Big Al

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!

PM me your street adress and your wish is my command! Hey Mike, save yer postage and I'll get it to him, since he's on this side of the pond. Plus, I already have his address.

Good Lord, where did this month go? I need to post answers!!!

Gary McFarland "I Know the Meaning" from Soft Samba Strings. If only "easy listening" were always this beautiful. The chords start the song make this sound like vintage Jobim/Ogerman.

Sorry about not posting earlier. The idea of a greeeeeazy BFT caused me to drool on my keyboard, thereby shorting it out. I'll try to control myself. And oh yeah.... SIGN ME UP!!!!

Blog entry about a Buddy Montgomery LP I've always enjoyed. RIP Buddy. Hope the family reunion's a groovy one.

Even M*A*S*H was retired with more dignity than this....

as much as I hate them but the Rangers might benefit from a dome in the summer. That would require brains and foresight that this team has never had. Damn near every other team in the south has a dome; not the Rangers. Never understood that. The only pitching staff that has ever withered in this heat is.... the Rangers!!! And they weren't all that good when it WASN'T blazing hot! Eh, they could. Maybe. Tell you what: if they're still doing this good next month, I'll start to think about getting excited. When July rolls around and they're still rolling along, I might jump on the bandwagon. When August shows up and if the Rangers are still riding high, I might be convinced. When September shows up and the Rangers make it to the playoffs, I'll be pleased. And when the Rangers get bounced out of the first round, my heart will be broken all over again and I'll go back to wondering how I could've fell for it AGAIN this year. In other words, I'll believe it when I see it and not a second sooner.

Ah yes, the month of May, when the Rangers get red hot, take over first place for a while, get fans hopes up once again..... unfortunately, June, July and August are just around the corner. Ah well, just like last year, gonna enjoy it while it lasts!

Yes it is! Solid from start to finish. Nothing earth-shattering, just the very definition of Blue Note jazz in the 50's, IMHO.