shoulda had his head examined for doing that!); the latter because..... well, come to think of it, I don't remember. Probably the same brain-fart that made me trade away Endgame Brilliance. When will I ever learn? Hell, for that matter, will I ever learn?!?!? Maybe if a 20-bit remaster of the Monk album ever comes around, perhaps I'll get that. I'd thought about searching out Songbook again (it can usually be found quite easily around here); but if what was said earlier about a stereo version is true, well then, THAT will be worth the wait!!! Thanks for all the advice! Keep the great recs & stories coming!

I see that I'm one of only two people who voted for Rouse. Is it that unremarkable of a session? I'm only asking because I have the Rivers Mosaic, and the other titles don't hold too much interest for me. Plus, I just dig Rouse's thick juicy tone!

I gotta admit, I am completely lost in this thread. I've only been playing chess for a little over a year (and that's only because my son got interested in it after watching Harry Potter about a zillion times), and am so much of an amateur that I still lose regularly to my son (and I'm not just letting him win, either. He's got me cold!) Maybe if I watch this thread a while longer, do some studying on the various moves & strategies..... well, maybe I'll only lose half the time!

SWEET selection! Can't wait to discuss this one!

WOW!!! Go get this! In-friggin-CREDIBLE!!! Just finished listening to this, and there is just so much GOOD on this album! It sure doesn't hurt having Jodie Christian in the piano chair; his soulful backing is just as sweet here as it is on all those Eddie Harris records. What to make of Sam Thomas? Was he ever heard from again? His guitar-playing is so wonderfully Monk-ish, playing behind the beat & all. But the MAJOR props gotta go to Klemmer. He just tore it UP on "Will 'n Jug." YOW! Sounded like he was having his own tenor battle against himself there for a while! Highly HEAVILY recommended!!!

This is one I've been kicking myself abuot trading away ages ago. Obviously, it's been awhile since I've listened to it, but I do remember "I Got Rhythm." If ever there was just ONE piece on how a saxophone should be played, this is it! Not one note wasted, a pure command and confidence unlike anything else. Man, if I ever see this one again.....

I recently picked up Gerry Mulligan Meets Johnny Hodges (which is uniformly excellent; better than anything on the Hodges Mosaic (which I love, BTW!), IMHO!); this led me to get GM Meets Ben Webster, and I think I can say I've finally seen the light. So much so I'm gonna start saving up for the Concert Jazz Band Mosaic. Funny thing is, it's not that I've never liked Mulligan. I've heard some of his tunes on KNTU and been blown away by 'em, but not enough to actually seek out the album or CD. Anyway, the bug's bit me, and off I go, deeper into debt.

Congratulations, Tony and family!!! I've got a 7-year old, and I can tell you that every day has been a treasure. Even the bad days; I'd rather have a bad day with him than a good day without him!

I have to confess that I finally heard Jimmy Smith's "Back at the Chicken Shack" on the radio the other day. (No, I don't have the CD yet: I'm holding out for the eventual RVG! I hope!) I'm so ashamed. That's like the golden goblet o' greeeaze, and I've been passing it up all these years. Heard it in the car; turned the engine off and slid all the way to my destination!

Juan Gonzales: I'd rather play for a contender; I enjoy being pushed to greater heights. Bud Selig: Y'know, having the Texas Rangers in the AL West doesn't make ANY sense. Roger Clemens: Of course I was kidding; I've always wanted my Red Sox uniform in the Hall of Fame. (uhhhh, that last one made me shudder. Sorry 'bout that!) Me: Go Yankees! (except for when they play the Red Sox. Then I'm all pinstripes! )

Dubya: new-klee-rrr (sound it out)

Just wanted to thank you for posting this coupon. I was able to get the Billy Mitchell disc, the Mulligan/Hodges disc, the new Harry Potter book (at 40% off) for my daughter, and HP & Chambers of Secrets paperback for my son. Total: roughly $46!!! So, thanks again!

I noticed that, too! Maybe it's a Detroit thing. A great album indeed! I bought it at Borders after reading you guys raving about. I thank you, and my wallet hates you, as usual.