jazzkrow

I normally never buy these typically cheesy titles, "Plays for Lovers"-but for my completist Blue Mitchell collection, I bit the bullet-a cheap e-bay price helped cement the deal- & picked up the Blue Mitchell Riverside "Plays for Lovers" cd. It's a compilation from his 1958-62 Riverside cds-and ALL BALLADS! Blue's sweet toned, swinging trumpet tone is on full display. I always looked forward to the ballad selections on each of Blue's 1958-1964 albums, and althogh I have all the albums/cds already-and could have made my own compilation, it is nice to have a whole commercial recording of his ballads. For those of you just discovering Blue thru the Mitchell Mosaic, this is a cheap way to hear his talent, front and center. Ignore the silly title and artwork-experience the music. It would also make some nice romantic "opportunities" for those inclined.

Continuing our discussion of Rhoda Scott from last March... I just picked up a French Verve cd from Dusty Groove, "Frame for the Blues", just Rhoda and drummer Victor Jones, from Jan. 1992. Man, it smokes-the real deal. She is all over those Hammonds. For Hammond B-3 lovers, she should be a household name and staple. Get this cd-a STEAL at under $8.00! I still remeber her from the 2002 Monterey Jazz Festival-all over the pedals with bare feet-and matching Houston Person chorus for chorus!! Just wish she'd hang out more in the States. The French probably don't realize how lucky they are...

David: As a Van fanatic, I have all the old Morrison material as well-and frankly, a lot of the older material was similar in content to each other-Van's search for spirituality. The uniting factor to me in most all of his stages/material is the soulfulness of his music and arrangements.

I GUESS I AM IN THE MINORITY HERE, BUT... I DO like this new release-Van's lyrics for me are not the attraction-it's his music, the blend of horns, strings, the feeling his voice gives off. The "soulfullness" I pick up. For me it is "comfort food." I need that in these stressful times. Maybe that is why I've never been a big fan of vocal jazz-give me the music! I'm always waiting for the vocalist to step aside, and let Johnny, Ben, Brownie, etc. step up to the plate! Van has become predictible to some extent-but for his music, which I find that few others in the blues/soul field, bring to the table, I am appreciative. Maybe he is like your favorite uncle you grew up with-in that he is predictible, but DAMN, you sure like having him around and would be so sad to see him gone! Any other Van fanatics around here-that feel the same way? Or are we holding him to a stronger standard now that the venerable Blue Note has signed him up?? Just can't imagine Van doing a big band BN production. Then I would have to wait till he shuts up so the next soloist can kick in...

SHRDLU: Which of the Verve mini-lps did you see on sale at Borders-if you remember! How much were they selling them for? Thnx

Well the wait is over-and am I pleased with Van's new cd- "What's Wrong with This Picture"-just out today. It's got the classic Morrison recipe mix- some blue eyed soul, bluesy horn riffs, his "leave me in peace" biting social commentary-I've always loved Van and this cd does not disappoint-at least to this Van fan! The formula may be repetitive-but it always reachs me happy, refreshed, and eagerly awaiting the next one. He just does it for me-hopefully for all you Van the Man fans, it will fit the bill as well. And without Norah's $ filling the Blue Note coffers, Van and Al Green would be scraping for decent recording contracts. Thanks, Norah...

I believe Hadley was playing in the Seattle Jazz Repretory Orchestra two weeks ago in Portland when Ellington's Sacred concerts wwere performed here. He had a brief solo in the opening number! He plays often around the Northwest.

Anyone else had any run-ins with this company? Especially charging-in advance-for orders that they cannot-and will not fill!

Just saw on Yoshi's (Oakland, Ca) website that they are doing a Blakey tribute show next month featuring Cedar Walton Trio with special guests, Eddie Henderson, Bobby Watson, and Curtis Fuller!! I've been wanting to see Fuller for years as he seldom comes out to the West Coast. I'm going to be down in the Bay Area next month and may now want to extend my trip by a few days to catch the opening night-Nov. 18. Anybody else going that week? Does Fuller still have have his chops?-though just to see him in person would mean so much to me-and Henderson and Watson are icing on the cake! And a whole night of Blakey's tunes- Got to see the Masters before they all pass away!

HERE IS MY "PASSING SHIPS" SOB STORY.... I saw "Passing Ships" listed on Overstock.com website last month-and since I had a $5.00 coupon from them due to my last screwed up order with them (yea, I should have known) I placed the order in advance for the new Hill (thinking that I got a bargain at $10.79). They even charge your Visa in ADVANCE since they are giving you "such a good price." Well, yesterday I call to see if they are shipping the cd and am told that it should be shipped today. And of course when I call today-get this- they tell me that they did not get enough to cover my advance order-AND they will be getting no more!! They will be kind enough to credit my account and give me another of their great $5 coupons.( Like I will be doing business with them again...) I asked what would have happened if I had NOT called them-and was told that they would have sent me a letter. Yea, right! Now I have to wait for my Visa to be credited-and look for the Hill elsewhere!! AVOID OVERSTOCK.COM LIKE THE PLAGUE!!!.....

Any new Borders coupons to use on the ever elusive new BN Conns? (Guess I better add I'm talking about legitimate coupons! Don't think I'd have much luck with last week's "100%" off coupon!)

ERIC: Just sent you a PM! I'd love your extra copy of the Patton booklet, unless someone has already beaten me to it! -Jeff :

HANS! I saw on the BN site that Morrison is playing at the Carre in Amsterdam for 3 nights in late October!! You going to go-and provide a review for us jealous Statesiders?? Van doesn't play here nearly as much since he moved back to Europe!

Sorry, Hans! I should have checked for a prior posting on the new Morrison-I was just so excited hearing the song samples on the BN site-hadn't noticed this was brought up before. Van delivers again!!

Hey, the Blue Note site now has 4 song samples from Van Morrison's new (and first) Blue Note cd, "What's Wrong with This Picture?" What I heard sounds like classic Morrison-soulful R & B mixed with Jazz and Blues influences. The cd will be released the 3rd week of October. I wonder what list price Blue Note will use-likely $17.98 or $18.98. I know I'll bite the bullet-can't pass up a new Morrison release AND the photo of the cover has Reid Miles type graphics! Whatever you think of Norah Jones, she sure has enriched BN's coffers to the extent that they can sign artists like Morrison. Not bad in IMHO... A few years ago I'd never imagine seeing Van Morrison on Blue Note! B)

Jim: I have an MMF-5 table-it set up without too much trouble-however, the instruction sheet was worthless to me-it gave very little help. I had to call the company who sold the 'table to me to have them help me set the anti-tracking setting. Once set up, though it works nicely. I'd recommend you replace the felt turntable mat with a rubber mat as the felt seemed to attract dust. Hope this helps! -Jeff

Brownie: I've ordered the Prestige cd-"Goin Down Slow" from BMG that features the session you mentioned. The sound samples sounded vintage Stitt-soulful and sweet. It may come before I leave for Paris Aug. 20. If so, I can bring it with me to Paris for you to hear. Or I can order another copy from BMG for you sometime Let me know.

I've been waiting for some new BMG club titles to spur me on to take advantage of their latest promotion-which is Buy 1 and get three. It works out to approx. $7.28 per cd-Including Shipping, which is about as cheap as any of their promotions, including the 75% off (plus shipping) that they occasionally do. Anyway they just listed today some new titles-that include: Jackie's Bag- RVG Hub Cap-RVG Natural Soul-RVG Arturo Sandoval: Trumpet Evolution-that's got a RAVE review on AMG website- kind of like a history of the trumpet. Sonny Stitt-Goin' Down Slow (Prestige) from 1972-featuring Hank and Thad Jones, Hampton Hawes, and others with maybe only 1 or 2 Varitone numbers Plus the Bobby Timmons Prestige Trio Sessions, which has been on BMG for about a month now. My Choices were: the Sandoval, Stitt, Timmons, and RVG Jackie's Bag. I have the old BN cd issue of Jackie's Bag. I hope someone will tell me that the upgrade to the RVG was worth it! (hope so ) Just thought I'd pass the word to all the BMG members on our Board. Is the Sandoval as good as it sounds? He can be hit or miss-but on a good night he's a monster onstage! Any feedback on my selections appreciated!

THANKS for all your help, Brownie! I checked out Paris Jazz Corner website-lots of goodies-but 12-15+ Euro for used ("second hand" was terminology they used) sounds a bit steep-BUT I know I'll have to buy something! Sounds like at least one complete day to hit all the stores in district 5. I can hardly wait! Do you-or any of our members live in Paris? If so drop me a line, offsite if you want to hook up for a beer! Only 14 more days.....Incredible

Thanks, Brownie! Where is "Paris Jazz Corner"( mentioned in the thread)? What might I expect to pay in cover charge/drink minimum if a major jazz act is in town? Thanks!

Bonjours B) (That's the extent of my French..) I'm going to Paris for 10 days (Aug. 21-31) to attend the World Championships of Track & Field (my other passion besides jazz) and will have my days free since the track events are late afternoon-evening. Can anyone out there help with recommendations for record stores, jazz clubs, and inexpensive restaurants?? I'll be staying in district 7 for the first 7 days (near the Eiffel Tower and Rodin Museum) and in Montmartre (District 18) the last 4 days. I plan on doing a lot of walking during the days and would love to check out the cities jazz offerings as well as visiting a new part of town everyday! Plus my budget requires cheap restaurants-my "big" meal will be lunch everyday as I will be in the stadium (Stade de France) during most evenings. I imagine most of the jazz record stores will be in the Latin Quarter/Left Bank?? If they are lot more spendy than the States, I probably won't buy much but it would be fun to buy one or two... Any help appreciated! I'll buy a beer for anyone who lives there and wouldn't mind a bit of company! -Jeff/ jazzkrow

Well, $50 poorer- but 10 cds richer. Got 4 out of my first 5- Waiting on the Hodges/Davis. Service was so good that I ordered the other 5 tonite. One will be backordered, I'm sure-The Gramercy 5 (Artie Shaw). Such a deal.....

You guys were right-as usual. I bought Broom's "Modern Man" cd today. A very nice swinging session. I thought that Cuber had a dominant effect on quite a few of the tracks! Lonnie Smith's role was more background to me. A good ensemble date-which makes me want to search out Broom's Criss Cross dates as well as wishing I could see Lonnie Smith in person while he is still playing strong. Sure wish he and Lou Donaldson would come out to the Northwest. I can't remember the last time Lou was out here!

THANKS FOR THE RECOMMENDATION- Hope it is at the store tomorrow!

I saw Bobby Broom's "Modern Man" available used locally. what initially caught my eye were the sidemen- Ronnie Cuber, Lonnie Smith and Idris Muhammad-all first rate. Don't know too much about Broom. sounds like a great soul jazz line-up! Has any one out there bought this cd? Worth getting? I'm a big soul jazz/B-3 fan. Does this fit the bill? Thanks!