Dave James

Fran, I agree that at $16 for each disc, Mosaics are a bargain. They aren't even asking as much as many other labels ask for individual CD's. However, "expensive" enters into the equation because you can't buy CD's from Mosaic one at a time. That means for an average sized set of, say, six discs, $96 heads out the door, and all at once. Up over and out.

This isn't a set that was on my radar at the full meal deal price. But, at less than $60 including shipping, I couldn't resist. Up over and out.

I can, as I have before, ramble on endlessly about these discs. Most definitely desert island material. I'm a huge fan of Victor Feldman the pianist, and this is the best overall representation of his work on that instrument that I'm aware of. The interesting thing, and you'll see this if you read the liner notes, is that Manne, in the absence of Russ Freeman, did not have his regular working band with him when they went into the Blackhawk. But, he recognized that something special was going chemistry-wise with this group and asked the Fantasy people to bring in their mobile recording equipment to capture the moment. I think we can all say thanks for his foresight in this respect. One other thing about Shelly Manne. I think he is the most tasteful drummer in the history of jazz. He can kick a band along like no one else, but he's never overbearing and he's smart enough to recognize the inherent musical limitations of the drum solo. You rarely hear him take a break any longer than a moment. Just great stuff. Up over and out.

I would definitely recommend not holding your breath. The fact that Concord has acquired the Fantasy label, one that's primarily focused on reissues, would seem to make it even less likely that they'd dig into their own vaults and favor us with the release of the recordings you mention. But, for what it's worth, I agree. It would be great to see those titles available again. Up over and out.

It's not often in this day and age that one can afford the very best. I know Mosaics are expensive, but they are, simply, the very best. Nothing else comes close. Up over and out.

Well I'm sure not going to panic three games into the season. I was listening to Jon Kruk talk to Dan Patrick on ESPN this afternoon, and he says quite a number of pitchers come out of spring training with what he called "dead arm" syndrome. A good example of this might be John Smoltz' outing yesterday. Now I'm not going to gloss over concerns about Rivera. He's trying out some new things, changing locations so the hitters don't sit on his cutter. What he lacks right now, and this is what Kruk was pointing out, is his rising fastball, the one that most hitters can only wave at. It isn't there yet, but Kruk says not to worry, it'll come around in a week or ten days. Well, I am a little worried, but I'll wait awhile before I go to the mattresses. I'll still take the Yankee's starters over the Sox any day. Wells is no Pedro and neither is the guy they got from the Cubs, so they still need to figure out where those wins are going to come from. I'm juiced for the season. Let the games begin. Up over and Harold.

I downloaded some new stuff from e-music a couple of nights ago that I think is worth hearing. I kind of approached this is a different manner, using a 1999 Fantasy catalogue to locate obscure people whose music I had not heard. And, because downloading is so inexpensive on e-music, if I made a mistake, it was no big deal. Anyhow, some new artists (at least new to me) to recommend: Lyle Murphy - "Gone With The Woodwinds" If you like music that's a little off plumb, like Rod Leavitt, Duane Tatro or to an extent, George Russell, then this guy is definitely for you. He uses the 12 tone format for his own compositions and even the standards he does are delightfully off center. The back up group includes Buddy Collette, Andre Previn, Abe Most, Curtis Counce and Shelly Manne. Highly recommended At the other end of the spectrum is a singer by the name of Bev Kelly. A recent thread dealt with Sunday Morning music, and this gal would be a perfect addition to anyone's Sunday A.M. Really nice voice, laid back tunes, tight accompanists the likes of Jimmy Jones, Kenny Burrell, Milt Hinton, Roy Haynes, Jerome Richardson, Osie Johnson and "Sweets" Edison. The CD is called "Love Locked Out." Again, highly recommended. Last but not least, Joe Holiday with "Mambo Jazz". Very accessible bigger band swing jazz with a Latin lilt. Players include Sam Woodyard, Idrees Sulieman, Eddie Bert, Cecil Payne, Max Roach, Billy Taylor and Machito. Nicely turned. Up over and out.

Gentlemen, we have an important decision to make. I assume that at some point in the future, it may be necessary to make reference to previously banned members. Rather than go to the trouble of naming both of them, I suggest we refer to the dynamic duo in a singular manner, i.e. either as Charic or Cheffron. Both roll trippingly off the tongue, so I'm at a loss as to which of the two is preferable. Seriously though, I thought Che insinuated himself on the board rather abruptly. Several people, myself included, counseled him as to how he might go about integrating himself more smoothly and, by and large, I thought he had gotten better. Guess you never really know, though. He might have seen his departure as some sort of act of self sacrifice or martyrdom, who knows. I'll just never understand why someone who is clearly a fan of jazz fan can't just focus on that, and leave the other stuff alone. But, I find the older I get, the less I understand. I'll just add this to the list. Up over and out.

If you watch the Comedy Channel at all or David Letterman, you've probably run into Mitch Hedberg. I saw him last year here in Portland with Lewis Black. A genuinely funny person has checked out way too early. Up over and out.

With regard to recorded output, let's not lose track of the fact that Chaloff died when he was only 34 years old. Also, while the number of sessions he essayed as a leader were all too few, he did yeoman section work during the '40's in the big bands of Boyd Raeburn, Georgie Auld, Jimmy Dorsey and finally, as part of the Four Brothers in Woody Herman's Second Herd. His last album, "Four Brothers...Together Again!" recorded in 1957 and released several years ago on CD by RCA, was a reunion of the Second Herd sax section featuring Herbie Seward, Al Cohn and Zoot Sims in addition to Chaloff. By the time of that recording, Chaloff was so ill he had to play sitting in a wheelchair. I recall reading someplace that he was so weak, he was only able to play the solo parts and that another bari player whose name escapes me now, did the section work. This is not discussed on the liner notes that accompany the CD. Count me firmly among those who hold Chaloff in the highest esteem. I can't think of too many others I'd rather see tackle the big pipe. Up over and out.

Isn't Baker's Keyboard Lounge the the same place James Carter recorded a CD that was released about a year ago? Sounds like a top of the line venue. Hope you guys knock some socks off. Up over and out.

Yes, I've just started getting into the Seven Steps box and I've been enjoying Butler's contributions to the Los Angeles sides of the original Seven Steps album. If you want to drill down futher, I'd suggest checking out the Curtis Counce Group on Fantasy. Much like Roger Humphries w/ Horace Silver, I think Butler is an extremely underrated and underappreciated drummer. Up over and out.

I live out here in Orygone, the home of microbrewed beer. I went through a phase that lasted about ten years where I wouldn't drink anything that wasn't considered what we like to call a craft beer. Hefeweitzens, Porters, this and that ale...I even remember one that was brewed with chipotle peppers. Then one day I had an epiphany. I bought me a half rack of Pabst Blue Ribbon, popped a couple, liked it and never looked back. Back in my days of playing on a traveling slow pitch softball team, I drank beer all the time. Now, I'm not sure I could tell you the last time I had one. I know in my fridge right now, there are two Coors and a Bud, but they've been there an awful long time. Even one beer these days just seems to slow me down and make me lazier than I want to be. One quick word about Canadian suds. There's one called O'Keefe's Old Style Malt Liquor that's 7.5% alchohol. No wonder you have to buy that stuff at the liquor store. Not designed for hosers. Up over and out.

Interesting that the liner notes talk about Dorsey's band and Jay McShann's. I don't suppose there's any chance this was a recording with both bands present either live or in a studio setting. If that's the case, I could go way, way out on a limb and wonder if maybe the bop sounding soloist was Bird himself, just sitting in for a number with the other band. I think Parker did play a bit of tenor from time to time. Nothing like some wild "second shooter, grassy knoll" speculation, right? Up over and out.

Scott, The S.I. article you were referring to was written very much tongue in cheek by the late George Plimpton. The title character was named Sid Finch. I remember it well. Up over and out.

UA - Just tell 'em your personal friends with Elliot Spitzer. Up over and out.

That gives a whole new meaning to the term tennis balls. A guy'd have to have some pretty big figs to pull something like that. Up over and out.

OK, imagine for a moment that Jackson is convicted. If he is, he's looking at a lot of years behind bars. Question is, where do you put him? Anyone else who's sent up the river for doing this kind of thing goes right to the big house where they learn right away how to dance with their new best friend Bubba. Is that what they do to Jackson? Seems to me there would be a ton of pressure brought to bear to treat him like everyone else. Can you even begin to imagine what that would be like. I mean child molesters are at the very bottom of the penitentiary food chain. Not a pretty picture. Up over and out.

Can you spell A-P-P-E-A-L? Up over and out.

SW - Wow! Fascinating stuff. Thanks for sharing. Love the dangled carrot of the Montmarte recordings. I'd like to check out their vaults sometime. If they hung onto all this stuff...what a treasure trove that would be. Up over and out.

Dan - Your Wells question is an interesting one. For sure, he's one of the all-time favorites in the Bronx and, in spite of his going over to the dark side, I still think he's a Yankee at heart. I'm guessing there will be a mix of boos and cheers, but I think more of the latter and less of the former. As the game (and for that matter) the season progresses, I think Yankee fans will treat him more like any other Sox player, i.e. only with the deepest and most heartfelt respect. Up over and out.

I've always thought one of the most striking similarities between the two is their willingness to tackle what I'd call non-traditional material. Up over and out.

Dan, Well good luck to you. My significant other is a Senior Mortgage Loan Officer at a large insurance company. Based on what I gather from her, one can make a pretty fair living on the brokerage side of this business. Does this mean we won't be able to lock horns over the Sox and Yanks this year? Up over and out.

"Ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe." Up over and out.

I rememeber picking this one up when it was first released and really looking forward to hearing it in all its restored aural glory. I can't tell you how disappointed I was when I finally listened to it. I never had the original for A/B purposes, but I know bad sound when I hear it and this was bad sound. I've always been flabbergasted that Sony considered Shaapp's restoration to be releasable. Allen - I'd like to take advantage of your more than generous offer, but at the same time, I don't want to take advantage of you. Is there some way (PayPal account maybe) that those of us who would like to have a copy of this on CDR could compensate you for your efforts? Up over and out.