Big Al

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Posts posted by Big Al

  4. Posted

    On 3/18/2016 at 0:33 PM, mikeweil said:

    Will these be real mono grooves, requiring a mono stylus? If so, I'd be heavily tempted.

    But: Why didn't they include Coltrane Jazz and Coltrane's Sound, not to mention the My Favourite Things LP? No original mono mixes available?

    So no Equinox included in this box. I guess I need a single CD reissue as I, too, miss those few bars.

    According to the Rhino website:

    A quick caveat, however: you will not find My Favorite Things, Coltrane Jazz, or Coltrane's Sound contained within this set, but it’s through no fault of ours: the mono masters were lost in a fire, so their inclusion simply wasn’t possible, sadly.

    http://www.rhino.com/article/out-now-john-coltrane-the-atlantic-years-in-mono

  6. Posted

    I was thinking of a bonus disc BFT from many years ago, and remembered thinking this sounded exactly like "The Hucklebuck," but that my guess was wrong and the correct answer was "Now's the Time." I was too tired to look it up the other night, but now that I'm wide awake, I went on a hunt to see if I was just imagining things. Turns out, my memory wasn't as faulty as I thought, and someone else heard the same thing I did. It was the bonus disc to RDK's BFT #11, and he lined up three consecutive tracks as follows:

    3. “Now’s the Time” Charlie Parker
    4. “D-Natural Blues” Lucky Millinder
    5. “The Hucklebuck” Roy Milton

    RDK then had this to say:
    "More famously, pretty much the same tune as “D-Natural Blues” and “Now’s the Time.” wink.gifA famous court case at the time ruled that both “D-Natural Blues” and “Hucklebuck” could exist with separate titles, composer credits, and publishers. A lot of people say that “Hucklebuck” ripped off Bird, but “Hucklebuck” was derived from “D-Natural Blues,” which was written and first recorded way back in 1928. Go figure… "

    How it's possible I can remember something like this from years ago, yet on a daily basis can't remember where I put my car keys (this is even more embarrassing when the keys are in my hand), I'll never know!

    I don't understand the comments that track #7 is an adaptation of "Now's The Time". Both are 12-bar blues in terms of their chord structure, but so are about 37 million (just a guess ;)) other songs. I don't hear anything here- not even a riff- that sounds like it came from NTT. The saxes basically just open with a simple vamp, and the trumpet plays the only thing close to a melodic "head". It's also very simple and familiar, but I'm not sure it has a direct link back to an actual song title.

    Well, sounded like 'Now's the time' to me, too.

    It's certain that when different people listen to the same music, they hear different things about it.

    MG

  7. Posted

    Wow indeed! I see this from time to time but never had any inclination to pick it up until now!


    4. A minor blues with a hip little structural twist. I couldn't place the tune, although it sounded familiar, but I know this guitar player when I hear him. What a great solo. It's brief, but he made the most of it, as he always does. He may be my all-time favorite guitar player, and I consider him to be one of the most under-rated and under-appreciated players of all time. So, once I knew who the guitarist was, it didn't take me long to realize that I own this track, which is this: http://www.radioswissjazz.ch/cgi-bin/pip/html.cgi?lang=en&m=songinfo&v=fs&sid=2253fbbd7255e3c9177b2483c5435d884301

  8. Posted

    Oh hey, I'm on time for once! Kinda!

    Track 1: This feels like a version of “Star Dust” I should like simply because it exists or because of who’s playing it, not necessarily because I particularly enjoy it. The trumpet sounds like he’s forcing everything. NMCOT™

    Track 2: Unfortunately, this one isn’t doing much for me either. The groove is there, but this also sounds forced. Sadly, another NMCOT™

    Track 3: Me likey. Interesting double-track of the organ. No clue who this might be. I think it wants to be mid-60’s Prestige vintage, but it sounds too recent. Either that or Contemporary was cuttin’ some greeeeeazy sides back in the day.

    Track 4: Sonny Stitt on Varitone for Impulse? Was gonna say Eddie Harris, but the stereo spread suggests Impulse to me. However, a quick check of the Impulse discography tells me that, if it is Stitt, it’s not on Impulse. And now, on second listen, I’m no longer sure it’s Stitt OR Harris, because what I thought was a Varitone is just a standard alto & tenor. I’m still gonna guess it’s an Impulse record!

    Track 5: Sounds like the theme to a 60’s sitcom. Which I love! They just don’t make TV themes like this anymore!

    Track 6: Very nice. No clue, but very nice!

    Track 7: First thought is Illinois Jacquet or Louis Jordan doing “Now’s the Time.” I really wanna say that’s Illinois’ brother on the bari sax!

    Track 8: This reminds me of that Dizzy Gillespie/Gil Fuller Monterrey Jazz Orchestra record. Except for that so-cheesy-it’s-hip organ! Absolutely DIGGING this groove, though!

    Track 9: Freddy Cole? No clue when it comes to vocals, but I can say that I didn’t dislike this!

    Track 10: Cab Calloway doing the St. Louis Blues? I don’t know who else it could be!

    Track 11: No clue. Sounds like the soundtrack to one of those old radio horror serials. Or Tex Avery’s WHO KILLED WHO? :lol Oh wait, there’s a tenor sax on this? I should check to see if this is from Grant Green’s GRANTSTAND. Naw, couldn’t be: Grant don’t comp like that. Oh! Oh! I know: Baby Face Willette!

    Track 12: Same as track 9, but substitute Johnny Hartman for Freddy Cole.

    Track 13: A very sleepy clarinet player.

    Just like me (sans clarinet). Gonna finish this later and read others’ comments now (because it’s not like I’d remember anyway). I’m sorry, MG. Maybe it’s my own tired state that is preventing me from really enjoying all of this.

  9. Posted

    Dan, thanks again for a fantastic BFT! This will definitely get repeated playings. Gotta say, the last buncha BFT's have been extremely enjoyable and fun and swinging (yes, I know my BFT is part of that bunch, OF COURSE I like my own BFT! :w).

    Track 2: Not that I'm any expert on Dudu Pukwana, I've listened to his work on Hugh Masekela's HOME IS WHERE THE MUSIC IS zillions of times that I'm surprised I didn't notice him on track 2. After reading this Reveal, I went back and listened to it and there it is in plain sight. Or sound!

    Track 4: When I got home, I listened to ELLIS IN WONDERLAND just to see if there was anything even remotely close to this track. Again, I don't know what I was thinking. But I sure hope I can find this LP sometime! Sweets? Louie Bellson? Um YES!!!

    Track 11: the one time, THE ONE TIME, I woulda got a BFT track that NOBODY else got, and I put off my guesses until after the Reveal! AAAAAUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

    Track 12: well, now I know why this sounded so familiar, having been one of the recipients of your digital generosity when you came across this. Again, happy to have THIS back in the collection!

    Again, thanks for another great BFT, Dan! :tup :tup :tup

  10. Posted

    Track 4: Herb Ellis, leadoff track from ELLIS IN WONDERLAND. I only know this cuz I have it, but haven't listened to it in ages. Needs to remedy that quickly. By God, ANYTHING with Sweets is sweet, and this is no exception! Still, I'm just tickled that I actually recognize something from my collection on a BFT!

    But Al, there's no guitar on this track. :wacko: :wacko: Good call on Sweets though, most didn't get him.

    Track 11: I am willing to bet the house that this is the famous acetate of Gene Harris' very first recording that Dan received from Mrs. Gene Harris some years back. At least that's how my memory remembers the story. I have no doubt that Dan will gladly retell this story in the reveal or maybe even during the discussion. All's I know is, whatta treat to hear this again! I seem to recall that Dan made this available to those who asked for it and I don't know what happened to my copy, so I am *very* thankful to have this back again!

    Well played, sir - nobody else remembered this one but you did. :tup I do have to say however that I didn't get it from Janie Harris, I rescued it off Ebay for $2 and sent a transfer to both her and sole surviving member of the band Bill Dowdy.

    Al, no worries on the lateness of the comments, they were worth the wait, as they always are. Glad you liked most everything on the disc.

    My pleasure, my man! It was a treat to listen to it again today. I had a chance to listen to it while driving around earlier in the month and heard the Harris acetate and had every intention of commenting on at least that track, and then life got in the way as it always seems to do. :)

    I have NO idea how/why I thought I heard a guitar on track 4! I must've been so confident in my guess that I didn't even bother to listen for Ellis! :D

  11. Posted

    With thousands of apologies to Dan for taking forfreakinever to get to this, because I always look forward to a Dan Gould BFT and feel particularly bad that I didn't get any time to supply the usual meanderings & shenanigans.

    And especially because there's one track on here that I suspect he put on here thinking no one would remember its backstory. But *I* do!!! :g

    Once again, it should be quite obvious that I not only haven't looked at the answers, but also haven't looked at anyone else's guesses either (the mystery track, notwithstanding)!

    Track 1: Off with a bang! A big bang! A big band with a big bang! Say that fast five times! OH HEY that sounds like Stanley Turrentine! Or a huge fan of the man! GREAT way to start a BFT!

    Track 2: Somebody say AMEN!!! No clue on any of the players, but I love the spiritual feel to this!

    Track 3: Crud!!! I bet I have this at home. Or used to have it. Sounds like that Sonny Stitt record on Verve with Jo Jones. NEW YORK somethingorother. If that's the case, self-kicking will commence shortly! Okay, never mind, now that "Impressions" has started, my rear-end is saved from a momentary beating!

    Track 4: Herb Ellis, leadoff track from ELLIS IN WONDERLAND. I only know this cuz I have it, but haven't listened to it in ages. Needs to remedy that quickly. By God, ANYTHING with Sweets is sweet, and this is no exception! Still, I'm just tickled that I actually recognize something from my collection on a BFT!

    Track 5: Johnny Hodges. Maybe something from his 1951-1955 Verve years? Those years never made much of an impression on me, and this song is a good example why. Everyone sounds bored.

    Track 6: More Ellingtonia! Sounds like Paul Gonsalves & Clark Terry.

    Track 7: Even more Ellingtonia! I recognize the tune as "Rockin' in Rhythm," but don't recognize the guitarist. I like his sound, though!

    Track 8: Sheesh, no ide.... wait, I bet this is Gene Harris on the organ! MORE than sufficiently greeeazy! Fred Jackson on tenor, or some other good ol' blues wailer!

    Track 9: I don't care who this is, that groove is absolutely KILLING ME!!!! Must find source of this one! Dan, this is starting to remind me of the first BFT I ever did, where the last half was nothing but greeeeaze! It's either Gene Harris or Wild Bill Davis. WHOA!!! Love that fake ending!!! I like this track so much I'm gonna listen to it again before moving on to the next one!

    Track 10: Ahhh, God bless Jug and Sonny! Even if this ain't them, the statement still applies! But I think it's them!

    Track 11: I am willing to bet the house that this is the famous acetate of Gene Harris' very first recording that Dan received from Mrs. Gene Harris some years back. At least that's how my memory remembers the story. I have no doubt that Dan will gladly retell this story in the reveal or maybe even during the discussion. All's I know is, whatta treat to hear this again! I seem to recall that Dan made this available to those who asked for it and I don't know what happened to my copy, so I am *very* thankful to have this back again!

    Track 12: Pretty sure this is also Gene Harris, this time with the Three Sounds, and I'm pretty confident (although not bet-the-house confident) that this is from MOODS. I know I've heard this version: that bass statement of the chorus is unmistakable!

    Track 13: Aw, what the heck? Gene Harris again! Even if it ain't, the odds are in my favor, right? RIGHT??? The cool thing about Harris is that not only does he have a sound that is as beautiful and original as it gets, but I don't know that anyone ever tried to ape him like they tried to ape Horace Silver or Bill Evans or Red Garland; yet his sound is like a combination of all three. Nifty trick that!

    Track 14: More Gene Harris! This sounds like early 70's Harris, or maybe one of his gospel records for Concord (of which, I'm ashamed to say, I have zilch).

    Track 15: Aw geez, I should know this one. That sax sound is SO freakin' familiar! DUHHHHH!!! Well, the applause at the end suggests that maybe, just maybe, this is a private recording and I need not feel so dumb. Nahhhh, I still feel dumb for not recognizing the sax player!

    Track 16: Bird. What the heck? I'm all guessed out, and I could see Dan putting a Bird tune on here just to mess with us. That's why I like his BFT's: they can be such complete mindfreaks and I love it when that happens!

    Well Dan, another fine BFT, and not once did I have to drag out any of the dreaded DKDC™ or HAFC™ acronyms, a first for one of us! Now to look at the discussion and feel dumb, and then the answers to feel REAL dumb! :lol

  12. Posted

    What's really good about the first 33 or so is that these are great albums in this series imo, and it's nice to have digital versions that are stand-alone and not have the material as bonus tracks on other cds or in Mosaic sets. And on top of that the sound imo is spectacular, among the very best ever Blue Note cds.

    I'm confused: "first 33 or so" of... RVG's? The current LT reissues?

  14. Posted

    Better late than never, right? RIGHT??? I haven't looked at the answers, which should become obvious rather quickly! :g

    Track 1: My first thought was Johnny Smith "Darn That Dream" from one of his Roost trio records, but then the piano came in, so now we call it "Dash That Guess." (ha!) I still think it's Smith, though, and thought for a second it was from the same session that gave us that wonderful song featured on the previous BFT, "Land of the Wisconsin Velveeta Chills." (Datsa for my bossa, Jim R). But I checked the CD, and it's not. So, final answer: Johnny Smith, "Darn That Dream," and I'm too lazy to investigate further!

    Track 2: I haaaaaaaate when I know the tune, but I forget the title! I mean, I can even hear Tony Bennett singing this in my mind! He did this at Carnegie Hall! My brain keeps yelling "SOLITUDE" or "SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME," and I keep yelling back "IT AIN'T EITHER OF THEM, SO SHUDDUP ALREADY!!!" Oh, I'm gonna be kicking myself once I see the answer.

    On an unrelated note, my son has a friend in marching band with him who is an expert flute-player (she made the All-State Band on the piccolo; y'all should hear her play the trills from "Night on Bald Mountain," it will send shivers down your spine!). Her style of playing, her intonation, is very similar to the player on this track, who I'm gonna guess is Herbie Mann.

    Track 3: Now that's just mean! I'm still blanking out on the song title! This sounds like Hubert Laws to me, though. A lot of things I'm hearing here I've heard in his other work. Well, then that sax comes in. Maybe Ronnie? Maybe I'm wrong on both accounts and it's the same person on both sax AND flute?

    Track 4: Wait, wasn't this on an earlier BFT? Ah well, one can never have too many greeeeazy versions of "Giant Steps!" Oh hey, that sounds like Grant Green on guitar! Sounds like the Mighty Trinity of Greeeaze (Patton, Green, Dixon)! Ah, if only!

    Track 5: Love it!!! This SO made me giggle! "SING that part, dammit!" :lol:

    Track 6: Nice, despite not really making any impression on me. Might sound better in a non-work environment (which is where I'm currently writing this)

    Track 7: A very beautiful "But Beautiful!" Whoever this is caresses this with such finesse, plays just the right amount of music so that no note, no breath, nothing is wasted. This is like a good massage for the heart AND soul.

    The piano player, on the other hand, seems to have graduated from the Oscar Peterson School of Subtlety....

    Track 8: "Recorda Me" or whatever Joe was calling it in the 70's. I thought it was Joe's version with Curtis Fuller on Milestone, but after listening to that version, this definitely ain't that. No clue, as usual, but that trombone player is getting DOWN and I love it!!!

    Track 9: "Body and Soul," as played by someone trying to sound like Monk by apeing as many of his styles as possible, with some success.

    Track 10: "Autumn in New York," and I dig how they try to make it sound like a rainy dreary autumn day, where everyone else usually tries to paint a picture of sunshine, cool air, leaves changing colors, etc. Not these guys. It's cold, rainy, yucky, dreary, and lonely. This is the kind of day I used to love to go to the downtown library, curl up with a book in one of the big chairs that looked out the window to the railroad tracks, watch the traffic go by and watch the trains go by.

    Track 11: Nice. Nothing beyond that, though, since I don't recognize the tune or the players. But I'd listen to it again in a heartbeat!

    Track 12: Rather enjoyed this until whoever decided to start singing (?) along with the accordion and the guitar. Then that... what is that, a bass clarinet? I feel like I should like this a lot more than I do right now, but it's really trying my patience.

    Track 13: This is like the "Name That Tune" from Hell! You wouldn't know by looking at this, but the above answers have been heavily edited after my first guesses were "I should KNOW this tune!" and then finally figuring it out halfway through. Plus, with the repeated tunes, I'm getting confused even more! OH well, enough whining! I love the guitar accompaniment to this, that wonderful Freddie-Green-rhythm. Love it love it love it!!! Oh, a singer, and a nice one at that! Just wish he/she woulda sung the title, but apparently it's not to be! Geeeeeeeeeezzz!!!

    Track 14: Two guitars, strings... sounds like Joe Pass & Joe Pisano? Doesn't matter: ME LIKEY!!! What the... are they freakin' kidding me? "Goin' Outta My Head?" That... is... GENIUS!!! This just went from the sublime to the ridiculous and took sublime as hostage, and I... FREAKIN... LOVE IT!!!

    Whatta BFT! Lotsnlotsa good stuff here! Now to read the comments & hope that nobody else does the same! :)

  16. Posted

    I also don't get the buying audiophile cds for audiophile's sake. The day I buy an audiophile Phil Collins cd is the day I'll stick screwdrivers in my ears. :wacko:

    There's an audiophile Phil Collins CD??? HOW COME NO ONE TELLS ME THESE THINGS???? :g

    Back to the RVGs: I generally enjoy them and share the opinion that it was nice while it lasted. I mean, I don't know about you guys, but every time I saw a thread with "New RVG's" in the title, it made my day better; finding some serious gems in the list made the announcement that much sweeter! I miss that!

    Really, the only RVG's that have disappointed me sonically are Horace Silver's SONG FOR MY FATHER and Wayne Shorter's SPEAK NO EVIL. I found a McMaster of the latter, thinking I would enjoy it better; turns out I still preferred the RVG.

    Of course, if we really wanted to be sick bastards, we could discuss....

    :blush:

    Reverse polarization!!!!! :excited::w:excl::excl::excl::ph34r::P:crazy::crazy::crazy:

  20. Posted

    Bought this in Austin for $3 over the weekend, been hunting it for a while. Didn't know at the time of purchase that this re-issue omits two tracks: a cover of the Beatles' "And I Love Her" and another track I've not heard of called "The Grass is Greener." Now, I can live without the Beatles cover; but what about that other track? Is it worth continuing to hunt down the full album?

  22. Posted

    Only ever heard him on the Desmond dates...

    It was only one track, but you heard him some time ago (my 2003 blindfold test) doing "Sometime Ago", from his duet recording with pianist Bill Mays. :)

    I've slept since then. A lot! :w

  23. Posted

    In any case, I will continue to listen to Benson, but so far I'm having trouble finding 60-70 minutes of first-rate stuff I could listen to over and over again.

    Have you heard this?

    Benson in 1973, two discs of live music with Mickey Tucker in support, only one vocal track, excellent song selection. Probably really his last straightahead date, it obviously pre-dates his ascent as a pop star.

    Wow!!! This is my favorite era of Benson and I've never heard of this album. MUST find and own!!!

    Milestones, also track down BODY TALK. Guitar funk at its finest!