Stereojack

Goldie Zelkowitz Heidi Abramowitz Andy Sipowicz

It is scheduled to be included in an upcoming Mosaic set. Actually, only part of it was recorded in France. Several of the tracks were cut in New York at the same sessions which produced "New Wave."

Heinrich Boll Ferdinand the Bull Bill Belichick

Only 64! Man, I've been a fan for as long as I can remember. Did anybody see the film "Only the Strong Survive" a couple of years ago? A mixed bag of R&B veterans, some of whom didn't really have it any more, but Pickett killed!

Maury Povich Connie Chung William Hung

1. Horace Silver! Instantly recognizable. At first I was puzzled, because I thought I knew all those classic Blue Note albums, and did not recognize this track, or the soloists. This is recent, probably from the Verve album he made a couple of years ago. The sound gave it away – it’s clearly not Rudy’s usual stereo soundstage. Funny, this kind of demonstrates that that one can’t always go home. When his music evolved in the late 60’s, first with the “United States of Mind” series, which I hated, and then with the “Silver And” series, which were OK, I longed for the days of the quintet. Most of the LP’s he made for his own label were marred by lame vocals, and the “comeback” albums on Columbia and Impulse were disappointing. The Verve album (can’t recall the title, something like “Jazz Has a Sense of Humor”) was a clear attempt to go back to the classic quintet sound, yet, to these ears, it was lacking, as if was just dredging up old motifs from those bygone years. Spirited, but shallow. 2. Well, this seems to be a vintage track, but I can’t place it. A nice full-toned trumpet player, very strong alto, nice performance all around. 3. “Bohemia After Dark”, Oscar Pettiford’s tune. Organist clearly in the Jimmy Smith camp – Baby Face Willette maybe? Guitarist gets into the octave thing, but I don’t think it’s Wes. A nice driving track. 4. This was pretty trite, I thought. Neither the trombonist or the tenor have got a whole lot happening. At first I was reminded of the early 70’s Crusaders, maybe this is the group that Wayne Henderson put together after leaving the Crusaders – the Freedom Sounds. Still, I think Wayne is a better trombonist than this guy, and as for the tenor player – no thanks. 5. I wanted to like this, but the soloists are lacking. Tenor player adopts a Joe Henderson kind of sound, but running up and down the horn doesn’t make for interesting music. The trumpeter fares slightly better, but again, not much in the idea department. For me, the best part of this track is after the horn solos, when the band finds a nice groove, and the timbale and conga players get a workout. I could guess Tito Puente or Mongo Santamaria, but it’s just be a guess. 6. Very reminiscent of Grant Green, can’t identify the session. I feel I should know the tenor player, but he’s not grabbing me. Very nice organ solo, swinging and thoughtful. Fine trumpet as well. Liked this overall. 7. My first thought was Joe Farrell with Elvin Jones, but after hearing this a couple of times, I’m not so sure, and on the second listen I noticed that it was just the two of them, no bassist. Eventually it is revealed that the tune is “Three Little Words”, a tune I associate with Sonny Rollins. Perhaps an homage to Sonny here? But from who? 8. A nice loping groove here, and an interesting compostion. The rhythmic change gives them a little trouble, suggesting that this is probably not a working band. Nonetheless, I liked the trumpet, am less enamored of the tenor player, a little too much out of Trane for me. The onslaught of Trane clones in the 70’s has permanently set me against this school, as much as I love Trane. 9. George Coleman, probably from the “Amsterdam After Dark” album on Timeless. A really fine session, but I can’t remember who’s on it with him! This one is is 5/4, and it swings. Love George, thumbs up! 10. This starts out nice, with nice writing and good ensemble playing, but after a couple of listens, the harmonically aimless soprano solo began to bother me. It’s interesting that we have a good sized ensemble here, but only the soprano and piano players solo. Might this be Bill Kirchner’s octet? 11. I believe the tune is Grachan Moncur’s “Air Raid”. My guess is that this is from a Criss Cross session, perhaps Mel Rhyne at the organ? The trombonist is barely making it. Nice guitar, maybe Peter Bernstein? The tenor generates a little excitement, and the organist plays a very fine solo. I used to enthusiatic about Criss Croos, but found that the formula was getting tired after a while – a few originals, and the requisite tune or two from a classic Blue Note album. This follows that formula. Could the trombonist be Moncur himself? If so, it’s kinda sad. Even with the few negatives, I liked most of what I heard here! Thanks, Stefan, especially for providing me with a replacement disc when the first one arrived damaged. Where are the rest of you guys???

Norman Buntz Dennis Franz Andy Sipowicz

Joni Mitchell Jerry Mitchell Jimmy Mitchelle

Francis Muldoon Fred Gwynne Gwyneth Paltrow

William Hanna Joseph Barbera Paul Barbarin

Porky Cohen Chicken Hirsch Rooster Cogburn

Karen Silkwood Under Milkwood Harvey Milk

Bob Barker Alex Trebek Pat Sajak

Peter Albin David Getz James Gurley Sam Andrew

Adolph Saxe Aaron Sachs Sax Mallard

Romulus Remus Uncle Remus

There are two very good Art Pepper albums - one of them issued as Marty Paich Quartet. Oscar Moore's 2 Tampa albums are available on one CD.

Louie Louie Eli Eli Mabel Mabel

Hunter Thompson Richard Thompson Keith Richards

Coleman Hawkins Charlie Byrd Walter Pidgeon

Ethel Mertz Fred Mertz Paul Mertz

The album is "It's About Time", and it smokes! RCA released a CD entitled "Joe Morello" back in 1989 that contains part of the LP, plus about half of a second album that was never released. Morello also released a new CD in 1993 (Going Places, DMP) that's really good - a cooking quartet date with Ralph Lalama (sax), Greg Kogan (piano), Gary Mazzaroppi (bass). Worth looking for! Some of my favorite Morello with Brubeck is the "Brubeck at Carnegie Hall" album.

I saw McDuff's group at Connolly's in Boston back around 1966. The band was McDuff, Joe Dukes, Danny Turner (sax) & Pat Martino. My friends and I were especially impressed with Martino, and wondered who was this white kid playing all this beautiful stuff with this greasy band? At the time, we thought Danny Turner was very lame, having a hard time cutting it, but looking back, I think that maybe he was just having a bad night, because he later turned up with Count Basie & others, and was fine. Joe Dukes was a real showman - at one point he went around the room during a solo, playing off people's tables & chairs. I know, it sounds corny, but the (mostly black) audience dug it, and I will say that this band really rocked! A memorable evening all around!

Chubby Wise Fatty Arbuckle Fatso Fogerty

L. Ron Hubbard Freddie Hubbard Old Mother Hubbard