Milestones

There can be some debate over what "solo" actually means, given the overdubs, delays, gadgets, and gizmos available.

There are many female singers I like (in jazz, I prefer the women to men), but in terms of instrumentalists the ladies are often slighted--as if they belong on the B list. It's not fair. There are many outstanding female players, and I expect more in the future. Just a few (and seven of these do not play piano): Geri Allen Carla Bley Jane Ira Bloom Ingrid Jensen Joanne Brackeen Emily Remler Toshiko Regina Carter Linda Oh Terri Lyne Carrington Mary Halvorson

I have no clue.

Sorry, but I find Derek Bailey to be unlistenable.

I recall Stanley Jordan was famous for awhile for his solo work, though the vast majority of what I have by Jordan in group settings. I do find some solo guitar thoroughly compelling. For example, Kenny Burrell has some real masterpieces. But I find it hard to listen to solo guitar over a long period--even 30 straight minutes would be difficult.

What about all those jazz guys ripping off "I Got Rhythm" and "Cherokee"?

I can see Towner being good at this. I need to be more familiar with his work. It's intriguing that he plays two Abercrombie pieces from Timeless.

Some recommendations would be nice. I just found out Frisell has another solo record coming out soon. I'm a big fan of his work, but somehow I don't look forward very much to solo work. In fact, it turns out that, despite loving jazz guitar in general, I don't go much for hardly anyone's solo stuff. I'd listen to most anything else by Joe Pass before I'd listen to the solo records. Many greats had almost no inclination to solo guitar--Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, John Abercrombie. I do like side 1 of McLaughlin's My Goals Beyond. So persuade me that I'm missing out on something. Who had done great solo material over the span of an album?

Amen to the statement on personality. I'm finding myself less and less inclined to read musical biographies, especially those that focus more on the life than the music. Some things I'd rather not know.

I kind of like the Muppets in general, but this is some pretty freaky stuff--especially the Joni Mitchell.

Yes, this tells you how thoroughly John was admired and loved. Wish I could be there.

Some great responses...thanks.

What are the thoughts on this guy? He was never more than a name to me. I know he was popular in the 60s (long before I became a jazz fan) when he incorporated major rock and pop elements. Before that, he was involved in Afro-Cuban and Brazilian. Before that, bop and cool jazz. I really don't know Mann's stuff. I do have his last record, which was co-led with Phil Woods. And I just acquired Flautista, which works the Afro-Cuban stuff rather well. One record, Great ideas of Western Mann, features him exclusively on bass clarinet (not even Dolphy did that). He seems to be a worthwhile figure, albeit one somewhat forgotten.

"Lost in the Stars" from Mighty Lights is as good as it gets in ballad playing--just stunning.

Yes, I've heard about the Warne March influence, though I confess that I have very little familiarity with Marsh.

I've begun to think that Billy Hart is among the under-sung GREAT jazz drummers.

I would put him (at the very least) in the company of Joshua Redman, Branford Marsalis, and Chris Potter. Thanks for the discography. There's a lot to explore.

Any Mark Turner fans out there? He seemed to be a hot young saxophonist not long ago, yet the years have slipped by and he's now 50+. His activity has picked up a lot lately, especially with ECM releases--one of his own (Lathe of Heaven), a couple with Billy Hart, Stefano Bollani. He's also recorded quite a bit with Kurt Rosenwinkel. By no mean an innovator, he seems always worth hearing. He really knocked me out on the Tom Harrell record Trip. The Billy Hart records are good too. His playing is often called moody and cerebral. I had not really heard Turner until less than a month ago, and now I find that he is somebody I need to check out extensively.

Isn't this the same lineup that recorded Water From an Ancient Well?

There is no shortage of Weston solo, and I guess that applies to the bootlegs as well. I have twice seen Weston play solo concerts, and they were definitely fine experiences.

I was just listening to the Diana Krall Christmas album and thinking it was really well done. Any recommendation of records by female singers, especially jazz or somewhat jazzy?

It seems to me that a number like that is hard to top by anyone in any musical field on any instrument.

Happy birthday. I would like to see at least one more recording. He can take his time and get it done just right. I have heard McCoy play delicately--and quite well. There's no need to be the powerhouse he used to be.

I think we should include Ken Berry too, popping in there near the end.

Jim Nabors died peacefully at age 87. He made a nice little contribution to The Andy Griffith Show, and for reasons I still don't quite understand I was a pretty big fan of Gomer Pyle USMC. I have to say, though, that there were moments in Gomer Pyle they were absolutely hilarious. Other than Ron Howard, is anyone significantly associated with Andy Griffith still alive?