Big Al

That's exactly my wife's feeling. I'm in agreement with you. All I know is this is a tragic ending to what was becoming an increasingly sad existence. Just wondering: in ten years, what will people remember about MJ: his music or his celebrity? Think about it: the most recent work anyone's referenced is BAD and that came out.... over 20 years ago? I agree that THRILLER set a boatload of trends, and that millions of people were touched by his music in those halcyon days of the early 80's. But, since then? These days, if you were to hear MJ on the radio, it was more likely to be "news" (so-called entertainment news) instead of anything music-related.

Well, that'll teach me to give up on a BFT before listening to the whole thing: those last three tracks MADE the whole disc for me, and track 7 was a very nice added bonus! I'll be listening to those again. A LOT! Thanks again, Bill!

Cohen does the Kaufman shtick well, but I never found Kaufman to be all that funny either..... However, I do enjoy the voice-overs that Cohen has done, particularly the voice for the king on Madagascar.

Can't believe I forgot the most obvious one: GREEEEEEEAZY!!!! I was listening to this while driving to Dallas last night to catch Greg Waits (aka Slide Advantage Redoux) group. What a pleasure it was to be cruising down I-30, windows down, greeeazin' up the highway. Same thing coming home, too! (As an aside: where Greg's group was playing sat a beautiful Hammond B-3! After listening to this BFT on the way there, I so wanted to unlock that puppy and wail! Not that it would've sounded any good, but oh how cool it would've been! If they ever have an open mike night..... )

I haven't looked at any of the responses yet, and really don't have any guesses (although I'll try later). Basically, they all pretty much sound the same to me. That said, this is EASILY the most consistently enjoyable BFT I've heard since MartyJazz's BFT 28. This is one I'm gonna be coming back to on a regular basis and may even purchase some of the discs that make up this BFT (assuming I don't have them already, always a possibility these days). I listened to this on my return flight from Virginia on Saturday, after having had one of THE most stressful days driving from Newport News to DC. This music is so good, so relaxing, so.... hell, I'm running out of adjectives! It's just... GOOD. Consistently good! I can put this on and not want to turn it off, just let it play to the end. Guesses later, Mike, but just wanted to let you know how much I'm enjoying this music!

I'm just now finding this out!!! I just e-mailed the following to my dad: "Apparently he died on Sunday, but I just found out about this on an online jazz bulletin board. I don't know about you, but this feels like the loss of a family member, since I've been listening to those records since I was in diapers. If I'd never heard those Ventures records of yours, I might not have pursued the bass, the guitar, maybe even rock & roll!!!!" I love this quote by Don Wilson from the Rolling Stone obit: “Boy, I tell you, he’s the brother I never had,” Don Wilson told the News Tribune. “And he is much more than any brother could be. He and I were partners for, like, 52 years. And to tell you the honest truth, we had never, ever had an argument in all that time — never.” RIP Bob. And thanks for the music. Every last note of it. I'll be spinning a whole buncha Ventures tonight.

Not connecting with me on first listen, but then it took me forever to appreciate KOA as well. Besides, I'm still reeling from the abandoned frenzied ferocity of MOMOFUKU to be ready for Costello unplugged anytime soon.

Shit, I thought that already happened with 93.3. And yeah, that is kinda ironic about the format change.

Lighten up, Dan. It's one series. In JUNE! Out of how many series in "twelve years or something?" The Rangers play the Sox two more series this year. IF by some miracle the Rangers manage to go over .500 on your club this year, THEN you may have a legitimate gripe. And even then it won't matter if your boys are on top and mine are finding their usual way to mid-season mediocrity. But until that happens (and I'm not holding my breath, just enjoying it for as long as it lasts), spare me your charity and stop acting like the Red Sox deserved to win these games more than the Rangers.

Okay, I need to go back and listen to 7 (for Barron & Motian), 10, 11, & 12 (because I quit long before reaching these tracks). Looks like the best for me was saved for last!

Sorry to be nitpicky, but I'm confused: are you offering 3 TOCJs? Or is the Silver the only TOCJ? In either case, I want the Horace Silver. If the Lee Morgan is also a TOCJ, I'll take that as well. PM to be sent!

So as not to derail the current thread...

From the Dallas and Austin Concerts thread: Oh I plan on having it in my hands on the day of release, and I think SY is the only group whose recordings compel me to do that. AFAIC, they've been on a roll since Murray Street, with each album getting better and better. So yeah, I'm excited about this one!

Yeah, I've heard that, not to mention the fact that their ticket prices are usually outrageous. But, since the Gypsy Tea Room is gone (and since SY only seems to play small venues when they're here); since I've never seen SY live and have wanted to the last few years; and since I've been kicking myself for not going to see them the last two times they were here, I figure I'll take my chances. (Not to mention the fact that I've got no one in my immediate circle who wants to see them, much less knows who they are)

I saw Robin Trower when he opened for Foreigner back in '86. It is the only time I've ever fallen asleep at any concert.

Stanley Turrentine's "I Told Jesus" from Salt Song. Wow!

Thanks! Despite the fact that it's all scratched to hell (hence the price), there are enough clear moments that make it still sound better than the CD.

Me & junior at an early breakfast gathering. This was taken one year ago, and he is now as tall as I am and his hair is MUCH longer now!

Wow. I created a Google-worthy link! My life is now complete.

Last night: Art Farmer's MODERN ART (United Artists stereo). Got it for $5 the other day.

Happy to be of service, my man. Ironically, this selection of tracks was much less "extreme" than I'd originally envisioned. To my ears, it seemed pretty tame, but then again my ears are rather attuned to the edgier, more adventurous tangents of jazz/creative improvised music. I felt similarly out of my depth in BERIGAN's and Dan's BFTs although I like and know a little about those eras and assorted styles myself. In fact, I'm - some would say - almost scarily eclectic in my listening habits. Pretty tame? Man, I wanna hear what the non-tame version sounded like! I used to think I was pretty eclectic, but recently I've come to the realization and acceptance that I'm just a boring old Blue Note-type mainstreamer who ventures slightly outside the lines now and again. I must be getting old! Make mine a sextet and I'll try and sit thru this again!

Thanks guys! I'll give that track another listen. I've heard "The Latin Side of John Coltrane" and I remember enjoying it.

Okay, I tried. I really did. I couldn't come up with any comments that didn't reflect my distaste for the avant-garde. So then I came here to read some comments and seeing some of the names offered confirmed my suspicions: Bennink, Herwig, Lacy, Cecil Taylor, Cherry, Hat, Tiny Bell Trio, etc. Music I don't go out of my way to listen to and after listening to this CD, well.... if nothing else, in case I ever get interested in the avant-garde, I'll have this CD as a reminder of why I generally avoid the stuff! Rant over. I'm glad everyone else enjoyed this BFT, just 'twasn't my cuppa tea!

Sonic Youth is playing the House of Blues in Dallas on July 15. Anyone wanna go?

Damn straight! :tup That guy swung so many great Verve 50's sessions I've lost count!