Stereojack

Orson Bean Orson Welles Jennifer Welles

Redman was on Warner Brothers, not RCA (I know, it's hard to tell these big conglomerates apart). Nonesuch (originally a division of Elektra when Elektra was an independent label) is now part of the Warner / Elektra / Atlantic family. Not that it matters much.

Michael Tucker Jill Eikenberry Ike Barinholtz

Weaver Copeland Johnny Copeland Little Willie John

I picked up these three CD's when they came out, and was very disappointed that a number of the tracks were mono. All of the original LP's are stereo, so I guess the tapes must have been misplaced at some point. I kept the vinyl, dumped the CD's.

Bronson Pinchot Charles Bronson Branson, MO

Me too! Big thumbs up for all the records mentioned. The stuff with Russell & Hawkins is desert island material! Another one I like a lot is "Feeling Good" on Columbia, recorded right near the end of Allen's life. The dufus at AMG dumps on this record, but I'm sorry, he's wrong! Red's singing and playing on this are marvelous. Also, for late Red, I'd recommend "Mr. Allen" on Prestige, reissued as "The Henry Allen Memorial Album". To my knowledge, neither of these has been on CD, but they are worth tracking down on vinyl.

Winnie Winkle Winnie the Pooh Wendell Willkie

Also: El Nutto (Limelight, a Mercury subsidiary)

Chester Good Sam McCloud Buffalo Bill Cody

The Oliphant was recorded March 1, 1966.

These recordings are by the Don Gardner Trio, recorded in the years before Jimmy was "discovered" by Blue Note. The sessions were recorded for a small New York label named Bruce, who originally released some of the sides on singles. The LP came out in the early 1960's to capitalize on Jimmy's fame. I believe the Pickwick release precedes the Upfront, which dates from the early 70's.

Lauren Hutton Ralph Lauren Sheryl Lee Ralph

Y'know, I disagree with a lot of people on a lot of the tracks on the blindfold tests, but I'm not losin' any sleep over it. We're all entitled to our opinions, whatever they're worth.

Harris' presence (or lack thereof) ultimately doesn't matter to me. BB plays extremely well on this, unencumbered by the dumb choices that mar so many of his latter day records. I guess I can see why a Harris fan might find this lacking, but ultimately it's BB's date, and the big band is providing a backdrop for him.

Trumpeter looks a little like Sy Oliver to me.

I really like "Live at the Apollo" from 1990 a lot, BB with big band backing from the Philip Morris Superband. For the most part, when it comes to the post-Kent material, the live albums are best. I assume you already know about "Live at the Regal" and "Blues Is King". I bought all of the albums he made in the late 60's and early 70's after seeing him live for the first time around 1969, including "Live & Well", "Completely Well", "Indianola Mississippi Seeds". While each of these has its moments, ultimately I think as whole albums they are weak at best, misguided at worst. The long jams are boring, the guest stars are out of place. BB works best with his regular band in front of an audience, and when all is said and done, this is how I want to hear him. One of the greatest evenings of music I can remember was BB live at the Hampton Beach Casino in 1992. I had seen him several times prior to that, but was absolutely on fire that night.

Some years ago, 60 Minutes did a piece about Chuck, including one scene at his mom's house, and he was wearing the hat at the dinner table! I assume there's very little hair under there! Around 1966 I saw Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers when Chuck was in the band. Accustomed as I was to the likes of Freddie Hubbard & Lee Morgan on the records I'd heard, I didn't care for Mangione that evening, thought he was more jive than substance. Years later I finally checked out the one LP he's on, "Buttercorn Lady", which is by the lineup I saw, and he sounds good. I like the quartet albums he made for Mercury, especially the one that is entitled simply "The Chuck Mangione Quartet". Gave up on him by the time he went to A&M.

Austin Crowe Tony Hawk Christopher Robin

Rosa Ponselle Harry Von Zell Larry Mizell

Spice Girls Herb Hardesty Buddy Weed

Wayne Campbell Garth Algar Alger Hiss

Dooky Chase Kay Paul Pascal's Manale

Ferde Grofe Grand Hotel Canyon, Steve

Coleman Hawkins Jim Hawkins Long John Silver