chuckyd4

I didn't get a link, but would still be interested in participating.

Long time, no post. I'd be interested in a dl link. Thanks.

Apparently, based on the information you just gave, these are indeed the 24-bit remasters. For instance, my Here Comes Louis Smith is labeled as "TOCJ-6594". I am far from being an audiophile (hell, I like the domestic RVGs just fine), but these sound great to my ears.

So on my last couple trips to major chain stores (FNAC and Virgin), browsing through the racks, I noticed a huge number of rare/domestically-OOP Blue Notes with some kind of Japanese marketing sticker on the front. Not being much of an audiophile, and not being particularly super-wealthy, I've never been the kind of guy that can justify spending loads of money on Japanese issues of good albums. I'd like to, just usually don't feel like I can afford it. Which is to say, I'm not really familiar with all the different reissue series around the world, but TOCJ seems to ring a bell as being a good thing, and that is what all these Blue Notes have written on the spine by the index number. Anyway, the cool part about all of this is that they are mostly all on sale for around 15 Euros (which is around what they charge for normal CDs, which yes is expensive), and some of these I've never seen in person, just read about (I don't visit the import section much for above-stated reasons). In any case, I am currently enjoying Louis Smith's Smithville, and will be moving on next to Here Comes Louis Smith. I'd always heard good things about these underrated albums, and so far they are right. Charlie Rouse is absolutely killing on this session. Smith is a total, pleasant surprise - straight out of the Brownie school, totally early-Lee Morgan-era BN stuff. Plus a rhythm section of Sonny Clark, Paul Chambers and Art Taylor on this one. Dig it. So I was just wondering if we just got really lucky out of the blue here in Paris or if this is happening stateside as well? Like is Tower suddenly stocking copious amounts of reasonably priced TOCJ's? I hope this is a long-term thing, and not some kind of freak accident. But just in case, next time I get paid, I'm gonna go spend an afternoon in Virgin or FNAC grabbing everything I can. Speaking of which, anyone ever heard Donald Byrd's Byrd in Flight? Amazing lineup, I was on the verge of buying it, but already had the two Smith's, as well as Notorious BIG's Ready to Die and Bebel Gilberto's latest (both on sale for 8 euros) in hand.

Maybe that's why I never really got the Sex Mob stuff. Those other two groups are also among the groups I've bought multiple CDs by and then ended up selling all of back. I don't hate it, just always felt like I'd never listen to it without prompting, and would rather use some of that money for other discs.

You're right, we do disagree. Again, this is without my having actually heard the recording in question. I do agree it would be interesting to hear once, as it would be interesting to read a grammar school essay by Faulkner for instance, if such a thing existed. But there are so many other albums by artists that I love in their mature prime, and which I still don't own, that I dare say those would be far higher up on my list of things I need to buy. Since we disagree, maybe you can be the one who buys it, and then send me a copy for free?

Thanks for the heads up... well-designed and informative site. Sent the link to my Mom, who is on the Boston North Shore.

A recording like this would represent a turning point in my jazz buying/collecting habits in the last few years. Early on, I would have snapped up something like this, thinking I needed to have every little scrap by my favorite artists. More recently I've decided I'm perfectly happy with the sessions I love, and don't need tinny recordings of someone like Dolphy from his garage. Maybe if I was writing a book about him, but certainly not just for the enjoyment of listening to him. That said, I haven't heard it myself.

Sorry, I'd have to side with those guys. I bought two of their albums back in the late 90's-2000 era, listened to both of them a number of times all the way through, and ended up selling both of them back. Never clicked for me. I think my reaction would be something along the lines that it seemed cold and detached to me. If it was supposed to be sly and witty, I just found it boring. If it was supposed to be hard-hitting, grab you by the balls type of music, I just found it ho-hum. Not really sure what these guys were going for, but it never grabbed me in any significant way.

I ended up with a trip for me and my girlfriend to Rwanda over the holidays. Not everybody's idea of a great time, but I think it should be pretty incredible and off-the-beaten-track, so to speak. We leave on Monday..

If anybody in the Paris area is curious about this set and has some extra cash, I noticed in the FNAC on the rue de Rennes the other day that there are 2 sets sitting in the jazz department. They were 100 euros +, but I don't remember the exact price tag. If anybody wants to give me about 100 euros, I would be all over this one.

I just saw him last night here in Paris. Despite the stuffy concert hall/auditorium atmosphere, it was a fantastic show. Two full sets plus 3 (or 4?) encores. Played a number of things off the trio's latest album, plus a couple of Beatles tunes, a really reworked version of Radiohead's "Exit Music for a Film", and some other things I didn't really recognize. I could listen to that trio play all night.

Listening to too much John Zorn

I have seen these in the stores around here, and am looking forward to the right window in my budget when I can spring for them. Slowly gathering a complete collection of the man's work, and these sound like essential additions.

I've been listening to this at least once or twice a day since I picked it up on Wednesday (even listened once all the way through on headphones in the store before I bought it - just cause I was so excited to hear it!) Frankly, I see where most everyone is coming regarding whether they like this more or less than some of the other stuff. I don't know if I like it better than the three studio tracks - those three tracks were hugely influential in getting me into jazz in the first place, and I could probably sing them note for note, so it's at such a deep level I have a hard time comparing them to much of anything. That said, I am so thankful that this is now in my collection - whether or not it's better, it's an incredibly complex, nuanced, and just plain fun performance, three masters (i only omit malik because it's a little hard to hear him in the mix) going all out, playing with familiar material like silly putty. Similarly, I see what you all are saying about Griffin v. Coltrane as a Monk foil. I don't really have a favorite - I find both of them excellent interpreters of this stuff, and am glad I don't have to choose. Ditto that for Charlie Rouse. The most I can say is to note how different all three of them were before and after there time with Monk. I would say the essential turning point in their careers, where they really came into their own. Thanks to all the people involved in getting this out to the public. I too hope it sells in the six figures.