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Dave James

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Everything posted by Dave James

  1. Berigan - Great story from Mr. Osborne. Thanks for sharing. After I'd read the career/personal retrospectives that accompanied the notice of her passing, I couldn't help thinking of the song "My Way". While far from a favorite, it succinctly sums up the way this extraordinary gal lived her life. I have always had enormous respect for Hepburn as an actress, but even more for her "my way" way of living. This is a person who attacked life on her own terms... asking no quarter and giving none in return. An American original. She will be missed. Up over and out.
  2. EBrew - IMO, the key to getting anyone interested in jazz is to start with music that's heavy on melody. Most people who dismiss jazz will complain that it's music without melody. While all of us know that's not the case, a newcomer is looking for something they can hang their hat on. That's the grounding that melody provides. It also won't hurt if you initially expose them to music with which they may already be familiar, albeit in a passing manner. I'm talking about standards. Artists that come immediately to mind in a melodic/standard context would include Ben Webster, Lester Young, Wes Montgomery, Coleman Hawkins, Red Garland and the aforementioned Bill Evans. Ballad retrospectives are always a good idea for starters. The key is to set the hook gently and in as non-threatening a manner as possible. Then as their tolerance increases, you can begin to introduce them to material that's a bit more challenging. Up over and out.
  3. I try to keep several books going at once. Mostly non-fiction. Some heavy...some not. That way, I can choose according to what kind of mood I'm in. My biggest problem these days is falling asleep about ten minutes after I start reading. Of course the fact that I tend to read in bed may have something to do with that, i.e. it isn't necessarily a bad thing. At any rate, here's my current "bibliography": Zen Golf - Mastering the Mental Game The Fall of Berlin - 1945 City of Nets (history of Hollywood in the '40's) Fast Food Nation Deep in a Dream The Paperboy Teammates Some of these I've been working on for awhile. I'd really like to read a lot more and spend less time watching the idiot box. I think I lack any semblance of mental discipline. Up over and out.
  4. I don't watch too much boxing these days, but the fact that this was available as a "freebie" on HBO drew me in. A very strange fight. I'm not sure if these two guy's styles were just so antithetical that they couldn't find any kind of groove or if it was simply Klitschko's awkwardness that made the whole thing look more like a street fight. I'll tell you one thing. The next time Lewis decides he doesn't have to train for a fight, they just need to break out the films of this one. He was completely gassed by the second round. When guys start breathing through their mouths that early, you know they haven't worked very hard. All the pre-fight hype led you to believe that Klitschko was the tomato can but it almost turned out to be Lewis. Serves him right. Not sure what to think about the cut. I know sometimes they can look a lot worse than they really are, but I don't recall seeing anything quite like that. Even when Carmen Basilio used to get beaten like a rented mule way back in the 1950's, I don't remember him looking like that. And of course HBO had to bring it up close and personal by showing one closeup after another. All things considered, I thought stopping the fight was the right thing to do. That's because you have to take the long view. Klitschko is 26 or 27 years old and he has to use that eye for the rest of his life. Who knows what might have happened if Lewis had dropped a couple of more shots right on that eye. Not sure I'd want to find out. BTW, if Lewis had lost, the contract called for an automatic rematch. As it turns out, he doesn't have to fight him again unless he wants to. Seems to me that's a no-brainer and a helluva payday. There would be a ton of interest in a rematch. For all of Klitschko's obvious flaws, you gotta love his toughness. The crowd sure did. Up over and out.
  5. ghost of miles; Yeah...these are CD reissues. I checked Dusty Groove about an hour ago and they still had both in stock. Downside is they're Japanese and cost too much. Jim; Thanks for the additional info/thoughts on Caliman. Hopefully someone will get around to issuing more of his recordings. Based on what I've heard so far, I'd like to hear more. And you're right, the date with Elvin Jones kicks some serious butt. Chuck; Indeed. My friend's have a second home up on the Columbia River at Cathlamet and that's when they hooked up with Mr. Caliman. I thought they told me he'd relocated, but I could be wrong. Up over and out.
  6. Hadley Caliman was a name I was not familiar with until a couple of years ago. I became aware of him though some good friends of mine whose son was a pretty fair high school tenor player. He took some lessons from Mr. Caliman over the course of several months. After learning of him, I began keeping my eyes peeled for examples of his work, but with little success. The only place I found him was as part the sax section on some of the recordings on the Gerald Wilson Mosaic. Fortunately, the good folks at Dusty Groove have recently taken care of this by offering two of Caliman's 1970's recordings, "Celebration" and "Projecting", both on the Japanese Catalyst label. This is pretty good stuff. Caliman has a tenor sound that's similar to Coltrane's and he's that rara avis who can actually play the flute in a manner that doesn't make you want to run screaming into the next room. Nice straight up post bop. Is anyone aware of anything else he has out as a leader? Opinions? Up over and out.
  7. I think Doby's relative obscurity went hand in hand with the fact that he wasn't the first African American to make it to The Show. Most people tend not to remember the second of anything no matter how notable an accomplishment might otherwise be. For what it's worth, Doby may have had as tough a time in his own way as Jackie Robinson, but for entirely different reasons. First of all, the story goes that he was openly shunned by a number of his teammates. Just like Jackie Robinson. But, unlike Robinson, there was no Pee Wee Reese to help him pave the way to acceptance. BTW, if you're not familiar with the the Reese / Robinson relationship, it's one of the great humanitarian stories in sports. At any rate, Doby was pretty much on his own. Also, at the outset, he was forced to play in the infield, when he was a natural outfielder. Lastly, again unlike Robinson, he initially struggled at the plate and in the field so his value to the team and to its fans was not immediately established. As we all now know, Doby went on to enjoy a fine career, a real mainstay of those great Indian teams in the late '40's and early '50's. A truly deserving member of the Hall of Fame. Up over and out.
  8. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Twardzik OD while he was in the midst of recording the Paris stuff with Chet Baker? While we can all easily produce an inventory of jazz musicians who never realized their full potential, I think you absolutely must put Twardzik at the very top of any list. He is truly a one-off...no one has ever sounded quite like him. In that regard, I have no trouble placing him in the rarified atmosphere that's occupied by the likes of Thelonious Monk or Don Pullen. For anyone who doesn't have the Freeman/Twardzik Pacific Jazz recording, I can't recommend it highly enough. Up over and out.
  9. I guess I never thought much about Ammons in terms of spirituality. I just kept being overwhelmed by his huge sound. I used to do a jazz show on a local radio station here in Portland and I never remember backannouncing an Ammons' cut without referring to "the big sound of Gene Ammons." A cop from one of his Prestige dates, but right on the money. The tune that stays in my head is "Someone to Watch Over Me" which, BTW, is included in the soundtrack from the not-too-bad movie of the same name starring Tom Beringer and Mimi Rogers. I was cruising my local Border's the other day and came across an Ammons' release on the Ocium label. It's called "My Foolish Heart" and brings together recordings cut for the United, Chess and Decca labels between 1950 and 1953. Supporting cast includes Sonny Stitt (suprise, surprise), J.J. Johnson, Johnny Coles and Junior Mance. I was a little concerned about the sound quality, but it's quite nice. One worth looking for if you're an Ammons afficionado. Up over and out.
  10. Got this one yesterday. Definitely worth the time it took to search it out. A couple of other posts have referred to Edwards' tone. After listening to this a couple of times, I still can't quite put my finger on that sound. I guess if anything, I'd describe it as considerably rounder than Mobley's... absolutely no rough edges. And it's not like he's perfect, there are some flaws, but I think that's part of what makes it attractive. Also, let's not forget the guys down in the engine room, Richard Wyands in particular. I also noticed that there is an Edwards' CD that accompanies the recent DVD career retrospective, "The Legend of Teddy Edwards". Didn't get it, but if anyone is interested, it's out there. Up over and out.
  11. Chris, I think the "ballad heavy" Jimmy Smith you're referring to may be "Jimmy Smith Plays Pretty Just For You". I have this one. Not a good date. Sounds very harsh to my ears, although the tune selection is fine. "Cherokee" is another Smith date I can live without. Although I have the Smith Mosaic, that's one that doesn't see the light of day very often. I realize that's probably as close to Blue Note blasphemy as one can safely come, but I just can't get into this one. I am a fan of "Standards". Great Burrell. Up over and out.
  12. Count me among those who find WM to be an interesting player. I've often wondered if you could separate the politician from the musician, would people feel differently about him and about his music. My collection is very light on Wynton. I have one of the Standard Time albums and the Village Vanguard set. Have never felt like I needed more. The V.V. set is most likely as definitive a look at him and his art as will ever be put on record. Was wondering if anyone saw the PBS program over the weekend that featured Wynton's band and daddy Ellis playing the music of James Black. I must say if you like jazz, you have to have enjoyed that set. I'd buy a CD of that music in a heartbeat. I'd never heard of Black and a search on the internet turns up nothing. Would like to hear more. This was some serious s**t! Up over and out.
  13. The local public radio jazz station here in Portland (KMHD) has this in heavy rotation. I'm planning on picking it up. Also, don't forget that Mr. Edwards shows up on a DVD release from the Steve Allen produced '50's TV show, Jazz Scene USA. His group plays a handful of Edward's compositions, one of which is "Sunset Eyes", a tune I consider to be a minor jazz classic. What makes this DVD doubly appealing is that he's splitting the bill with Cannonball Adderley. This is the Zawinul/Lateef version of the Adderley band and they are really on fire. The sound is very good. Well worth picking up. There's one other Edwards DVD that's also available. It's a career retrospective called "The Legend of Teddy Edwards." I haven't seen this one so I can't comment on it, but I have read a couple of complimentry reviews. Up over and out.
  14. Not sure about you, but I find myself checking the Blue Note website 2-3 times a week just to see if anything is going on with the bulletin board. Mostly just force of habit. As you probably know, they've had the same message posted there for quite some time, the one that says "we'll be back soon" or words to that effect. Anyhow, that got me thinking. Have you considered how you will react if the BNBB does manage to reconstitute itself? Will you register...will you post...or will you continue to let Organissimo satisfy your Jones for jazz discussion? Seems to me at this point, the BNBB would be largely redundant, that what you post here would be the same thing you'd post there. I guess the real question might be do you feel any brand loyalty towards Blue Note in that that board is what got us to where we are today? Or, were you left with such a bad taste in your mouth when the BNBB vaporized that it's good riddance and thanks for the memories? Just curious. Up over and out.
  15. Dave James

    Jazz Vocalists

    I'll stick my neck out on a couple of folks who have not yet been mentioned. Both are what I would call acquired tastes, one male, one female. The former would be Chet Baker, especially early to mid-50's Chet before he got crispy. Although, having said that, I'll admit that even late period Chet has its own peculiar allure, not at all unlike Billie's Lady in Satin. The woman is Blossom Dearie. I find her to be truly unique. She has a fair number recordings available from her days with the Verve label. She also sang with a European vocal ensemble called The Blue Stars of France. Those CD's are much harder to come by. If you haven't ever heard her, she's worth checking out. No guarantees here, though. Like I said, an acquired taste. If I was to dip myself in more populated waters, I'd have to go with Anita O'Day. I bought her Mosaic set a couple of years ago only because the price was too good to pass up. To say I was pleasantly surprised would be a major understatement. I've since become a big fan. She's a remarkable talent. I'd challenge anyone to find a jazz singer who exemplifies the term to a greater degree than Ms. O'Day.
  16. Yes, it is, in fact, that Dave James. I must admit I'm flattered that anyone would remember me from the halcyon days of the early Blue Note Bulletin Board. I haven't posted for several years, but I have kept an active, albeit, lurker's eye on the proceedings. I've certainly been tempted to immerse myself in the fray, but wound up choosing otherwise. Maybe I'll do so from time to time. It's not like I'm out of opinions. Unfortunately, there are still some workplace constraints that must be carefully negotiated. I do like this board. It has some of the good characteristics of the early iteration of the BNBB and something of the same community feel. It's always nice to see the old, familiar names sharing their knowledge, thoughts and ideas. That's still the best way there is to learn about the music. Up over and out.
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