pryan

I find that it's good to listen to that top 40 stuff once in a while, just to make you realize how awesome jazz really is. I must admit to liking some of today's pop, but there's no way I have a passion for it. I agree with the poster who said he likes to hear a good variety of improvised music; that tends to help keep things fresh in that you're not really knowing what kind of nuances you might hear, because going from say Braxton to Sonny Stitt is quite a leap. Both play reed instruments, sure, and both were/are masters in their own right, but each can be appreciated on different terms. I wouldn't rate one as being "better" than the other; I dig both of them for different reasons. Or if mixing it up doesn't work, give it a rest for a while, as Chris mentions. That also works wonders, because when you come back to listening again it seems like a breath of fresh air (for me at least).

I detect a faint SPAM smell in the air. Must be that time of year.

When done correctly, everything I say is "inappropriate". Some might take the poster's comment about not really taking earlier forms of music seriously (or at least not listening to them much) to be a dis. I think that attitude kind of limits you as far as jazz is concerned, but you can't like everything I guess. There's a TON of good stuff prior to '64, however. People should open up their minds and ears, they might be surprised as to what they'll discover.

Django - 1934-1935 (Classics)

Sounds like a good album. Coincidentally, I picked up a McCoy disc today, the RVG of TENDER MOMENTS, and have really enjoyed what I've heard so far. It's my first Tyner as leader session, and the nonet sounds very coherent, with great charts, and excellent soloists. I know I'll have to get THE REAL MCCOY soon.

Missed the box and haven't bothered trying to get a used copy. I have all of the Dexter RVGs except for OUR MAN IN PARIS (as I bought the McMaster version). They all have pretty good sound, but I'm really not a stickler for sound. If it's Dexter, it's good, IMHO, regardless of format. LTD, one of my heroes, his playing inspires me on so many levels. Man, to have seen him play live, that must have been a crazy trip.

I gave this one a spin last night while riding the exercise bike, and forgot how much I liked it. All the horns solo extremely well, everyone seems even more inspired than normal. Lee especially should be mentioned; his "fiery" playing (as Jim mentioned) is on display to its fullest here. Even his solo on the ballad is quite intense with lots of notes, but it still retains a certain probing lyricism, not unlike Brownie's ballad work, but it's still Lee all the way. I really dig Cedar Walton's playing on this album as well. Almost "McCoyish" in some of his solos, but he displays a unique concept, rooted in Bud Powell.

I said nothing about the quality of the music on the Herman Columbia set, I only commented on how it was being advertised. The "likeability" of the music is not in question. However, from reading the comments here, it sounds as though the Dinah set is far from "essential".

PM sent.

At best, a blog should be written by a person with an informed, lively interest in the field and should give the writer a chance to "stretch out" on a variety of topics and interests. A BB like this sometimes has extended commentary, but typically is a place for brief exchanges, quick comments, relaying of facts, etc. I don't see any reason why a blog should be inherently bad. In the hands of a good writer, a blog could be an interesting place to stop in. In fact, I think a number of people on this Board-- including you, Mike-- would make pretty good bloggers. Thanks for the suggestions and links. I am checking them out. I concur with much of what Leeway says as well as what Mike says. BB's are great for a variety of reasons, mainly because of the interactive capabilities. Blogs, from my limited experience in reading them, allow for lengthier, in-depth, and philosophical pieces. Joe's writing is excellent and I recommend bagatellen to anyone interested in improvised music.

Since I don't have a credit card, I will do like Chuck and send a check in the mail (actually it's going to be a money order). This board has enriched my life in innumerable ways; thanks for making this a cool place, Jim and all the posters from around the globe. Your efforts and contributions are much appreciated. The least I can do is make a donation.

Cool story, Al. Jim, you ever try those mini-donuts? They are a treat, let me tell you! Sometimes at local sporting events, they have mini-donut vendors; that's where the real dough is if you ask me (pun kind of intended).

Well, if I'm not mistaken, the Four Freshman and this set are the first Mosaics for vocalists, aren't they? There is also a Sarah Vaughan set.

Re: the voting in a church thing. I don't have a problem with it at all. I've voted in a church a number of times; there were no people pushing religion on anyone. The only "sale" was a bake sale, probably to fundraise for the church. Who knows, maybe they make their brownies with "special ingredients". Not sure how I feel about the touch-screen/electronic voting system. I've voted that way before (in Canada), but we had paper back-up ballots just in case anything went awry. Electronic voting sans back-up sounds like a dicey/potentially chaotic situation just waiting to happen. Hopefully everything goes smoothly today.

Never thought of it that way. Maybe you are right, Dan. Although I'm not sure why Dinah or Woody Herman would be a tougher sell than say, Jack Teagarden or even Art Farmer/Benny Golson. Are you insinuating that Mosaic's core customers are more inclined toward non-vocal/hard-bop/swing (ie. fairly straight-ahead jazz)? IMHO, non-hardcore types are more likely to gravitate toward the so-called pop sets (Four Freshmen, Bobby Hackett, etc.), rather than say more obscure sets such as Grachan Moncur III or Tina Brooks, to name just two. I guess Mosaic is looking for a more "balanced" catalog in order to entice a wider segment of the music-buying public. Nothing wrong with that approach. I think the "Select" series is wonderful; it allows the hardcore fan to obtain hard-to-find stuff at a very reasonable price. Dexter select kicks ass, BTW.

Wesbed you made a wise decision by ordering that set. I received mine yesterday and have been diggin' the shit out of it. This ensemble was very tight, and that tightness is reflected in the quality of these performances. Relaxed, sure, but also incredibly intense at the same time. Nice liner notes, as well. It's good to have multiple views of an artist. Another Mosaic winner!

Mosaic's marketing strategy of late, at least for this set and the Herman Columbia set, has kind of annoyed me. It's all well and good to have a convincing write-up for the set, but it's another thing to write stuff like "you have to own this" or this is your new "must have set". Mosaic is a classy company, I enjoy their sets greatly and will continue to boast about their excellence (in both customer service and product), but these sales pitches have reached an excessive peak, for me at least (although I guess they're just doing it to increase sales).

Thanks for the commentary, lads. Sounds like the reviewer was bang on with his assessment. Chalk up another for the "to get" list.

Macs kick ass! We've always used Apple computers at our house. The first one my Dad bought was a LC III. He then upgraded to an iMac. A couple of weeks ago I purchased a iBook G4; I must say it is pretty sweet (wireless internet, DVD, CD Burner, iTunes, iPhoto, etc.).

Excellent!

I don't have many, but I picked up a Wardell Gray title this week called, MEMORIAL, vol. 2. Dexter Gordon appears on one cut, but it also features Sonny Clark (in his debut recording session), Clark Terry, Sonny Criss (I think), and Art Farmer. Recommended.

This one was reviewed in the new issue of Cadence and received quite a positive rating from the writer. It features Kid Howard and Jim Robinson, among others. I've been a big admirer of this ensemble since obtaining the Lewis Mosaic about a year and a half ago. Anyone else who has this disc, feel free to discuss its merits, etc.

Good to here, this discussion has kind of died. I'm going to revisit the Antibes concert in the next day or so.

Wow--didn't know that one was on the drawing board. I have a fair amount of that material, but I'm sure I'll hitch a ride down the Mosaic highway yet again... Ah, one of the advantages of being relatively new to the music: other than April in Paris, I don't have any. If that's an advantage... Not for your (or my) pocketbook.

You'll receive your Krupa/James Mosaic in... what? About three months? That's OK, he's not being bombarded with bullshit political advertisements.