Ken Dryden

Frank Zappa prohibited unauthorized sampling on his discs prior to his death. It would be interesting how many seconds it would take of sampling for a judge to rule copyright infringement. Frankly, I think if someone is using another artist's work without paying him, it is worthy of a lawsuit. I wonder what will happen if someone samples a few words by a hip-hop artist? I'd bet they'd sue in a heartbeat.

I've always thought sampling another artist's work in recordings was indicative of a lack of musical talent. I hope Joe Farrell's daughter wins this lawsuit, along with other artists and their estates.

Generally I've noticed final bids for oop Mosaic sets run between $30-$50, though it can occasionally run higher if a Japanese collector or other obsessive fan starts bidding. But it is always worth checking recent prices on other sites.

Rext is a blues featuring Gonsalves. It wasn't intended to be a part of New Orleans Suite.

Once you own a few thousand jazz discs, picking your top 100 is a waste of time, even if you don't share your list with anyone.

I quit reading Time a long time ago, especially its very weak arts section.

EDC -- The idea that Chris is jealous because Schapp " usurped a position (in public consciousness) [that Chris] once held" comes from what planet? You need to stop smoking those funny cigarettes. Reminds me of why he's the only board member I currently have on "ignore." Bill, I hope it is Clementine that you have on "ignore." Posting raving, immature insults at a board member while hiding behind a pseudonym is cowardly.

Willie the Lion Smith growled through many of his recordings, while Oscar Peterson did the same, especially on some of the Verve LPs. But Jarrett's vocalizations are more irritating, especially since they are so nasal and tinny. He doesn't seem to be as bad as he used to be.

Chicago Aldermen have a long history of being dim bulbs about economics, like the tax that was aimed solely at big box stores (even though the aldermen and their staffs shopped such stores outside Chicago while denouncing big box stores to the media). Perhaps they don't realize how much income events generate for the city. A rock concert in a baseball stadium is one thing, but this requirement would work against typical club bookings.

Interesting... How so? Always liked his playing with the Crusaders.. Playing with the Crusaders calls for a different type of drumming than with Eugene Maslov or George Shearing. Hooper is an obvious misfit with both pianists.

Just don't take a picture of him before a concert, or you'll really hear some loud "vocals...."

A number of Europe1 2 CD releases reappeared as individual titles on the Malaco label a few years ago. I particularly got a kick out of Joe Zawinul's "Rumplestilskin" being misidentified on both labels as "Rufus Still Skinned."

Stix Hooper, who is a thorn in the side of every Mack Avenue recording session in which he took part.

There are a great series of Ralph Sutton-Ruby Braff meetings at Sunny's (Sutton's wife's place) on Storyville, plus the posthumously issued Arbors DVD with 1988 and 2001 footage.

It means some people were thinking of the back catalog rather than the new releases.

I am mystified at the votes for Stanley Crouch, especially given his boorish behavior during the two awards shows to which he was invited, even though he has never been a JJA member. I still remember laughing hard after Francis Davis' comments about Crouch's self-indulgent drum solo and comedian Al Lewis' remark ("I remember Big Sid Catlett, now there was a real drummer!"). I wondered if Crouch thought about taking a swing at either one of them...

Not everyone's playing gets better with age. Some get stuck in a time warp or just lose their chops. I'd rather hear Brubeck than the constantly hyped Herbie Hancock (yawn....). Dave is one of the nicest guys around in jazz, whether over a meal, during an interview, or just hanging out.

You're right, Allen. That was a cheap shot. Brubeck remains far underrated as a composer, no matter what one thinks of his piano playing. I think he's playing better in his eighties than he did in his forties.

Not long after I got interested in Edgard Varese through the quotes on my Zappa records, I happened to mention Varese to my father. He proceeded to pull out a copy of the very same LP The Complete Works of Edgard Vareses, Vol. 1, that Zappa had sought back during the 1950s. He gave it to me and I've kept it for over 35 years and eventually found a reissue of it with new liner notes by Zappa.

Regarding the London Symphony recordings, Zappa mentioned on more than one occasion that he had inadequate time to rehearse the LSO, while the trumpet section overstayed at a pub during a break and caused other performances to suffer. Ex-Zappa drummer Terry Bozzio, who studied classical percussion at length, compared the most difficult classical works to some of Zappa's easier works. There's also a live bootleg circulating of a complete symphonic version of "Sinister Footwear."

Jazz Icons has set the standard for DVD issues with its detailed liner notes and packaging, to complement the well remastered performances.

"Beautiful rust?" I cursed the first time I found that the rust was coming off on the boxed sets filed next to this ignorantly designed boxed set. Where was Mosaic when we needed them to do this set right? The microscopic print in the booklet is also of little use. The designer of both should have been kicked out of the business of designing boxed sets.

It will be like taking a cup of water out of the ocean. As if there needs to be more progressive/indie rock on public radio...

I'm surprised that a writer didn't contact Zorn and say, "I'll come, but only if you don't play..."

Jason: Do you still have the Wycliffe Gordon: The Sidney Bechet Society (Nagel Heyer)? I sent a PM. I can send you a trade list of what I have to offer.