Big Al

So, if one wanted everything (which I don't), one would have to buy both editions? Yep, at least in some cases on the early albums. And the differences aren't just a stray track here and there. Plus, it just depends on how much you want to spend. I don't remember there being a big difference (sonically) between the Rykos and the Rhinos. OTOH, I've seen places where the Rhinos have been the same price as the Rykos.

Rhino 2-CD sets all the way. Great sound, tons of factoids, extras out the wazoo, demos that simultaneously stand on their own, yet make you appreciate the finished product that much more, etc, etc, and ETFREAKINCETERA!!! Every reissue since then hasn't held a candle to the Rhinos, AFAIC. These aren't too difficult to find, too; I'll keep an eye out for them around here if you'd like.

Rest assured, I never read anything you post. Okay then, we're good to...wait a minute...

Matthew, man, nice score! Gabor Szabo: Mizrab is, like most of Szabo's output, an underrated beauty! Same can be said for Freddie Hubbard: Polar AC! Idris Muhammad: Power Of Soul more than lives up to its name. I'd love to hear your opinion of Johnny Hammond: Gambler's Life. Is that a one- or two-LP set? Also Hubert Laws: The Chicago Theme; I see that from time to time, but have yet to actually get it. Would love to hear your opinion of this one, too.

Such as...

This would be the best place to start a music-related blog, AFAIC. Nobody reads 'em on my FacePage.

Yes, definitely STRAIGHT LIFE. That's Hubbard's CTI masterpiece, AFAIC.

I e-mailed Sony Masterworks telling them, in so many words, world peace wouldn't stand a chance unless they included Don Sebesky's GIANT BOX in their upcoming releases.

I finally saw that the other night. Found it boring, pretentious, and completely overrated. What I truly don't get is why Diane Keaton is considered an actress of outstanding pedigree when it seems as if she's basically played "Annie Hall" in the bulk of her films? Take it with a grain of salt, of course: my favorite is and always will be "Radio Days," but I haven't seen that in almost 20 years and I'm not sure I'd watch it the same way now as I did then. But I still love the soundtrack. (And on a semi-related note, one of my favorite scenes in that movie is Diane Keaton's uncredited cameo where she's singing. IMHO, it's a shame she never pursued some kind of singing career because, as she proved here as well as in "Annie Hall," she's got the chops)

Crud!!! I saw the title of this thread and was all set to load these images and YA BEAT ME TO IT!!!

My thoughts exactly.

Whatever number were on.... I say go for it and PRODIGAL as well!!! Essential Turrentine, IMO, and far FAR better than some of the stuff that actually saw the light of day when it was recorded.

Eh, that's cool. It pains me that I don't like it, cuz I generally love anything CTI. Well, except for the live albums.

Yes, another vote for "Jobim!" He & Ogermann were perfect for each other! The only tracks I remember having vocals on the CTIs are on STONE FLOWER: Brazil and Sabia. IIRC, everything else is instrumental. BTW, in Half Price Books lately, I've seen these pressings of WAVE that look like they were manufactured in Russia. Do any of you know about these?

Alright folks, I've tried and tried and tried and TRIED, but I can't help it: CALIFORNIA CONCERT is one of *the* most boring records I've ever tried to get through. That's the gamble with live albums, I guess: they are always of the moment, and I'm sure seeing these guys strut their stuff in person was monumental to say the least. Unfortunately, that doesn't always translate to the most exciting of live albums, and this one's no exception. These songs go on foooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrevvvvvvvvvvvverrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!! I was hoping that the unreleased stuff would've warranted investigation beyond the original LP, but it turns out that doubling the length of boring just means twice as boring. And I can't help but wonder: Freddie sounds incredibly bored with the whole thing, playing the same ol' licks that began plaguing him in the late 60's. Or am I just imagining things?

I was looking over the Masekela discography at the Doug Payne site, and it would seem that this album is something of a fluke: I don't see where he ever used this kind of a quintet lineup ever again. Such a shame too, because the harmonies that he & Pukwana made are otherworldly, ethereal, and (insert your favorite overused cliche here).

Well, how'd ya like it? I've been listening to it today, and being reminded again why I love it so! "This Happy Madness" sounds like a tender lullaby. {{{swoon}}}

Bringing this thread up again because I've been listening to this pretty much nonstop now for the last four months. I simply cannot get over how beautiful this album is. My favorite tune has to be "Minawa," though. Everything clicks on this track: Larry Willis stunning piano harmonies, the gentle repetitive thunder of the drums before they crash into the buildup of each section, and Eddie Gomez's colorfully understated bass lines, not to mention Masekela's luscious solo and Pukwana's urgent solo, and finally their rich harmonies that bookend the piece. I think that's what I love about this whole album: how marvelous the blend of trumpet/alto is throughout the whole album. I love singing along with the various harmony lines! Very few albums hold me in such a hypnotic sway as this one. Pity that Masekela doesn't appear to have made more albums like this one, which is not necessarily a bad thing if one assumes Masekela simply wanted to move on to the next sound in his head!

I have used the wood glue method many times and it does work, although it largely depends on the quality of the vinyl. I mean, if it's got scratches, those aren't gonna go away. But if it's just really dirty/gunky/yucky, then the wood-glue does the trick. Lately, however, I find that rubbing alcohol and cotton balls do the trick, and much faster to boot.

And I DVR'd every single one of 'em! And they STILL make me howl! I like this bit from the TCM page, in which Laurel explains their method, which I'd never really known before but it all makes sense after reading it:

Seconded, thirded, etc. Quadrupled, quintupled, sextupled, etc etc etc This is a desert island disc for me, not to mention my favorite Jobim album. By all means, find that CD with the two WB albums called COMPOSER, which has been mentioned previously. Not only do you get both of Jobim's WB albums, but there are extra cuts from the sessions of the second album featuring Jobim singing his songs in Portugeuse (on the original LP, he's singing the English lyrics). In addition, the placement of the two albums reveals the different yet no less appealing approaches of Riddle and Claus Ogerman, who it would seem was Jobim's favorite arranger, having collaborated with Jobim on the bulk of his work. Oddly enough, many people (myself included) don't see this particular album as one of the strongest collaborations between Jobim & Ogermann (IMO, Riddle sounds more Claus-like than Ogerman himself), but this is not to say that the music contained within the grooves is anything less than sublime. In any event, I'm glad you mentioned finding the album in mono, Larry, because now I've added that to my list of "mono vinyl to acquire before I die!" And as Jim S (not the original California Jim S, or even Jim R (who IS in fact from California, but whose name is really Al)) mentioned earlier, the CTI work is sublime. But that's Deodato work, a whole nuther can o' worms, and equally mesmerizing! And then there's Jobim's singing, as honest and heartfelt an instrument as the piano or guitar he so delicately plucked. Certainly not a technically correct voice, but a distinct one; most assuredly a "voice God gave." "This Happy Madness" from TERRA BRASILIS is exhibit A of what I'm referring to. Ah, I can see I'll be spinning a lotta Jobim today! Thanks, Larry!

Eh, understandable! CTI definitely ain't everyone's cuppa coffee. IMHO, "Morning Star" is one of the most beautiful records on the planet, but you can take that with a grain of salt: you should see my dislike list!

I also heartily recommend PENNY ARCADE! The other two aren't too shabby either and, in the absence of any other CTI Farrell on CD, will do very nicely!

Just to be sure, you know that's the Mosaic LP, not the 60's JM box, right? Nonetheless, thanks for hipping me to this site! It'd be nice to know my record-buying money's going to a worthy cause!

In the words of the great Sweets, "Yes it's me and I'm late again!" I've listened to part 1 three times now. Track 1 is an absolute killer and I will likely pick that one up! Loved track 6, especially it's rubato beginning and the accordian accompaniment! Definitely one for the Best of BFT! The bulk of part 1, particularly tracks 7 thru 10, were good in a run-together way that, although I really couldn't tell one track from another, actually made it sound like a single cohesive ALBUM from one artist. It flowed very nicely, and there are a lotta times one can't ask for much more than that! Track 11 "Smoke on the Water" was a real hoot, though! Gotta dig that crazy-ass-fretless work there! Part 2 seemed to be more of the same, which is not a bad thing by any stretch; rather more of a commentary on how busy I am. I can say, without hesitation, that it made working that much easier this afternoon! Good job, Tom! Now, on to the answers!