Justin V

This is desert island material for me that I don't see mentioned often. I don't have much of Shepp, but his bruised lyricism works well with Chet's style in this live recording from shortly before Chet's death. A big plus is the rhythm section of Horace Parlan, Herman Wright and Clifford Jarvis.

Jimmy Bruno - Midnight Blue: This has some nice bass work by Gerald Veasley.

Julius Hemphill Big Band - 3 stars on AllMusic?!?

After ripping some K2s, I've added a few more lately. Given the personnel and Chuck's recommendation of this edition, this was a logical choice.

This CD has been one that, on paper, I should enjoy more than I do, but it is resonating more with me today. I may eventually buy the download of the complete Blue Note recordings unless I can find the set for the right price.

Disc 1: This was one of my all-time Mosaic bargains, at less than $40. It is a treasure trove. The Confucius Restaurant material is outrageously good.

Paul Quinichette - The Vice 'Pres': One of my favorite acquisitions of the year.

I am in a Hawk mood and hadn't listened to this one in several years.

Disc 2, the previously unreleased session with Cecil Payne, Ron Carter and Roy Haynes. I don't think the liner notes address why the bulk of this session went unreleased for so long, but it boggles my mind. It is absolutely brilliant music that should've been released immediately and widely celebrated.

Sal Nistico's Neo Nistico session, with Ted Curson, Nick Brignola, Ronnie Mathews, Sam Jones and Roy Haynes. I am trying to spend more time with the Bee Hive box, which is one of the few big boxes I've purchased new. The lineups are consistently inspired.

Thanks for the insight, guys. I checked and we will be behind the protective netting. After two sweltering days, it looks like Sunday's weather will be a little better. I'll post how it goes.

That is a great CD. If you like it, track down Cox's duo album with saxophonist Donald Walden.

Phil Ranelin - The Time Is Now!: Ranelin still sounds great at 80 and told some of the stories behind the music. I chatted a bit with his niece and her husband. She sang on a recording of Ranelin's when she was 6. Ranelin signed my copy of Vibes from the Tribe afterward. It was a good night.

I have lived in Cleveland for 12 years and have since attended one MLB game in which the Indians were trounced. It has probably been 20 years since I last attended a minor league game. This Sunday we are going to a Lake County Captains (an Indians single A team) game. We will be a few rows behind home plate. As someone who has never gotten into watching baseball, do you have any tips for better appreciating it? I am treating it as a cheap family outing that is something different to do. I think my little girl (17 months old) is at least going to have fun yelling and clapping with everyone.

Dino Saluzzi/Anthony Cox/David Friedman - Rios: This is far better than AllMusic's lukewarm review.

Disc 2: I bought Discs 2 and 3 for $15 a few years ago. Although I enjoy the discs, it's tough for me to justify paying a premium price to buy the full Mosaic when I own half. I may seek out the bulk of the rest of the material via the Delmark and RCA releases at some point.

Bill Evans - The Secret Sessions, Disc 6: I've been on an Evans kick. I sometimes am tempted to sell this and then go back to it, listen past the varying sound quality and change my mind.

Leroy Vinnegar - Walkin' the Basses

Disc 4. I purchased this box 10+ years ago and have never listened to the whole thing. I have one of the single discs and remember being put off by some of Pepper's nervous banter on the box. I am enjoying the disc so far (but am still torn. On one hand, it is 9 discs with the Cables/Mraz/Jones rhythm section, as great a rhythm section as one can find, in fine form. On the other hand, 9 discs is just so much to take in and I am not sure I'll ever be able to devote enough time to fully appreciate such a huge chunk of material. Is too much of a good thing an asset or a liability?