Ed S

Copied from the May studio update section in the News from the Blue Note website: Van Morrison: The rumors are true. Van Morrison is nearing completion on his first album for Blue Note. He has been recording an album of new original material in his native Ireland. Stay Tuned for more. I enjoy Morrison and am anxious to read more about the musicians involved, songs etc. But this definitely has potential. Where's Tom at Bluenote when you need him?

Wow - I read the customer comments on the BN website. Shades of Greg indeed. Plus not too many are happy with another comp. The liner notes say that the set is a celebration of the 80th anniversary of Dexter's birth. I guess in that context, a 2 CD career retrospective is most appropriate - in spite of the fact that most of the material is readily available. Individual releases such as Clubhouse or Landslide would have been nice, but I honestly don't think they have as much sales potential as this set. I tip my hat to Michael Cuscuna and Blue Note for keeping Dexter's legacy alive. My guess is that they did not want to incur a great deal of expense, yet release something that is commercially viable and meets the goal of celebrating Dex's birth date. I have all of Dex's releases including the 60s box and I picked it up anyways. Sets like this fit nicely into my listening habits plus I keep a certain amount of discs in the car and at work. While I can see how some are disappointed that the individual releases of Landslide or Clubhouse did not come out, I'm thinking they will at some point. In the reissue business it seems patience is a virtue.

I'm a big fan of Lloyd's ECM work. I've yet to get around to picking up his most recent, but I've got the rest. I dig his sound and the feel of those albums. I'm a big Abercrombie fan as well, so that's an added bonus. I've yet to sample his Atlantic years but will, I guess, at some point. Just not enough time to get to everything.

At any rate, looks like we've taken David's poll farr off track. Apologies David and back to the Freshmen/Mobley debate.

I know - gave new meaning to the phrase "go with the flow"

Looks like I'll be listening to about 3 or 4 Shorter albums today.......

No Moran either - and he's got an album coming out soon. But that dude with the 'table is there. I guess it's active contracts and current releases. But still......

Did they charge extra for the hoops you had to jump through or did they throw them in when you bought the special equipmet?

But I didn't say get a cardigan that looks like it was made from surplus prison garb. A nice navy or brown cardigan works nicely. It keeps the babes focus on you and not on what you're wearing. If the cardigan doesn't seem to be working out try adding a fake eye patch. You can't help but make eye contact with one of those on.

Were you wearing a blue suit though. If the Freshmen didn't work, I might have to recommend something a little stronger - some George Shearing. Satin Affair or Velvet Carpet should do the trick. Use the same blue suit but ditch the necktie try either a white turtleneck or a white ascot. Make sure you drink nothing but martinis and above all - no electric lights. Candles only.

I'm assuming you mean "and be square" in the same way that one says James Brown is baaaad or MMW is the shit, right?

Just checked out the BN website. They've got a new slide show goin' and Dex finally made the grade. He's sandwiched right in between Madlib and Norah. They open with the show with Soulive. Wonder if they're tryin to make up for that new Soulive CD fiasco. By the way, anyone get their replacement disc yet? I only had a regular envelope and a single 37 cent stamp in the house so I cracked the disc in half to fit it in the envelope. It actually broke into about 10-12 pieces. Think they're holding that against me?

The annual Memorial Day Freshmen-athon starts Saturday the 31st at 6 PM. Lasts 'till we can't swing no more. We're going to start off with "....and Five Guitars". That's all I'm saying because I'm want to keep you all in suspense. Let's just say that this year's mix will knock your socks off. But don't worry, I just had the deck sanded and sealed. What a way to kick off the summer of '03. So be there or be square. By the way, we've got a great non-alcohol summer punch that we're going to sample before we serve it for real at our Fourth of July Freshmen Extravaganza. We'll also be trying out a new recipe for Ritz cracker mini pizzas. We haven't nailed down the theme for our Labor Day Frosh Fest but I can assure you that you will not be admitted to this year's Halloween Masquerade unless you're dressed as your favorite Freshmen. And no Tony, Stan Kenton does not count.

I have no idea what Divx is/was, but I guess that underscores your point.

Nice deal. Congratulations. Do they have any more Mosaic sets?

Brad J Larsen nailed it. I was being sarcastic, which is why I used the little wacko guy at the end of the post. Plus I thought the line about being " brave enough to risk slipping into a vegetative state of borderline coma and actually listen to the entire set" was enough to tip you guys off. Besides, I said that "it can be argued that....." I never said the argument was a good one You are correct in your assessment that a little bit of the Freshmen goes a loooooooooooongzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz way. I might dig the Mizell Bros Byrd and Bartz Rare Grooves, but I haven't gone off the deep end yet I think

I understand their marketing angle but I don't like the environmental consequences of it either. Just what we need - mountains of disposable DVD discs, unless these are in someway recyclable.

Reminds of the old Mission Impossible series. "This tape will self destruct in 20 seconds (or whatever time it was).

I'm a big fan of the Henderson session as well. Funky, spacey fusion indeed Excellent.

[*] Pushing the limits [*] Expanding the boundaries [*] Broadening Mosaic's customer base [*] Breaking the mold Which set, I ask you, has done this? This set, one could argue, might be the greatest Mosaic set. I will stand up and put forth the argument that the Four Freshmen set is the greatest Mosaic set because it has done all those things. It is the one set that has broken the barriers of what is accepted to be jazz by jazz lovers. It alone has broadened the horizons and expanded the boundaries of jazz for those who are brave enough to risk slipping into a vegetative state of borderline coma and actually listen to the entire set. It alone has probably attracted more new customers to the world of Mosaic than any other set since the Nat King Cole set. Yes, I think it can be argued that the Four Freshmen set is the greatest Mosaic set

This might raise a few eyebrows or start a few chuckles, but I've been looking for a copy of Tommy Smith's Paris forever. Fortunately, a fellow BNBBer set me up with a burned copy, but I's still like to find an original. Anybody spot one, let me know

In the last month: The 4 US Rare Grooves plus 6 French Groove Experience releases. The new Erik Trufazz arrived today A few from Paris Jazzcorner - Flavio Boltro, Thierry Lang, Regis Ceccarelli Another Flavio Boltro and Stephane Huchard from Dusty Groove A Caetano Veloso disc and McCoy Tyner's Soliliquy in a local used store

Ouch. The Andrew Hill too

Chuck - thanks. I think I'll take you up on that. Sent you a PM Ed