bertrand

I think there were three trip LPs in all. All this material - and perhaps more - is on the Fresh Sound Lighthouse 2-CD set. The sound is so-so but the music cooks. The personnel is Morgan/Maupin/Mabern/Merritt/Roker. The jury is still out as to whether this is material from the Both/And or material from the same Lighthouse gig as the Blue Note set, but earlier in the week. The BN set seemed to imply it was Both/And. I don't know about the tune called 'Meo Felia' on the Trip LPs, but the tune with that title on the Fresh Sound set is actually a Mabern tune called 'The Chief'. This was first recorded by Lee on 9/13/68, but is one of three tunes from that date that are rejected. Mabern also brought it to Frank Strozier's 'What's Goin' On' session. That's how I figured out that 'Meo Felia' was really 'The Chief'. Mabern later confirmed that this was the same tune recorded 9/13/68. Lee Morgan copyrighted quite a few compositions that were never recorded. I have yet to find any evidence of any of them being part of the live repertoire. Neither Mabern nor Maupin remembered any of the titles I ran by them, but that doesn't mean anything - it's been 35 years. Bertrand.

Looking at Noal Cohen's Hope discography, I realized that I now have all his sessions as a leader (and most of his sidemen dates) except the Final Sessions. I did hear it once, and I remember being annoyed by how out-of-tune the piano was. The AMG review points this points this out as well. I know the music is great but - how grating is the out-of-tune piano? Can I live with it? Thanks, Bertrand.

Along with his other originals from this session, Woody copyrighted a tune called 'One For Butch' (or something like that). I wish I could get someone to play it. I also wish I knew who was handling his publishing/estate. Bertrand.

I was under the impression that J.A. was Jimmy Anderson, a legendary Newark saxophonist who passed away not long before these were recorded. But I could be wrong - I have never read the liner notes. Thelma Patton told me there was at least one more session in the can from this period. Something to look forward to? Bertrand.

I may still come see him in Philly on the 16th, depending on how the packing goes. My wife is not aware of this plan, however Bertrand.

Brownie, I would definitely enjoy meeting you on this trip - last time around, I was with my wife and 3-year-old son, so we did a lot of family stuff and I didn't have a chance to hook up with any of my jazz friends. This time, it's just me and my son, so I can hook up with people while he hangs out with grandma! I put tickets on hold for all the Shorter concerts (apparently, you just have to pay an hour ahead) except the duet with Herbie which was sold out. I will try to get a ticket through other contacts, since I am not sure I would necessarily find a ticket through the last-minute cancellations. We leave D.C. on 1/17, so I will send you a PM before that, with my mother's phone number. Bertrand.

I'm guessing Thingfish - this one really sucks. Bertrand.

Yes indeed, but it will not be mentioned in any of the obits! Bertrand.

A benefit was held in D.C. a few weeks ago to help defray his medical costs. I was given his number at the V.A. hospital, but I hesitated to call - I knew he was very ill at that point, and I wasn't sure it would be such a good idea for me to call; I knew him pretty well, but I was not one of his close friends. I hope I made the right decision. It was an honor to have known Webster - he was a very intelligent and warm person, and he touched all of us in the D.C. jazz community deeply. The Washington Post obituary mentions a soundtrack for a play he would have done in the mid-70s with Jackie which I am not familiar with - I need to investigate this. It does not show up in any McLean discography. Bertrand.

How's that Airplane remastering? I was thinking of picking up After Bathing At Baxter's, which is my favorite album of theirs. From what I read in the Airplane bio, this tune called 'Would You Like A Snack' is *completely different* from the one on the 200 Motels soundtrack. The latter tune is a variation on 'Holiday In Berlin'. Bertrand.

Moose, I noticed that this came out today. Does it all fit, or did they do an edit? I have New Africa on vinyl (which I really like), and it's about 47 minutes. The other one (which I've never heard) is only about 28 minutes. Is this remastered from LP or tape? Thanks, Bertrand.

Jackie has been ill off and on in the last two years although I don't know the details. I can only wish him a speedy recovery. Bertrand.

Brownie, Thanks for mentioning this CD. I am working on a Shorter discography, and this is the first time I have ever heard of these tracks. I will be in Paris next month for the Shorter festival at Cite de la Musique - I will look for this CD. Did you know that Laurent Cugny is doing a series of lectures on Wayne at the Sorbonne through La Maison du Jazz? Early next month, Patricia Julien, who wrote her doctoral thesis on some of Wayne's compositions from the Blakey era, will present her work. Bertrand.

I've got some bad news - according to their website, www.villagevanguard.net, Jackie will not be making the gig. Roy Hargrove will replace him. I'm very disappointed - this is the second year in a row. Bertrand.

No, it said 12/27 was the last day. Bertrand.

How do you know which titles are involved? I click on the link and get a generic statement about select BNs, but I don't know which. Blue Train is one I do not have (I have yet to won this one!), but are there others? Thanks, Bertrand.

Happy birthday, Jim!

Apparently, inventory is no longer deductible under a tax law change (my guess is the Tax Reform Act of 1986) and this may have a lot to do with it. Here's a proposal that makes too much sense to be adopted by any company: what if they jacked up the price by $1 every year for any CD that has had to be stored for over a year? I'de be gald to pay the difference, rather than go on e-bay. Bertrand.

I made a reservation yesterday for Saturday night (both sets). Now I need to find a hotel, since I'm in D.C. Bertrand.

Wasn't he on one of the early Albert Ayler albums? Bertrand.

Speaking of San Francisco rockers who (could have) collaborated with Wayne Shorter... I've always wondered what Wayne would sound like playing with Jack Casady. I just *love* the sound that guy gets out of his bass. Bertrand.

Chuck, Is the 'Early Morning Stroll' recorded at the Montoliu session the same tune that appears on The Breakthrough? There is some confusion because on The Flip, 'Early Morning Stroll' is a different tune, and the one labeled '18th Hole' is identical to the one labeled 'Early Morning Stroll' on The Breakthrough. Thanks, Bertrand.

The moral issue of copyright infringement when pertaining to live recordings that are otherwise not available commercially has always intrigued me. On the one hand, living artists may be deprived of income, but is this really the case when the recording cannot be bought in a store? What's the dollar value on something that is not available commercially? On the other hand, once the artist has passed on, these recordings become a part of history and in that respect, those who made these initial recordings, no matter how unscrupulous their motives may have been at the time, did us all a favor. If there really is an obscure Larry Young or Wayne Shorter date on this site (especially from the sixties), it is important that I can hear it. I'm trying to make inventories for these composers (and others) of all their known compositions, and if such tapes yield otherwise unknown tunes, it is important for me to know this. I make no money off of this work, but I hope it can be of use to future musicians or scholars. Now those who go out and sell recordings of live gigs are definitely up to no good. My two cents... Bertrand.

Sidewinder, kdd, Thanks for the confirmation on 'Rakin' And Scrapin'. I totally forgot that Patton covered it. Bertrand.

The title track was actually the last tune recorded that day. This may explain why Lee's chops were weaker by the end of the day. Bertrand.