tonym

In a book about jazz records, the pianist Jonny King suggests that when he was in college, one of the albums he listened to most, the one that felt most 'at home' like an 'old pair of slippers' was Miles' Relaxin'. I would like to know which albums, regardless of genre, sound quality, technical prowess, image or kudos, you put on when you need to hear something friendly and familiar? As one would only own a pair or two of slippers, keep it down to one or two albums --- this should be a totally personal experience (shared, of course, with the rest of us now!). For me it's the first Stan Getz Roost session with Al Haig etc. Those first few notes from 'On the Alamo' get my pulse rate right down. cheers, tony.

Awww. Nobody has mentioned Craig David Actually isn't it Craaaaeeg Dayayayvieed..... if he hasn't hit America yet, just wait....he's even wheeled Sting back out to duet with. BTW, has anyone ever seen that documentary of Marvin at the North Sea Festival in Holland? --- real poignant stuff. Pathos wasn't a word people used until they saw this film. Jackie Wilson, got an old vinyl anthology of his --- a mixed bag, but when he is on top form he has one hell of a thing going. cheers.

Well as i'm too sincere to be ironic i picked 1942. Oh.. what a date that was, she had long black wavy hair and her legs didn't have that Bisto smell either. We danced all night underneath those arches. Many other dates since then, but nowadays girls are far too forward.

Joe Henderson --- 'Our Thing'??? does that count?

Maybe they thought it would distract people from their weird looking child!!! His hair has always been like that you know.

I am still torn between Stranded and Country Life, although i love the first five albums for different reasons. When i was at school 14 maybe, a friend of mine and i used to take turns to purchase the albums and then spend time with each one. Most were secondhand from the only such store in town. It sounds cliched but you just couldn't wait to get home to spin it. He ended up owning half, and I the other! This was at a time when the only rock alternatives were Queen and other early '80's faves The covers were also a bit on the saucy side which meant when Grannie came around you couldn't have Country Life lying on the floor. That Eno influence really made them stand out stylistically but if you got past that, you just realised the were bloody good tunes, well sequenced and excellently played. One Mojo issue about 7 years ago was packed with Roxy stuff (it was about the same time as their anthology). It's a tough one...i still need time! cheers, tony.

Well, this is becoming rather enjoyable --- this nostalgia trip we're on. So, dust of those marvellous, timeless covers of scantily clad models (was it a man???) and let me have your opinions on one of the most remarkable bands ever....(remarkable that they even made a second album!). All the denim wearing, beer guzzling fella's from the Zep thread can throw on a cummerbund, spritz up a dry Martini and tell us why? BTW, Ghost of Miles... i got this idea from your espousal of Roxy induced seduction techniques!

You know Big Al, i actually think that a lot of the stuff on Houses' was intended to be released with stuff from PG, or vice versa... which probably explains why your own compilation sounds so purposeful. Jazzmoose you're not wrong with III, i think it's because of the more personal nature of the recording; you know, the intro to Friends, the last 2 'jam' tracks and the general 'wildness' of it all --- a quite unique sort of 'wild'. You definately get a sense of 'being there' with this one --- more than the others i'd say. cheers, tony.

Mmm, that first Garbage album was good. Must have been the Vig influence when he was on top of his game. Any Radiohead --- you can never hear enough of them. Porno for Pyros --- Perry Farrell's baby; the debut was a bit spacey and trippy. The Amps --- again a pet project for one of the Breeders' Deal sisters. 3 minute punk with lo fi qualities. Student house music ahh. Suede --- especially their first two albums; the debut was camp as Gilbert & George with astounding lyrics. The second went all Roxy Music 'For your Pleasure' stuff with well- timed guitar solos and suggestions of sleazy sex. Wonderful. Pumpkins --- as mentioned. Perfect amalgam of angst, guitars, tunes and imagery. Rage Against the Machine --- puts a lot of this nu-metal stuff to shame. Particularly liked The Verve before they overdid the strings; 'A Northern Soul' has got to be one of the most depressing pieces of rock and that's including The Smiths. NIN --- again mentioned below, but 'Downward Spiral' is a masterpiece. God, i'm getting spots again.

Since i got hold of Enrico Rava's album 'The Pilgrim & the Stars' a few months back i keep hearing that lovely bit on Blancasnow where the maelstrom from the rhythm section dies down revealing a simple bassline riff and a gorgeous coda. Perfect way to end an album. Obviously. this is a reccurring phenomenon for many music fans; i can think of loads.... The intro to Autumn Leaves on 'Somethin' Else' --- again Hank Jones! A fair few moments from Focus by Stan Getz --- mostly 'A Summer Afternoon' & 'I Remember When'. The intro to 'In the Light' by Led Zep. --- about as proggy as i get without reaching for a very old, well fingered copy of 'Out of the Blue' by ELO. God i'll be persecuted for this if i go on much longer....or have i said enough?

Ok, since the Rock On thread generated a bit of interest in the mighty Zep, I've decided to open it up a bit more.... What is your all-time favourite Led Zep album? You can include the live ones eg. the BBC Sessions etc., whatever. Just a bit of feedback and a bit of nostalgia will ensue for all who take part. Go on...Squeeze my lemon baby!

Yeah a pair of Grado RS 1's would be nice.

Claude, love that calendar --- the pic of Don Byrd's missus and especially Sonny Rollins out in the desert (with that vivid tint as used in the Miles pic). I've converted a few of them into hanging pictures with frames for my dining room. cheers, tony.

Yeah, i've actually posted this over at the other board too. My Disc 8 from the Evans Riverside box has 7 tracks rather than 11, all from the Miles Quintet sessions with Prestige. I emailed Mr. Luening and he responded very quickly, within 24hrs, and assured me i would receive the correct disc. Hope you get yours sorted. cheers, tony.

Yes, i know what you are saying Dan. But if indeed Blue Note's 'house sound' was hard-bop then Horace's sound was very much, well, something very idiosyncratic in itself --- with that left hand thing he had going on, quite particular and not something totally analagous with the rest of the stuff going down at BN. Not a slur on his playing at all.

Sonny got my vote --- i voted first then looked at the posts...interesting. Maybe it's because i've yet to hear an album upon which he's featured that doesn't have that late '50's / early '60's thing going on. Some of the others on the list did actually produce their best stuff on other labels IMO but I can't think of other sessions (other than BN) where Sonny Clark appears on 'classics'. Horace comes close but he was very much in his own bag don't you think...not as versatile. cheers, tony

The Universe is Celeste.

Sounds fantastic Brownie. Where did you find that? Apart from the obvious dates with Getz, and a couple of Limited Eds OJC i have trouble seeing Al Haig stuff in stores --- not that i have searched much online. Sorry I don't have any info for you --- just wanted to congratulate you on a great find! cheers, tony.

I've just voted 'Street of Dreams' although im not familiar with a couple of titles on the list. The Green session is at least 3 1/2 or 4 in my book purely by virtue of the way the sidemen play. What does strike me about AMG though, is that sometimes you get te impression that the albums haven't even been listened to. My first experience of this was when i was compiling an Excel spread of my collection and when i reached Stan Getz i was surprised to find that 'Nobody Else But Me' not only had no review, but they had given it 2 stars. I am aware that all reviews are subjective --- but if it's the case that marks are given according to the other titles by that artist then this instance seems illogical to me. Oh well, at least we have the Penguin Guide to redress the balance.... cheers, tony.

Herbie Hancock Quartet in UK... Newcastle City Hall, Wed. 2nd July, Tyne & Wear, UK. I have just found out about this, can't believe it almost escaped me. Herbie, Bobby Hutcherson, Terri Lynne Carrington and Scott Colley. The venue is the old City Hall but the tickets are being sold through The Sage, the new arts venue that is due to open near the Baltic Gallery on the Gateshead side of the river. I think it may be 7:30pm start. Tickets, £8, £14 & £20 (very pricey) on 0191 443 4555. Should be good; any recent reports on his live stuff? cheers, tony.

I'd like to second that. The boards are great places, sniping characters aside, and help like this is always appreciated. cheers, tony.

Welllll! He's very mannered isn't he? Oh god, i've just realised you're the guitarist -- don't tell me he's your idol!!???

I'm assuming there are lots of rock fans amongst us and during today i've had the urge to listen to a couple of my favourites. So, when it comes to big slabs of Strat and throbbing bass lines what are your all-time classic rock albums? Doesn't matter about sub-genre; Prog, Nu, Heavy, Poodle --- just give me some responses. BTW. mine have to be (in no order): Soundgarden - 'Superunknown' Led Zeppelin - 'Physical Graffiti' Black Sabbath - 'Vol. 4' Radiohead - any Smashing Pumpkins - 'Siamese Dream' Helmet - 'Betty' Veruca Salt - 'American Thighs' Blind Faith - 'Blind Faith' cheers, tony.

Yeah Simon, unfortunately several Jazzwise reviews seem to read like that. And i'm serious, my ears are bloody huge!!!