Big Al

That's just it, I can't rip to disc the files but I can listen to them on my mac. No ideas so far Drat! I didn't think about saving the ZIP file in a Mac-convertible format. Any hints or suggestions for/from the Mac-maniacs would be greatly appreciated!

For the record, Sidewinder has not sent me the answers. Not that it would help any, cuz I probably still wouldn’t have any clue what I’m talking about! Track 1 – This sounds like something that wouldn’t be out of place on a Gil Evans record. As soon as that big ol’ crescendo hit, my first thought was THIRD STREAM, whatever the hell that is. Track 2 – Well, this is starting to sound like a tribute to Gil Evans BFT! The drummer sounds like mid-60’s Jimmy Cobb. Wanna hear something silly? There’s a bit at about the 3-minute mark that reminds me of the crashing-crescendo ending of Andy Williams “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” You know, right before the big “OF THE YEEEEARRRR?” That part. As you probably have figured out, I have no idea who this is. Track 3 – Sounds like Art Pepper playing tenor. Nice rhythm section. Times like this make me ashamed I don’t own such obvious classics as Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section. I’m pretty sure this isn’t from that album, but this track reminds me I oughta get that at some point before I die. However, if this is from Gettin’ Together, I’m gonna kick myself for not listening to that as much as I should have. Then again, if I’m completely off and it ISN’T Art Pepper, then.... well, what else is new? Track 4 – HA! Sounds like Jack Bruce parodying his own “Sunshine of Your Love” riff! Seriously, this has a nice little groove to start things with. No, wait, this has one HELLUVA groove all the way through!!! Love the guitar riffing! The organ is a dynamo! What is this? Brother Jack? Charlie Earland? Joey D? Jim Alfredson? As BFT Grand Poohbear, Sidewinder, I hereby COMMAND you to send me the answers NOW!!! Track 5 – Ahhhh, I love orchestral stuff like this! I’m pretty sure it ain’t Claus Ogerman, but it’s just as wonderful to these ears! Actually, this sounds like a tribute to Bill Evans via his orchestral album with Ogerman filtered through, once again, Gil Evans (I think at this point, I’m going to guess Gil Evans on every track, including track 4!). Oh heck, what is that song? “Valse” something-or-other? I recognized a bit in there that sounded like the same thing from the Evans album. Track 6 – Eric Dolphy with Gil Evans. And that’s as far as I’m gonna go because I can’t STAND squawking altos!!! I think that’s Tony Williams on drums, but that could be anybody just trying to be able to hear himself over the screeching alto! NEXT!!!! Track 7 – Ooooooh, VERY nice!!!! Love the guitar intro! In fact, I thought I might’ve had you, because at first I thought it was Johnny Smith from one of his trio records. I was all set to pounce and then the orchestra entered followed by the piano. This sounds like some kind of mid-60’s Verve session, and I’m gonna kick myself once I find out who the piano player is. The orchestral backing sounds like Johnny Pate with that two-note riff that always seems to pop on Verve albums from back then. Track 8 – Must resist urge to search Allmusic for different versions of “Sorcerer.” Well, I can safely eliminate the Miles version and the Herbie version. Of course, that leaves... what 500 other versions? Ah well, maybe I’ll be able to recognize some players. Drummer sounds like Elvin. That’s about it, unfortunately! Track 9 – Okay, this is THE definition of BALLS. Putting an Ella track on a BFT! How can you NOT get this one? Still, I’ve never heard this before and now I wanna hear the rest of the album from which this came. I hope finding that is as easy as it seems. Track 10 – Oh, this is so COOL!!! Jazz sitar! And that GROOVE!!! Sidewinder, repeat after me: “I will send the answers to Big Al NOW!” I have no clue who this is, and..... wait, what the hell is that? Scat singing??? I HATE scat singing! Oh... well, it was brief. Hope it doesn’t come back! Love the trumpet solo that follows! And that sax solo! AND THE GROOVE!!! This song is only eight minutes long? Oh this could go on for HOURS and I’d be a happy man! Ah, there’s that damn scat singer again. OH well, he’s only mildly annoying, thankfully he doesn’t outstay his welcome. I could get used to this. Track 11 – Man, you must dig these orchestral albums as much as I do! You seem to have found all the good ones! No clue, but I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say Percy Faith. Seriously. I know the guy’s cheesy & all, but the man knew his phrasing. Love it or hate it, y’gotta recognize he knew what he was doing and it wasn’t always schmaltz. Or maybe I’m wrong and maybe it was. I don’t’ know. I just like this track. WHERE’S THOSE ANSWERS, SIDEWINDER???? Track 12 – Ha! Nice tribute to Trane’s version of “Body and Soul.” I dig the way the small group is arranged so that it sounds orchestral. If I didn’t know any better (and I usually don’t), I’d say this was a Jimmy Heath arrangement because it sounds like some kind of scoring for French horn and muted trumpet, something he was always good at. For all I know, that’s him playing tenor as well. Track 13 – This one isn’t making much of an impression, but that’s not to say it’s a bad track. Guitar sounds like Metheny. DeJohnette on drums, perhaps? Track 14 – Dude, WTFFF???? Monk on amphetamines??? I LOVE IT!!!! Helluva way to finish a BFT disc! What a disc! What a treat! With the exception of track 6, not a bad one in the bunch! Will have my notes for disc 2 posted (hopefully) before the weekend is out. Great job, sidewinder! :tup

It's simply called THE VENTURES CHRISTMAS ALBUM and it is one of my all-time favorites!

Shit, man, don't encourage them!

MWTGA's post in the "Christmas Music That Blows" thread reminded me that it's time to make the annual announcement offering of this BFT. This year, the BFT can be downloaded. Plus, since I now have the ability to copy LPs to CD, the original version of "Snowfall" that I wanted to put on this BFT is part of the package, so you can compare/contrast with the George Shearing version. PM me if you would like the link. Happy listening!

I'm at work and if I turn this place upside-down, the ramifications are possibly apocalyptic (as is me actually doing any work around here, standing on my head or not)

What's the name of that one? I'd like to find it!

This board makes much more sense now that I'm standing on my head to read everything!

Neither of these have made my collection yet so now is probably the time if at all. I'm a Jackie fan, should I be without either of these? Both are very, very good. The first track on Jacknife is worth the price of admission as well as the final track on Right Now! Sad to see these go OOP (Right Now! again). Word-for-word what the Holy one sez. I would also add that "Poor Eric" is mesmerizing like few pieces of music are; the way the bass and the alto play the melody line is heart-breaking. Besides, if you ever need a reason to justify a purchase, always remember that one can never have too much McLean. (Well, except for 'BOUT SOUL. I'm in agreement with Ubu on this one!)

Prefer all you want , but unless you're prepared to argue for the assumptions underlying that preference , don't think for a second that such a preference is morally privileged simply in virtue of whatever emotional appeal it may have . The umbrage you ostensibly take with this constituent’s disputation is eclipsed by the excessively complex nature of your composed rejoinder. I nominate this as THE post of the year.

Yes, don't hesitate to get it. Terrific swing and spirituals, sometimes within the same song!

Groovy! That actually works, now that I think about it, since Monday is the first of December.

Pretty sure LET 'EM ROLL was not a Rare Groove.

Mel Brown CHICKEN FAT I believe this is the first Impulse! LP i've bought, and watching that label spin around is very cool!

Speaking of that, is there going to be a separate discussion thread started? I can start it, but I think that's typically done by the creator of the BFT (sort of leaving your mark). I think Al said we were going to roll in early December so still a week away - its just that I'm a little ahead of schedule I guess ( ). If it's OK with everyone I'll kick things off this weekend though with a couple of discussion threads. Well, with the holiday weekend coming up, that gives everyone plenty of opportunity to get the CDs/downloads and get their listening done. Plus, by starting on December 1, it keeps us on pace so that there isn't a big lag between the last guess and the posting of the answers. Since this was the first BFT in a few months, I may have jumped the gun a little too early in having sidewinder get his discs out so soon. Next month, we can start the signup thread maybe a week or so into the month.

They also have the Horace Silver, Jimmy Smith, and Grant Green Blue Note "Retrospective" boxes (or, respective retrospectives, try and say that five times fast!). Good prices for non-BMG/yourmusic members on the Smith and the Green.

That's cool. Fixing it right now.

I like the Rouse. If I didn't have it, I'd get it simply because I'd kick myself if it went OOP before I grabbed it. Plus, it's worth the price of admission for the extra track at the end, a quintet track from an aborted session with Freddie Hubbard, McCoy Tyner, Bob Cranshaw, and Billy Higgins. It does seem kinda strange that they're deleting some of these titles; doesn't it seem like a bunch of these have been out less than five years?

I must've missed that. Can you show me where that was said? If I'm wrong, I'll pull the links and send them to everyone individually.

Another vote for Mother Ship. That album SMOKES! Dave, I haven't heard Rollin' with Leo, but Let Me Tell You About It is a very hot jumpin' session, for lack of better terms. It swings like crazy! I have GOT to get Stylings of Silver!

It's my favorite Silver album, simply because it sounds like nothing else in his catalog. Heartily recommended!

She goes like thunder!

Side 3 of Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Volume 2, "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues"

BFT 60 is officially uploaded. Each disc is a ZIP file (approx 110,000 KB each), and each track is a 192 Kbps WMA file. Just click on the link, wait the 90 seconds or so to download, save it to your computer, unzip the file and happy listening. Let me know if you have any questions. As of Monday, November 24, the links will be PM'd. If you would like to receive the links and you haven't already, feel free to PM me. (The posts after this one may be a little confusing. I originally had the links posted here, but was strongly encouraged to take them off.)

Link will be posted today, hopefully. I received the discs last night and I have them with me at the office. If I don't get it done today, it'll be done tomorrow.