Soul Stream

Big John was a natural on stage. Down home, witty, spiritual...all at once.

Funny you say that. When I was first learning the organ I had a picture of PC on one side and Bootsy on the other. I thought the same thing, if I could walk like PC and funk like Bootsy, that would be the ideal. Still working on it.

Gloria Coleman. Although I love her stuff. I've never felt her talents have been fully exploited on wax. Wish someone would record in the right way now as I think she's in very, very good form. Also, although Too Damn Hot comes very, very close as does Lenox And 7th. I think a present day live recording of Dr. Lonnie Smith might be one of the best jazz organ records ever made. It's not been done yet, but SHOULD. I've e-mailed Palmetto that they HAVE to do it. But no reply. Let's just hope they're smart enough to record Lonnie on a good 3 day stand somewhere soon. And even though this is off center, a live record of Lou Donaldson's LONGTIME woking group with Lonnie, Fukushi and Randy would be damn good. Too bad nobody's recording that. Stupid record companies.

Nice picture of Gene Ludwig. I know I've mentioned this before...but Marchel Ivery cut two of the best tenor/organ records ever made...w/Joey Defrancesco. Both on Leaning House under Marchel's name. Also, some great Tenor men that are still active to varying degrees, but don't get a lot of recognition, but were definately down in the organ heyday. Dave Hubbard, Bill Saxton, Harold Alexander, Grant Reed, Ronnie Cuber, David Newman, George Braith, Joe Lovano (worked with Dr. Lonnie extensively)....there are many, many others I'm leaving out. And although he doesn't play tenor...the KING of all horn players associated with the hammond organ...Lou Donaldson, the godfather of organ jazz.

Thanks for the endorsement. I've often wondered about this record and now looks like I'm gonna hafta get it...

Thanks for all the hard work Jim. It's nice that you keep this little cyberworld going.

Thanks Dan and Jazzshrink. Dan, I really listen to that stuff you sent me a LOT. It's some of my favorite music, and has seen much more playtime here that 99% of my CD collection. Usually, I'm not much of a live recording fan, but when it comes to those guys I can't get enough. If the word "bootleg" stirs up some controversy, I'll be happy to change or delete my post. But HAD to send out the sos to the organissimo bros. Hope to see Lou again before the end of the year. Love those live shows of his with the Dr., classic. Thanks for the help!!!!

I'm looking for live Lou Donaldson bootlegs. I've got a few live recordings of Lou... but looking for stuff I don't have...don't know what's out there. But would like to know at least, what IS out there. Also any live Dr. Lonnie Smith boots...Please PM me if you can help me out! Thanks, Mike

Pete Fallico is the one who will know. He's the only one who is currently in contact with Baby Face Willette's son and widow. The story is about to come out fully, but Pete hasn't put it on the website I guess yet. Hope he does soon.

finally...an answer we can all love.

O.k...I can see this isn't working. Let me put it this way.... What's your mostest favoritist album!

Yeah...pick an album damnit!

...look damnit...your wives and babies aren't around in my scenario!!! and neither is a cd of them snuggling (man, you guys a wimpin' on me)! just pick a dang CD and quit getting so McGyver meets Alan Alda on me.

You got 1 hour to live. You're locked in a listening both and instead of a last meal, you get to listen to 1 CD or LP for the last time. What's your pick?

Hey, I notice you're an Aggie. Melvin Sparks is playing in Bryan Station tonight...so don't bitch.

I really dig "Honky Tonk Popcorn." There's a lot of great playing on there and I agree about the bass player...badass. Bill Doggett sounds great too. A lost feel that musicians don't respect much these days as they chase JOS, and Larry Young around the block. That Bill Doggett shit ain't easy to play right.

And people wonder why jazz has low attendance. Well, it's because no one fucking TELLS us this shit is happening. F'in ridiculous. I'm still pissed. I read the Austin Chronicle front to back yesterday because I was having an MRI done on my knee and it was the only rag (literally) they had lying around to read. Not a damn word in the recommended or anywhere. This town SUCKS.

well, leave it up to the indie-rock obsessed Austin Texas music media to TOTALLY freakin' uninform me that goddamn MELVIN SPARKS is/was in town playing tonight. A friend just called to tell me he's playing at the Elephant Room here tonight. I can't make it down and I'm pretty damned bummed.

That's what music is all about. Personal taste.

What were the repeated tunes if you can remember...or the set lists as best to your memory. It'd be interesting to me as to what he plays when not playing with an organ.

That's hard to hear. Seen Lou a lot and have never seen him sit during the show. Hope we aren't losing him. Dr. Lonnie not being as available these days must be a blow to Lou. Lou rules. I love Lou.

With that group. Not. However, it's got some blues stuff on there, and Alfred might have thought it too much of the same thing and limited the tracks to 5. That's my guess. Of course, I doubt this is not too high up on the Cuscuna scale of inquiry.

Hey Jim, hope you keep that gig going! Quality musicmaking has taken a beating, so by all means, if you live in Dallas GO TO JIM'S GIG!!!!!! It's just a few hours that you wouldn't be watching t.v. anyway at the very least, and this is Jim's lifeblood. As musicians, we can't keep a gig unless people come and drink and/or pay cover and keep these barowners happy. Period. Unless we keep creative music alive with an appreciative audience, we'll all be playing in crappy R&B cover bands for life.

Don't have that disc., but I'd love to hear the complete session. The whole album seems short, just 5 tunes. So maybe they didn't make one they intented to. Love to hear an aborted attempt anyway.

Walk Wid Me