Jim R

I always kind of assumed that everybody acquired this music (all of it) as soon as they had access to it (in my case, some used original vinyl, some reissue vinyl, and some original CD's). Why? Because it's Coltrane.

E. Power Biggs Elvin Hayes Ewing, Patrick

Chuck Rainey Jimmy Van Heusen Tony Joe White

B.J. Thomas Tony Joe White Gene Kelly

Do Judy Landers again.

Bobby Moore Lew Alcindor Cassius Clay

Little Miss Sunshine "sunshine" "sparky"

Kai Winding Oliver Twist Gary Bender

I feel like he was among everybody's favorites, around here at least. What a beautiful musician and spirit. Definitely played a role in keeping me eager and interested when I was first discovering jazz. His solos always brought a smile to my face.

It just occurred to me... (HELLO!)... the antifreeze/coolant we've been using in our cars for a number of years is called "Dex-Cool". Cool.

I think I've solved #10 (thanks to all of the generous hints of course, and to S. Duncan Reid, AND to google book search). So, it was recorded on March 13, 1953, correct? Btw, to be fully honest and accurate, I know OF that band (though I had not remembered that Tjader was a member at any point), but I wouldn't say that I "know" that band. The early works of that pianist are generally not found in my collection, despite my fondness for some of this later recordings, and despite the fact that I've always admired and enjoyed that guitarist (even more so on his other instrument), who wrote one of my favorite tunes of all time, and who was a fun guest on the U.S. late night talk shows some years ago. (more clues there for others to think about ).

Richard Tee Draymond Green Jack Paar

The Joker choking smoker Puff

Boney James Fingers, Rollie Workman, Reggie

the ayes and the nays The Speaker Of The House Mack Sennett

Matty Alou Felipe Alou Zeppo Alou (hey, you never know)

Two days ago, I was looking for a video on Youtube. Something related to guitarist Ed Bickert. The first thing I noticed and watched was a clip (probably a few years old by now) of Hall paying tribute to Bickert. Not with his guitar, but via comments in a one-on-one interview. I don't think I've ever seen Hall on video, and it occurred to me that I may not have ever seen/heard him speak before (I never saw him perform in person), and the way he presented his tribute, I just thought... what a cool guy. RIP to one of the masters on his chosen instrument.

Heiner Franz Kranz, Fran Ricardo Del Fra

Argh... not Tjader, Guaraldi, Duran... Crotty? Can't find a match, though. Argghh!!

I just discovered that Big Al's Christmas disc contained two other tracks ("Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and "Snowfall") from the same CD that your #17 came from. I knew it was the same artist, but I didn't realize they all came from the same CD. This is really puzzling me. I even thought about it in the middle of the night once. Of course, it's not being able to tell you who the guitarist is that's really bugging me. When you said "you know that band", you just put more pressure on me (thanks ). I feel like I might be narrowing it down, though. I was going to guess either Victor Feldman or Larry Bunker, but when you said that Eddie Costa may have been influenced by this player, I thought my ideas were probably off target...

17 wasn't on my BFT, but it does seem like it was on a BFT at some point. I thought perhaps Big Al's Christmas one, but it doesn't appear there, so... It has dawned on me that I have #5 in my collection. I should listen to that album more often, as I love this vibist (especially his earlier recordings, as I'm sure you know!). Anyway, it's from this 1969 recording: http://www.dustygroove.com/item/5706 Track 10 still has me thinking hard...

This Boy Bad Boy Miss Lizzy

C.C. Rider Samuel Ryder Paperback Writer

Jean Stapleton The Staple Singers Brad

Just managed to listen once all the way through, and have some random thoughts... 1, 2... nothing sounding familiar, but interesting stuff which I will have to spend some more time with. 3. If I were going to guess Milt on any of the tracks here, it would probably be this one. I don't think it's the MJQ, however. 4. Interesting and creative tune and arrangement, but not really my style. 5. Beautiful Love. I like the sound of this group, and the playing is very nice. I don't know quite why, but I feel like this may be a European group. 6. Nice soulful gospelly (is that a word?) feel on this, and a lovely arrangement. I have no idea who's playing, but it really pleases the ears. 7. Plenty of tracks on this BFT that I'm enjoying, so... I'll just pass on this one. 8. Very lovely melody, which I'm not quite recognizing. Whenever I hear vocalizing over a vibes solo, I tend to think of Dave Pike, but that's a longshot to be considered an educated guess, so I'll just say that I find this to be very tasty. 9. Hmm, now the pianist is vocalizing over his solo. I don't recognize this at all, but it's a nice modern take on a traditional sound. 10. In the opening, the vibist is reminding me of Buddy with the Mastersounds… but it's not that. I need to think more about this one, which feels a bit more familiar than some of the other tracks so far. I have the feeling that I should be recognizing this one. Eddie Costa? 11. Sounds like a take-off on the changes to "Love Me Or Leave Me". Nice arrangement. Sounds like a mid-to-late 50's recording (west coast?). 12. Tenderly. The style/sound of the opening is reminiscent of Milt on the classic "The Man I Love" from Miles & The Modern Jazz Giants. Very tasty, whoever this is. 13. A live version of "If You Could See Me Now". Very elegant feel and phrasing. I like it as the audience did! 14. This has a more modern sound quality to my ears, and this is grooving nicely. Not as much in my ballpark in terms of some of the harmonies/colors, but nice tight rhythms, and very enjoyable listening. 15. My Funny Valentine. A bit tedious, at least for the mood I'm in right now. The duet format with one instrument being a bass is never among my favorite settings. 16. Very funky. Reminds me of a Les McCann/Eddie Harris kind of feel circa 1970. I don't know if I own this, but the sound of the group has a familiarity. 17. Well, Ding DONG! The pianist and group sound is unmistakeable, and I own this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001N85O7C/ref=dm_ws_sp_ps_dp Great way to end the test, with a track that is getting me in the mood for Christmas jazz. I'll go back and attempt more analysis soon (I hope). Thanks, Mike.