Alexander Hawkins

Ok, I know I must have forgotten some. And also, I realise that more constructive would probably have been just a straightforward (i.e. sans poll) thread, but I was curious to start a poll! This is a question that really interests me. Although they're some of the seminal Bird recordings, I've never much cared for Miles' playing with CP. On the other hand, I love the Navarro recordings with Bird; whilst all the time thinking that the paradigm bop front-line has got to be 'Bird'n'Diz' (so to speak). Perhaps the moral of the story is, don't worry about favourites, just enjoy the music! But anyway, as I say, I wanted to try out the poll function...

Theme de Yoyo by the Art Ensemble of Chicago has to get the award from me! I'm not sure if it's what we're after here, but I love the way George Braith makes playful mayhem all the way through 'Blue John'. He's pretty 'out', especially by the standards of organ records at the time!

Got a Good Thing Goin'. Awesome record.

Cecil Taylor

In'n'Out might count, I suppose?

I remember reading a review of that Scott DeVaux (sp? sorry!) book in the paper, and he listed those great inventors of bop, 'Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Trummy Young.' Trummy Young? Perhaps I don't know enough Trummy Young. I'm certainly not doing him down - I enjoy his playing a lot - but is this a simple typo by the article's author? Or does DeVaux make his case?

I agree about him being pretty mellow on Perdido; concise, yet says it all. By the way, what's the story on Bud being absolutely gone during this gig? For my money, he's on pretty blistering form, but I've read various accounts slating his playing, claiming he was blind drunk, etc. I don't hear it; it seems simply like a facile account for the (admittedly different) opening to 'ATTYA'.

Recently, AEOC - People in Sorrow. It's a longish one to keep going over, but it is absolutely masterful. Most regularly, though, Bird playing ballads. Any and all of them; just spellbinding.

White Lightening, Funny what you said about OP. I was thinking a similar thing. To me, I suppose Mingus is the 'odd one out' on this date. I don't know my jazz history well enough, but is it fair to say that he, unlike the other four, wasn't 'in' on bop right at its inception? I guess OP would be the archetypal bop bassist? (perhaps Tommy Potter or someone like that, though?) What's always struck me about this gig is that Dizzy is really on his form. He seems to take a lot of flack for playing high and fast, high and fast; but this is masterful stuff. Some other things that strike me about this concert: 1) Bird's opening phrase on his solo (not the bridge of the 'first' (see above..!) chorus is very adventurous and ambiguous; the sort of melodic idea that I don't really hear reappearing until Eric Dolphy (who, the more I listen to both, I hear as one of Bird's truest 'heirs', but I guess that's another topic!). 2) Bud Powell's harmonisation of 'All the Things you Are' is VERY advanced; I sometimes find it difficult to get my head around his comping to the first chorus. 3) The quoting that goes on throughout the concert is marvellous (e.g. Diz quoting 'Laura'). 4) I suspect that it's me listening to it through with a rosy tint(!), but this concert has an incredibly rarified atmosphere about it. A bit like listening to Earl Hines and Louis Armstrong playing 'Weatherbird', Bix playing 'Singin' the Blues', or something like that...It's just sufficiently far back in history to have that air about it (as opposed, say, to more recent 'iconic' sessions such as 'Ascension').

Newk's Time.

I agree with both of you in outline, but I would also say that by the same token, it is great that jazz is a music where you can 'have a go', participate, enjoy yourself, experience the rush of taking a 'good' chorus when all your others are mediocre, and the rest of it..! I think that's part of the strength of the music as an art-form: it will support the 'genius' and the schoolkid/Sunday afternoon-er, as well as foster the individual and the social group. Oops. That sounded very pretentious, but you know what I mean!

I would say - although there are others who would know better than me - to pick up the Chronological Classics issues of his stuff. I think there are about 4-5 which will take you through to 1949 or so (his first recording being, I think, in 1932), and from there, the Pablo boxes and a couple of other things should round you out! I'm sure I've left something obvious out - I don't know if the Capitol sessions are out on the Classics yet? - so anyone feel free to correct me!

Thanks, Bev - will do!

Bev, Count me in as someone very keen on the guy's music. The only piece I'm particularly familiar with is the wonderful 'El Amor Brujo', but I've been fascinated by all else I've heard. I think they performed a large part of his work at the Proms last year, didn't they? I remember reading a fascinating article about the guy in one of the papers leading up to the performances. He seems to have been a really interesting character; trying never to write the 'same piece twice', and turning his hand to a whole variety of styles, in the search to produce one 'chef d'oeuvre' in each. Great moment in 'El Amor Brujo' when the bells come in!

I'm disappointed, I thought this thread was going to be a poll.

Thanks, Matthew; you're right, I do have to rectify the phono-amp situation!

Cheers, thanks very much for those!

If anyone has a link for, or can easily cut and paste, a sessionography for either of these 'Complete...on Riverside' boxes, I'd be most grateful! I've just acquired them both, but without the liner booklets..! Thanks in advance!

The discs also seem to have TOCJ numbers on them...Does that mean they are the same mastering? p.s. Have just got 'Night of the Cookers' on. I have to say, I realise that Morgan perhaps isn't up to his usual high standard, but, unless the 2nd disc is truly grotesque, I can't see why this album takes so much stick!

To report back - I ordered a stack of these less than a week ago. They all arrived yesterday, well packaged, all in order: so as far as I've experienced it, their service is very good indeed! p.s. if it wasn't for reasons of originality, I'd have the board's 3rd Leo Parker avatar - 'Let Me Tell You 'Bout It' is awesome!!!

How is it? IT'S GOT DOLPHY ON IT!!! B) Seriously - it's got some great, searing Dolphy on it. A magical 'God Bless the Child', as well. The one shame is that the hanging mikes (as I assume they were?) really didn't pick up the flute at all well; but that only mars the sound quality on one track, really. I think it's a must, and especially interesting for the purposes of comparison since it provides versions of tunes that he recorded elsewhere.

Have to say, I haven't heard the Sinopoli, but do remember seeing some very favourable reviews...Sorry I can't be more precise than that!

Late - you're right; it was the Fletcher Henderson one I was trying to think of!

Thanks for these suggestions. I guess I'll have to do a bit more research to find out more about what I want, but really thought that I was missing out on too many great listens by not having a turntable!

GOM - absolutely with you on that one (if I'm thinking of the same date; is this the one where they play 'Ornithology' and 'Out of Nowhere', amongst other things?). Bird, Navarro and Bud. Wow. There is some fantastic playing on this; especially Fats on 'Out of Nowhere', if I remember. It would be facile of me to point out that Bird is magnificent here. p.s. I am this close to pulling the trigger on that Mosaic..!