xybert

Received the Benedetti box and the Dial box yesterday. Had a quick listen to some random tracks of each while i ripped them to my computer (which all went very smoothly, which i'm very grateful for). I'll post some more substantial thoughts on each box in their dedicated threads once i've had some proper listens (by 'substantial thoughts' i mean that i'll probably just be ranting on about how awesome they are), but FWIW here are some quick thoughts: - I'm so stoked to have these, particularly the Benedetti which has been a set that i have coveted for a long time but thought of as a bit of an indulgence/luxury item. - Admittedly only listened to a few random tracks but first impressions = pleasantly surprised by the sound quality of the Benedetti. Totally listenable. - Haven't done side-by-side comparisons of the Dial material with other releases of the same material that i have, but it sounds good to me. - On the subject of the weird symbol sounds on some tracks, it's interesting. As i say, i've only had a quick listen, but taking track one on disc two for example, yeah there are sections where it sounds like the type of text book digital artifact/swirling you get on low bit rate MP3s. Now, i take them at their word that the sound is not a result of any digital tampering, that it's the result of the original recording or transfers or whatever, however the problem is that regardless of what's caused it it sounds like something that is well known to be displeasing to the ear. It's like, if you don't like mustard, and you order a sandwich and it tastes like there is mustard on it, and you don't like the taste so you ask the chef 'what's up?', and the chef confirms that there is in fact no mustard on the sandwich, and he is correct there is no mustard, what you're tasting is in fact a by product of the yeast in the bread, it doesn't really matter because at the end of the day it tastes like mustard and you don't like mustard. Anyway, just thinking aloud at this stage; it's not a deal breaker for me and i have a lot of listening to do before i'm ready to 'pass judgement'. As i say, overall i'm thrilled to have the Dial set and i can't wait to really dig in to it.

I'm not an expert but on Hawk, but i really dig what i've heard from this period. The Hawk Flies High, Bean Bags, At Ease With..., The Hawk Relaxes, Duke Ellington Meets..., the Impulse stuff, Sonny Meets Hawk... i intend to dig in to more at some point.

MH playing "Ida Lupino". I need to hear that. Autumn's a long way off Indeed, this write up has got me even more excited for the solo disc. Just found out that Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock are playing duets in NZ in May! To be honest i'm not a huge fan of what i've heard of their duets on disc but it's Corea! And Hancock! I'm sure it'll be a great show live.

Grease is the word is the word is the word is the word is the word...

Ordered the Bud Powell Trio Roost album. Expected back in stock in 2-4 weeks from Amazon Japan, but i'm happy to wait. While i'm here i may as well fess up to all the Bud i've purchased over the last couple of months: At Massey Hall (trio) Strictly Powell Swingin' With Bud Time Waits (TABP Vol. 4) The Scene Changes (TABP Vol. 5) Portrait of Thelonious BP in Paris Inner Fires Paris Sessions Birdland 1953 (ESP) Stitt / Powell / Johnson Well, i really like it all. I've really enjoyed the post '53 stuff, hearing it more as 'different' rather than 'worse'. Maybe due to the fact that i've heard all of the above in a bit of a shamozzle... maybe as the years go buy it'll start to separate out more in to distinct 'good Bud/bad Bud'. It's already kind of happening, although while i can see some of the later stuff as being objectively not at that mind blowing early level, subjectively i still really enjoy it.

Samples are now available on the Rogue Art website and they sound really, really good (obvious low quality files on the website aside). Quite excited for this. The Shipp disc is excellent. I received it last week and listened to it a few times already. You hear the Ellington, but you also get the Shipp. The combination of the two is captivating. It's been on fairly regular rotation in my house too. Yeah it's excellent.

I like the Monk record, but it's taken me a while. It's unusual to hear Monk's music performed in that way, and i think the slightly pristine/not-sterile-but-not-particularly-warm-either recording adds to the initial cognitive dissonance. I haven't listened to it in a while, but from memory i was disappointed that they did Brilliant Corners only as a piano trio! On his more recent stuff, The Vitoria Suite from 2010 is a kick arse big band record. He actually hasn't released anything that isn't a collaboration with Nelson/Clapton or a compilation since then.

You're not kidding. I'd never heard of her before today. Watched the clips you posted and a bunch more on youtube. Would love to hear the opinion of someone that can better articulate themselves on musical matters than i can: can she seriously play or what? I mean, she is NOT just blowing for the sake of it. It strikes me that she has a rare level of confidence and command.... conviction is the word i'm looking for! She has me convinced by what she is saying, which is rare. Her playing really grabs me. I'm seriously impressed. Apologies if i'm going over the top and inducing eye rolls but... wow! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3Cl_fWxMpA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kNmxRXvX3k

Harris Eisenstadt - Golden State ll Now showing on Eisenstadt's website with a release date of March 10th. There's a sample track! http://www.harriseisenstadt.com/albums/golden-state-ii/ Line up this time around is HE w/ Michael Moore, Sara Schoenbeck and Mark Dresser. Slightly disappointed that Nicole Mitchell is not there this time; the combination of her sound and Schoenbeck's sound really gave the group a unique frontline flavour, not to mention the fact that they totally kicked arse together. This is a must buy for me, and i'm sure that Michael Moore will be excellent, but that Mitchell/Schoenbeck combo was truly special.

Sweet! Definitely something to look forward to.

I enjoy Spirits, although i don't think i've ever listened all the way through both discs in one sitting. Usually 6-7 tracks or so does me. I remember picking it up after seeing it on a list of favourite albums of an artist that i really dug... pretty sure it was John Hollenbeck but i'll have to double check when i get home (googling's not bringing it up but i took a screenshot of it at the time). Edit: Yeah it was Hollenbeck.

No tipping in New Zealand, at least not in a way that it's the done thing to the point where you're obligated/expected too.

Benedetti set is back in stock too now (i've been eagerly refreshing!) Now i'm refreshing my online banking page eagerly waiting to see that debit go out

Nice. I need to give the Shades of Bud Powell CD a spin.

My tinnitus is not too bad, just sort of have that frequency in my right ear as if a CRT television is on in the same room. It's a bit like breathing: most of the time i dont notice it but if i become conscious of it it becomes a thing. Thankfully it's at a level that i can live with, but i am paranoid about it getting worse and do everything i can to limit potential further damage. Things that make it worse in my experience: caffiene, alcohol, being over-tired, stress, generally being unwell (cold / flu / headache / food poisoning etc).

I was relieved when my parents split when i was 13, not sure when they technically got divorced. It sucks, but sometimes it's do or die. I'm determined that my son will grow up in a happy, stable environment, as much as it is within my power, but you know what life is like. We can only do our best.

Agreed Yay i was beginning to feel alone on that one, although i guess it might not quite fit in with the OP's preference. Definitely been there! And nothing anyone says will dissuade you from picking up those less well regarded albums that you have your heart set on. And then you discover... and then you really wish that you had the money that you had spent because you've got 20 albums from Captain Dipshiz stinking up your shelf and can only afford to get a couple of albums from your new Lord And Saviour and you need everything he has ever recorded RIGHT NOW! It's pretty much the natural order of things. And then one day you go back and realise that you actually quite like Captain Dipshiz's music, for what it is. Thanks for saying this. I've always felt this way, and am open and honest about some of the less well regarded stuff that i listen to. It's been interesting being so immersed in Bird's music recently though, i've sort of started to see why, maybe, if people take Bird as setting the standard, well, no wonder they look out across the current landscape and feel like there are no happening musicians out there. Anyway, i had more coherent thoughts gathered when i started posting this but got distracted and have lost my train of thought. I really just wanted to thank you for posting this as i do sometimes feel that those who's musical listening activities aren't perfectly aligned with the narrative of what's considered Great are looked down upon.

Samples are now available on the Rogue Art website and they sound really, really good (obvious low quality files on the website aside). Quite excited for this.

I used to think that i had a fear of some insects, but now i think it's just that i am profoundly repulsed by them. Same diff i guess.

Yeah keen as for the Shipp Duke album, looks like that'll be my first new release of 2015. Shipp's on a roll, the group's on a roll, and the connection with Ellington is mighty tasty. Link to the label's site here: http://web.roguart.com/shop/album/id/85?symfony=92b3498277ab9c3f86c82a62379855de

Bobby Hutcherson's Montara (not part of the Select as far as i know) is a classic AFAIC.

When i saw the thread title i hoped that someone would mention this gem. Love this one!

I'm a fiend for popcorn when i go to the movies, love that stuff! If i could, i'd get one of these armchair popcorn devices like the Schlaaang: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en5WqnuYbwg

I think deciding when to buy something like the Parker Dials (and keep in mind that there is more to this set than just the Parker Dials) can be a little like deciding when to buy a new computer. As technologies change (and improve?), this is the kind of classic music that will probably be reissued again and again, making use of that new technology. It's especially the case with the Dials, since we lack the original masters. I can't imagine anyone ever doing it better than Mosaic, but I may have a different opinion when the music is reissued in a different--and for now, unknown--format in ten years or so. Of course, I'll probably buy that one too..... gregmo Yeah i think i'm going to end up getting this set, pretty much have my heart set on it and when that happens it's game over, for better or worse, unless something drastic happens. Having the non-Parker material in there actually appeals to me too. I'm going to wait until the Benedetti set comes off back order though... i've always wanted it and i figure 'Now's The Time'. Cheers.