Alexander Hawkins

I haven't heard the 'Crazy Baby' version, but I would have thought substituting the II-V (e-A) of the d minor chord rather than using the Eb chord as written by Dizzy would dilute the impact of the last two measures of the A section, when it actually does go e-A-d...

There are more days than not when 'My Funny Valentine' would come to mind. Probably not so much the song, in fairness, as the number of (often dreadful) renditions of it.

Another recommendation for 'Blue John'. The first track alone - 'Hot Sauce' - is worth it. On the down side, it's so damn catchy you'll be humming it for a week.

Actually, Brad, I agree with that and was thinking the same as your post appeared.

I agree about Carl Perkins - I really like that album, too.

Sorry if it's been mentioned in this thread before... How do you like Derek Bailey's 'Ballads' on Tzadik? It's the only one of his I own, but it's completely fascinating, and not at all daunting (as I was led to believe Bailey could be). I get the impression that it was recorded as a sort of all in one take, stream of consciousness thing, and subsequently divided up into individual tracks.

Ghost Trance Music. I take it you replied in the vibrational...

Oh...Fair cop, then.

I also hear quite a lot of a Ben Webster sensibility in his playing. Not just tone-wise, either, although I think this is the most explicit connection.

Perhaps I'm in the early throes of Braxton-philia, but reading that (to add to the chorus, excellent!) review only serves to pique my curiosity. Mind you, I'm almost always interested by unlikely people playing standards.

The legendary Hasaan!

Got to go with the Tatum choice. I can only hear this one as 'his' tune.

I'm really enjoying the 'Six Compositions (GTM) (2000)' at the moment (on Ratascan). I can't quite get a hold on the all-saxophone track or the saxophone/guitar duet yet, but the rest is an amazing experience. Some of the sounds the guitarist conjures are wonderful (and of course, weird!).

Actually, from a purely romantic point of view (and this is also a bit childish, I guess!), it's nice to see this concert being written-up as 'legendary' (it seems to have got a fair bit of that sort of coverage over here), and to think that I was there. I've often thought of these famous gigs 'wouldn't it have been great to be there?'!

Just been listening to Max Roach's 'It's Time'. Jordan tears it up on the title track of this one!

I really love his voicings on 'Solitude'.

If the post does its job, I'm hoping to start investigating Mr Braxton's piano playing in the next few days!

Is the concert still available? I can't seem to find it! I was lucky enough to be there, and won't be forgetting it for a good while, but would love to hear it again!

I like Willie Smith as well. Saw TK Blue with Randy Weston, and he was really interesting. Bev - agreed about Jason Yarde: I've only heard him in his short solo bursts in the recent Sam Rivers tour, but he sounded great.

He also plays on a few tracks from George Freeman's Birthsign, which I think is a great date!

I think I only have him playing on Ben Webster - Live at the Jazzhus Montmartre - but certainly enjoy his playing. Was the Kenny Drew - NHOP - Alex Riel rhythm section a regular?

I wondered about this too. The link on the Ronnie's site is hopeless.

Also, Tina May is a good singer who, I believe, has recently collaborated with Ray Bryant.

Another great British player not mentioned here is Peter King, the altoist. He's played with Bud Powell, and was a regular with Kenny Clarke. When they reburied Charlie Parker, I believe Chan called him for the gig. An awesome player.

Don't have it with me at the moment, but from memory it's just a pretty straight 12-bar blues. Don't know about the head. Harder to 'hear' that off-pat!