pryan

This 2-fer was my introduction to Stitt, and after playing it through once or twice I didn't really know what to think. It almost seemed like he was too good. So I put the cd away for a while and got into other areas/players of jazz. Then when I finally came back to it, I realized not only how fully in control Sonny was on those respective dates, but also how inspired he seemed to be. Some of his patterns and rhythmic artistry are astounding and most of them are downright original, regardless of the Bird-likeness of them. A great set, worth searching for.

I have an exact opposite opinion, and think both the title and subtitle are both apt and hilarious.

I just ordered this release, along with a whack of other goodies, from Cadence. Those posties up here in Canada better not go on strike; I'm dying to hear this one. I'll post my thoughts at a later date, Phil.

I've been away for a while (not health-related) and am just checking in here quickly. Good news re: the number of copies left, I'll have to get it soon! Get well soon, Tod.

Thanks Berigan. I listened to disc six last night. One of the sessions on that disc (one under Bunny's leadership) has a funny story about it re: Bunny losing some of the arrangements and/or sketches that he had made. I think he blamed one of his kids for taking it to school, or something along those lines. At the session the guys kind of just "winged it", but the results are still good to my ears. The second date w/ Billie is on disc 6 as well.... sublime. B)

Damn, that's making me hungry. Oh yeah, and can you mention the address of this place, Chris, I might have to drop by someday.

Some nice quips in there, vibes. I wonder how some of the buyers react to those responses.

Well, it did arrive today and I am one happy dude! I'm planning on listening to the set in "reverse", from disc 7 (which I just finished listening to; wow, great stuff) backwards to disc 1. I'm finding Bunny's playing to be just magnificent, especially on the one vocal session that I've listen to (the one with Teddy Wilson and Johnny Hodges). He's got that Prez-like way of accompaniment that's just so difficult to pull off, but it seems effortless to him. Can't wait to listen to the rest and will report back.

Thanks for the info guys. Sounds like they're both (and the other Thompson albums) worth checking out.

On an unrelated/ sort of related note, has anyone heard the disc in this series simply called BEBOP? I saw it at a used shop last night and was intrigued but decided to hold off on buying it. It features a number of different groups, those of Don Byas and Howard McGhee among them. While I'm at it, I saw the Lucky Thompson disc from the same series, although I'm not certain which one it was (assuming there's more than one Thompson disc). How's that one?

Happy July the 4th to all the American posters out there. But a belated mention must be made to wish myself, and all Canadian posters on the board, a happy Canada Day, which fell on July 1 (for those who care, Canada officially became a country July 1, 1867).

Ubu, I do have the one with all the alternates and the session without Prez, hence the mention in my previous post about the 3 different versions of "I Got Rhythm", on one of the sessions. Couw, I have the "last session" and agree with your comments. John L, that Paris concert looks good, and shouldn't be too hard to find. That Jam session w/ Christian, Goodman, et al must be on that Christian box set on Columbia (I've had "big eyes" for that set ever since it came out; now that I know Prez is on it, I may pull the trigger even quicker).

Thanks for the info John. I think I have that live session from '50, it's on the Complete Savoy set, right? The one with Roy Haynes on drums, I pretty sure, and there's a trumpet player on the date too. I've never heard of the Glenn Hardman/Lee Castle stuff. I most definitely dig his thirties stuff, and have only a small sampling.

Thanks ghost (and Lon), those more obscure dates are just the kind I'm hunting for. Although, admittedly I still don't have some of the more renowned stuff, such as the aforementioned Basie Deccas. Too much Prez, not enough time...

I still have yet to receive my set; hope it's not held up at customs. If it doesn't arrive by tommorow I might have to give Mosaic a call; I'm sure it's been sent, however.

Ghost, I know about the Decca Basie recordings, but have yet to acquire them, although I was really tempted to pick up the definitive set (damn conscience!). I think I'll do like Chuck and get all the Classics re-issues of Basie's "Lester" band. Harold, the Commodores are on the KANSAS CITY SESSIONS cd, right? I have that and agree, they're a must for me as well (three versions of Prez playing some heavy shit on "rhythm" changes!, can't beat that).

A friend's brother has (used to have?) a car that was dubbed "the loudest in Manitoba", or something along those lines. I've "experienced" the sound and it is indeed HUGE. He does work at an electronics chain store, however, and gets some pretty good discounts. Apparently he's also won competitions for car stereos and the prize, funnelly enough, is MORE car stereo gear. Seriously.

I have that album; I think that's the only one I left off the list. It's one of my faves too, strange how I forgot it.

A most excellent choice, Brad. Coincidentally I was just about to put this one on. I'll save my comments for later, however. Looking forward to reading those reviews too, Jim.

Last fall on that other BB, I posted a thread asking for Lester Young recommendations. JSngry said to get all the Pres available and now I know that he wasn't joking at all. I've since become a Prez fanatic, having bought numerous albums (which I will list below) and read two books on the man. Here is what I have so far: - A MUSICAL ROMANCE (w/ Billie) - THE KANSAS CITY SESSIONS - THE COMPLETE ALADDIN SESSIONS - LESTER YOUNG TRIO (w/ Nat King Cole and Buddy Rich) - PRES AND TEDDY - JAZZ GIANTS '56 - LE DERNIER MESSAGE DE LESTER YOUNG - THE COMPLETE SAVOY SESSIONS - CHRONOLOGICAL CLASSICS 1939, VOL. 2 (actually under Basie's name) So the question is, where do I go from here? Of what I've seen locally under Lester's name (of which I don't own, besides the Verve box - I'd rather get the individual albums, because I'll listen to them more often) are LAUGHIN' TO KEEP FROM CRYING (of which I've heard mixed reviews) and LIVE IN WASHINGTON, vol. 5 (w/the Bill Potts trio). Any comments on these two or any (especially) other more obscure Prez recordings are most appreciated. Thanks in advance.

The Aladdin set totally hooked me on Prez and I still have many areas of his career to explore (although I've explored a lot already, in such a short time span). BUT, if this is your first dip into the Lester realm then you might want something that spans his entire career, which I'm assuming the Proper box does. Like Jim says, though, it's a win-win situation.

pryan: no, but I once ordered their catalogue and receive it ever since (yearly). Seems they're a nice bunch of enthusiasts! Their main jazz thing might be their releasing the complete Django Reinhard recordings (still in progress). I really don't know more, sorry! But maybe brownie does? Do try and send him a PM! ubu Thanks ubu, maybe I'll just order a catalogue and order it the "old fashioned" way.

I was just basically copying out what was printed in the liner notes for the CONSTELLATION two-fer. I figured you had bought the albums 'round about the time they came out. Yeah, that BREAKTHROUGH cover is downright brutal! BTW, both of the albums were said to have been released in 1972 (they didn't specify what month, etc.).

CONSTELLATION, according to the ENDGAME BRILLIANCE twofer re-issue, was recorded exactly a year before the date you list (or maybe it's just a typo). TUNE UP, was, according to the re-issue booklet, recorded on February 8, 1972 and released as MR 5334.

I haven't really noticed the sound that much (although I'm not an "audiophile") but am hearing the music for the first time EVER, and am stunned by its sheer beauty. And what a collection of players! No wonder they called this Duke's best band ever.