mgraham333

Son-of-a-Weizen: How is that RG Prelude box?

I saw Frank Morgan at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago a couple of years ago. He puts on a pretty good show. I picked up his "Yardbird Suite" and "Love, Lost Found" soon after. Both are good, solid discs.

An interesting development on the digital outputs - thanks Greg. Any news on the music industry's response? I said earlier that I'm just becomming more risk averse as I grow older and no longer an early adopter. Greg said: SACD is a no brainer because of the backward compatibility with CD. Do you consider CD risky? Then why would you consider SACD risky? I do feel some comfort in the backwards compatibility. That has played a big factor in my warming up to the format. However, there is still risk depending on the route I take when purchasing a SACD player. If I go with an SACD only model in the $1000 range and SACD doesn't overtake CD - then what I've done is buy an average CD player but paid FAR more than I should have for what it does. (from what I've read, the mid-level SACDs only offer average redbook playback). The alternative is to get a hybrid player (add in the progressive scan DVD) - more versatile, but with a sacrifice in SACD quality...which kind of defeats the purpose.

My concern is with advancements in SACD. When SACD first launched it was stereo only, now it supports multi-channel. Were there players that were stereo only that became obsolete when multi-channel was adopted? Right now, SACD only supports analog outputs. In the unlikely event that the record industry allows for digital output, what happens then? Any move to digital would most likely incorporate some sort of DRM (digital rights management) possibly changing the software format? Are the current players future-proof in that respect (dormant digital outs and upgradable firmware)? I'm just becomming more risk averse as I grow older. I'm no longer the first-in-line early adopter with more dollars than sense. Anyone out there with experience with entry to mid-level players? And anyone who's upgraded from there to the high-end? What were your experiences along the way. Compare CD to SACD and low-end SACD to high-end. Are the differences subtle or pronounced? Just as a point of reference it'd be nice to know your system basics. This is not intended to become a bragging contest - but rather to put the SACD player review in the proper perspective. (I've got a Denon AVR-3300 with Klipsch Synergies all the way around)

Sorry to have provided the spark that took us off-topic. I've moved my SACD thoughts over here. Join me. I'd like to hear people's thoughts on players.

I am considering enter the SACD world. The content is starting to come in and the players have decreased in price. I'm wondering what SACD players everyone has (or would like to have). I like the idea of the hybrid players that play CD/DVD/SACD (curious, but not adamant about DVD-A) and I like multi-disc (5) players. The upcoming Sony DVP-NC685V fits the bill with an MSRP ~$250. I have also heard good things about the Pioneer DV45-A universal player in terms of its versatility. The Denon DVD-2900 looks really nice but with an MSRP ~$999 Of course going with a single disc dedicated SACD player you're going to get a better quality unit (if you pay the $$) but I'm struggling to find the sweet-spot in overall value (cost, quality, versatility). What are everyone's thoughts?

Thelonious Monk/John Coltrane - Thelonious Monk & John Coltrane John Coltrane - Lush Life Bill Evans - Portrait in Jazz Wes Montgomery - The Incredible Jazz Guitar These will be on my list. Of course I have to buy the SACD player first. I'm looking at the Pioneer DV45-A universal player or the more cautious approach: Sony DVP-NC685V (to be released)

DrJ: I have the same receiver and love it. I am gaining interest in SACD and was happy to (re)discover that my receiver had the necessary inputs. I haven't played much with the PCM mode, but will check it out - this sounds interesting.

OK, so I wasn't quite done..... File under "the future is now" cateory: Digital music server This is digital done right. The technical specs are phenomenal. It's got everything I want, and something I don't...an insance price tag.

My thought (or maybe hope) is that the CD format will be around for quite some time. At 21 years of age, it's still going strong. It's dynamic range exceed the limits of human hearing - so improvements in the technology are largely academic. (INSERT fanatical SACD/DVD-A argument here) People have a lot invested in the format. Home equipment, car, portable, and of course HUGE collections. And with key CD patents expired or expiring CD technology will only get cheaper (for manufacturers that is...the records companies will still keep CD prices artificially high through anti-competitive policies such as "minimum advertised price"). One of the potential successors, SACD, has incorporated backwards compatibilty with the CD format. I really like that, and will probably get the Sony DVP-NC685V player when it's released. But I'll tell you the biggest barrier to any other format knocking CD from it's perch. It's corporate greed (via format wars & copyright issues). Every manufacturer wants it's proprietary format to become the standard so that it can charge licensing fees and make money off EVERY unit sold. Format wars make the consumer wary of what to buy. Low sales delays mass production (which is what allows prices to come down - spurring demand). Another factor is the record companies/copyright holders. For a new format to take off, there has to be a wide variety of content to support it. The music industry cannot get over their fear of Napster and file sharing and are reluctant to embrace any new format, especially one with superior digital technology. Which is why SACD is hobbled by analog connections. The music industry is now dictating to the manufacturers what capabilities can go into new products. Granted new format successes are not without recent precedent. Take DVD. Once hollywood got over it's initial paranoia (which at the time was at a far lower level than in the music industry) and embraced the format - it took off. In fact, I believe DVD was adopted faster than any other consumer technology. I am just not seeing the level of cooperation among the key players (record companies and hardware manufacturers) that it will take to have a new "standard" anytime soon. There is a glimmer of hope. There are some nice SACDs coming out and with the backwards compatibility and multi-purpose players such as the upcoming Sony DVP-NC685V - cautious, second generation adopters, like me will get a chance to fill in the blank: vinyl, 8-track, cassette, CD, *, _______ * DAT, MD, DCC: mostly user recordable formats that never made it to pre-recorded mass distribution I know someone will tag me for leaving out reel-to-reel, but frankly I never had any experience with that and by this time I'm tired of my own post so........THE END.

Well I got it and was NOT disappointed. Stafford has a very nice tone. It's good to hear proof that Jazz isn't solely for re-issuing, that there are worth-while new releases.

From what I heard on the MaxJazz site, I'm RUNNING to pick this one up. Terell Stafford on MaxJazz If you haven't already, check out the MaxJazz, lot's of stuff to listen too.

One disc that finds its way into the rotation quite often for me is Blakey's Moanin'. The title track is 9 minutes of jazz bliss for me. I love Lee's playing on that one. This disc also has my favorite version of Come Rain or Come Shine.

See: MSNBC article On July 1, a new EU directive goes into effect requiring all Internet firms to account for value added tax, or VAT, on "digital sales." THE LAW ADDS a 15 to 25 percent levy on select Internet transactions such as software and music downloads, monthly subscriptions to an Internet service provider and on any product purchased through an online auction anywhere in the 15-member bloc of nations. It sounds like music sales may not be affected, unless at an auction site?

Does anyone know when Gillespie first recorded "A Night In Tunisia". I think it was written around 1942. Because first is not always best, what are some of the versions that others like, recorded by Gillespie or others?

Although much too brief, I enjoyed Henderson's liner notes. Especially the anecdote about the heckler asking to hear "Bye Bye Blackbird." I can't remember another time liner notes have ever made me laugh out loud.

A very interesting theory. I'm looking forward to more RVG'd Dex.

I like the categories and seeing all of the available sets on the homepage. I have to say, other than looking pretty, the original homepage didn't have much going for it. I would imagine that we will also start seeing the interior pages changing format as well, with the left sidebar most likely being replaced by a horizontal menu at the top of the page, just like the homepage. I can't quite make up my mind about the background and text colors: white on black vs. black on white

My shipment of 10 discs arrived. Shipped on Monday received on Thursday and in good condition, very well packaged. So far so good. Hubbard - Night of the Cookers 1 & 2 Gillespie - Village Vanguard 1 & 2 C. Parker - Storyville Mingus - Townhall LaRoca - Basra L. Parker - Let me tell you bout it Morgan - The cooker Chambers - Whims of chambers

The Mosaic Selects are numbered as a series: 1) Moncur 2) Jones 3) Green 4) Weston Do you find that style of numbering compels you to buy them all? I have to admit that the "collector" instinct kicks in every once in a while. So far, I've been fond of most of the Mosaic Select offerings, although I wouldn't consider myself a huge fan of the more avant-garde style of music as in the Moncur (which is the only Select I don't yet have - although I am warming up to the Moncur with repeated listenings to the sample tracks). So I'm wondering what will happen when the first Select comes along in which I have absolutely no interest. Could I really stand it to see all of my Selects lined up in a row: 1,2,3,4,5,6,_,8,9,10.......

I just went shopping! I placed an order for 10 discs. Most of them OOP.... or I guess as we should start calling them (WNBIPAITU = will never be in print again in the USA) I'll post here as soon as they arrive.

OK, add two more to the list of potentials: The Complete Columbia J.J. Johnson Small Group Sessions (#169) I have The Eminent Vols. 1 & 2 do I really need that much more JJ? The Complete Small Group Johnny Hodges Verve Sessions 1956-61 (#200) Lots of superlatives in the reviews on the Mosaic site... Can such high praise be taken at face value? <RANT> I really wish there were samples for all of the mosaic sets....they wouldn't even have to be full songs, 30 sec. clips would be nice. And of course the very nature of the mosaic sets means most of the music is not readily available elsewhere at least not anywhere that would have samples. </RANT>

Looks like the font runner is easily Turrentine. Thanks for the comments.

The piggy bank is full and it's time to go Mosaic shopping again! I'd like to get some comments and recommnedations about the following sets (in no particular order): The Complete Blue Note Elvin Jones Sessions (#195) how representative are the 3 sample tracks.... yeah, I know only 3 sample tracks and 8 discs.... does a lot of the material devolve into drum fests? I really like the first sample, "For All The Other Times" How does the live material sound? The Complete Roost Sonny Stitt Studio Sessions (#208) whew 9 discs! will I get bored? There are a lot of tracks right around the 3 minute mark. Does Sonny ever get a chance to stretch out and solo? The Blue Note Stanley Turrentine Quintet/Sextet Sessions (MD5-212) Was Stanley much of a composer? I don't see his name on many of the tunes. I see a lot of standards. Does he bring something of his own to the familiar tunes? Thanks! I look forward to your comments and suggestions.

I too have both and am more than happy with the sound quality on the Mosaics. I can't comment on comparing to JVRG or TOCJ as requested, but the Mosaic version stands up well against the recent RVG of "Byrd In Hand".