felser

The Hipp is very good for what it is.

All shown below are worthwhile (avoid Benson/Farrell). I recommend springing for the two BGO sets, which include all the titles you need, and will run you about $30 total, better all-around quality than the "Original Album Classics" set, and comparable in price once you add in the sixth title. The second one is more funk-oriented, with Joe Beck and Herbie Hancock in tow, but of extremely high quality. None have any CTI orchestration, all are small group sets. "Follow Your Heart" from the first Quartet album is one of my all-time favorite cuts.

Acrobat is also OK soundwise, and I really like the care that goes into their packaging, with recording dates and original release info carefully presented. Their packages tend to be complete and very well thought out, and they are a go-to for me. Understand that none of the PD labels is going to be great soundwise, but some are certainly better than others. Real Gone (the European PD one, now dba Reel to Reel) made drastic improvements in their sound quality over time.

Not Now is definitely bottom of the barrel. NOTHING is as bad as their releases.

$34.19 direct from importcds.com ($49.39 from amazon). https://www.importcds.com/ian-carr-torrid-zone-vertigo-recordings-1970-1975/5013929476301

Yes, the sound is certainly acceptable.

Here's how you want to get that Drew material, combined with a good Howard McGhee set. https://www.amazon.com/Howard-McGhee-Introducing-Kenny-Drew/dp/B00000DCJZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=mcghee+drew&qid=1551931463&s=music&sr=1-1-catcorr

Rather than re-re-re-re-re-re-re-issue the same old titles.

Received my big box, perfectly executed by David as always.

Finally, the dream comes true, a CD reissue of the ultra-obscure and rare John Coltrane - Blue Train album! Thought I'd never get to hear it in my lifetime!

I did 2 years of community college and then lived at home in suburban Philly for the other two years, did UPenn-Wharton for under $10,000 total for the four years (class of '76), owed $700 when I graduated. Goes about $280,000 for the four years now. Obscene. Plus they would laugh at me if I applied now with the credentials I had when I applied then (good grades, very good SAT's, nothing else of note). And FWIW, I was much happier at community college.

As far as the nature of the comments here, Gitler was a critic, and therefore trafficked in opinions, including negative opinions. What would Ornette Coleman's family think of reading his writing? What would Wynton Marsalis's family think if they spent time in this forum? As far as tolerance of "newer" styles, I remember Philip Larkin writing about the 1964 Miles Davis "Four and More" album, with the Coleman/Hancock/Carter/Williams quartet doing classic material, as if it were sacrilege. I don't particular disagree with some of the negative comments about Sun Ra, Braxton, Ayler, etc. written here, though I do tend to listen to Sun Ra and Ayler, sort of for the same reason you stare at a car wreck. They ARE interesting, and do add value to my experience. And I'll glady listen to any solo piano album (and most other albums) from Cecil Taylor from any point in his career (and even moreso with Muhal Richard Abrams), and really like much/most of what the AEC has done through the years (thanks Chuck). I have to admit that almost everything by Braxton is lost on me (for whatever reason. I do like the "In The Tradition" sets OK). But I know he brings much to other listeners. And some guys like Noah Howard do a ton for me. Gitler had his preferences. He was interesting and trustworthy on what he knew and liked. Not so much on things outside that realm. Not at all unusual or unexpected. For instance, I can't tell "good" gansta rap from "bad" gangsta rap at all, but will debate 60's garage rock or 70's Strata-East down to the last jot and tittle.

I definitely agree with that.

I own it and am glad for it, though I will never re-listen to some of the discs. The discs with Friesen are really good, prime Waldron.

Great stuff, thanks for sharing!

You are correct on "Do The Screw", but "He HIt Me..." was actually a lavishly produced A-side. But it creeped out too many people and did not chart, despite their songs immediately before it ("Uptown") and immediate after it ("He's a Rebel") being huge hits and absolute classics. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/He_Hit_Me_(And_It_Felt_Like_a_Kiss)

All too common in that era. Especially creepy the more you know about Phil Spector. And Gerry Goffin for that matter. Carole King did outgrow that stuff by 'Tapestry'.

She's just trying to get Johnny angry.

Fascinating stuff, thanks!

I do, right up my alley. Added to my ebay importcds watch list, thanks!

Sorry, busy day at work, and I didn't even notice it was a youtube clip. Will take a listen, but still looking forward to CT's description, and appreciate yours!

Clifford, can you describe the music on it?

I am enamored of Wanda De Sah's contributions. Really enjoyable singer. Not sure what happened to her, she just sort of disappeared for 30 years after these two recordings. Also, I'm in for at least some of the original premise of this thread from many years ago. Brasil 66's "Fool on the Hill" just blows away the original by that moptop long-forgotten-flash-in-the-pan Liverpool crew.

Amen!