brownie Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 I should have also mentioned earlier that the Mosaic releases distributed in Europe all carry a detachable page as a back cover that reproduces the presentation text found on the Mosaic website. Thus the Tal Farlow box has the following - detachable - back cover notes: “What Ever Happened to Tal Farlow?” That question was asked often in the late 1950s, when this immensely talented and highly honored guitarist seemed to suddenly disappear. But there was no mystery over his whereabouts if you lived in Sea Bright, New Jersey, and needed a sign painted. We expect musicians with extraordinary talent to pursue their musical dreams to the exclusion of sanity, family, personal health, and financial stability. But Tal Farlow, who The New York Times called “one of the most accomplished jazz guitarists playing today,” also loved painting signs. And when he decided the life of a musician didn’t suit his temperament, he left it largely behind. From time to time, Farlow came out of seclusion to perform, right up to shortly before his death in 1998. But he nearly always returned to the spot he enjoyed on the New Jersey coast where he fished, watched the water, and gave guitar lessons. The calm and peace he experienced there was far from the frenzy he caused in the late 1940s and 1950s, when the sound of the man who is universally regarded as one of the greatest bop players ever ignited the ears of musicians and fans alike. Classics Unearthed Most of Farlow’s work as a leader was for Verve Records, and all of it is collected for the first time in Mosaic’s “The Complete Verve Tal Farlow Sessions,” covering his work for the label from 1954 to1959, when Farlow was at his peak. Much of it has been out of print for quite some time; very little of it has ever been available on CD in the U.S. (although much of it has been released on CD in Japan); and all of it is worth hearing again for the modernity of his approach, the musicality of his thought process, and the virtuosity of his technique. Talmadge Farlow grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina, a textile center. That industry employed his dad, who worried that his frail kid wouldn’t survive the dust and industrial chemicals. He got the boy an apprenticeship as a sign painter instead. Everyone around him was listening to hillbilly music on the radio, but Tal, painting at night, began pulling in distant radio stations. That’s how he discovered Charlie Christian. Other Influences He also came under the spell of Art Tatum’s layered chords and the simplicity of Lester Young, whose solos reminded him of what he had heard Christian doing (proof, in Farlow’s mind, that Christian bore a strong debt to the horn player’s work). As a child, he played mandolin. Later , when he developed enormous hands and long fingers, he found he could play the two lower strings of the standard guitar with his thumb in ways most guitarists hadn’t explored. In later years, Farlow also experimented with the basic design of the guitar itself. Gibson built for him a special instrument with a shortened neck that allowed his long fingers to stretch even further. High notes that frequently sound harsh and metallic were softer, mellower, even at the blistering speed with which Farlow could play. New York Calls At first the music was a hobby – Saturday night dance hall gigs – but eventually, music won out. The pianist Dardanelle brought him to New York in 1944, which meant exposure to the 52nd Street music scene that was blazing just then. Parker, Gillespie, Webster, Tatum, Powell, Roach. . . Farlow was mesmerized. He lived it. Devoured it. He even managed to master Parker’s solos on guitar. Not easy to do. Real fame came soon in the Red Norvo Trio with Charles Mingus. When he began making his own recordings for the legendary perfectionist, Norman Granz, his personal style and technique were in full flower. These recordings for Verve are a clear example of why a wide variety of guitarists to this day cite Tal Farlow as a major influence. If it’s solos that interest you, his are disarmingly original and technically brilliant. If you are a fan of the harmonic possibilities of the instrument, Farlow explores it fully. If the sheer sound of the guitar is something you enjoy, Farlow makes his sing like no one else. Farlow. Complete. And if it’s just great music you’re looking for, you’ll find much to like. The seven CDs in this set include 99 tracks, many of them jazz classics and riffs on popular tunes. “Tenderly,” “Skylark,” “Cherokee,” “Autumn Leaves,” “Stompin’ At The Savoy,” “Jordu,” “Yardbird Suite,” and dozens more get the Tal Farlow treatment, with support from such “sidemen” as bassists Red Mitchell, Oscar Pettiford, Milt Hinton, and Ray Brown; pianists Gerald Wiggins, Claude Williamson, and Eddie Costa; and drummers Joe Morello, Chico Hamilton, and Stan Levey. Trio and quartet dates predominate, but there are quintets, sextets and septet dates as well. We’ve even included one date from 1951 on Decca featuring the Red Norvo Trio of Norvo, Farlow and Red Mitchell. The package includes three previously unissued alternate takes, as well as a number of interesting breakdowns and alternates on seven tunes. The lavish booklet contains a complete discography and liner notes by guitarist Howard Alden. For his innovations, his taste, and his tireless jazz explorations, Tal Farlow will be remembered. Thanks to this Mosaic release, he will also be heard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
couw Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 I should have also mentioned earlier that the Mosaic releases distributed in Europe all carry a detachable page as a back cover that reproduces the presentation text found on the Mosaic website. which makes these sets utterly collectible! who needs numbers and pink slips when they can have an extra backcover-page? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewinder Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 I think number one only goes to the artist. When I spoke with Sam Rivers the other day he confirmed that he had a copy of the Mosaic set, no doubt his set is No. 1 of that gem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Bresnahan Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 I imagine the artist gets set # XXXXX like everyone else who gets comp copies. I always thought that Mosaic kept #1 in house for posterity? I know they have a copy of every set they ever made. That's something I'll have to ask next time I call. Later, Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzmoose Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 I should have also mentioned earlier that the Mosaic releases distributed in Europe all carry a detachable page as a back cover that reproduces the presentation text found on the Mosaic website. which makes these sets utterly collectible! who needs numbers and pink slips when they can have an extra backcover-page? gottahaveitgottahaveitgottahaveit!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
couw Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 I should have also mentioned earlier that the Mosaic releases distributed in Europe all carry a detachable page as a back cover that reproduces the presentation text found on the Mosaic website. which makes these sets utterly collectible! who needs numbers and pink slips when they can have an extra backcover-page? gottahaveitgottahaveitgottahaveit!!!!!!!! I will trade you my Mulligan for your Mulligan plus one other full fledge Mosaic set of your choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzmoose Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 Sounds cool; it's time to find out if this secret map to Wesbed's music room is any good... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king ubu Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 I should have also mentioned earlier that the Mosaic releases distributed in Europe all carry a detachable page as a back cover that reproduces the presentation text found on the Mosaic website. which makes these sets utterly collectible! who needs numbers and pink slips when they can have an extra backcover-page? gottahaveitgottahaveitgottahaveit!!!!!!!! I will trade you my Mulligan for your Mulligan plus one other full fledge Mosaic set of your choice. Shit, I think I threw that backcover thing away as soon as I had the Mulligan... Should have sold it for big $$ to some strange Moose... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKE BBB Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 I should have also mentioned earlier that the Mosaic releases distributed in Europe all carry a detachable page as a back cover that reproduces the presentation text found on the Mosaic website. which makes these sets utterly collectible! who needs numbers and pink slips when they can have an extra backcover-page? gottahaveitgottahaveitgottahaveit!!!!!!!! I will trade you my Mulligan for your Mulligan plus one other full fledge Mosaic set of your choice. Shit, I think I threw that backcover thing away as soon as I had the Mulligan... Should have sold it for big $$ to some strange Moose... So, as without that backcover thing, your European copy of that Mulligan Mosaic isn´t worth a single euro, you should send me that original boxed set for free.... you know my address! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king ubu Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 I should have also mentioned earlier that the Mosaic releases distributed in Europe all carry a detachable page as a back cover that reproduces the presentation text found on the Mosaic website. which makes these sets utterly collectible! who needs numbers and pink slips when they can have an extra backcover-page? gottahaveitgottahaveitgottahaveit!!!!!!!! I will trade you my Mulligan for your Mulligan plus one other full fledge Mosaic set of your choice. Shit, I think I threw that backcover thing away as soon as I had the Mulligan... Should have sold it for big $$ to some strange Moose... So, as without that backcover thing, your European copy of that Mulligan Mosaic isn´t worth a single euro, you should send me that original boxed set for free.... you know my address! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 I sent an email to Mosaic regarding this numbering question and here's the answer: The numbers on Mosaic sets are sequential as the order is placed. The system assigns the next number which you may have noticed is on the invoice that is sent to you. That number is then written in the booklet at the time of packing. There can be some exceptions such as when a set is returned and that number is then recirculated back into the system. For Mosaic Selects, we get an initial delivery of the first 750 - 1000 sequential numbers. They are randomly picked. After that first pressing, the sets are picked at random. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzmoose Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 You asked instead of just speculating? Isn't that cheating?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wesbed Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 The numbers on Mosaic sets are sequential as the order is placed. The system assigns the next number which you may have noticed is on the invoice that is sent to you. That number is then written in the booklet at the time of packing. There can be some exceptions such as when a set is returned and that number is then recirculated back into the system. Brad: Thanks so much for clearing this up. This information is much appreciated and confirms my own experience with Mosaic. This is exactly what I figured was going on. The software Mosaic uses prints the next number, in order, and the person hand writes the number into the Mosaic manual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed S Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 (edited) You asked instead of just speculating? Isn't that cheating?? Another of the great mysteries solved. Next up - dollar stores Edited November 18, 2004 by Ed Swinnich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 You asked instead of just speculating? Isn't that cheating?? I figured that I'd save you some time so you can post more in the political forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron S Posted December 6, 2004 Report Share Posted December 6, 2004 You asked instead of just speculating? Isn't that cheating?? Another of the great mysteries solved. Next up - dollar stores As in, when will we start finding Mosaic sets in dollar stores, and what will the price be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_forumlogo.png.a607ef20a6e0c299ab2aa6443aa1f32e.png)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.