Soul Stream

Hey Chris, any other memories of Lem you could share? Did you get a chance to see him play often at the time? Hard to imagine he was a full time policeman at the beginning of his recording career. That's a lot of after work practicing! Speaking of vibraphonists Chris, wondered if you knew Freddie McCoy.... He seems to be someone who completely disappeared.

Does anybody know what brand of vibes Lem played? Perhaps Chris would know?

Up for air. Really listening to a lot of Lem lately. One of the true greats. Especially loved Chris' first hand knowledge, would love to hear more.

Freddie's "Spider Man" LP is just one of the greatest vibe dates ever cut, certainly on Prestige. Man, his ballad playing on Yesterdays is just amazing. The amount of sustain he pulls off the bars without harmonic clashes...wow, don't know how he did it, but he could make those Deagan's sing.

Shocked. Just saw him November 15th here in Austin, he was with Curtis Fuller...went to the workshop they put on that afternoon also. He played here every year at the Jazz at St. James Church. 3rd time I've seen him here. How wonderful he was to hear and see. I never could believe I was actually seeing him play live. It was like seeing giants walk the earth. Really, really, really sad to hear this. Didn't know he had cancer. Looked and sounded great. Wearing all black and a black beret, silver mustache, soul patch, goatee... a statesman if I ever saw one. They played Blue Train....Curtis said it was the first time in years he had played it...Fathead said he didn't know, just wanted to play the tune with Curtis. Glad I got a chance to see him, I was blessed by being here on the earth at the same time he was. Some of my personal favorites with David Newman... Mellow Soul-Don Patterson. Think-Lonnie Smith Ray Charles presents Fathead Newman

Nice to see The Rajah for a reasonable price!

I don't think this will work as a "new model" for bands that aren't already well established. Remember, Radiohead has had full record company hype/promotional support until now. The fan base is already built on the shoulders of the record company's work. A new up and coming band, unsigned, telling people to pay what they want for the downloads...well, the verdict is already in...they don't want to pay. That's what has got us here in the first place.

I good example for my case is are to live discs. Lou Donaldson's "The Scorpion" and Grant Green's "Live At Club Mozambique". Never released at the time, but issued as a single discs...both from a wealth of sets recorded live, but as they saw the market would only buy a single disc. For some, like myself...these sessions represent Mile's "Plugged Nickel." I understand that those who feel this way a few and it wouldn't make sense to make a physical product out of the full recorded sets. But I would download both of those complete performances in a minute.

Yeah, I'd really like to see companies...especially Blue Note issue stuff that has remained in the vault, kept away from potential fans of the music. I recently emailed Michael Cuscuna about an unissued Freddie Roach session on Blue Note (we talked about it here on the board). The response I got in total was... I have heard it. It's abysmal.MC In the age of the digital download, I'd love to be able to buy that unissued session as a download. No liner notes, no art work, nothing....just the session tape. A recording like that would, it seems, not be commercially available from BN under normal circumstances. But in this day and age, why not put up Tyrone's "Trainwreck" session? I've looked at the Freddie Roach session on paper, and considering the musicians and time period as his last recording session for BN...I get the feeling it's probably a decent session. Just not up to MC's standards. But, I'd love to download it!!! Bad or not, I'd like to hear it!

I wonder if his casket with have "rich, corinthian leather?" (sorry, I just had to do it )

Not to let you down, but... Fred Jackson is NOT on this album. I have the original LP....Fred is pictured on the back, but there is an asterisk by the photo saying Fred joined the group AFTER the recording was made. Yeah, wish Fred were on it. That said, this is a GREAT album. I've loved it for years, DIG it....you will. Just to hear Leo Goodin's freakishly female vocalizations is worth it (he's not bad at all, pretty good. Just the picture of Leo on the back doesn't quite match the voice). Of course, this is Leo Gooden...as in Grant Green's "Gooden's Corner." Yeah, Grant played Leo's club extensively before he made it big.

Thanks Lon : )

Would there be any sound quality difference between a CD and a CDR? They look good to me..ordered a couple already.

I know Itunes doesn't seem to carry the old Prestige titles.... Is there anywhere online to purchase the mp3s of the classic prestige lps?

Bruce, get some Freddie McCoy...that's my suggestion. Sure Bobby, Walt, Lem, Milt and Lionel are all on top of the list. But get Spider Man (yeah, the title doesn't do it justice) on put on Yesterdays. Yeah, those deagan's sound pretty sweet... : )

I agree whole heartedly Jim. As much as the B3 will always be first and foremost in my mind, as far as playing it...it's easy to get caught up in the stylistic niches of your hero's licks, tricks and approach. Plus, I just dig the vibes and always have...the first organ record I had was Tough Duff with Lem Winchester on vibes...those two instruments have a very symbiotic relationship. Also, like you know, you get so caught up playing basslines on organ, that it's nice to approach it from another angle like the fender bass. Bought Carol Kaye's little instruction video from her website and it's pretty great! Anyway, got to get out and stretch the mind muscles a bit in unfamiliar terrain.

Thanks . It'll just be a kick for me. Digging out my Freddie McCoy records and listening to that sound first hand. Also been playing fender bass lately, love the B3 but it's definately not the most practical gigging instrument!

Hey impossible, How are the Deagans? Just bought a set myself... Deagan 510 Performer...., should be here in a week or so I'd guess. Can't wait.

Of course the Miles/Coltrane version is a blueprint. That said, always dug the Mobley/Green/Elvin/Larry Young version too as much as any other. One of my favorite standards to play...never gets old because it's never easy.

yeah, i'm a big fan. been diggin that one for years. Trudy Pitts is just such a monster, and this is one of the few recordings of her...especially as a sideman. Think she's a sideman on Willis Jackson's Star Time, and that's about it almost from the Presige period. That version they do of Just Friends is ridiculous.

Yeah, I'd love to hear about this Verve date too!!!!

Just got a Xmas card from George. Thought I'd pass it on to all the other Braith-a-holics out there!

The thing he did with his daughters (The Braith Family singers, is how I think he billed them) is the eptiome of this, I think. His daughter Flame was a well-known background singer during the disco era. MG Wow, never knew that about his daughter Flame! I'm going to talk to George soon. I'll be sure to tell him all the praise about his latests recordings. The thing I love most about George is his complete habitation of the unique harmonic world he invented for himself. One of the things that I think get's lost, because he doesn't feature it all that much...is that he's truely one of the BEST tenor players I've ever heard.

We forget how lucky we are to live in this day and time.... This era is gone,... a little glimpse. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdaJjlvSJT8

Isn't this a Texas State holiday? Well, at least I took the day off... . Happy Birthday Jim!