Ken Dryden

It looks like CNN is at fault for the sloppy research. There is no mention of Duke Ellington being the "First African-American" on a U.S. coin at www.usmint.gov.

A new Duke Ellington commemorative quarter is being issued today, which CNN.com proudly proclaims marks "The First African-American to appear on a U.S. Coin." I don't know if the CNN reporter was totally inept at research or the U.S. Mint goofed in their press release, but Booker T. Washington appeared on a 1946 commemorative half dollar in 1946, while Washington and George Washington Carver appeared together on a separate coin. I ought to know, I've owned each of these coins for decades. Here's the link: http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/24/duke.elli...coin/index.html

Don't forget Herb & Lorraine Geller plus Jimmy & Marian McPartland. And it probably won't be long before Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes record together.

One thing that is frustrating about these listings--the lack of details. No list of personnel, venue is often not listed, no songs, etc. I have a number of these broadcasts and many are plenty easy to identify. db.etree.org is a far more detailed source for broadcast traders.

From reviewing this link, I can tell that some of this posters listings are broadcast recordings that haven't been issued, some are audience recordings, some are copied from commercial issues (a definite turnoff). I don't have a problem trading broadcasts and have often provided copies to the artists, who appreciate them.

Calling Blue Note the "pre-eminent jazz label of today" is like referring to the current New Orleans Jazz Festival as the "pre-eminent jazz festival of today." Neither one fits the bill.

I've long enjoyed Savoy Jam Party. Look for the 2 LP set if you want the alternate takes, as the crappy CD reissue omits them, in spite of listing them on the cover (a straight reproduction of the LP).

I know of one fellow writer who actually flattens and pitches the Mosaic boxes when he receives them, saving storage space in his small Brooklyn apartment. That will mean a lot less $$$ for them when his widow holds an estate sale...

And the downside of an Erroll Garner Mosaic boxed set is....? Whoever made the decision evidently doesn't need the money. Oh, well, the European thieves will eventually reissue the material without authorization or compensation.

You can easily have a lot more than 4000 jazz CDs and still be searching for more. I've got somewhere between 12,000-15,000, though I don't bother to count them anymore.

A real howler appeared on a Steeplechase CD, Jam Session Vol. 23. The last track, "Locomotion," is credited to Thelonious Monk (who, of course, wrote a piece called "Locomotive"). It is the piece from John Coltrane's Blue Train CD. Even the liner note writer got it wrong.

I don't think you will find many fans of Michael Franks on this bulletin board, that's why there have been so many views and no replies. You might try posting queries about him at allaboutjazz.com or another site.

I just talked to Lewis Nash last night. He said they started with arrangements of twenty or so songs and they're adding more as they tour. Doug Ramsey enjoyed the show that he saw, check out his review at his Rifftides blog.

Drink Jack Daniel's Black Label Tennessee Whiskey, straight up... Even if you don't get your voice back, you'll feel better.

Not to be missed...

I've discussed this one in other threads, but the Chiaroscuro LP Jazz Piano Masters had some mistakes, while the reissue corrected one, but two more were overlooked: Track 4, by Teddy Wilson is actually a medley of "Body and Soul" and "Out of Nowhere" though the latter tune is not listed. Track 21, by Eubie Blake, is introduced by the pianist as "Tricky Fingers" before and after the tune, though he actually plays another of his compositions, "Troublesome Ivories." At the age of 89 at the time, he was allowed a memory slip and either no one realized the mistake or didn't want to correct him. Another common problem: Record labels confusing Duke Ellington's "Just Squeeze Me" and Fats Waller's "Squeeze Me," usually listing the latter title when they mean the Ellington composition--though Ellington usually gets the credit.

Now I see why PBS is seeking more funding, they need to hire proofreaders who are actually familiar with the interview subject whose words are being transcribed. PBS Brubeck Interview Transcription I don't want to even begin counting the errors...

With Blue Note deleting many of their new releases and reissues so quickly, it's little wonder catalog sales are smaller these days.

He still doesn't like Joe Pass and he listened to this junk: Heart Attack, Flipper, Black Flag, Sonic Youth So much for taste...

I thought I had seen "Solitude" published as "(In My) Solitude" but I could have been wrong, I didn't double check it. That is something I do automatically when I write liner notes, as there always seems to be mistakes or omissions in the information provided by the record labels. Unfortunately, not everyone feels that way when a CD is issued.

Some of the most common mistakes: Composer credits: Richard Rodgers as "Richard Rogers" Willard Robison as "Willard Robinson" These mistakes have happened so frequently I've lost track of them. Will Calhoun: Live at the Blue Note The last track is listed as "Dolphin Dance" by Herbie Hancock, it is actually "Passion Dance" by McCoy Tyner. Whoever reviewed it for JazzTimes didn't know the difference between the two songs and waxed eloquently about what a great version of "Dolphin Dance" it was. Half Note may have corrected it on later editions.

Other goofs: I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart (not "Get") Take the A Train (not "A Train") The last two songs I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart and Don't Get Around Much Anymore were played as a medley. Betty Roche also has an accent above the e in her last name.

If I can ever get back to work on my writing... Ready for the next post to read: Glad you recognize that your writing needs work...

I did not intend my post to be insulting about anyone buying Membran products, if I were just starting out as a jazz fan, I might have tried some of them myself. As you gain knowledge you learn to avoid certain labels and counterfeit reissues under new names. I've been collecting for over 35 years, yet that is insignificant when compared to Chuck Nessa, Chris Albertson and many other folks who post in this bulletin board. Heck, some of them have been active as writers, producers, label owners, etc., longer than that. The insult toward DJ remixers of timeless jazz recordings was intentional.

Fortunately, many of us have been around long enough to acquire music issued in Membran compilations in legit form on LP and CD (a few on 78s). I have no interested in buying such compilations, regardless of price. That goes for douche bags remixing historic jazz recordings with their insipid turntables and b.s. poetry, too.