[Hank Mobley In Europe 1968 - 70]

Thanks so much for posting this...Hank Lives (on my turntable anyway)!

[Horace Parlan Mosaic]

Revisiting this thread has inspired me to break out my lp copy of the Parlan Mosaic. I've often wondered why this one has been so seldom discussed/recommended compared to other sets. Anyway, it remains one of my favorites - how can you go wrong with the Turrentines, Book, Grant Green and the Parlan Trio? The sound on the lps is outstanding (and I'm sure the cds are fine also).

[Can This Be?]

This seller lists many rare lps with very high reserves, but in exceptional condition-lots of oop Mosaics too (also priced at the high end).

[The 2nd Leon Leavitt Auction]

On the other hand, I got three nice lps from this auction and all were below recent market value (one New Jazz lp a real bargain). The usual suspects were unable to overbid all of these records due to the large number offered, that's my analysis anyway. Good news for collectors that more auctions from Leavitt's estate are upcoming.

[Mosaics on E-Bay and the "domestic diva"]

What's the big deal with eBay?

I have spent thousands of dollars on Mosaic sets, and most of that money was spent purchasing Mosaics on eBay.  You have to understand that many of us did not even hear about Mosaic until many of their greatest sets, like the Andrew Hill and Jones/Lewis sets, were OOP.  eBay has provided me the opportunity to catch up, and it's not likely I would have had that opportunity any other way.  And when I think about some of the sets that cost me the most, like the two I mentioned above ($365 and $350, respectively), I'm positive I was happier having those sets and the music therein than the sellers were having my money.  eBay is a wonderful thing. 

I totally agree. I have bought many Mosaics on Ebay, and sold a few too. You have little chance of finding sold-out LP sets elsewhere, CDs are hard to find also. There have been times when I knew I was not going to listen to a particular set, so listing it on Ebay gives someone else an opportunity to enjoy it and I get to buy a new set with the proceeds. So what's wrong with that?

[Art Pepper Select]

Whatever else one may think of Pete Welding, he deserves a lot of credit for recording Maxwell Street blues stalwarts like Robert Nighthawk and John Lee "Hard Luck John" Granderson in the 1960's. He put out some great stuff on Testament Records.

[Paul Desmond Biography]

Thanks for the heads-up on this! Even at 45 bucks I'm gonna get this - sounds like the quality of the book itself is the reason for the steep price.

[Mosaic Columbia Small Group Swing Sessions]

Now that I've listened to this set, I've got to say I'm very disappointed with Mosaic for including the Coleman Hawkins/Clark Terry session in this set! I happen to be a big fan of Hawk and have many of his recordings from all eras of his career; some certainly greater than others, but none as bad as this session! Mosaic deemed those Jacquet recordings too embarassing to issue and should have shown Hawk the same respect, IMHO. It's pretty obvious that the man was too fucked up to play so why issue this stuff? Hard to believe Columbia released this in the first place. Anyway, it seems to me that Mosaic needed to fill out one CD in this set and threw this in. Terry isn't much better than Hawk on this one either, this was recorded about 1 year after his Candid lp, probably the best thing he ever did, so don't tell me he was "in decline". The only listenable Hawkins from this session is "Michelle", and he is just a ghost of himself there too.

Having said the above, the rest of the box is just fine, what I expected. Highlights are the Ellis and Sweets Edison/Ben Webster sessions with Buck Clayton, Burrell/Jacquet, Braff and Morris close behind. There is some great Buddy Tate on those Herb Ellis sessions (and Hawk is himself on that session with Ruby Braff).

[A warning about a board member -- pryan]

I completely understand the frustrations of board members when this kind of transaction goes wrong, especially when the problem is due to lack of communication by the seller (which is what this sounds like). I am a record collector and occasionally an ebay seller. I have had hundreds of transactions with other collectors and jazz lovers and have a 100% positive feedback rating of something like 430 deals since 2001. It has been rare, but a few times I have had to deal with an unsatisfied buyer and on 2 or 3 occasions given a partial refund and once had a record returned for a refund (it was fine & got a higher bid when relisted!). When you do these deals you are acting as a merchant & it is your responsibility to complete them to the buyers satisfaction - on this board it is also a matter of trust. I have had great results buying/trading from board members here and hate to hear this kind of thing happens. Anyway, sorry to be so wordy but if you are going to be a seller here you need to follow through. Hope it works out for all parties!

[my Mosaic order]

Ordered yesterday:

Columbia Small Group Swing Sessions

Dexter Gordon Mosaic Select

...based on past orders the enjoyment could begin as early as Saturday!

[a tiny rant/question on selling Mosaics for profit]

Yes, Virginia, there are folks out there who buy multiple copies of sets like Mosaics and sell them on ebay when they go oop. I have bought several hard-to-find Mosaics from one of these guys (like an LP copy of the Blue Mitchell and Buck Clayton LP set). It turns out that these are worth a whole lot more on ebay now than when I bought them - but I don't care about that as I have no desire to part with them. I'm glad this guy auctioned them since it would have been very difficult to find unplayed mint sets like these! I have sold a few Mosaics myself simply because I wasn't going to listen to them anymore, what's wrong with that? It's not about greed it's just supply and demand. B-)

[Miles Complete Prestige - VINYL version]

I found a nice copy of this set a couple of years ago for $90, or thereabouts. I would have to agree with Sidewinder about the Bergenfield pressings, but these are a decent alternative for much less dinero.

[Norman Granz Jam Sessions box set]

Looks like I'm in a minority. Have started to listen to the music in the box. I find the remastering disappointing, to say the least.

Roy Eldridge on Jam Session 7 sounds shrill. The damn digital trebles get on my nerves and ears. The non-Eldridge does not sound much better even if Dizzy's trumpet comes better...

Major disappointment

I also find Eldridge very shrill-sounding on that session (#7), but I presume it was recorded that way as the rest sounds quite good on my system. Actually, I'm pleased with the sound overall - particularly the first two discs. B-)

[What's your local jazz station...]

Phoenix has very little jazz on the radio of the "non-smooth" variety on fm. There is some decent programming on KJAZ 91.5 fm (npr affiliate with local studio at ASU campus). Bob Corritore has a terrific Sunday night broadcast on that station, but it's all about blues/r&b. Sirius satellite radio has brought a whole lot of great jazz into our house (and cars) with 5 jazz stations-this is going to be huge and you should get on playlists there, IMHO! With every NFL and NBA game available and Howard Stern on the way (I'm not a fan but millions are), it would seem Sirius is the way to go.

[Dan Morgenstern]

Appel is right about one thing at least, the opening "Portrait Of The Artist..." essay is indeed the best introduction to Satchmo out there - should be required reading in our highschools.

[Count Basie Story 2CD]

Actually, the liners do make mention of Teddy Reig's first-rate original recordings done at Capitol.

[Count Basie Story 2CD]

Just heard the new "The Count Basie Story" 2CD Roulette reissue - you're gonna want this one if you don't have the Mosaic Studio box (if you can dig the Basie band of the late fifties, that is). To my ears this band never sounded better - smoking tenor from Frank Foster, Billy Mitchell and Frank Wess as well as some great Joe Newman solos throughout! Sound quality is everything you've come to expect from Malcolm Addey - just superb!

[Just Bought Myself a Turntable...]

And if you do find any original pressings in good shape, you're gonna love the sound quality on most any albums on the Contemporary label!

[Dizzy : The Life and Times of John Birks Gillespie]

I guess you could say Diz & Byas were a couple of real "cut-ups". So, how's the book?

[Larry Kart book signing]

UPS brought my copy last night too; read a few pieces and was impressed by the Hank Mobley (I have "Poppin'" only in the Mosaic and did not realize you wrote the liners). Not everyone "gets" the Hankster, but you certainly do! It's funny, but I had just finished reading Dan Morgenstern's article on Warren Vache when I read yours - talk about two different takes on the same guy! I have heard very little of his playing, but I was kind of impressed with his first lp (the one with Blue Bossa). I liked the Kerouac also and thought you made a lot of sense there. For what it's worth, I find your approach interesting and appreciate the honesty of your commentary so far! On to the Evans...

[Norman Granz Jam Sessions box set]

I finally got this set (44 bucks at Borders w/coupon) and am enjoying it immensely. If you can justify an Xmas gift to yourself, look no further! The music & sound quality are great and the lp covers are a nice touch as well.

[Complete Argo/Mercury Art Farmer/Benny Golson/]

What Mike said! This is an essential purchase if you dig hard bop.

[Your 5 favorite JAZZ purchaces on CD in 2004.]

Not in any particular order:

Stan Getz - Bossas & Ballads The Lost Sessions

Coleman Hawkins - Centennial Collection

Duke Ellington - Centennial Collection (love the dvds with these)

Andrew Hill - Passing Ships

Benny Golson - Terminal One

[Larry Kart book signing]

Just bought my copy from B&N website and sent you a pm - really looking forward to this book!

[Dan Morgenstern]

Got my copy today at a local Borders (coupon printed from this board helped ease the pain of the $35 list price!). Thanks to all you previous posters for recommending this one; I knew I had to have it right away! I am pleased to see it includes the Commodore, HRS & Keynote material (as well as his Mosaic Records piece) in the "Recording Jazz" section. A welcome addition to my jazz library.