Milestones

The best spy novelist of all time. I don't think there's any serious competition.

Did I miss something, or is #1 still a mystery (unidentified)?

I find the 1990's to be simply one of the great decades in jazz. There were so many great musicians at their peaks and putting out one fine record after another. Randy Weston is an all-time favorite, and he OWNED that decade. McCoy Tyner started the decade on fire! This also where Bill Frisell and Joe Lovano really got going; these are the two musicians I follow most closely to the present day. These are some favorites (the list could be much longer): 1. Open Land--John Abercrombie 2. Every One of Us--Ray Anderson 3. Hipmotism—Arthur Blythe 4. Change—Chick Corea and Origin 5. Miles and Quincy at Montreux 6. Gone, Just Like a Train—Frisell 7. Have a Little Faith--Frisell 8. Pursuance—Kenny Garrett 9. Dream Keeper—Haden/Liberation Music 10. Steal Away—Charlie Haden and Hank Jones 11. Haunted Heart--Charlie Haden 12. Beyond the Missouri Sky--Haden/Metheny 13. Jim Hall & Pat Metheny 14. So Near, So Far--Joe Henderson 15. In the Spirit--Jay Hoggard 16. Vivian--J.J. Johnson 17. From the Soul--Lovano 18. Rush Hour—Lovano 19. After the Rain—John McLaughlin 20. Imaginary Day--Pat Metheny 21. Rhythm Within--Steve Turre 22. Lotus Flower--Steve Turre 23. The Turning Point--Tyner 24. Street Suite--Tynerth44 25. The Spirits of Our Ancestors--Randy Weston 26. Saga--Weston

Still wondering if anyone has an idea on why Coltrane wrote two pieces (so the credits say), yet did not play on either one.

The arco thing was fairly big with him, it seems. Like others, I'm not much into those solos. Mingus could do arco. Holland can do arco.

I've had Bass on Top for awhile now. I agree it's the better of the two records, but not by a big margin.

When he did do the leader dates, he was with Miles, as well as heavily recording with Coltrane, Burrell, Adderley, Lee Morgan, Red Garland, etc.

Yes, he died very young, but he also didn't record an album as a leader after age 25.

I finally got around to checking out this Paul Chambers record. Pretty nice, but then how can you go wrong with a supporting cast of John Coltrane, Donald Byrd, Kenny Burrell, Horace Silver, and Philly Joe? Does anyone else think it's quite odd that Coltrane has two writing credits, yet does not play on either of those pieces? Also, why was Chambers' solo/leader output so small and why did it end at such a young age?

I did not even known he had become an expatriate. I saw something about him leading a big band.

Any fans of Ricky Ford? He strikes me as one of those under-rated or under-valued tenor players. His thing is basically mainstream playing, though I notice he sometimes goes into those Jackie McLean type screams at climactic moments. I was mostly aware of him for his work with Abdullah Ibrahim's Ekaya. His stuff was never easy to find, and even now I don't see much by him on downloading and streaming services. He had a solid run on Muse in the 1980s, then quickly a few on Candid. Since then he's been scarce. I have just two of his own records...well three if I can find an old cassette around here. Not saying he is a tenor titan, but certainly worth hearing. So many good tenor players and some just slip away or fall between the cracks.

Regarding Burrell, what about the famous Guitar Forms--several tracks with Gil Evans. On Verve and Cadet he had some records with similar orchestral backing to what Wes Montgomery was doing at the time. Some tracks from the 75th Birthday Party Bash feature the Gerald Wilson Orchestra.

Is the Dorham track "Monaco"? I have a version that is a lot more sprightly.

1. This is good. It has a bit of the Latin tinge. The tenor player reminds me of Joe Henderson. 2. That definitely sounds like Kenny Burrell. I don’t usually gravitate toward his stuff with orchestral backing, but not a bad little tune. Wow, he inserts a bit of “So Little Time” near the end. 3. “Tempus Fugit,” I believe. A classic bebop piece…but I have never before heard this version, which is creative and mostly stays away from the melody. The pianist likes the bass register. 4. “Johnny Come Lately.” Pretty cool. It has a modern swing feel…quite different from the Ellington style. 5. Guitar-organ-drums. Not bad. The guitarist seems to have a Grant Green influence, but sounds too mechanical to my ears. 11. Jim Hall, one of the all-time great guitarists. Actually I think that’s Art Farmer on trumpet (or flugelhorn). I think it’s a track from To Sweden with Love. And #8 sounds like Kenny Dorham to me. I thought I had this one in my collection, or certainly something very similar. Maybe it's not Dorham, though I know he did this piece...and I can't think of the title either!

Scotch and Water--Cannonball Adderley Avila and Tequila--Art Blakey Pink Lady--The Great Jazz Trio One Mint Julep--countless artists -- I'm guessing there may be hundreds!

OK, I will request August.

What's still open at this point?

The Joey Baron record is great. What a cast of players, and everyone at the top of their game.

Sad news indeed. I never miss Jeopardy. Great show and Mr. Trebek made a great host.

I am definitely giving it some thought.

Absolutely indelible as Bond, but he was a man who made a lot good movies and had a greater range than most people would expect. As Bond, he will always take me back to my childhood. He's the perfect fantasy for the male child of 12-15. R.I.P.

I like this version of "Send in the Clowns. That sounds like Roy Eldridge on "Body and Soul" (#9).

So there is a sprinkling of stuff, but not easy to find--and it would seem the sound quality is usually poor. Many years ago I picked up Pure Genius, Vol. 1 by Brownie...on vinyl. I recall enjoying that a lot. I'm thinking this has never appeared on CD?

This may be my favorite partnership of a lead player and drummer in all of jazz history, at least the equal of Coltrane and Elvin--though not as well documented. I count 7 albums by Rollins on which Max is the drummer, and what greatness we find there. Some, such as Saxophone Colossus, are among the greatest jazz records ever waxed. There are some appearances by Sonny on records by Max Roach and by Roach/Brown. The are together on Kenny Dorham's Jazz Contrasts. As far as I know, they last appeared together in 1958...on Freedom Suite. if that was it, we sure had some missed opportunities. Is there some live stuff out there? Some bootlegs?