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.

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.