Big Al

Interstate Love Affair, baby!!!

Thanks for the comments. I listened to track 8 (the Dewey track) and I'm curious about it now. Maybe the library will have it! And if I forgot to mention it before, this is one HELLUVA compilation. Even moreso, now that I know who’s who and what’s what!

Hey wow! Me too, nowthatyoumentionit!

Self-flagellation starts HERE! I've always known I'm jazz ignorant, but every now and then I get into some kind of comfort zone where I feel like I've heard it all and don't need to make any more purchases. What a fool I am, as this disc happily points out! Some random thoughts: Track 2: MUST get this album! Track 3: Oh well, at least I got the drummer and the bari player correct. Can't believe I ever got rid of this CD. Is the Mosaic set as good as this track? Track 4: Is the rest of the album in a good groove like this? I think I listened to this track the most from the outset, just for that GROOVE! Track 5: Y'know that scene from A Fish Called Wanda, where Kevin Kline is dangling John Cleese out the window, and Cleese is offering his most profound apologies for doubting Kline's abilities? Well, I'm Cleese, and Sangrey has every right to dangle me from a window for failing to purchase either of his fine Quartet's CDs. That is being remedied even as we speak. Seriously, though, that track entranced me like nothing else. The higher of the two saxes sounded like an alto to me, so I know that threw me off. Track 6: ANOTHER must get! Y'know, my first thought was that this was one of the bonus cuts from Lee Konitz'z Motion, cuz I knew it wasn't Elvin. What a groove! Track 7: Man, what have I been missing with these Jazz from Paris series? Track 8: I have to confess that at this point, things started sounding a little the same. I need to listen to this again! Track 9: Never been to big a fan of bass clarinets, but I like the groove on this! Track 10: Okay, I'm a jazz naif: I've yet to hear anything by AEC that didn't send me running for cover! Sorry! Track 11: Wow! Weird! Cool! HELLUVA groove! Track 12: Ray Anderson! Wish I'd known! I woulda listened to this a little better! He's another I should get into, but have never had the time, money, or inclination. Track 13: I think by this time I'd kinda stopped listening and given up. Oh what fool I am! Listening to this again after reading the answers revealed this track's beauty! Track 14: This one I knew, and I agree that it's a fantastic album. However, as of right now, it has yet to grab me. But that's okay; I've got time. It's not going anywhere. Track 15: THAT'S Art Pepper? I told you I know nothing about jazz!

The first time I heard this album, it was right outta high school (1988) on an LP. It did nothing for me. Just sounded like someone kept the tape rolling during a pot party. Of course, I'd just graduated high school, and I knew everything. Fast forward to the holiday season last year, and I picked up a CD copy after having heard "Family Affair," "You Caught Me Smilin'," "Runnin' Away," and "Thank You for Talkin' to Me, Africa" on a compilation disc. Now I know what I missed all those years ago: real life. Granted, I'll never have the kinds of experiences that drove this music, but time has put it all in its proper perspective for me. Those howls on "Thank You for Talking to Me, Africa" are geniune, and rip me down to my soul. And how about the cries on "Just Like a Baby?" This is musical exorcism at its starkest; not to mention at its finest. Having said that, I have to think that remastering it and cleaning up the sound might actually have the reverse effect. Yeah, it'd be nice to get rid of all those hisses (especially on "Africa Talks to You"), maybe bring out some of the instruments a little better, heck even clean up the vocal tracks. BUT, this is music from the deepest darkest reaches of the soul, and I think the crappy sound complements, if not adds, to the murky feel of the whole album. However, better packaging would certainly be a plus!

Thanks for the explanation about the bass guitar. I always wondered about that. Is that the same kind Jack Bruce used in Cream?

If Sangrey is right about track 3, then I really am jazz ignorant: I used to have that album. No wonder it sounded so familiar. Loved the links. Like I said before, there'll be some purchases made from this!

Sorry to be so late with my guesses. I've read some of this thread, and have had some random thoughts concerning this disc. I like this disc, but I have to admit that a certain amount of sameness started settling in for me right around track 10. Maybe it's just the style, I don't know. But those first nine tracks, MAN!!! Those'll probably break the bank; I can't wait to find out where they came from. Track 3 sounds like an Elvin Jones tune from the late 60s, but then the bari player sounds like Pepper Adams, so I don't know who or when. Someone earlier suggested that track 2 might be from a Max Roach 3/4 album. I thought that meant it would be from Deeds, Not Words. I was wrong. I have no idea what it's from or if it's even Roach. But DNW is a fine pianoless album anyway! And the Monk tune towards the end is from a fantastic album, thankfully reissued last year! Anyway, I can't wait for the answers. This disc will no doubt inspire some more purchases! Nice disc, couw!

I fell asleep behind the wheel and plowed into someone's front yard and knocked over a small tree. There are still times I wonder how it would've been different had anyone (kids, f'rinstance) actually been in that yard at the time? Still scares me. Glad you're okay, though.

This is a nice album. Not too much in the way of fireworks, but soulful and groovy nonetheless. One thing about Lou, he doesn't waste any notes, does he? Sometimes it seems as if his playing is TOO perfect, y'know? Not trying to knock him, his techincal proficiency is stunning. I guess for me it just sounds too tight, like loosen up a little, willya? But a fine session, and as definitive as you'll find for Lou in this period. But for me, it'll always be the Natural Soul, baby! B)

How can you tell them apart? or Which is witch?

Great choice! I've always been curious about this album, and now I've got a reason to satisfy that curiosity!

Actually, I wanna know what the cameraman in the background is thinking, and what is he taking a picture of? Or are those girls from the previous picture in the audience, and that's what he's taking a picture of?

Thus disproving the old adage, "Even a four-year-old child can understand it!"

Guess I'll save my money then; I can get that for free by visiting the Politics forums here.

There was a big write-up in Saturday's paper about this show, which had me in stitches. I don't have cable, so I've never seen it; it sure does intrigue me, though. Enough to want to plop down the $30 for the set tomorrow, despite having never seen a second of it. What do y'all think about it?

Right behind ya. It's still better than Outland, though.

Same here! I loved the scores from Looney Tunes & Merrie Melodies; still do, in fact. Man, some of those scores really swung! So that was always in the back of my mind. But the first time I consciously listened to a jazz record was when I put my dad's copy of Blakey's Mosaic LP, when I was 17. I still remember hearing that ensemble come roaring out of the speakers, followed by the most thunderous drums I'd ever heard. (At the time, my idea of thunderous drums was John Bonham. Still is, in a rock sense anyway). Never been the same since (neither has my wallet)!

I also e-mailed you!

I drove by there this past summer and was sad to see that they'd closed. That always seemed to be a UT landmark, if not an Austin landmark. I am glad the new tenants will be keeping that mural. It's a good reminder of what Austin used to be like.

Guess this means I'll have to wait on that Basie box after all.....

Dream Band Volume 5: The Big Cat is probably my favorite big band album, EVER! It comes charging out of the gate and doesn’t let up for a good solid 40 minutes. Their version of "Billie's Bounce" is smooth and snaky, finishing up with an explosive climax at the end! The title track is worth the price of admission alone. Then there's another track which I think aptly describes the whole session: "Do Ya Wanna Jump, Children?" All this, and the joy and fun that these guys are having is clearly audible throughout the set. Plus, it has some of the most hilarious liner notes ever penned, by Jack Tracy. Well worth the money! (Edited to add a much needed comma in one of the song titles.)

Dang! Are the Colts that good, or are the Broncos that bad? That was an embarrassment!

Congratulations dad!!!! Rock 'em to sleep with some Righteous Buddha!!!

Has all the makings of a good game, and I'm rooting for the Cowboys, but I fully expect that Caroliona will win. They've got the momentum and the home field. Dallas has no running game and an iffy QB. It's all gonna come down to D!!!!