BeBop

Really a good album. I won't say too much here, will wait for official discussion. But this one is worth buying.

Usually, bed at 9:00PM and up at 2:00AM. Varies a bit, since I travel constantly and and often still-sdjusting. (Last year, I spent at least a week in each of eighteen different time zones.) The morning schedule gives me a chance to work out, but does 'feel' a bit funny; all those years I spent as a musician, never getting to bed before my current wake-up time...

I'm with Sundog, #11 is essential. This was a pivotal band in jazz history (along with the related Earl Hines band of the period). These bands, along with a few others, bridged the swing to bebop eras (in oversimplified terms). Keep things in historical context and hear history being made. It's also good, fun music. Speaking of good, fun music, #9's probably a fine choice for this too.

Tap, always. Well, except Sudan, Benin and Bangladesh. But the questions is just so...1980s. The question in the 90s became "what brand or type of oxygen do you prefer?" Now, I've lost track.

Yep, that's the one. I picked up my copy of Heavy Exposure (and Jazz Hoot) not long after. Them's what we refers to as "my formative years".

Not sure what the current price is - right about your limit, I suspect. But I'd recommend listening to some Vandersteen 2s. They won't dazzle you with spectacular anything. And that is the highest recommendation I can make. They are musical in the long-haul. Also reasonably efficient. I've had mine 26 years.

Right on, Crown Records. My first jazz LP was a Crown. It was presumably, Stan Getz, whom, as a kid sax-player, I had at least heard of. Alas, I never found another Getz record that I liked as much. Then, revelation. Turns out it was actually Wardell Gray on that record. And I have ever since been a Gray-hound.

Happy New Year, Vic!

Yes, New York is special at Christmas time. (And I'm just a little less sentimental than scrooge himself.) I agree that the Lincoln Center Tower ain't what it used to be, pre-BK. Frankly, I don't know of any decent places to buy CDs other than mass-market stuff above about 23rd. (NYCD is okay)

On a slightly different note, isn't there usually a Mosaic (/True Blue) sale right around or after Christmas? I know one can't count on history as predictive, but...

Echoing and amplifying what others have said, I think many people consider all music, background music. They don't value it like we do. They don't buy heaps of recorded music. They can live with the cr*p played on the radio. Or nothing at all. For some, music is just a chance encounter. Casey Kasem (sp?) tells 'em what they like and, by gum, they do. Books are much the same - a way to fill a commute or kill time while breeding skin cancer cells on a beach. Even after parsing out those things that I actively dislike (television, movies...hell, most of pop culture), there are many things I'm not passionate about, that many care deeply about. Food. Jewelry. Watches. Shoes. Museums. Celebrities. Hey, to each his/her own. We've only so much passion (and time and money) to spread around. I'm applying mine toward music.

I’m naked. (See picture on ‘show yer face’ thread.) The following comments are prepared during first listen through of Disc #1. I haven’t read anyone’s comments and don’t have an internet connection as I write. Prepare for stream-of-consciousness. (What's the old expression - better to keep one's mouth shut and be thought stupid than to open it and remove all doubt?) 1:1A What is this, Andre Previn or something? That’s not a put-down, but the pianist seems to touch the styles of several others, but never digs below the surface. A little lite-stride, some slightly more bombastic stuff, but defused. The range hints at Jaki Byard, but the depth and soul just ain’t there. Unsatisfying. To be fair about it, I suppose this isn’t supposed to be particularly deep stuff. And so, the butterfly flits from flower to flower. 1:1B Fine band section. Definitely that clean new-lion sound. I actually like the tenor player. Pushing the boundaries a bit, but still solidly grounded. Harmonically interesting, with adequate rhythmic variation. Never loses the underlying structure of the tune. On my cheapie headphones and walkman, I can’t tell whether it’s a trumpet or flugelhorn. Reminds me of Tom Harrell, at least the TH of 20 years ago. Assume it’s the same pianist. A bit of McCoy, some Chick (?), touches of Bud, some short, choppy runs that seemed clichéd by the conclusion of his/her solo. (Please accept future uses of ‘he’ and ‘he or she’.) Is the whole band actually in the studio together? 1:2 This is definitely fun stuff. But there’s something about it that I don’t buy. Like Al Jolson, I’m not convinced it’s what it purports. It doesn’t sound like an old recording – the surface noise is too even. It sounds like ‘jungle music’ – excuse the expression – as reproduced by someone from Manhattan. But nice. 1:3 Nice trumpet solo. I really appreciate a guy who can use the lower- and middle range of the horn effectively, and doesn’t feel a need to Maynard. The sax player, like the trumpet player I’m certain I know, but I can’t conjure up a name. (The saxist is particularly familiar.) The group overall sounds like a lab band; not a college jazz band – too polished for any I know, even Leon Breeden’s. If you told me that this was actually one of Maynard’s bands from the sixties, I would believe it. 1:4 Two notes in, it sounds like the first Buddy Rich band I ever heard (1977). After about eight bars, I’m inclined to change my guess to Woody Herman of approximately the same, or slightly earlier vintage. I’ve got a couple albums – The Raven? Jazz Hoot? Giant Steps? Around and after the Bill Chase era. Tom Anastasio. Clarinet sounds like an aging Herman. 1:5 I only enjoy the top 1% of vocalists; this singer ain’t in this category. I suspect she is a Dinah fan; she seems to be shooting for Dinah’s early tone and approach in the early going. <<skip>> 1:6 Seems like this is a Rosemary Clooney song, though I wouldn’t know Clooney from a hole in the ground. (See 1:5) Gotta get that syrup taste out of my mouth. <<skip>> 1:7 Not sure what to make of the little snippet of Monk from the alto. I guess he’s hip. Dude. Little Rootie Tootie, is it? Oh I see, that’s the song. (I warned you this would be stream-of-consciousness; no backspacing.) I feel like this is one of those Concord duo series things at Maybeck. I don’t know why. 1:8 YES! Probably my favorite living musician and one of the greatest human beings I’ve met. One of those Muse LPs (Never Again?) from the early 1970s, as I recall. Secret Love. Tear it up, Moody. Need to hear the organ on a real stereo. Mickey Tucker, I think it was. Freedom Jazz Dance on the same album just rips. Not surprised to hear this on BFT#4 as Jsngry had echoed my love for this era of Moody’s work on some thread or another. I heard this was coming out on a CD ‘bout now. Buy it. 1:9 Ronald Shannon Jackson? I heard this once upon a time and place, but can’t place it now. 1:10 Anyone know where I can pick up the Baby Laurence “Jazz Hoofer” video? 1:11 Laugh or cry? I’m not sure. The trouble of hindsight. 1:12 Got that Mingus feel, for sure. But I can’t say I’ve heard this one before. Eric? I’ll shoot myself when I remember the name of the trumpet player. 1:13 Stan? No Zoot. Damn, this ain’t fun no more. I’m sure I know the alto player – not quite Phil, or maybe. What’s this, some Woody Herman band reunion? Nah, that doesn’t quite sound like Woody, but it could be. Arrrghhhh, aural/mental burnout. 1:14 Too many “Lester People” around (to use the term employed by a Bay Area DJ many years ago for Pres disciples). This sounds a little less pure, but not as harmonically ambitious as, say Warne Marsh, but he reminds me of…Paul Desmond. And the guitarist – Billy Bauer? Nah, I’m an idiot. What is this a Brubeck group and Desmond hawked his alto and Dave toppled backward off the stage? Or my walkman is playing sh*t with my mind. Wait, there is a piano. Could be a heavily sedated Brubeck. Definitely a drummer Brubeck would have used. 1:15 I Know That You Know, but I just don’t know a damn thing anymore. An Earl Hines-influenced piano. With, what, some kind of bongos? Lionel Hampton? Hines? SHOOT ME NOW. Even if I totally screwed up, at least I restrained myself from reading anyone else’s comments first or doing any research, other than in the dark recesses of my mind – which was apparently on recess.

28. The first recording I've bought in three years. And, hopefully, the last for three more.

This seems like a worthy exception to my 'no more buying recorded music' rule. Where's this Organissimo CD available?

I haven't seen much of the import stuff at Tower lately, since the bankruptcy and cal, though there's still (I think) a bin of relatively undesireable stuff at the lower Broadway location. The things I come across in Tower's bins (inlcuding imports) are also available on their website at no-worse prices. Save your NYC time for things you can't get on the web - like JRC's incredible vinyl inventory!

Don't bother with Tower or Virgin; these are mass-market places with the same selection and prices everywhere. Hit the locals. Jazz Record Center, several places in the the Village. Search other threads for specific ideas.

I'd set aside today as my opportunity to listen to BFT #4. I will be enjoying the music and wishing you all the best.

ATT:REPLY TO PATRICK_UDOMA@YAHOO.COM Dear friend, It is indeed my pleasure to write to you this letter, which i believe will be a suprise,as we are both complete strangers As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because I believe everyone will die someday. My name is GEORGE LANDIS, a merchant in Dubai, in the U.A.E.I have been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer which was discovered very late, due to my laxity in caring for my health. It has defiled all forms of medicine, and right now I have only about a few months to live, according to medical experts. I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone not even myself but my business. Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I was always hostile to people and only focus on my business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world. I believe when I have a second chance to come to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it. Now that it is dark for me, I have willed and given most of my properties and assets to my immediate and extended family members and as well as a few close friends. To correct my wrong past life, I have decided to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations in the U.A.E, Algeria and Malaysia. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this my self any more. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money which I have there to charity organization in Bulgaria and Pakistan, they refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended with what I have left for them. The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of twenty four million dollars that I have with a Security Company in Europe I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatched it to charity organizations. I have set aside 10% for you for your time and patience. Thanks. GEORGE LANDIS

The best move I ever made was to quit buying. (My music bucks now go to live concerts and other direct support to musicians.) With the good fortune that comes from having a large collection, I can find continuing enjoyment without digging through the crates at the local record store. Okay, I missing out on the newly issued material, but the pressure that comes from obsession is relieved. Highly recommended.

Has anyone heard Mama Rose <<http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=UIDMISS70311140955370486&sql=A5v6ktr8lkl3x>> Mi amiga gave me a copy while I was in Madrid last year; it looks really good, but I haven't had an opportunity to listen to it yet. (For those who don't know me, I travel constantly, so things like this happen.)

I have really gained far greater appreciation for Shepp, especially in his small group settings - duets most particularly. Check out his stuff with NHOP (Looking at Bird) and Horace Parlan (Trouble in Mind and Goin' Home). Deep and bluesy, but adventurous and soulful. Wailing, hollering, muttering. Shepp could capture it all. Unfiltered.

My Massey Hall is filed under "C", for Charlie Chan.

Sounds like just the sort of thing I need to get into the holiday spirit.

Well, when I get that LP back in-hand, I'll have to give another listen. If I can't tell Red Garland from Herbie Hancock, I will shoot myself. (...in a non-violent fashion; I can't stand violence.) Frankly, I didn't listen to the pianist closely before.

Clearly, I should be less of a lazy SOB and just go back and listen to the tenor player a little more. I should be able to ID - there aren't a whole lot to choose from (though it is a live date under unspecified conditions and an unlikely date, so who knows). Unfortunately, the LP is now 6,000 miles away.