Joe G

I saw him in a quartet a few years ago. Irwin, Yuron Israel, and Kenny Werner. I'm with you John; it was one of the best performances I've seen. Seeing Joe with Scofield's quartet in '92 was fun, too.

Mallet instruments like marimba and vibes are so much fun, even if you don't know what the hell you're doing. Enjoy!

This record is growing on me, too. I hear more to like with each listen.

Just got back from the concert, at Joe Louis Arena. The good: great energy, tight-ass band, plenty of solo time for Maceo (including a workout on Pass the Peas (HA!), and believe it or not, a duet version of What a Wonderful World w/ the keyboard player), and generally a good dose of all around entertainment. The bad: up in the nosebleed seats, the sound absolutely SUCKED! I could not hear any details of what what happening. The pacing of the show was a little too quick for me. When Doves Cry, probably my favorite tune of his (I'm not a huge fan, BTW, this was more for the wife than myself), received a very short and fractured treatment, as did most of the other hits. Just a taste, I guess. It's been a long time since I've been to a big rock concert like this, and I forgot how the crowds are. Prince would scream "MACEO!", and wave his hands, and the crowd would scream and totally drown out what Maceo was playing. People! Listen first and then scream! There was a synth solo that everyone just talked all the way through, checking their watches now and again. I'm sitting there thinking, what's the point? Weirdest moment: All the women's restrooms had lines about 50 deep. Meanwhile, there were no lines at any of the men's rooms (much more efficient to be able to pee into a trough I guess ). So I head into the nearest one, and just as I make the door, there's this big uproar coming from inside. Then about 15 women come stampeding out, all cursing about being chased out of the men's room. All in all, I'd say it was definitely not worth the money I shelled out, but, as I said, it wasn't for me. At least it wasn't boring.

Have a Choco Taco, Paco! B) and a Happy Birthday, too.

JOEL FASS QUARTET GOES TO MICHIGAN Guitarist/composer Joel Fass is taking a quartet to Michigan on tour July 29-Aug. 4. They will be performing Joel's recent compositions, standards, jazz favorites on a nine-gig-excursion. These guys have great depth of experience to bring to the project, a love of playing together, and audience and artists are sure to have a great time. "I really like Joel's 'Not a Bad November'. It's a really classy tune. I told him send it to Tony Bennett" COMPOSER/ARRANGER BILL FINEGAN (WINNER OF ASCAP LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD For itinerary, see www.worldclassjazz.org. PERSONNEL: JOEL FASS, GUITAR JOHN ECKERT, TRUMPET BOB WIJNEN, ORGAN RUDY PETSCHAUER, DRUMS WISH US LUCK! ~ Should be worth checking out if you can. I'm going to try to make the Monday show in Grand Haven. -- Joe

I have no complaints about Tony's playing on Captain Marvel.

I've been listening to the new cd for a couple of weeks now. When I read about all this emotion that the music was evoking in many of you, I just had to hear it for myself. Strangely, it hasn't hit me in that way very strongly. My favorite is the opening piece; I think that one does the most for me moodwise (I love music that soars in that way). I think that my interest has been primarily intellectual--I like hearing how all the pieces fit together, checking out the voicings, the melodies, and so forth. There are some elements that I don't really like (the tenor solos don't really grab me), but that doesn't bother me much. It's an excellent cd, and I would enjoy the chance to see the band live. I just thought that maybe I'd have a good cry, but perhaps I didn't need one after all.

Who is in Roy's quartet? Might be time for a road trip

He's a hard swinging fast burning staightahead kind of player from Philly. So, touches of Martino, Benson, etc. Good player.

...which is why it's not such a good idea to start a beginner out on a crappy axe.

A nicer instrument doesn't make you a better musician, but it does make for a more enjoyable playing experience. Not having to fight a poorly made axe is one less thing to overcome. On the other hand, I can luxuriate in the sonorities of a well-made guitar for hours.

Bummer!

This looks like a good place for my question: BMG has two reissues of Wes Montgomery Incredible Jazz Guitar; one, I guess, is the original Riverside cd, and the other is the SACD. What's the better choice, sound-wise? Price doesn't really matter, as I can get the SACD for a steep discount. Thanks

Have a great one, man! (How can you not--you're in Colorado!)

Glad to see you back home safe, Al. All things considered, it was a minor miracle that you found your way to the restaurant for the hang. Yes, I hope we'll have better luck next year!

Gotta have a lawn, don't I?

I have relatives in Phoenix (and now, friends), but living in Colorado is a lifelong dream of mine, actually. Someday, maybe.

One problem traditionally with jazz guitarists is a rather stiff way of phrasing. I've heard some older recordings were the guitar solo sounded like "plinka plinka plinka plinka...... " It would sound totally ridiculous for a horn player to play like that. I think Wes was one who made big strides in bringing the guitar up to where the other instruments already were in terms of modern jazz phrasing. The guitar is not naturally set up to function as a bebop instrument (the language is keyboard and horn-based), so it's a challenge to make it work.

They tried to get her once already in Texas.

Stefan--check the webpage for dates before you leave. Maybe there will be one you can make. RainyDay--individually, yes, but thus far, not as a group. Someday perhaps.

That was a good rant from Christian.

Yes... crap, what's his screen name... his avatar was a animated conductor's hand.. But didn't he say he was going to Japan? Do you know who I mean?

Thanks. Wasn't hip to the shorthand.

WOO HOO! Now, what about the other W. Michigan members: Nessa, Bill, Skid, Lazaro, et al?????