straightlife

My next release from Widow's Taste will be a two disc set featuring a wonderful concert in Stuttgart in 1981. The tour was booked by Alexander Zivkovic. Does anybody know where I might find him? This concert took place at the end of a month long European tour, traveling every day, performing nearly every night, and I can't remember it. Does anyone know where, at what venue in Stuttgart, it might have taken place???? Tour Program

It's never to late, and thanks. It thrills me when people recognize how exciting Art's "Coltrane" period was and how much it added to his music at the end. L.

Thanks, thanks all. It's been a terrific day. love to you. L.

Hey, folks. Here's another piece of info to attach to all this. Roy Alexander (organ) on this date, was married to Art's estranged daughter, Patricia, for 33 years! Now that Roy and Art have both passed, Patricia and I have gotten in touch and have become good friends. I've now been looking in vain for a copy of this little pirated recording. Patricia and I would both love to have it. Anybody know where it can be found -- no lawsuits or recriminations to the maker of it. Best to all the fans, Laurie Pepper

Laurie chose Art's pianists??? Near the end of Art's life I had a long conversation with Art and Laurie about pianists. Kellaway was with the band and they seemed "startled" by my suggestion of Stanley Cowell as my choice. Laurie quickly told me more recordings with Cowell would follow. Strange that they would be startled, considering how well this one turned out with Cowell: Okay, First of all, I did not choose Art's pianists, unless there was an emergency. Like there was for that tour. At those times, of course I discussed it all with Art -- and usually had my way. The reason Art preferred that I do the hiring was that he was extremely sensitive about hurting people's feelings-- so he could plead innocence if anyone asked him why he didn't hire THEM. He just really hated hiring and firing. Hated it. Of course, I had my preferences. I loved George Cables, personally and professionally, but I might have liked Stanley Cowell's playing as well or even better. I remember having a long conversation with Gary Giddins in New York, where I said that I thought Stanley was grossly underrated. Gary agreed. Stanley was on the Art Pepper Today album, AND the Winter Moon album AND the One September Afternoon album. Ed Michel, the producer, was responsible for Stanley's presence on all those albums. Stanley played with Art for about a week in New York at Fat Tuesdays in April of 82. I hired him for that one. He is a great great pianist. -- Laurie

Deny yourself nearly 2 hours of great music for lack of one song which may or may not have needed to be included to be "complete". That doesn't make much sense to me. Buy it and love it for what is there! I don't disagree. But "complete" is "complete" and I'd rather have the extra track even if in subpar sound quality than not at all. OKAY, OKAY! I understand the collector's compulsion to have it all, but most people who want to hear Art or even want to hear him for the first time don't want to hear a track that slows, speeds, slows, speeds, which is what the Billie's Bounce track does on the original tape and on the Japanese issue as well. Art didn't play out of tune, and I don't want this to sound as if he did. You'll notice that "For Freddie" is broken into two parts, because I figured it was so fine it should be heard. Billie's Bounce was a mess. -- Your friend, the picky widow, L. Heh, no worries, Laurie, and thanks for the clarification. We "collectors" can be a prickly bunch and get a bit sensitive around here sometimes due to reissues that are compilled willy-nilly. Glad to hear that's not the case here and that there's a good reason for the missing track. Any chance of digital distribution of this or any forthcoming shows - through itunes or (better yet) emusic? Go to itunes. The whole thing is there. L. Also rhapsody etc etc

Deny yourself nearly 2 hours of great music for lack of one song which may or may not have needed to be included to be "complete". That doesn't make much sense to me. Buy it and love it for what is there! I don't disagree. But "complete" is "complete" and I'd rather have the extra track even if in subpar sound quality than not at all. OKAY, OKAY! I understand the collector's compulsion to have it all, but most people who want to hear Art or even want to hear him for the first time don't want to hear a track that slows, speeds, slows, speeds, which is what the Billie's Bounce track does on the original tape and on the Japanese issue as well. Art didn't play out of tune, and I don't want this to sound as if he did. You'll notice that "For Freddie" is broken into two parts, because I figured it was so fine it should be heard. Billie's Bounce was a mess. -- Your friend, the picky widow, L.

She is very welcome here! Thanks guys.

Greedy??? Cheez fellas, give a girl a break! All I want to do is break even.