skeith

I am glad you said it before I did, but but what you said before, to use your term, was, in my opinion, BS. I like Bill Evans and Bud Powelll in equal measure.

I should make clear that I am a fan of Abbey and I have seen her a number of times in the 90's. But this performance was a disaster, I don't think it was a decent save and it wasn't fair to blame it on the band, as she was doing. It is one thing to be ahead of the beat, but several bars. It was inexcusable - I hope the reason is that she was under the influence. Because she is an artist I have had a lot of respect for. I don't think the cloth thing was a bandage, but I am not sure.

I thought Herbie Hancock and MCoy Tyner both gave great performances. For me the most interesting train wreck was Abbey Lincoln. Drunk? HIgh? Man she came back in several bars before the pianist's solo was over and then kept yelling at her band to lay out. And what was the white handkerchief about

YOu are welcome Lon, I think you are going to be happy with this. I was reluctant at first to buy this material again, but I am pleased with this box. You are right Mike, but I suspect that the sound on this new box is much better.

On further listening I am beginning to think the sound is better on the box than it is on the VICJ and the XRCD, so after some initial trepidation- i recommend this box. Yes the announcement are difficult to hear, but I like the idea of preserving the original sets in order - so that's a bonus. Wish they had included copies of the original covers, which are two of my favorites, but they did not.

I like Koln very much and not sure I would prefer Bremen. My favorite solo is Facing You. Probably I prefer the quartet stuff to the solo.

Before you get all conspiratorial and go on about the evils of capitalism, I should point out that at every single retail outlet in NYC where I priced the box versus the 2 cds, the box came out cheaper. I presume that is true online.

RDK, Not sure about noise reduction. It is not mentioned in the liners as having been used. after my message of yesterday I listened also to the XRCD versus the box and I think the XRCD and box are closer in sound than the mini lp and the box. DO you prefer the mini-lp or XRCD?

I picked up the box and compared it to my japanese VICJ of Waltz for Debby. What follows are first impressions, but the result of carefull listening: the first thing I noticed is that the background noise ("tape hiss"?)on the box is almost nonexistent. The entire background on the box is darker, blanker, quieter. Not sure whether this has an effect on the rest of the sound. and so is the crowd noise - it seems diminished and more in the background- which surprised me cause I thought this is something they emphasized in the box. Also Motian drums are mostly in both speakers on the VICJ , but usually on one speaker on the box. Some tracks which have clipped beginnings on Waltz for Debby also have it on the box, which is somewhat of a disappointment. Whether you like one or the other version may depend on your rig and your ears, but they certainly are diffferent. More later.

thanks everyone for your comments. to those that have the box, does the proper sequencing of the tunes add anything? Are the announcements an enhancement? Has anyone compared the sound to the japanese VICJs? or any other audiophile versions (those JVCXR versions, for instance)?

One other thing, unlike "Waltz for Debby" or "Sunday at the Vanguard", this box presents the material as it was played in the actual sets (by this I mean the order of the tunes). According to the little write up on the fantasy site, this box has been released already in Europe and Japan and I am very curious if anyone has any comments on sound quality in comparison to 20bit japanese mini-lp or the 20 bit domestics.

Came out yesterday, apparently it's newly remastered with an extra take and includes the announcements before and after tunes. any reason to get this if you already have the japanese mini-lps? Inquiring minds want to know....

I saw this band last night and as I have said before, they are my favorite working band. They did monster versions of "It should have happened a long time ago" and "Epistrophy" and also "Good Morning Heartache" which at first I thought was "Darn that Dream" (maybe similar melodies I guess or chord changes?) Epistrophy got the biggest applause- it was so hard driving- but as usual they had a mix of hard driving tunes with delicate balllads. Guy, I am surprised you are surprised about the Monk in their repertoire - do you have by any chance their all Monk cd "Monk in Motian" I highly recommend this gig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Catesta, you probably know this already, but the big Italian festival in Manhattan's Little Italy is the San Gennaro festival and it usually is happening around now., but I am not sure of the dates. Also, Arthur Ave. in the Bronx has some good ones.

I'm seeing them tonight. Looks great. sorry I missed you guys.

I picked it up and am enjoying it a lot. I think the tracks added to what was the original lp are superior to the one left off, "It all comes back to you" which as Cuscuna explains in the liner notes, was chosen for its more commercial sound and had more "airplay potential" At first I thought the sound was good, but a bit thin, but the more I listen the more I like it.

I agree with everything Allen said, including the last sentence.

I enjoyed this one and fans of Jimmy Jones will like this article.

Jim, I am sure you have thought of this already, but I would ask the club owners about parking and maybe what kind of vehicle is best- I would think they would have experience to advise you. That location, yes it is in the heart of the Village, the streets can get very packed any day or any time of the week and NYC has lots parking restrictions and they can be different for every street. Street fairs and parades - we do have them in the fall, can add to the complications. Also, do not underestimate NYC's ability to have a traffic jam, any time any place, so give yourself a lot of extra time. Wish it weren't Sunday night, but I am looking forward to seeing you guys play.

Anyone get "the Big Beat" yet? Curious as to other opinions on the sound quality....

Hey Lon, As a fan of this series, I am curious about your opinion on the sound quality of the "The Big Beat" RVG? (see my comments above) anyone else can chime in too.

Hope you had a great birthday!!!

I picked up Oblique and Judgment and was very happy with the sound, particularly after the what I felt was a horrible job on The Big Beat. I will say however that my copy of Judgment had finger or lip prints in red all over it - not sure if paint or nail polish, lipstick? Back to the store and second copy did not have it.

My condolences Berigan

Stop the presses!!!! I am usually a big fan of this RVG series and recently picked up 3 from the current batch: Inventions & Dimensions, Fuego and The Big Beat. While I&D and Fuego sound great, the sound quality on The Big Beat Sucks!! It is actually worse, IMO, than the Mcmaster first cd issue many years ago. The RVG sound is muddy, the horns are muted - it sounds so bad. I am very disappointed.