Alexander Hawkins

I know what you mean about 30's Bean - another one which is really far-out for the time is that tune cut, I think, with Red Allen - 'Queer Notions'. The more I listen to Loverman, the more completely astounding it gets. That Rollins at the end... Mind you, I'm going to have to listen to it more to find something constructive to say about this album. I'm so captivated by it at the moment that all I could offer just now would be a) consternation at how two men could be so inventive and B) more generally, just effusive praise!

We need to revive the discussion in this forum! I'm looking to add a turntable to my hifi (which at present comprises only amp, cd, and speakers). Not having that much cash to dispose of, however, and only having a relatively entry-level system (NAD c320BEE amp; NAD c521i cd-player; KEF Concerto 1 speakers) I wonder if anyone could suggest anything that might be suitable? Thanks in advance!

Just got the Complete Bill Evans and Complete Monk Riverside boxes. So they shouldn't take me too long, then. B)

I seem to share a b'day with, among others, Bing Crosby, Jimmy Cleveland, Sugar Ray Robinson and Machiavelli. 'Looks like I got me a jam session..!'

Absolutely!

If I'd known the results before voting, then I'd have given Tiny Grimes one, for his wonderful work with Tatum. Anyone who could share a stand with Tatum deserves a medal!

This one is too hard! I went Joe Smith, because I was looking down the list for Arthur Whetsol, and see some kind of resemblance in their playing. I'll be saying my 'Hail Maries' all day for not choosing Bix, Miley or Rex Stewart, though.

Thanks everyone for all the input. Chuck, I must go back and listen to some of the Horenstein versions; I'm sure a have a handful of LPs of him. In fact, I was going to comment on this after your mention of Horenstein on the Bartok thread, but didn't for fear of taking it too far off-topic. A good thing I subsequently found your remarks here! On my first listening to the Horenstein, I didn't quite 'get' what he was doing; a very 'individual' interpretation of the music, for sure. Perhaps now I'm a little more open-minded (I hope) I should give them another listen, since they've been recommended to me a few times now. Incidentally, has anyone heard a reconstruction of the fugue which supposedly was to form the final movement of the 9th?

I'll come back with more on this one. Just to say at the moment, though, that the end of 'Loverman' is absolutely extraordinary, the way Rollins just disappears into the stratosphere. A moment of truly transcendental playing. I never know what to make of this passage when I listen to it, except that every time it sounds like something incredibly profound is happening. p.s. Jim, I found your post really interesting and instructive! That mention of the Bird/Hawk session was spot on, to my mind.

Thanks, Bev, that's really helpful!

I find that one of the really fascinating things about Bruckner's music: that whilst it has such definite religious overtones, it also has its moments of unabashed romanticism (in Bruckner's own way).

I'm curious about this! Bartok, I guess, practically gave the world the tritone substitution. Downbeat 'Hall of Fame'?

I remember performing the Glagolitic Mass once when I was a bit younger, and thinking that it was absolutely brilliant how the relatively fluid and melismatic sounding words 'Kyrie Eleison' could translate into the bizarre 'Gospod Bog'!!! The Janacek 'Sinfonia' is great, too, with the full 12 trumpets!

Bev, I absolutely agree... ...and also with this. I could listen to the slow movements forever; real majesty, but also, so sincere. As for the ending to the 5th, again, total agreement. I saw this at the Proms a few years back, and to hear it live is quite something!

For me, the guy's orchestration was fantastic. Some of the sounds he coaxes during 'Bluebeard' are completely 'otherwordly' (for want of a better word!).

Hans - thanks for your comprehensive responses to this and my Bruckner post; they have both given a lot of information to chew over! I'll be sure to try and give a few of your suggestions a listen!

Hans - that's really interesting you mention the Gunther Wand 9th - the first Bruckner I saw live was him conducting the ninth (prefaced by Schubert 8). Needless to say, it was something special. Perhaps the Concertgebouw recording I was thinking of was Haitink... In any case, I think it is fantastic, except that I don't feel he gives enough time at the famous 'general pause' in the last movement. Just a personal thing, I guess. Another thing I find with my Bruckner listening is that I tend always to favour the first recording I hear of the piece: perhaps it's just the way I listen, perhaps it's the music!

Having taking a cue from a post up above by Clem (I think) - I wonder if anyone else is into Bruckner? I think the symphonies are simply some of the finest in this genre. The 9th, to the extent that such a choice isn't competely meaningless, is possibly my favourite piece of music. Full stop. Does anyone have any favoured recordings of the 9th? I'm partial to the Jochum, although I have a version with the Concertgebouw - could it be with Barenboim? I honestly can't remember off-hand - of which I'm also very fond.

I'm really enjoying Bluebeard's Castle at the moment; Christa Ludwig and Walter Berry taking the vocal parts; conducted by the great Istvan Kertesz. Anyone else into any Bartok at all? Any particular favourites?

Barney Kessell, maybe?

Head said Jimmy, heart said Lonnie, ears would have said whichever of them I'd listened to most recently.

I can only commit to one by telling myself that it's only a game... Went with Grant Green, purely because I've got 'Feelin' the Spirit' ringing in my ears, and I love the guy's way with a tune. I could have happily gone with Wes Montgomery, though. Or in fact lots of the others !

Thanks for that! The Ellington/Monk and Morton disks look particularly interesting!

Actually, on the subject (roughly), could anyone please give me some Dave Burrell recommendations? All I have is 'High-Won, High-Two', of the stuff under his own name. I think someone might have mentioned 'Echo' to me somewhere: any views on this? Cheers!

A definite recommendation for this one! I'm really enjoying this just at the moment. 'Balm in Gilead' is beautiful, with some great Lester Bowie. 'Sophisticated Lady' is fantastic, with an absolutely barking introduction from Dave Burrell! One of the major surprises for me on this set was Philly Joe in this context. On the last track (the name escapes me at the moment), he does an absolutely great job, with some really pretty free drumming. In fact, this track reminds me a little of that trio track (w/Ken Terroade, and, again, Malachi Favors) - is it 'Sunshine'? - from the Sunny Murray album of the same name. Anyway, definitely worth a listen is anyone's at a loose end!