wesbed

Sometimes I get in the mood for a bass session. At other times I forget about my enjoyment of bass sessions. I always enjoy Paul Chambers' Bass On Top. The Chambers session has a nice, warm, sublime, classy feel to it. I purchased this gem about two weeks ago and finally listened to it tonight. Jazz Cello contains some very nice playing by Ray Brown. Brown is backed by a sort of big band arrangement in the same flavor, to me, as Art Pepper's Plus Eleven. Instead of getting Art Pepper's horn dancing in the foreground, you get Ray Brown's bass playing. Brown is warm, inviting, fun, and interesting. The selection of songs is good. All the tunes give Brown plenty of playing-around space.

I didn't go to the dentist for 10 years. Finally, the anxiety and worry overcame my dislike for the dentist and, last year, I went to the dentist. I had no pain and knew of nothing to be wrong. It simply felt like it was time for me to go. The dentist found nothing wrong. He pleaded with me to not wait another 10 years. The dentist said it's not the teeth he was concerned about. He said teeth, with current technology, can be fixed. He said his main concern was the gums. I'm a really good tooth-brusher. However, the dentist said I was very lucky to have no problems, except for a lot of plaque buildup, after so many years of not visiting a dentist. Since last year's visit to the dentist, I've been going every six months for a cleaning (my medical insurance covers most of the cost). The moral of my story... I will continue to get regular check-ups with my dentist. I can't take the 10 years worth of anxiety again. Good luck to you. At the same time, I learned that modern dental practices are MUCH improved over those of the past.

My pick for best song from this set, so far, is June Christy's version of You're Blase. It's unfortunate the song is not available to sample via the Mosaic website.

I purchased the Peggy Lee/June Christy Mosaic a couple of weeks ago. Yes, I do enjoy jazz vocals. Before purchasing the set I'd heard of both Lee and Christy but I was not familiar with the style of either. I trusted Mosaic (as usual) and welcomed the experience of enjoying some new jazz tunes. Peggy Lee & June Christy Mosaic Initially, I enjoyed the set but found myself more drawn to Peggy Lee than June Christy. Peggy Lee, to my ears, on this set, has a crisper/snappier voice than June Christy. As so often happens with jazz, however, upon repeated listening, June Christy's voice has inserted itself into my brain. I was listening to Christy during the wee hours and 'heard' her. Her voice maintains a very subtle coolness. Christy's vocal style sneaks up and you catch yourself saying, "Damn. She is just... cool." Yeah, and Malcolm Addey's remastering is present as well.

I purchased my copy of the Buddy Rich & Edison title a couple of weeks ago. I've purchased so much music in the last few months that I've not listened to most of it in detail. I played, for the second time, the Rich/Edison Verve. It is a good session. It is my first experience with Harry Edison. I'm not yet enough familiar with Edison's playing to 'get' what makes him great but I did enjoy his playing on this set. As well, I'm not much familiar with Buddy Rich. Yes, I know who he is and what he's known for. But, short of seeing Buddy Rich on Johnny Carson's 'Tonight Show,' I don't have much listening time spent with Mr. Rich. I've read many negative opinions of Rich's playing style on the Bird & Diz (with Thelonious Monk) title. However, Buddy Rich shows his talent and plays well with Sweets Edison. I got no complaints.

Peanut butter & jelly. Paul Desmond & Jim Hall.

When I travel, which is never outside of the USA, I'm not too much bothered by the change in time zones. The greatest time difference one must face, when traveling within the continental USA, is three hours between the West Coast and the East Coast. Upon arrival at my destination, I set my timepiece (my cell phone) to the local time. Actually, the cell phone sets its own time. I act like I'm on the local time as if I'd always been on the local time. My body adjusts overnight and I don't think about the time change again.

We aren't joking, man. The proof is in the pictures. And... I have two more Mosaic Selects than jacknife has. For now, 'I' am winning.

With the release of the Blue Mitchell RVG, I'm listening to the Blue Mitchell Mosaic. The Blue Mitchell Mosaic features several tunes with Blue Mitchell and Junior Cook. I know Mitchell and Cook played together in Horace Silver's group. But, damn, these boys are generic. I'm not saying they are generic in the sense that they aren't good or that they don't swing. I'm enjoying the playing of Mitchell and Cook. But, what do they sound like? What's their style? I've read the comparison of Blue Mitchell's trumpet to Hank Mobley's 'middle-weight' saxophone style. I understand and appreciate the middle-weight comparison given to Blue Mitchell. I recognize the playing of Lee Morgan, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, and Joe Henderson. If I heard Mitchell or Cook, however, and didn't know who was playing, I'd never guess it was Mitchell or Cook. I don't mean to talk bad about Mitchell or Cook, I want to understand them. I'm hoping somebody will write something in this thread saying I'm wrong about Mitchell and Cook and disagree with me. I'm hoping somebody can describe some unique characteristics of the playing of Mitchell and Cook. What makes Blue Mitchell and Junior Cook unique? What do they offer that other players of jazz don't offer? What should I listen for? Why should I listen to them?

I don't know if I'm a full-blown jazz snob yet. But, dammit, I'm trying! As a working-to-be jazz snob, I like Louis Armstrong very much, Dixieland, New Orleans jazz, et al.

Ohhh... I visited Columbus, Ohio about seven times last year. Me no like the climate in that part of the country. Too humid in the summer and TOO COLD in the winter. Hot & dry and the option of wearing shorts all year round is good for me.

Damn. The picture shows I have 18 Mosaic Completes. I have two more arriving this Friday.

b3-er: You need to relocate the band to Arizona. Soulstation1, catesta and I would be able to enjoy Organissimo live. You won't have to experience too many weather problems in this part of the country. Phoenix anyone?

I made some room in my spare closet to store my Mosaics. I wonder if it's better to store the boxes vertically or horizontally? I thought the horizontal method would be better for protecting the narrow ends of the boxes. However, the way I have them, currently, places more pressure on the boxes on the bottom. Also, it makes it more difficult to access the boxes at the bottom of the stack.

Hey, hey. I know. Under the bed!

I voted for the trumpet player. If I could listen to only his singing or playing, forever, I'd choose the trumpet playing. However, Armstrong's singing is a very nice counter to his trumpet playing. Whether Louis sings or plays... I step back and say 'play that funky music.' The guy had it all going on. There is a certain 'something' about Louis that, to me, touches all sides of jazz... all that came before him and all that came after.

Yeah, Larry. C'mon, man! Jump in and get the Woody Herman Capitol Mosaic. My complaint about the Woody Herman Capitol, without yet having received my copy, is that it's not a part of the Malcolm Addey Series. Where's Malcolm?

I believe you are most probably correct. I do believe eBay works (otherwise it wouldn't have grown to what it's grown to). However, the eBay/Mosaic combination just doesn't rest easy on my mind. Mainly due to the inflated prices. The good thing, though, for the seller, is that eBay sets and keeps the prices of Mosaic collections fairly high in the secondary market.

I believe, with the two Mosaics on order, I have a total of twenty Mosaic Complete sets. I don't purchase the OOP sets. If I can't purchase a set directly from Mosaic, I don't make the purchase. The eBay prices are too high for me. I find it difficult to trust the potential condition of the Mosaic boxes/CDs from eBay.

Two more Mosaics are mine. Order Date: 7/21/2004 12:11:18AM 184-MD-CD Peggy Lee/June Christy $80.00 196-MD-CD Capitol Woody Herman $96.00 Cart Total $176.00 Discount - $0.00 SubTotal $176.00 Shipping $12.00 TOTAL $188.00

I still have all the original Mosaic sales receipts. I wonder if I should place the receipts in the Mosaic boxes as well?

What do you do when you acquire more black Mosaic boxes than available Mosaic-storage space?

Oh well. I purchased the Woody Herman 'Capitol' box last night. I decided to get the Capitol box since the Herman Columbia box will be available for the next several years. I have good luck with Mosaic.

Yeah, it will be Ringo. It's ironic that Ringo was, to me, the least talented of the Fab Four but will probably live the longest. He seems the happiest of the group.

Are the Herman vocals based in 'jazz?' I'll admit to enjoying Frank Rosolino's vocals on the Kenton Presents Mosaic. His vocals are quirky but I enjoy listening to him because he sounds like he's having a hell of a good time. Not taking himself too seriuosly. As if he knew he couldn't sing but he was still going to have a good time trying.