Chuck Nessa

The set seems to be fairly comprehensive for the '30s (eliminating alts and transcriptions), then they start skipping sessions and individual tracks. They make one interesting mistake - they list 12 tracks from two GNP lps as recorded at Gene Norman's Crescendo club in early 1950. This is a deception created by GNP. The lps consisted of Standard Transcription titles with audience noises dubbed in. I spotted this in the early '80s and mentioned it to Gene Norman. He just got a blank look on his face and denied it. Anyway, this seems to be a very good collection if you want an inexpensive way to get some prime Tatum.

The importance/strength of the music outweighs any mastering variations. Get the music!!!! Worry about the details of remastering later. Damn this is depressing.

The playing is of a quality that transcends recording quality. If you don't get it, tough!

So did Mr. Ellington.

I think you look for mystery where none exists. Sure Wayne knows about MC's work. "Moto" was the last Shorter BN issue before MC started mining the vaults so I can see him calling it the last. Nothing mysterious for me in his "sneaking in" phrase. Wayne knows the market very well and probably thinks of it as a risky financial venture since most of the material is available. The BN solution is much smarter for the current market. Wayne does not have the last word on issuing the final date - he did the work, was paid and that is that. If BN honors his wishes it is a courtesy.

All the recordings Lon mentions are MJR masters. This is not all - among the missing is a wonderful Julian Dash date with Jimmy Shirley.

I second the Decca "Classic Early Solos" recommendation. Also, the Standard Transcriptions are favorites of mine. The best current edition is probably the 2 disc set on Storyville.

True Blue Music.

More of "talking Serge" can be heard on "Boston 1950", a dandy Chaloff Uptown release.

WTF!

Freddie was always trying to get me to use him on a jazz date. I heard him a few times in jazz based groups he led on the south side and he sounded more like Sid Catlett or Cozy Cole than PJJ. Damn fine drummer and good spirit anyway. By coincidence I used his old partner Louis Myers on a Wadada Leo Smith date later.

You working on a Zadora bio now Chris?

Some time ago I was ridiculed for liking Morning Train!

I have a Flying Fish cd called "Squeeze This!" by Those Darn Accordians. Favorite tracks include Fire, Pump It Up, Sing,Sing,Sing, and The Story of Lawrence Welk.

Best guess is 6 months.

Nobody said he looks childish. Best guess so far is Lon's Freddy Jenkins.

Not Jabbo, he had a longer, thinner face.

Maybe Blakey said it directly to Michael.

Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

It may be a great album. No value judgement on the recording in my post, but players with styles set in the '40s and early '50s, while grafting on modal styles from the late '50s, recorded in the mid seventies are conservative to me. Had nothing to do with what I recorded. I don't expect/demand players change, I do expect a clear headed view of the evolution of music.

Don Byas too.

Eight guys, eight balls - cover looks right to me.

For 1977 this certainly meets my defination of conservative.

Hey, Iowa was the birthplace of Bix, Art Farmer and Glenn Miller.

Believe me, I don't mean to kick dust on the Pablo label BUT it is musically conservative. Nothing beyond Johnny Griffin/Zoot Sims stylistically. The label also released a bunch of mediocre or worse dates. There are many treasures in the catalog, but be careful. Pay attention to recommendations.