bertrand

So, can we also suggest a title for the Ervin/Shaw session? There was a thread on the BNBB and I think it was universally agreed that none of the tracks had titles that would make sense as an album title. I hope Michael picks a title fast - I'm so sick of people referring to this session as Back From The Gig that I could just SCREAM. Is this Booker's last session as a leader (and one of his last, period)? The title could revolve around that. Bertrand.

If I understand Michael's e-mail correctly, this is a box containing the DVD *plus* a CD of the same tracks, which was originally intended to be sold separately... BUT, the Cecil Taylor tune is not on the track listing he sent me! I'm more confused than ever: 1. Why would they put out the DVD, then a box with the CD and DVD? 2. Why did they decide to combine the two when they first supposed to be sold separately? 3. Why only highlights? Why not the whole thing? If I had known the box was coming out, I probably would have waited. Except I STILL would not have been happy, because I want the ENTIRE McLean/Shaw session, not just two cuts. Fortunately, I have a burn of the CD of Town Hall Volume Two from the public library. Whats's a Jackie completist to do? Bertrand.

Andrew White told me there is a third JFK quintet record (on Riverside) in the can that has never seen the light of day. This one has Joe Chambers on drums, in what is probably his first recording session. Joe was the group's drummer in the tail end of its existence. Bertrand.

Is this a recent CD reissue? What label? This was out on Fantasy a long time ago, but then was deleted. Bertrand.

Just left a voice mail for Michael Cuscuna - I'll let you know if he has any more information. Bertrand.

In my (biased opinion), the second Miles Quintet was its absolute peak during this '67 European tour. Everything I have heard is absolutely breathtaking. I like this far better than the Plugged Nickel stuff, if only because Miles is in top-shape (unlike the PN recordings). Brownie, I can't believe you were at the Pleyel concert. No Blues is just an incredible performance. By the way, I received your e-mail. I hope my reply went through, because I've been having e-mail trouble. I used the web version of my ISP, so I think it went through. Let me know if you did not receive it - it includes my contact info in Paris. Bertrand.

I just looked at the copyright deposits for these tunes the other day - even though the records didn't come up, most of them were still dutifully copyrighted. One slight difference - the BN discography says 'Orba' but the copyright deposit says 'Oriba'. Bertrand.

Brownie, I now that this is the official 'state-sanctioned' sales period and I was planning on checking out the record stores, although the dollar is at a historic low. I didn't think the prices would be that low, though. When do the sales end? I am flying out on 1/17 and will leave Paris on 1/27. Thanks, Bertrand.

Dan, I never researched this particular tune, but the general rule of thumb I have established over the years is: 'If Miles is given composer credit, seriously question the authenticity of this attribution'. There are many well-established instances of Prestige tunes attributed to Miles that are not by Miles, and a few cases that have not been publicized that I have been made aware of. Now for the tune you mention, a 'secondary rule-of-thumb' comes into play that muddies up the waters cosiderably. That rule is: 'If Coltrane is given composer credit, question the authenticity of this attribution'. This is the same rule as for Miles with the word 'seriously' omitted. In other words, neither Miles nor Trane may have written this tune. It just kind of was 'floating around in the air' at the time it was recorded, and the identity of the composer(s) may be lost forever. Miles may well have submitted an official copyright for 'Vierd Blues', but that means nothing. Bertrand.

Jim, Please send in the coupon to Tom Evered - I want to see his reaction! Bertrand.

Shoot - I was planning on nominating Sam and Dewey Redman. Now I have to choose. Bummer. Bertrand.

The record is so-so, but the same group did a KILLER concert in June 1992 at Wolf Trap. Go figure... 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.