Stereojack

1. I recognized the tune right away – Fats Waller’s “Lookin’ Good But Feelin’ Bad”. Frankly, I can’t stand this cutesy novelty version, presumably by a British band, perhaps the Temperance Seven? Good trombone player. Corny alto, hate the vocalist! 2. “When You Wish Upon a Star” just a little vignette of a performance – not a lot going on here, no clue who’s playing. 3. “Django” Really don’t know who this is. Is what they call “gypsy jazz”? I’d have liked this better if they’d stretched out a bit. This is too short – no time to get into anything. Guitar soloist has got chops, but this didn’t do much for me. 4. “People” I guess this was recorded in the mid 1960’s when this was a new popular tune. This is one of those “kitchen-sink” arrangements – a little rubato here, a little funk there. Possibly Pete Jolly, or maybe Victor Feldman? Nothing special here. 5. Trying to figure out what the lead instrument here is! Tiple, perhaps? Some virtuosic picking here, but a little too busy and fusion-y for my tastes. 6. Again, another tiple? I liked this better, the tune reminds me of “Darktown Strutters’ Ball”. 7. “A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody”. One’s first thought is Grappelly and Django, but the violin sounds a little darker in tone than I’m accustomed to from Stephane, unless this is a later recording. The guitarist has certainly heard Django, but I’m not convinced that this is him. The recording seems too recent sounding for it to be Django, and even though this guy has the characteristics, he doesn’t have the fire. More gypsy jazz? 8. At first, I’m turned off by the electric bass on this, and it’s just too light and polite. No thanks. 9. “Dippermouth Blues” Here’s a lifeless, academic recreation of the King Oliver Creole Jazz Band. I love traditional jazz, but this leaves me cold. Clarinetist is barely competent! Again, no thanks! 10. Some years ago, there was a trad band that made an album of bop tunes in dixieland style. I believe they were called The Anachronic Jazz Band. Might this be them? This arrangement of “Salt Peanuts” has sufficent fire and drive, and points up what’s wrong with track #9. If you’re going to play this music (or any music I guess) put some juice into it! Enjoyed this a lot! 11. “The Sheik of Araby” I suspect that this was recorded in the 1940’s, and although I can hear traces of Teddy Wilson, Earl Hines, and of course the boogie woogie giants, I think this is a young Oscar Peterson, recorded at the beginning of his career. Chops to spare, but too self consciously virtuosic, always the show-off. Audiences can eat this kind of thing up, but hammering away like this leaves me cold. 12. Two basses playing “Solitude”. No idea who they are. Clarinet reminds me of Tony Scott a little. Kind of a throwaway. 13. Nice drumming opens this track. This sounds like a Christmas tune to me! Things get a little static by the time the band joins in, and the less said about the alto, the better! I wonder if this might be one of the early avant garde guys like maybe Jimmy Woods? He’s barely cutting it, and he brings the whole performance down. 14. This sounds to be a 1950’s recording of “Swedish Pastry”, perhaps by a European pianist? I liked this OK, but it isn’t killing me. Pianist hits a couple of clams in the opening head, and is a little short of ideas during his solo. But still, this has its moments. 15. Now, this is my favorite track on the whole disc. Of course, the tune is “With a Song In My Heart”, one of many classics from Rodgers & Hart, and this arrangement reminds me of the one Sonny Clark did on “Sonny’s Crib”. But this isn’t that recording, and as familiar as it all is, I can’t identify any of the musicians. Might this be some young guys like maybe Eric Alexander & Jim Rotondi? 16. From Rodgers & Hart to Gershwin, we’ve got two ‘bone players tackling “Our Love Is Here To Stay”. I liked this, but again, aside from the obvious reminder of Jai & Kai (this isn’t them, probably something much more recent), I can’t name the players, although I did enjoy this. They both can play! 17. Thelonious Monk’s “Evidence”, played too fast, in my opinion. The whole thing is too choppy and just doesn’t swing. Art Blakey would have demonstrated the right tempo!! 18. Hated this, can’t stand the oh-so-cute vocalist, and the violin is weak. Pretty good pianist, however. Rose Colored Glasses, indeed. Take 'em off! 19. Boop-boop-be-doop! Some nice choices, and a few that left me cold. Thanks for the effort, Hans!

Agreed - I'd forgotten about that record until the Randy Brecker piece reminded me. Played it last night and Freddie is scary!

A couple of later recordings on which Freddie shines: "The Griffith Park Collection 2 - In Concert" (Elektra) recorded in 1982. This double LP contains 6 long tracks on which Freddie absolutely smokes! "One Night With Blue Note Preserved" (Blue Note) On this 1985 concert, Freddie takes an astounding solo on "Canteloupe Island" with Joe Henderson, Herbie, Ron Carter, & Tony Williams. If you can track down the video release, watching him play it is even more amazing.

My first impression when I first got it years ago was that he was a shadow of his 30's self on this LP, but having pulled it out a few more times over the years, I don't think it's all that bad. One can hear a little bit of the old fire, even if he is a little rusty.

With all of the news in the last couple of weeks, this doesn't come as a total surprise, but I was hoping he would recover. Freddie was a real motherfucker, and this is a major loss to the world of music. RIP, Freddie.

Disc received on Friday! Thanks!

These are the ones I have, all on LP: 1003 Hanna, Roland - Sir Elf 1004 Wayne, Chuck & Joe Puma - Interactions 1005 Feldman, Victor - Your Smile 1006 Sims, Zoot - Zoot Sims' Party 1008 DeFranco, Buddy - Free Sail 1009 Brackeen, Joanne - Snooze 1010 Haig, Al - Strings Attached 1013 Phillips, Flip - Phillips' Head 1014 Rowles, Jimmy - Grandpaws 1016 Brackeen, Joanne - Tring-A-Ling 1017 DeFranco, Buddy - Waterbed 1018 Hanna, Roland - Sir Elf+1 1019 Konitz, Lee - Tenorlee 1022 Mosca, Sal - For You 1023 Rowles, Jimmy - Paws That Refresh 1024 Brackeen, Joanne - Prism 6830 Shank, Bud - Live at the Haig The Shank was issued in 1985 - years after the others. It was distributed through Bainbridge. Hence the different numbering series. The 1000 series was also issued through Inner City in the 1980's. These had different cover art & design than the originals.

I like McKenzie & Ballew, but I find Robertson to be insufferable! But that's just me.

"What we have here is a failure to communicate" Your link sent me to "It's the Girl", by Freddie Rich, recorded for Hit of the Week, an orchestra with whom Bunny recorded many sides. However, it appears that the track with the trumpet solo you are discussing is "Anytime, Anyday, Anywhere" by Chick Bullock & His Levee Loungers, a long running ARC studio outfit with whom Bunny also recorded many sides. I just listened to the latter, and I agree, I don't think it's Bunny, even though the CD credits him in the notes. One should take information provided by record labels with a grain of salt anyway, and go to more reliable sources (discographies), although the details on this type of studio date aren't always solid, and one must go with one's ears. I checked Rust and he says Berigan or Klein - I agree it's probably Klein. Bunny tends to be more forceful and dynamic. As for Chick Bullock, some purists tend to dismiss him and his ilk, but I agree with Jazztrain. I've developed quite a fondness for him over the years, and I think he's among the better vocalists of that era.

I believe Sahib's main axe was alto in his early days - shows up on sessions by Art Blakey, Thelonious Monk, Mal Waldron, & others. Eventually switched to bari.

Vocalist is Elmer Feldkamp, not Bullock. Trumpet is inconclusive - simple statement of the melody. Btw, I checked "The Crooners" CD and this track isn't on it. Nor is it likely to be, as it was not cut for a Columbia-owned label.

I didn't vote in the poll, because while I have this set and like it a lot, I'm not sure that it's an absolutely must buy. It gathers together all of the 1940's JATP stuff, including a fair amount of unreleased material. Musicians include Bird, Pres, Hawk, Dizzy, Buck Clayton, Willie Smith, Flip Phillips, and many more. Sound quality overall is very good, with a few exceptions. And the packaging is nice, with plenty of vintage artwork. If one is a fan of the JATP format - all star jam sessions - then I would say this is a must have. For those who are somewhat indifferent to jazz presented in this manner, this is probably more than they would want.

This is the LP that turned me on to Carmen 40+ years ago. I recently discovered that there are two more albums from the same session, both issued on Mainstream years later.

I believe Hanna made two records for Choice - both are great! One of my favorite Zoot Sims albums is on Choice - "Zoot Sims' Party."

Got all 36 right. The Betty Hutton pic was a shocker!!

Another year has passed? Damn!

I bought my copy of Hendersonia from Walter Allen's widow about 30 years ago. There was no dust jacket. It's essential for any Henderson fan - extremely well researched!

THe Hawkins band seen in the night club are the same as on the soundtrack. The members of the jazz band starring in the film are actors, and their parts are dubbed by studio musicians.

I've got it on VHS, dubbed from a TV broadcast about 25 years ago. Not only do these musicians appear in the film, in a night club scene, but the entire film is about a jazz band that gets caught up in a murder mystery. The police detective is a jazz fan who identifies the trumpeter in the band from a recording!

The back room is real, but the "amazing stuff" is imaginary!!

One of my favorite obscure Nat Cole tunes is "Come In Out of the Rain", recorded in 1946. Originally had it on a 78, now have it on the Mosaic box.

Original LP credits Richard Alderson as engineer. I know that Dan Morgenstern wrote some notes under pseudonyms during this period (when he was editor of Down Beat), but these notes don't sound like Dan.

Kenny Burrell's "Have Yourself a Soulful Little Christmas" is one of my all time favorites. For trad fans, Jim Cullum's "Tis the Season to be Jammin'" is an old favorite as well - don't know if it's ever made it to CD.

I use lighter fluid to remove stickers and any kind of adhesive. It's much more effective than Goo Gone. Used to be that I could buy it in any drug store, but nowadays I have to buy it in a smoke shop. Ronsonol and Zippo are the two most common brands. This will definitely remove the adhesive. You pour a little directly onto the offending crud, and rub it in with your finger. Wipe clean with a dry paper towel.

When I first heard these LP's in the 1970's, I thought it was odd that the applause was in stereo! It didn't take long to figure out that it had been dubbed in.