mgraham333

My local Borders had a copy of Astrud Gilbreto for Lovers at a listening station and I stopped for a listen. I realized I don't really have any Bossa Nova in my collection. Not even the obligatory Getz/Gilbreto. Should I run out and correct that immediately - and if so, what else am I missing?

The Complete Verve Tal Farlow Sessios (MD7-224) The set is expected to be released mid-late June. Pre-Order Now! 7 CDs - $119.00 "A fellow guitar player and I went to hear Tal and this guitar player said to me,"No wonder he can play so good, look at those long skinny fingers !" Well, I thought for a few moments and I said, "No, that's not right... Segovia had fat fingers and Django could only use two on his left hand." I said, "That kind of playing doesn't come from the fingers, that kind of playing comes from the heart and soul."" - Johnny Smith, Guitarist -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “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; 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 shear 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.

The Jazz Showcase is great. I've been there a few times.

My reaction would be (and has been) on par with Dan Gould's suggestions. I did a quick google search and found this this article about shoplifting and false arrest. And one more thought.... Once the new RFID tags are in wide-spread use the conversation will go something like this: "Sir, would you mind stepping back over here for a moment. It looks as though we didn't deactivate all of the security tags on your merchandise. Let's see the items in your bag and we'll take care of that for you. Okay, I'm looking at the RFID tag report from our security system. I see Cecil Taylor, Jackie McLean, and Andrew Hill these are all in your bag - but the security report also shows Kenny G - Live.... that's not in your bag... sir..... can you explain......."

Scottb: Yes, we have 2 Borders locations. here and here The jazz selection is decent and they are fairly good about getting RVGs in on the release dates (although I've been pre-ordering most of mine from CDUniverse lately).

Johnny Griffin - A Blowin' Session Bobby Hutcherson - Dialogue Milt Jackson - Wizard of the Vibes Bonus (3 get 1 free @ Borders): Bill Evans - Explorations ===================================== 4 more RVGs and I am completely caught up. Lacking: Herbie Hancock: My Point of View, The Prisoner Tony Williams: Lifetime Jimmy Smith: Groovin' At Small's Paradise

It's not a mosaic set but it's funny

I really don't like seeing "wait" used in connection with re-issues....

I recognize that, but can't place it.... SNL, Mad TV? Was it David Allen Grier?

The Onkyo receiver I used as my main system (but have since replaced with the same Denon model to which DrJ refers) is doing a fine job now in my bedroom. It's partnered with an Onkyo 6 disc changer. Both components performed well in their role as my main system and continue to do so in their current role as secondary system.

The two in Tulsa, OK are getting that way. There seems to be less stock than before. Maybe because I've bought so much..... Has anyone found a coupon to post yet?

I saw Andy Bey at the Jazz Bakery in LA on 04/22/04. He sang two great sets. Most of the songs were from his new American Song CD. I was truly amazed. He sang a version of A Night In Tunisia that was fabulous. That's one of my favorite tunes, but to hear it the way he did it was like hearing it for the first time. His encore for the first set was a solo version of Someone to Watch Over Me. Simply put: BEAUTIFUL. I purchased the CD at the show and had him sign it for me. I hung around and talked to him for a while. He was happy just chatting it up with the few people who headed towards the stage after the show. He's a really nice guy. I will definitely be checking out the rest of his albums.

hmmmmm.... check out this used copy

The enthusiasm for the VeeJays (at least the Morgan/Shorter) is not misplaced. I received the Morgan/Shorter on Thursday (ordered late Tuesday). There is some great music here and the sound is quite good. Based on this set I'll more than likely pick up the Chambers/Kelly as well. I had pretty much written these off in the past based on comments in other threads, reviews on the Mosaic site, and the alt. takes. I am glad I reconsidered.

Tell your boss you suffer from JWS (jazz withdrawal syndrome) and that prolonged periods without jazz cause you to suffer severe headaches. Then ask for an accommodation under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

I can and do. All day every day. I have a basic receiver, five disc changer and some decent bookshelf speakers and bring 8-10 discs with me evey day. It doesn't necessarily make the day go faster for me, but at least there is something going on in the background that I enjoy. It's also nice to pop in new discs as soon as the arrive in the mail.

The Complete Vee Jay Lee Morgan - Wayne Shorter Sessions

How about: Unfunking believable! @ 10000 FUNK ME! @ 15000

I tracked down copies of the Watkins and the Foster/Wallington and am happy with both. Watkins answered any questions about the French Horn's place in jazz.

In case you couldn't guess... that's me getting on the bandwagon. I just ordered the Morgan/Shorter VeeJay.

here here!!!!

Picked up these three during their $5 sale: BILL STEVENS: dedication CHAD ANDERSON QUINTET: people here BRUCE DUDLEY: semblance

Anybody else notice that on the Mosaic site the heading for Blue Note sets is gone and the sets that were under that heading have been moved under the Modern Jazz heading? I wonder why.

No kidding. For me it's been 12 Selects and 7 regular sets all from the web :rsmile: