Milestones

Criss-Cross is probably the most important of the Columbia records that I don't yet have. I remember having some of those Black Lion records on cassette.

I am reading Robin D.G. Kelley's Thelonious Monk bio. This is the longest musician biography I have ever read, but it is certainly worth it. Naturally, this is leading me to spend most of my summer listening to Monk. I have not been as systematic as I should be, but I have tried to keep up on records as they are discussed in the book. Currently, I am at the point where Monk is about to sign with Columbia. Speaking of Columbia, in the last couple of years I added a lot of Monk from that period, which I had always under-valued. I'm finding it was ridiculous to avoid this period, as there are plenty of jewels here. I have always acquired The Unique Thelonious Monk (trio session and second record for Riverside), which is pretty decent. I guess I never had it before because it contains no Monk compositions. Quite a bit of Monk I had never had in digital format, but I'm changing that now--such as the Prestige sessions, the Ellington record, and the Five Spot record with Coltrane. I am curious to know which Monk people find most enjoyable, as well as what stuff they would like to add to their collections.

I certainly have a number of these, including Guitar Forms (naturally), though I agree with those who find Night Song to be a first-rate album. I also like the Christmas record--not bad, as these things go. Much of his Verve music sounds over-produced to my ears. I've wondered if he was in competition with Wes in terms of a lush and poppy approach.

It is absolutely history! A great, great Finals. Look at that defensive clampdown in the 4th quarter. This team simply had the will to win.

Cavs all the way! They are showing they have the sheer willpower when they need it the most.

On a related question, do you find your CD burner wiping out (in whole or in part) in a fairly short time frame? Mine is three years old, and I have used is rather heavily. It has now become highly inconsistent.

For those still burning CDs, what brand of CD-R do you prefer? I've been finding my discs strangely inconsistent.

Thanks for that--very informative and nicely written. Ten records in such a short space is quite a bit. Were all of them released at the time? I know a lot of Blue Note records from the 1960s (some of them quite superb) sat on the shelf for a decade or more.

I'm wondering about your impressions of Jones' early solo work, mostly on Blue Note, This something I have never really explored, in stark contrast to Tyner (I have all of his Blue Note records). But Elvin seems to have some nice stuff out there, and I'm particularly intrigued by the records with Joe Farrell.

I''m sure we all have tons of music on our computers that come from both CDs and downloads. I use Windows Media Player for ripping, listening on the computer, and burning CDs. The burned CDs are often compilations which mix files--.wma for CDs and .mp3 for downloads. I never had the problem before, but now I can no longer burn a CD that contains both formats. I have tried burns of both formats alone (all .wma /, all .mp3), and they work fine. Any idea why this issue developed and what would be an easy fix? Thanks.

I will just say this: amen.

These were way overdue. Blythe made several classics on Columbia. Bur what is the 4th record?

Charlie Haden, Don Cherry, and Ed Blackwell on Haden's "Montreal Tapes."

Of course...I should have known! And it was used in Looney Tunes--Bugs Bunny in "What's Opera, Doc?" or one similar to that. Make that "Rabbit of Seville."

This is a weird question, but I really want to know what is the Classical music played on the end credits of Help (the Beatles film). I have probably not seen the movie in 20 years, but that tune is in my head...it's an ear worm. I had thought it was Rossinni, but now I don't think so. It is so very familiar-sounding. Can someone tell me?

I thought this was about pop songs played by Black Sabbath!

One could add Arthur Blythe, Lester Bowie, Henry Threadgill and Adams' cohort Don Pullen--guys deep in the tradition but also with free and exploratory leanings. They could go "out" and still be accessible.

I have been fortunate to have seen Randy Weston four times in concert, and I may not be done. The man is still going strong! I am presently listening to Blue Moses.

Happy birthday to Randy Weston--90 years old. He's had a long and productive life, and he is not just among the best living jazz musicians, but one of the best who has ever lived.

So do we call Mingus Big Band a "ghost" band? If so, it's one of the best there has ever been in. I think the big band started up around the time Adams passed away, so I'm not sure if he was ever a part. But he was a key player in the 7-piece group on Mingus Dynasty: Next Generation--a fine record.

I love this tune in its various incarnations.

Mingus Moves in indeed a fine record--one of the best from Mingus' last decade.

Adams and Pullen both left us much too early.

Anyone into the music of George Adams? He seems like a somewhat forgotten figure, despite his great work in some late-period Mingus and of course the quartet with Don Pullen. I remember back in the day being very pleased with Breakthrough by Adams/Pullen on Blue Note, and I had their second Blue Note album also (on cassette) which was nearly as good. But the group never got the visibility is deserved. I know he played for quite awhile with Gil Evans (I don't know this work), and he made some appearances with Tyner. Spotify is allowing me get a good look at the Pullen/Adams group.

The Marsalis is pretty nice. Sonny Rollins also did "Glocca Morra" on Blue Note.