jlhoots

Those Mike Reed CDs are really good.

I told Tom Rainey after the two sets that I need to wait at least a week to listen to the new disc. I have to let what I just heard from 8 feet away sink in. The band is perfectly balanced, full of twists and turns and doesn't rely on their brilliant technique to show off. Cerebral yet powerful. Plus they don't take themselves too serious. No arrogancd or pretentious in anything they play. I'm they do wonder why more people don't listen as they are as accesable as any so-called avant-garde jazz trio I know. One reason might be that they get into a good place and the easy crowd pleasing way would be to milk it as far as it goes. They never stay in a groove or a mode too long - they are always looking for the next unexpected invention. No 7 or 10 minute solos over rhythm with this group. Helias was playing an awesome fast bass line with Rainey at one point and it would have been great if they played it for 30 minutes with Malaby coming in with a roaring free bop tenor - but this trio is way more than that. Way more than that. People got ears - maybe they might listen.... I've now heard the band play most or all of the new Helias compositions twice over 4 sets (last night and last December). The band was on a higher level last night. They extended the shortish tunes (they range from 3 to 6 minutes or so on the disc) or they meld them into others. They only played 2-3 older compositions each night. Rainey was roaring last night and my guy Malaby is playing the soprano better than he ever has. There were a few passages that I could barely believe what I heard. As has been said previously this is the first recording or shows with Open Loose to feature Tony on the straight horn as well as the tenor. He probably played soprano about 35-40% of the two sets. Fwiw, my wife said this band is as good as it gets:) Reason being for her is that they combine great tunes and groove with the best saxophonist in the world:) at least by far her favorite!!! I didn't realise that you were going to hear the actual same band. Well you were lucky, and I know exactly what you say you heard from the CD. The music is excellent and as you say quite different. I think I agree with your wife how great this band and this music is. PS And to come back to your 'giants walk the earth' theme, this looks to me like a classic unit and a classic recording, right up there in the sax/bass/drums trio lineage. Many of the Open Loose CDs are excellent including this new one. I saw them live too recently & was very impressed.

We have a mainly pickles store here in Santa Fe - The Barrio Brinery.

I agree.

So did I.

Finally!!

Veep

Yes - excellent.

I had exactly the same thought.

Tom Russell: The Rose Of Roscrae

I found the series finale of Justified quite satisfying. "We dug coal together".

Sure is. Wonder what the "article" is like.

Dark Day is one I like.

Jimmy Lyons Black Saint - Soul Note box

TOCJ-9572 Happy I have it.

I got the CD when it was "restocked". Still pissed that I didn't get any matches & paid $7 for shipping. Ornette is very good. Without him it wouldn't be much IMHO.

Actually the CD is worth it for Ornette. Maybe not $27.

What is "whoske"?

I don't buy from DMG. Who else will have it? Squidco?

Yes to Knuffke!!

Smith Henderson: 4th Of July Creek

Anything on Doug Sahm in that issue? Yes - quite a bit.

Enjoy - I'm seeing them on April 25th @ Cornelia Street. Tell Tony Steve Reynolds says hello. Will do.

Oxford American - Texas music issue

Sat. night - Open Loose (Helias, Malaby, Rainey)