Z-Man

I'll take the Stuff Smith off your hands. Please e-mail me at czen@earthlink.net. I'll send you a PM as well.

Holy shit is right. I saw Sonic Youth once, back in 1991 opening up for Neil Young & Crazy Horse on the Ragged Glory Tour. If they play anything like they did 10 years ago, prepare to be blown away.

I highly recommend "Dear John C.". Strange title, as there isn't a single tune that you would associate with Coltrane, but killer playing by all (especially Mariano).

Care to share details, Dmitry?

I'm disappointed that the Trane/Hartmann has been delayed. The news of the Steely Dan releases on June 22nd just made my week, though. I wonder why no "Can't Buy A Thrill".

Nice list, Stefan. Some essentials, some interesting obscure items. Good prices, too.

Where?

Don't wait. Order immediately. Though Mosaic says there are 70 left, things can change VERY quickly in Mosaicland. Get out the credit card and worry about it when the bill comes next month (like I always do!). If you miss out on this set you will never forgive yourself.

How about a cardboard spine? They sound a lot better...

I actually have this exact model Victrola in my living room. It helped make the NYC blackout of last summer a real treat. A night dancing around the living room to Basie 78's by candlelight is a good night indeed.

"Undercurrents" is outstanding. Great sounding LP and stellar playing.

Thanks, Ubu. That's exactly what I was looking for.

I think I remember reading somewhere that the Mingus Candid Mosaic set is missing a few alternates that have appeared on later CD issues. Does anyone know if this is the case?

The bonus track on One Flight Up, "Kong Neptune" is one of my favorites. I love the long, catchy melody. This has always been an underrated session, IMHO. For what it's worth, the sound of this material on the Dex box is far superior (to my ears, anyway) to the sound of the original CD issue of One Flight Up.

"Alison's Uncle" (actually called "Bangoon") was a bonus track on the LP issue of "Somethin' Else", and not included on the Classic LP reissues. Now you can have the complete session without resorting to a CD issue (at a rather high price, of course...).

I really wish you hadn't brought this site to my attention, Daniel. Unless someone advises otherwise, I'll be spending some serious money here.

8/25/57 J.O.S. What Is This Thing Called Love Just Friends Cherokee Blues After All 'S Wonderful Blue Room Little Girl Blue 2/25/58 Au Privave Lover Man The Sermon Flamingo Confirmation No Way Out rejected unknown title rejected Strike Up The Band rejected AFAIK - You can get all of the material on the original (not RVG) CD issues of "House Party" and "The Sermon" except "Little Girl Blue", which is only available on the LP "On The Sunny Side" (LT-1092).

Also check out Thiel CS 1.6's. I think they are about $2K at list price, but you may be able to find a demo pair cheaper. I was ready to buy a pair of these until someone told me about the Magnepan MMG deal. Transparency and tight bass are my main criteria for a speaker, and the Thiel's really fit the bill. I'm pretty sure Magnepan would ship to Europe. Check out Magnepan for info. If you do try 'em out, remember two words: BREAK IN. I always thought audio gear break-in was kind of a crock until I got the Maggies. When I first plugged them in they sounded thin and compressed, and I almost returned them. After about three weeks of normal listening, the bass response seemed to double and the soundstage opened wide up.

Daniel, I've had a pair of Magnepan MMG's for about 2 months now, and everyday I love them more. At $550, they are one of the best deals in audio. You buy them factory-direct, and get a 60-day window during which the speakers can be returned for full credit. If you keep them, you can upgrade to a higher-end model within a year and get your full $550 purchase-price credit. Though they only go down to 50hz, the bass response from the MMG's is amazingly accurate. An acoustic bass sounds like an acoustic bass, not just a low frequency. You could always add a subwoofer, but I have never once wanted one in my set-up. To my ears, the MMG's are very natural sounding, and you really feel the space between the instruments. The depth of the soundstage is incredible. These speakers need a LOT of good quality power. I have never heard an HK amp, but 65 watts (into 4 ohms) should be sufficient. I'm running 75 watts of tube power into them, and can bring the volume to ear-splitting levels. IMHO, you would have to spend $2500 to get a better sounding speaker for acoustic jazz.

One of the best things about this board is not having to visit a website that lists TEN five-star (or ovals, or whatever the hell they are) reviews for the new Norah CD, which hasn't even been released yet! My favorite is this one: "How can this not be great????? Norah is such a great piano player and even a greater singer and a great songstress. It would be great if they would let us give more than 5 stars - it's gonna be that great. Norah is great and it will be great to hear her on her great new CD. It will be great to hear all her great new tunes. Her old songs were great and these will be even greater. I'll bet this is going to be the greatest CD ever." Thanks B-3er for providing a home for intelligent, lively music discussion and sparing us all from this kind of dreck.

Wild mentions in his notes to the 9/30/65 Seattle Concert that "Two titles also exist from a radio broadcast from this venue, which was not a part of the actual session (the broadcast may or may not be from the same night)." Could these tunes be what he's referring to? Is the Afro Blue on this tape a different performance than on the Impulse "Live In Seattle" CD release?

Jackie Mac LP set. I never grow tired of it. Killer playing by all involved.

I've also been listening to the Half Note material lately (right now, in fact...), and I've been consistently blown away at the level of intesity and interplay that the Quartet attains during these performances. Hearing the Classic Quartet play their regular gig at their home base for several weeks in a row (much like Bird at the Royal Roost) has given me completely new insight into what this group could do. While the studio albums (and even the Live Trane Pablo box material) are obviously indispensible, and present many facets of the Quartet's sound, I find that the Half Note material best represents the group's improvisational acumen. Coltrane is stunning here. His solos, while typically long, almost never meander, and the Jones-Trane duet that Guy mentions left me on the edge of my seat (literally) for about 10 minutes. IMHO, this material is essential listening.

Picked one up at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square this afternoon.

Is there really a dramatic difference in fidelity with these 45 RPM reissues? I'm a big fan of Classic Records and Analogue Productions vinyl reissues, but I've been drawing the line at spending the big bucks for the 45's. How much better are they?