mikeweil

Received today from Cadence: Chuck Israels National Jazz Ensemble (Chiaroscuro) Giorgio Gaslini Quartet, Lampi (Soul Note) Jeff Palmer & George Garzone, Opposite Voltage (MAC) Looking forward to a delivery from the bastards: Moacir Santos, Coisas dtto. (his latest, forgot the title)

I love that box, too, and prefer to have the live recordings in that much more concise form.

Can't say that I'm 100% overwhelmed, as several of these have seen CD reissue, or vinyl copies aren't hard to find. Just my thoughts. Too much of a mixed bag for my taste, and the ones I really wanted to have - the Burrell and Jacquet - are out on CD in excellent sound.

BTW, the Shaw band I saw live had René McLean, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Stafford James and Victor Lewis. Could well be the band Tom offers us on track 6.

Sounds rather like Victor Lewis on drums to me. Lewis was in the band that recorded the tune Teotihuacan for Columbia. This is not Billy Hart's solo style.

For your info, my friends, let me introduce our newest member in Blindfold Test circles, Mr. Bassman, my dear friend, to whom I passed the two extra discs Tom sent me, with his consent. Welcome to the board! As you might have guessed we frequently blindfold each other at home ...

I understand your being skeptical, Jim, but I remember Han Bennink playing with all kinds of people that must be considered mainstream compared to what he did later - there were some interviews I do not have the time to dig out. Daniel Humair comes to mind as well, but was he that daring at that time? And, BTW I remember Humair saying he played with probably everybody except Rollins and Miles, so he's out of the game. I hear the drummer drum on some massive wood like a floor or furniture, and that was something Bennink more or less introduced. Andrew Cyrille or someone of this caliber, moved in different circles. Dawson? Unlikely, does not sound like him to me. I stick with my Bennink guess. Thanks for the compliment, BTW .... Will send you a PM regarding some item on disc 1.

Here are my guesses for disc 2, notes taken during the very first listen to this disc, and of course without peeking at others' guesses. 1. Private live recording, of probably 1970's vintage. No idea. The sound of that trumpet gets a little painful although I see he wants that sound by inserting the mic into the bell of the horn. I may have heard similar bands back then, but can't quite recall whom - somewhat in between electric Miles and advanced hard bop. 2. The opening phrase sounds like Bird, but the theme and the solo give it away instantly, who this is, everybody here should know this famous tune by an even more famous tenor. Probably made during one of his European tours - I dare say Han Bennink on drums, as he is the only one I recall to have that much daring and imagination and still the groove and guts to play in such a context. Wild ideas - too bad there is a fadeout, but he probably went on for days ... 3. Straight No Chaser by what sounds like an impromptu festival group. Bass guitar sounds a little annoying, though he plays very nicely. Bobby Hutcherson? The doorbells have that California vibe. No idea who the pianist is; guitarist sounds familiar and like he was the leader. 4. Bye Bye Blackbird. HAFC, but I like the "cool" sound of the alto cat, and he seems to know a lot of music - I especially like the "When Lights Are Low" quote. I must admit I enjoy such lengthy performances more at the club than on a CD. But this is a very interesting player. Oh - Bye Bye Naima! I just wish some people in the back room would shut up and listen! 5. It's nice the drummer starts out with these bells and icebell cymbals, but for my taste he relies a little too much on typical drum technical phrases as he moves to the toms and snare. Ah - "One Finger Snap". Now is this Herbie? Sounds a little less daring harmonically than what I am used to hear from him, but there are so many trademark licks and turns, it must be him. Bassist sounds like a croosing between Ron Carter and Dave Holland, so I'd say Buster Williams. But no, the solo is too cleanish for Buster - Pattitucci? Gene Jackson on drums? Or this younger guy Willie Jones III he used on a recent tour? I'd rather say Jackson. Not Brian Blade. p.s. Turns out I have a 1990 New York live recording of this tune with Jackson and some Jeff Rother on bass, but this is different. Tom, can we arrange a trade? 6. Woody Shaw? The vibe sounds what I remember from seeing this band live back then. Great and technically excellent trumpet playing. Victor Lewis on drums? Ah - the tune title at the end - a piece recorded for his last Columbia LP but unissued until the Mosaic. Like this much better than the studio stuff. Great idea - only live tracks on disc 2, and mostly unofficial, it seems - but the theme must be somewhat beyond that. Thanks a lot for the care you took in selecting these, Tom!

Will give this a try as soon as it is out here.

The Carmen McRae with the CBBB, BTW, is a real gem. One of the high points in the singer's discography, IMHO, and much better than the LP recorded with Gitte, which partly uses the same arrangements. I saw a video of the CBBB with Carmen and Dizzy one time - this should be on DVD!

AFAIK the material on the Muse LP (I have the Happy Bird issue, which seems to be a bootleg) is different from other versions of the same tunes. Gigi Campi made all kinds of deals ... I will check some of them tomorrow.

Oh boy - where's the next rabbit hole to hide .... at least I was right about the Tristano lineage. Here goes my rule # 1 item! I should get me some sleep!

So these are a few of your favourite things, Tom? Now here are some of my favourite guesses for this enjoyable disc. Still haven't heard a note from disc 2, but these notes were taken while surveying disc 1 for the third time. Track 1. The most original version of this worn standard I have ever heard! Too bad I HAFC who it is ... would like to hear more from this pianist. Track 2. If this is a Dixieland revival band - and it sounds like one to me - it is one of the best I ever heard. Swinging and not a bit superficial. Now I'm probably in for a surprise here. Track 3. Blue Note plays the Beatles? Probably track 5 from (this album). The horns sure sound like them. Nice but I don't think I will run for this, but I'll gladly take it as part of a larger box set ... Track 4. Hey - great pick! We're both lucky I forgot considering this for my own upcoming BT! Track 8 from (this CD)/URL]. A friend of mine (we frequently do mutual blindfold sessions) pointed this one out to me. The sparse setting with a sensitive drummer like this works best with the harmonically sophisticated work of this pianist - I had a trio CD of his and gave it to my friend 'cause I couldn't take the bass player together with him. Must be hell for any bass player, cause his two hands go in at least two directions harminically all the time. But this duo CD is great! Track 5. Very original trombone player, a true stylist. Britt Woodman? Bill Harris? Hmm... Track 6. Oh Yeah! Just got me his latest on ebay. Billy Strayhorn's Something to live for, probably from (this CD), although the tracks are not listed on AMG. But this has to be him. Another reminder that some CDs of this greatest living jazz singer belong at the top of my want list ... Track 7. Killing Me Softly - I'll risk a wild guess and say it's track 6 from (this CD] - which would make this CD much more attractive as I thought. Very nice soft alto, if my guess is correct, I'd have to admit I like this side of the alto cat much more than his energetic renditions of late. But he was the only one I could think of who would a track like this in such a way. Track 8. What a great selection of ballads so far! No idea who this is. Very personal approach to tenor playing. I will leave it to Jim to correctly guess the tenor ... I like it very much how he plays these phrases softly behind the piano solo - truly communicative music making. Track 9. Some extremely familiar tenor sound - maybe our Eric Alexander trap in this BT? HAFC. Track 10. Them There Eyes. I have a feeling there's something missing after this track is finished, although they get it across they were having a fine time while recording. Maybe just too long. HAFC. Track 11. Probably some bunch of swing veterans - too lazy to seriously check this out after only three hours of sleep last night and getting up very early to take my wife to work, bringing my above mentioned friend the second pack of BT 17 disc Tom has sent me (thanks again!), six hours of gardening on a fine sunny afternoon ... Track 12. All The Things You Are. Sounds somewhat odd to me, like a bunch of wanna be Tristano disciples trying too hard - at least the drummer hits too hard, for sure. HAFC again ... Track 13. This is not Lester leaping in - but that's all I know ... Like it. There is much too little unaccompanied sax playing. Like the ballads best on this disc, exquisite choices - merci bien!

Very noice statement above, Jim! I second the recommendation on Trio Jeppy - take note that the double LP release includes more tracks than the subsequently issued CD. In a time where it is increasingly difficult to find an indentity on any instrument, I find his way of playing a very respectable one, and I have the impression he is sincere in what he tries to pursue - especially in his band with the late Kenny Kirkland. Maybe we will get to hear the real Branford in ten years or so ...

Maybe your mother sang nicely and your father just gruntled while you were in the cradle? Seriously - could it be that the voice appears like a rather "female" musical instrument to you?

The link to the Criss Cross Jazz website got lost in the quote. Shull reportedly recorded as a member of the Widespread Depression Orchestra for the Stash label, but I couldn't find any details so far. Can anybody help?

Here's what I wrote in my post in the answers thread to BFT 16, where Dan Gould included one track: Shull is a big toned tenor deeply rooted in the Bean tradition, but sounds truly authentic, not like lining up phrases he picked up from records. On the two Tenor Triangle CDs, I find him the most convincing, but his two as a leader are the best. Still have to get me the one with Mark Turner, but that must be a very interesting combination.

Chuck, would you mind tell what was included on your next-to-last installment, and when did you receive that? I'm afraid something went wrong with my upgrades and would like to make sure whether I missed a step. Thanks!

Sorry folks, it takes longer than I thought. Main problem is, the amount of info provided in the individual answers thread differs largely. If it would be sufficient to have track title, artist or group name, CD/LP title and number, and maybe a recording date, I could put put that up in a few days. But more detailed info, like complete personnel listings, will take a lot of research time- Whaddya think?

I'm looking for one, too! CDR would do. Thanks in advance for any hint.

Just noticed this classic is available again from the bastards!!!

Classy indeed!!! Mel's my favourite B3-er ( ), so I'm biased. AFAIK Shull plays only on part of the latest CD.

still with a lot of moaning I presume? Not at all - a nice little Latin Jazz album, IMHO.

Until a few minutes ago: and now: Shelly Manne, Essence (Galaxy) with Lew Tabackin.