Big Al

Happy to oblige!

Track 1 sounds like Ella to these ears. Nice Tracks 2 thru 4 sound like some kinda early R&B revue. Maybe there’s a common thread behind these songs? They all sound the same. Maybe it’s all one song? (For you Neil Young fans out there) Track 5 is a singer I should recognize, and I’m gonna kick myself once I read who this is. Hopefully, I’ll have it figured out before I’m done typing all this. Rabbit on alto of course, or a reasonable facsimile. Track 6 sounds like Poppa Lou in a band with a vocalist. Lou’s got the cleanest alto sound I’ve ever heard. Hey, isn’t this Johnny Hartman? I bet if I do some Googlin’, I’ll get this figured out. Maybe later. Track 7 is OH so greeeeeazy! Haven’t typed that word in FAR too long! Have no idea who this is, buut sure can’t wait to find out! Track 8 sounds like it could’ve fit perfectly with tracks 2 thru 4. In fact, I got lost and had to go back to track 7 to see if I’d missed something in between. Track 9 is another groovy version of “Watermelon Man.” I guess you can’t have too many versions of this tune! Kinda puts me in mind of Eddie Harris & his Varitone, judiciously used though. Track 10: gotta love that funky tuba! Track 11: Oh, I should SO know this, and am SO gonna kick myself when it’s revealed. Track 12 has a nice slinky groove to it. Wish I could identify at least someone! Piano player reminds me of... oh, who did that version of “Englishman in New York” on a BFT waaaaaay back when? Has that kinda feel to it, which I really dig! Track 13: see comments to track 11! I can’t believe I’m blanking out on this stuff! Maybe I really have reached that point where I have more music than my brain can hold! Track 14 sounds familiar as well, or at least the opening does. Has kind of an “Idle Moments” vibe goin. The alto sounds like Jackie McLean, maybe this is from one of those Mal Waldron/Jackie McLean Prestige dates? Art Farmer on the trumpet? Boy did I strike out on this one! Hopefully disc two will be more merciful!

It's official: I now have more CDs/LPs than I remember listening to. Sorry I never posted my guesses; I really did have guesses typed up for this disc, but never posted them. I recall writing that this one sounded vaguely familiar for some reason. Now I know why!

Vince Guaraldi's "Rain Rain Go Away." Not a comment on today's weather, but just because it always makes me feel wistful, especially as I watch my son and his friends grow older. Also, Al Green's "Love and Happiness," which has a backbeat so thick, nasty, greeeazy, and funky, it oughta be against the law!

I'm sure there will be at some point. I'm not hustling for it (nor did I for this one), but things happen on their own it seems, just not rapidly, which right now is ok by me. OTOH - DID YOU SEE THE NEWS ABOUT THE FREE RED HOLLOWAY GIG? CARPE DIEM!!! You bet! In fact, I was at the downtown Ft. Worth library where I saw the fliers! I'm gonna carpe the shit outta that diem!

Oh, I guess it's confirmed then. I was beginning to wonder... SWEET!!!! Thanks for the heads-up, guys! FWIW, I'm going to be in Ft. Worth Tuesday night on another appointment, but that may not end until around 9:00, if not later. I'm still gonna stop by the SCL when I'm done, hopefully be able to catch some of the set. Stupid me went to the SCJ last Tuesday (the 21st), thinking the gig was that night. And now I can't go tomorrow night, the actual night of the gig! ARRRRGGHHHH!!!! We missed you, Al. It was a fun gig. I've not been playing much the last 4-5 years, and that's hard to get around, but Lyles & Jaelun gave such good support that it was impossible not to dig down and play anyway. Not a bad house for a Tuesday night either, a few singles at the bar, and some couples coming in and staying for more than one set, always a good thing in these parts, especially on a weeknight, and especially when there was a Mavs game on. All told, it was a fun night. Man, I am SO bummed I missed it! I hope there's a next time. I'm interested--please keep posting. I wish you could bring the group to Dallas. Yeah, me too! Keep on pimpin'!

Ain't technology grand?

Oh, I guess it's confirmed then. I was beginning to wonder... SWEET!!!! Thanks for the heads-up, guys! FWIW, I'm going to be in Ft. Worth Tuesday night on another appointment, but that may not end until around 9:00, if not later. I'm still gonna stop by the SCL when I'm done, hopefully be able to catch some of the set. Stupid me went to the SCJ last Tuesday (the 21st), thinking the gig was that night. And now I can't go tomorrow night, the actual night of the gig! ARRRRGGHHHH!!!!

It's two things: 1) This is Dallas/Fort Worth. The only time there is ever a sellout down here is if: a) The Cowboys are in the playoffs (not likely anytime soon) b) The Rangers are playing either the Red Sox or the Yankees. Hell, even when the Rangers were in the playoffs back in the 90's, THOSE games weren't sellouts! 2) Bitter memories of playoffs past for Mavs fans. Our collective feeling is, "What's the point? I'm not getting my hopes up again this year." However, after game 2, I would never have foreseen the annihilation of the Spurs that came in game 3. The most points scored by the Spurs in any one quarter was 20, and they only hit that once! They only scored 12 in the 4th quarter! I hope this game sets the tone for the rest of the series. I wonder what kind of reaction Pop got in the SA press for pulling his starters in the 3rd like that?

Next weekend as in the weekend of May 2? Or this coming weekend of April 25? Either way, I'll have guesses (comments actually, since I didn't know/recognize any of these) later today.

It could've been worse: she could've been singing "How Soon is Now."

Jazz: Roy Eldridge's "Dale's Wail." Roy, Papa Jo, OP goin' apeshit on the organ. DAMN!!!! Rock: David Bowie's "Aladdin Sane." I actually heard this at the Austin Record Convention a couple weeks ago; was standing at one of the counters and heard this ridiculously catchy beat and tthen heard one of the wildest piano solos on a rock record this side of Jerry Lee Lewis. The guy running that stand was too busy for me to pester him, and all I could tell was that the record was "Changestwobowie." I didn't find out the name of the track until I got back home that night and listened to all the tracks. I love a song like that!

I'm on hold with my bank right now and I'm hearing THE worst version of "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars." I don't know who this gal is, but she seems to think that perfect enunciation adds to the song. It also sounds like she inhaled about 40 gallons of helium before she approached the mike. Not only that, she's singing different words. Ahhhhh, relief! They're now playing "Somethin' Else," the Cannonball Adderley version! Okay, I'm in a much better place now! They can leave me on hold for the next eight minutes!

Oh yes I did! Glad Tom's getting this one. You're gonna enjoy it, my man!

Where can one find a discographical listing of his Columbia albums, when they were recorded, released, etc.? I've looked all over and found a six-page discography in French, but even THAT'S not complete.

Up here in Hurst at Doc's Records, which is quickly becoming my favorite vinyl haunt in these parts. Not the biggest selection in the world, but the prices are more than reasonable, and I've never walked outta there empty-handed! I don't know what happened to their website, but if I can find the URL, I'll post it tomorrow.

FINALLY found me another copy! Yay! Wonder how long it will be before I find the "lost" copy around here? What do you wanna bet I just bought back the copy I sold? That'd just figure....

The Johnny Smith Trio DESIGNED FOR YOU

I'm not sure about that after last night. A 21-point loss! Dirk & Jet are non-entities AGAIN. Oh well, doesn't really matter: whoever escapes from this series will be eliminated in the 2nd round. This series is more for bragging rights than anything else, and right now Dallas doesn't have much to brag about.

Dan, my apologies that I haven't commented yet. It's been a pretty stressful month thus far. Will try to have some comments before you post the answers. And I haven't looked at anyone's answers, either!

Wow! Mavs beat Spurs on the road! Would NEVER have predicted this.

Oh, I guess it's confirmed then. I was beginning to wonder... SWEET!!!! Thanks for the heads-up, guys! FWIW, I'm going to be in Ft. Worth Tuesday night on another appointment, but that may not end until around 9:00, if not later. I'm still gonna stop by the SCL when I'm done, hopefully be able to catch some of the set.

Asleep at the Wheel is supposed to be at Forever Young. That sounds cool!

"The Freedom Suite" with Sonny and "Brilliant Corners" with Monk. Two of my favorite drum solos in those songs, where the drums are as (if not more) melodic than the other instruments.

Sweet! Thanks, Lon!