Alexander Hawkins

Oops! Sorry. I think it would have been heavy going for a 12 year old anyway!

As well as Where is Brooklyn?, can we have Symphony for Improvisers? Please?

This is the first time I've heard any post-Unity Larry Young, and I absolutely love it! The first tune steals it for me - I feel that the others are somewhat tamer. I don't mean that disparagingly - simply that the shock of the first track was so phenomenal given what one could expect fron an organ group, that I was probably still reeling for the other numbers! Is there any other Larry Young in print which is like this? There certainly should be!

It is...although I honestly don't know where from! It sits above my desk at work (and wouldn't I just rather be sitting over a keyboard like Herbie!)

I don't know as much of this music as I'd like to, but for some unbelievable stride, the Art Tatum versions of 'Song of the Vagabond' take some beating..!

Sure, there's no Don Cherry/Sam Rivers/Larry Young, but I think it's encouraging that there's the Cecil Taylor date in there - I'd never have seen that one coming. Plus, I would have thought that Unit Structures was the more obvious release, so it's nice to see Conquistador. Not that I'm not gagging for all the Don Cherry I can get! On 'Night of the Cookers', I always feel a slightly inadequate listener whenever this is discussed, because I for one really enjoy it!

Just trawled up this discussion because in the recent Mosaic sale I picked up the Contemporary 'Trio' album on vinyl. This was an absolute revelation to me. He really was far more of an original than I had ever realised. Not only improvisationally, but compositionally. I am SO glad I bought this, and am now sure to get what I can. Quite a lot to take in. Yesterday, I had my first proper exposure to Hope, Hampton Hawes, and Joe Albany. Maybe I ought to slow down!!!

I would have thought Classics - there can only be around 4-5 CDs worth covering (roughly) the 32-44 period?

Agreed. some sweet playing! I especially like the piano players on these - Mal Waldron and Tommy Flanagan (I think it's Flanagan...I forget!), although I can't remember who plays on which volume! Really nice Donald Byrd as well, and some interesting tunes to boot.

Ralphie Boy and Africa Brass - thanks for taking the time to give this information, it's fantastic. I think he'd like the 'US standard' model. One thing I'm trying to figure at the moment is the difference between the 'US Standard' and the regular product which I see advertised over here in the UK. Is it an authenticity thing? He started the guitar a couple of years ago, and having never shown huge amounts of interest in playing an instrument before, has taken to it amazingly. He's beginning to get really pretty good, and I want to encourage it as much as possible! Thanks again for everything !

Thanks for all the input, much appreciated! I'm looking at getting him a telecaster (that's what he wants, he sort of prompted it! B) )

Thanks for the reply! No, I don't think there was a price difference...

I wonder if any guitarists (or non-guitarists who know the answer!) can give me a bit of help, please? I'm looking to buy my brother a guitar, and the dealer has just phoned me asking whether I want a rosewood or walnut neck. Is this a purely cosmetic thing, or is there some acoustic importance in having one or the other? Sorry about the inane question - I guess you worry about these things when spending a bit of money!

I think Blue John is a really fun album, quite crazy in an entertaining sort of way! And that lead off track really sticks in the head!

I think the pizza place would be Pizza Express on Dean Street. Don't let your friend be put off by the 'pizza' tag if there's someone good playing there: the pizza restaurant is firmly upstairs (although perhaps you can eat downstairs, I forget!), whilst downstairs is a nice basement jazz club. Also, it might be worth seeing who's playing at the Jazz Cafe in Camden. I think those places are the best bet for big names...But a good thing to do might be to turn up in London and buy some kind of listings magazine ('Timeout' is probably as good as any) and just have a look at who's on that night. Sorry not to have any more specific help - I'm sure others here will have good ideas!

I'm with JSngry and sal. A big !!!

Privilege?

I don't think I've seen Kenny Drew's name so far... Don't know much Jimmy Yancey, but YES to what I have heard!

p.s. on the subject of Mingus reed players, Rahsaan really gives George Adams what for (in a nice way) on that Carnegie Hall album!

What about the George Adams vocal on 'Devil Woman'! B) B)

Can anyone please tell me something (anything!) about this? It's the very beautiful - even if the words are slightly peculiar - last tune on Max Roach's Soul Note album 'Pictures in a Frame' which I just picked up. I just wondered what 'Black Picture Show' was/is, or whether it's just a strange name for the song, etc. Anyway, apart from any information, does anyone else enjoy this song? There's something about it - I can't stop spinning it at the moment! Thanks in advance!

Cecil Taylor and McCoy Tyner still play!

Thanks for these suggestions - I'll do my best to find what I can and report back!

I just got the Muhal Richard abrams 'Duets' album with Amina Claudine Myers, and am really enjoying it. I know nothing about Ms Myers, though - does anyone have any recommendations about anything I should have? That boogie-woogie which opens up side B is straight out of Albert Ammons/Meade Lux Lewis!