Ron S

Moncur Select--disc 1

So Hans, "Todd" is your screen name on that other Board? Wish I had the resources to purchase and the time to listen to so many sets... Really! I wonder if "Todd" ever listens to anything else? As I know nothing about the Yves Nat set, I (quickly) read Todd's review and it's rather mixed. His review of the Stephen (Bishop) Kovacevich set, which I've never heard either, is mainly negative, especially regarding the later recordings in the set - and so is the review of Jan de Kruijff, one of the foremost Dutch classical music journalists. The earliest (i.e. early 1990s) recordings in Kovacevich's set seem to be the best by far. On the other hand, the latest Penguin Guide gives the complete Kovacevich set a rosette and says it's one of the best available, and an earlier edition gave his individual disc of 26 and 29 both a "key" AND a rosette and specifically said his Hammerklavier is one of the best ever recorded. So I guess it's just a matter of taste--or pride in a pianist now living in the UK.

So Hans, "Todd" is your screen name on that other Board? Wish I had the resources to purchase and the time to listen to so many sets... Really! I wonder if "Todd" ever listens to anything else?

So Hans, "Todd" is your screen name on that other Board?

FWIW, Jed Distler of Classics Today.com (and now Gramophone) rated both the Gulda set (here)--warts and all--and the Frank set (here) very highly. Of course, our own local "experts" ("oh my darlin', clementine . . ." ) may have differing views (e.g., Distler uses Arrau, Goode, and Kempff as his "reference" recordings for these reviews) (and yes, clem, I'm looking into both Nat and Brautigam and appreciate your perspective ).

Yep.

Based on the track listing, it looks like it's the recent Blue Note reissue.

And presumably much better sound.

Of course you are--I get the joke. Why would you possibly buy a Bolton comp when you already own every recording he's ever made?

It isn't that bad.

8283 ain't nothin' to sneeze at, either. EDIT: And since I started to post this, it's already up to 8284.

Here's the 1201 Music page again, which includes a link to track samples. Here is the post to which Cliff referred, which includes other Hawes recommendations . Although in a different musical vein, the other lesser known Hamton Hawes trio disc I strongly recommend is "Bird Song". And if you haven't sampled Hawes' '50's and '60's Contemporary recordings, do yourself a favor and do so.

But to stay on his good side, you also should tell him that you like his CTI work even better.

Did I ever tell you that Sarah went to Amanda's school (before going on to Curtis, of course)? I don't know if you've seen her play before, but she's a lot of fun to watch--very "physical".

Hey, you should hear Donna Lee on this bad boy! You gotta have some pretty long arms to work the slide on that MoFo.

'cept these 2 should be in the "Contemporary boxes you'd like to see" thread.

Yes, still a good deal. Total compliance from me. Captain Pedantic in da house... Hey, when the only thing you can do well is spell--and maybe spit through some elongated brass tubing on occasion--you gotta show off whenever you can.

See here. Oh sweet! Thanks for info. Ron. Yes, I'm already a member of yourmusic.com It never occured to me to look on there website. Thanks for the input fellas and keep adding your thoughts if you're inclined. Lots of great classical discs at yourmusic.com from labels like DG, Philips, Hyperion, etc.

I told you months ago how you can easily put together virtually the entire contents of that box with currently in-print CDs. Refresh your memory here, and quit your complainin' already!

Disc 2

I think you mean Contemporary. I have virtually all of his available recordings on Contemporary, and they are uniformly top-notch (and have that wonderful Contemporary sound). And don't limit yourself to just the trio stuff, with his wonderful quartet recordings, e.g., 3 "All Night Session!" volumes--with Jim Hall on guitar, "Four!" with Barney Kessel on guitar and Shelly Manne on drums, and "For Real!" with Harold Land on tenor and Scott LaFaro on bass. A non-Contemporary Hawes trio date I really like is "Blues For Bud", which was recorded in Europe in the late 60's and is available on the 1201 Music label (it was originally on Black Lion) here. And one last trio CD not to be overlooked is "Bird Song" on OJC--a couple of terrific sessions from the late 50's not released until 1999. See here.

See here.

Available at yourmusic.com (I think you're a yourmusic guy, Tom, IIRC). His recording of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata is also available at yourmusic.com, and it is very well reviewed in the Penguin Guide (awarded a highly coveted rosette, I believe).

Duke Pearson Select--disc 1

Disc 2. MAN, this is a great set. Now disc 3--really diggin' the live at The Lighthouse session.