Stereojack

Nicola Paone Nick the Greek Greely Walton

Joe Pine Randi Oakes Robert Mapplethorpe

I was disappointed in McGuinn's Columbia solo albums as well. The Byrds reunion album was hardly a reunion at all, it was a series of short solo albums with very little give and take. I heard that the reason Gene Clark did a couple of Neil Young songs was because each member had been given the opportunity for two songs, and Mike Clarke, not being a singer or songwriter, chose two Young songs for Gene to sing.

I love the first two Byrds albums, with a few exceptions. Never got why they did "Oh Susannah" on "T T T", but overall these are fine albums, and I like the Dylan covers, especially their superb version of "Chimes of Freedom". They had to scramble somewhat after losing Gene Clark, and "5D" does contain some filler, but "Younger Than Yesterday", is, imo, a brilliant album. Nice to have it on CD, so I can skip "Mind Gardens". I saw Chris Hillman and Herb Pederson last week - these guys are singing better than ever. Worth checking out if they come to your town. Chris even pulled out "Have You Seen Her Face"!!!

To my ears, the 45 and the so-called "alternate takes" are identical. I suspect that they may have been so identified for copyright reasons.

Selma Diamond Ruby Dee Sapphire Stevens (Mrs. Kingfish)

This is an early "audiophile" release of the Riverside album "Smooth As the Wind". At one time it was felt that tracking from the inside out minimizes distortion. The irony is that the audio on this record actually kinda sucks - the standard stereo issue was better, at least when played with a modern high end cartridge. This is the only release I've seen on this label, but Riverside, which in addition to their extensive jazz and folk releases, issued a number of albums with recordings of racing cars and trains, and possibly some of those may have found their way onto Fortissimo. These albums were aimed at the new stereo market. Remember that in the early 1960's, stereo was still new, and record companies catered to customers who liked the kind of records that would maximize the stereo effect. Sometimes these gimmicky releases had little or no musical value.

I'ver heard that when he sold Verve to MGM around 1961, the figure was $3 million, some of which he invested in Picasso paintings. Needless to say, the value of them skyrocketed over the next few years, making Granz a very rich man.

Mo Rocca Roky Erickson Leif Ericson

Beetle Bailey Spider Martin Bee Spears

Warren Oates Wil Wheaton Beans Bowles

As a seller, I used to leave feedback as soon as I had received payment. After a few times when customers busted my balls unreasonably after I had exercised my feedback option, I decided that no feedback should be left until both parties are satisfied. The seller is satisfied when the payment arrives on time, and the buyer is satisfied when the item arrives and is acceptable. I watch my feedback regularly, and when I receive feedback, I know that the customer is satisfied, and so I respond. In the occasional instances when the customer has a problem with the item, I try to resolve the situation without hostility, and I have even received positive feedback from people who requested a refund.

A great version! Cal Massey recorded the tune on his Candid album (Blues To Coltrane, 1961), and takes it at a much faster tempo. I like the head-shaking tempo of the Morgan and Patterson versions better.

Every seller has his own practices. It sounds like this dealer has got an attitude problem. I always acknowledge payment with a thank you and I inform the buyer as to when the item will be shipped. Some buyers can get a little antsy - it's understandable, I guess - but I believe the seller should try to maintain a little decorum. As for the feedback issue, negative feedback should only be given as a last resort. Perhaps the seller is willing to guarantee his merchandise in order to preserve his reputation, but feels once he has received the bad feedback, he is under no obligation to the buyer. Maybe he got a negative in the past without being given the opportunity to make things right. This happened to me (only once) and it pissed me off. If he gives you a refund, he has fulfilled his obligation, even if you think his grading practices are faulty.

Seymour Cassell William Castle Cast King

Rikki Lake Veronica Lake Los Angeles Lakers

Robert Wagner Jill St. John Jilly Rizzo

Not at all. The right price is around 10 bucks.

Lum & Abner Li'l Abner Abner Doubleday

I love this record - always have. "These Are Soulful Days" is a beautiful Cal Massey tune. I remember the first time I heard it, I thought how odd it was that the album begins with a bass solo, but I just accept that they decided to let the session build from the ground up, bass solo, then piano, and by the the time Jackie enters, things are smoldering. The other Cal Massey tune, "Nakatini Suite" (Trane recorded it as "Nakatini Serenade") is also delightful. "The Lion and the Wolff" is the prerequisite funky tune, and Blakey stokes it up nicely. Blakey pushes and crashes on "Midtown Blues" as well. What's not to like? What a bunch of wet blankets!

AMG can be useful as a tool for finding out what exists, and when it was released. I would take many of the ratings with a grain of salt.

Garnet Clark Clark Kent Kent Harris

Bennett Cerf Brian Wilson Mike Love

Shelly Plimpton Shelly Manne Manny Rodriguez

Caveat: Frank is playing with an electric attachment similar to a Varitone or Multivider on this. He still plays his ass off, but some may find the gizmo distracting.