Milestones

I am really getting into the version on Hank Mobley's A Slice of the Top. That's a record I should have owned a long time ago; it's loaded with highlights. "There's a Lull in My Life" may well be Mobley's greatest ballad performance ever, with a fine assist from Duke Pearon's lovely arrangement (an octet, and nothing like it anywhere else in Mobley's discography). I understand singers, such as Ella, have done this song. I've never heard it before. You may recommend versions that you know. I will go on loving Mobley's rendition.

Best wishes, B.B. I've just been listening to a lot of your stuff.

I never knew him to play with Carla Bley (at least on record); Gary Valente always seems the go-to man on trombone in her groups. In fact I only know his fabulous work with her big band (and smaller groups). Turre has got impressive credits with Shaw, Dizzy, Tyner, Bowie He seemed to have a distinctive thing going on as a leader in the 1990.s I love that front-line of trombone-violin-cello on Lotus Flower. A favorite is "Ellington Medley" on In the Spur of the Moment. The only other trombonist that I can think of who does really cool Ellington stuff is Wycliffe Gordon.

Any fans of Steve Turre? I find him to be one of the great trombone men, and of course he does those interestint things with the shells. I have 9 records by him, as well as work he did with Lester Bowie, Dizzy, Tyner, and many others. He's got a new one out, Spiritman, and I should look into that. For me, Rhythm Within and Lotus Flower were not just two of the best records of the 1990s, but two of the best ever. I come back to them frequently and thoroughly enjoy them.

Just came upon this thread. No discussion of Mostly Coltrane on ECM? This is a great set with Joe Lovano (on most tracks), and the group mainly plays Coltrane tunes and pieces associated with him--but some originals too. Marvelous record. I remember reviews noting that Kuhn sounds nothing Tyner; I would concur.

Among the classics in this field are In Cold Blood by Capote and The Executioner's Song by Mailer. I'm afraid I never read the latter.

Is Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy considered free jazz?

I wonder if any live material has been (or will be) officially released.

No love for this music?

I really only came across this music recently, and I find it quite enjoyable. It's too bad there were just two records. You have James Carter in his early days and the great Steve Turre. And it's certainly worth checking out Myers--she is not your average greasy organist. You wouldn't really expect this from Bowie, or at least I wouldn't. The playing is pretty straight (by Bowie standards), but certainly of fine quality. Always good to hear another version of "When the Spirit Returns," and this one is sterling. You don't often hear organ ensembles led by a trumpeter; usually they don't even include a trumpeter. And then you make it the one and only Lester Bowie!

Seems like I've heard some bass clarinet from Chico Freeman.

Wow, such a big response. I can't claim familiarity with many of the artists mentioned. I've never yet made a playlist of bass clarinet. Maybe I should.

An interesting instrument, especially in the the hands of Eric Dolphy. In my opinion he is the top player, Followed by David Murray. Not sure where I would to go from there. Probably John Surman. Maybe Anthonty Braxton. I have just one record where bass clarinet is featured throughout: Ballads for Bass Clarinet by David Murray.

I still need to digest "The Moon."

This strikes me as pretty much first-rate rate stuff. I saw this trio in concert, and they were great. Sure, the record has a huge playing time, but Chick has culled performances from all over the world. I did expect a little more in the way of his own compositions. I am currently listening to "Fingerprints" (relatively speaking a newer piece), and it's outstanding--not least for McBride's monster bass solo. I find that Corea is amazingly full of ideas for being so deep into his career. It's been quite a long time since he's released anything second-rate.

What else is Amina known for? I've only heard her work with Lester Bowie.

There is great Coltrane from every period. I've made 7 or 8 playlists on my computer, mot of which have gone on to CDs. To boil it down, these would be my choices: I See Your Face before Me Slow Dance Stella by Starlight (Miles) Naima Syeeda's Song Flute Spiritual Cousin Mary (live) Alabama Wise One Welcome After the Rain --not an easy list

Any knowledge on this? Any thoughts? I guess the basis is two Bowie albums from the mid-70s, but they are short--in tunes and in playing time. Here we have 16 tracks and about 2 hours of music. I was never too big on Art Ensemble of Chicago, but always liked Bowie's playing. I'm a much bigger fan of Brass Fantasy, and saw him once with that group--fine show.

Yes, it's odd this one is so brief.

There is a rather odd duet with Hubert Laws on "Airegin," supposedly from 1986. Available on YouTube.

I know Sonny revisited "Oleo," another iconic tune from the a 1954 Miles session. There is a 60s version with Don Cherry. Don't know about "Airegin."

Mostly a fan of the two Miles Davis versions. Grant Green's version is rather good, and so is Wes Montgomery's.

I had one record by him (don't recall title) and it wasn't bad. Also caught him once at Tri-C JazzFest, and he was quite respectable--but not mind-blowing.

Just wondering what people make of the collaboration of Clark Terry and Monk: In Orbit. Oddly, it features just one Monk composition.

Miles, of course, had a taste for the outrageous comment.