Rosco

'Love Remains' is a beaut!

I like Chet a lot- always thought I was in the minority but it seems not. I can finally go public with it! Chet was one of those musicians whose shortcomings were obvious but somehow that just throws his successess into greater relief. When Chet was off, he was way off. When he was on... he was as 'on' as anyone! He was always going to compare unfavourably to the more assertive Miles. Miles always seemed to have a 'concept' of where the music should go. Baker, scuffling to make the next fix, only saw as far as the next gig (if that). Chet hardly helped matters by copying Miles' set list for the best part of 30 years. But there was some great music: CB & Crew, Playboys (aka Picture of Heath), the live sessions with Russ Freeman, the Lerner & Loewe album for Riverside, the sessions with Coleman & Lightsey, Once Upon a Summertime (Galaxy), Blues For a Reason & Chet's Choice (Criss Cross) not to mention the stuff with Mulligan. How does a man who hit those heights end up making those godawful Mariachi albums?! Well, of course the obvious answer is that monkey he carried round with him for most his adult life. Anyone interested in the grim (and believe me, it's very grim) details should read James Gavin's book Deep In a Dream. Not a lot of insight into the music but one hell of a cautionary tale. Some of the stuff would be funny if it weren't so damn tragic. And yes, you're right. He couldn't sing for toffee. And yet I like it. Go figure.

Have never gotten round to this album, but JSngry's insights make me want to hear it.... right *now*! I do feel Sonny's latterday output has been undervalued though. Even with less than challenging back-up the man's sound still gives thrills and chills in equal amounts and the flow of ideas still has the mark of one of the most original creative minds this music has given us. Branford should (and probably did) thank his lucky stars even to be allowed to touch the hem of his garment...

June 11: 1957: Two tracks for Benny Carter's Jazz Giant (Contemporary) 1964: One of the sessions for Sonny Rollins' The Standard Sonny Rollins (RCA) 1974: A session for Gil Evans Plays the Music of Jimi Hendrix 1996 (& Jun 12) Marian Montgomery- Silent Pool (Concord)... not usually a big fan of jazz-with-strings but this is a beautiful album. Marian's compositions deserve much wider recognition Oh, and wasn't the Kirk/ Golson album from 1963, not '64?

The tattoos are one thing... but what's with the nose?? I wouldn't like to be standing anywhere near him when he sneezes! Dat's godda hoit!

now, that has a ring to it!

Coltrane's Ascension!

Is Harvard's explanation really that lame? Watch any kid with an ice-cream/ frozen lolly and witness the stained lips that result. Surely 'drumstick lipstick' would an apt description? Kudos on the rest of it... very thorough!

Oh, for Fuchs' sake... I'm starting to wish I'd said chrysanthemum now!

the booklet of my 1995 CD release mentions June 4, I see Dave Wild has June 7. Which is correct? ← Most souces I've seen (including David Wild, Fujioka and a couple of Dolphy discogs) say June 7. The discography in the booklet to the 1995 Impulse reissue gives the June 4th date but the notes (written by Mr. Wild) also give the June 7 date. Given that the booklet also claims the alternate take of 'Africa' was issued on the original AS-6 LP (instead of 'Blues Minor') I would have to take Wild's word on it. Sorry, a little off-topic! Allow me to get back on... June 10, 1975: Dave Brubeck & Paul Desmond record a single track, 'You Go To My Head', aboard the S.S. Rotterdam. On '1975: The Duets' (A&M)

Following on from the mispronounciations... Anyone have any entertaining mis-spelled songs or musicians? Just been looking at a Chet Baker discography online... Apparently, Chet (with Gerry Mulligan and Annie Ross) recorded a song called 'I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plants" Yes, that fuschia's looking a bit droopy...