John B

For those of you who don't have the Nessa AEC 1967/68 box set yet True Blue is having a sale on it until April 18th: Art Ensemble of Chicago: Art Ensemble 1967/68 (5 CDs)Regularly $79.98 Sale Priced at $64.98 The original recordings by the Roscoe Mitchell Art Ensemble with Lester Bowie and Malachi Favors as it evolved into the Art Ensemble of Chicago with Joseph Jarman. Originally issued on three LPs, this hand-numbered, limited edition set contains more than five hours of music, more than half of which is previously unissued.

On what discs does she play the harmonium? I don't believe I have heard her other than on piano, so far.

I'm just finishing up my first listen to Joe McPhee and Johnny McLellan's Grand Marquis. Very nice. I'm not quite as enthusiastic as David on this disc, but I agree that it is quite good. Thanks again for the recommendation!

Alive in the House of Saints is a master work. Just a fantastic album. I also really enjoy her duet with Han Bennink, Eleven Ghosts.

I just saw this on the Tzadik site and thought that it must be some sort of left over April Fool's joke: "Jamie Saft: Astaroth: Book of Angels Vol. 1 Jamie Saft Trio Plays Masada Book Two [#7348] In the final months of 2004, John Zorn wrote over 300 new tunes for his popular Masada project, and he now initiates a new series of recordings featuring the best players out of the burgeoning Masada family in dynamic units performing compositions from Masada Book Two—The Book of Angels. This first volume features Jamie Saft in an acoustic piano trio reminiscent of the best in the genre. Bill Evans, Paul Bley, Herbie Hancock, Vince Guaraldi and even the Bagels and Bongos of Catskills pianist Irving Fields become touchstones for this remarkably interactive group that includes Greg Cohen (Masada, Ornette Coleman) on bass and Ben Perowsky (Uri Caine, John Scofield) on drums. Playing with the fire and passion one has come to expect from the Masada family, this soulful and imaginative trio sets new standards for versatility and excellence in the piano trio format. This group is pure magic and they have created one of the most exciting and enjoyable CDs in the Tzadik catalog. Absolutely breathtaking." I'm still scratching my head over this one. No, not a joke...CDUniverse has this one listed for pre-sale. Time to retire the "Masada" nametag if it is going to be added to every combination of musicians playing any random number of "Masada" tunes. I'm waiting for the Ivo Perelman / Giovanni Mirabassi / Han Bennink "Masada" disc featuring 30,000 new tunes Zorn came up with while on the "throne" one morning.

off the top of my head: .:.impossible, jon abbey and shrugs I think that's it.

According to Chaney, in the Funny Rat thread: "Here’s what Marek Winiarski of Nottwo has to say: Thank you for your interest in our releases. The box should be available in about 10 days. The total cost including postage to the USA will be $129.99 There will be no problem to pay via PayPal for example. "

No, just the one listen, so far. Somehow I don't think that two additional listens will reveal the complex mysteries of this musical pearl. As I read somewhere: "you can't polish a turd." Sorry, but this one isn't going to get any better with time. We ate dinner without music, so my wife was spared. I was going to buy a birthday present for my father tonight. I think I might have the perfect gift already here...

I am listening to Giovanni Mirabassi - Dal Vivo! (Sketch) right now. Words fail me. I will have to repay the kind stranger who sent this to me. Perhaps a nice selection by George Winston would be appropriate...

Jon, will ErstDist be stocking any of these or is this a personal trade?

If we don't end up watching a movie I'll be playing this one during dinner. I'll let you know our reactions.

After one listen to ARP Music I have to agree with Chaney. I'll give it another chance but, so far, this disc is really not clicking with me. Paul Moss doesn't seem to have any ability to hear what Kuniyoshi is playing, or he is choosing to ignore it. He sounds remarkably jarring and out of place on a few tracks. On the tracks where he doesn't annoy me the sound is pleasant enough, but I can see Chaney's point about the music sounding "new-agey."

I found this on a Sonic Youth site: Legend of the Blood Yeti Book One: Spiral bracts / The dwarf willow / Fascicles --- resin canals --- the nutlike seed / Blinter rust / Qanit/aput: capped columns - spiral dendrites / Pediculus portentosus --- pediculo desperandum est the unnameable Book Two: The body of desire --- the fluid animal thing --- / Pulpous concord --- the tongueless mound --- / Despair --- flight to blackout Notes: The 13 ghosts are Alex Ward - clarinet, alto sax, puny amp; Switch - power electronics, hammond b-3, ring modulation, audio-diffraction. With special guests: Derek Bailey - acoustic & electric guitars (book one); Thurston Moore - electric guitar & double bass (book two, right channel); Andrew Clare - electric guitar (book two, left channel, when present). 199? CD on ???? (US) http://www.inchug.force9.co.uk/frame.htm The website's main page is immensely annoying, but they do have tow tracks from this disc available as mp3s. (edit - mp3s not working)

Just from the album Lunge - Strong Language on Emanem. I was never as impressed by this disc as I thought I should be based on rave reviews I read on JC.

I don't think I have heard more than one or two discs on Emanem. Out of the ones you have, are there any you consider essential?

seen elsewhere - Joe Maneri's quartet is calling it quits: BARBES PRESENTS A FAREWELL TO THE JOE MANERI QUARTET. A three day mini-festival featuring legendary reeds player Joe Maneri. April 20, 21 and 22. Joe Maneri started out his career in the 50's as a microtonal composer who studied under Joseph Schmid, a student of Alban Berg - while at the same time, performing Greek, Syrian, Jewish and Turkish music on clarinet. Both sides of his musical personality ended up in his early compositions, along with a strong interest in what would eventually been known as free jazz. The results can be heard on Paniot's Nine, the influential album he recorded in 1965 and was released by John Zorn only 30 years later - leading to a regain of interest in his music. In 1995, the celebrated reed player and microtonal theorist formed the Joe Maneri quartet with his son, violinist Mat Maneri, who had already made a name for himself in the creative music scene, both as a sideman and with his band Persona. The quartet quickly became a jazz institution which released over 10 influential and critically albums After an exciting 10 years, the quartet has decided to call it quits and will play its final concerts at Barbes. They will be joined by trumpeter Herb Robertson on Wednesday, pianist Dave Burrell on Thursday and vibraphonist Matt Moran on Friday. The concerts will be filmed for an upcoming DVD. ================================================= THE JOE MANERI QUARTET: With Mat Maneri on electric viola, John Lockwood, bass and Randy Peterson on drums Wed April 20th with special guest Herb Robertson, 8 and 10pm. $8 per set Thur April 21st, with special guest Dave Burrell on piano, 8 and 10pm. $8 per set Fri April 22d, with special guest Matt Moran on vibes. 8pm only. $8 Barbes is located at 376 9th st in park slope, Brooklyn 718 965 9177 - www.barbesbrooklyn.com

Great album! Hamid's solo on the title track never fails to impress me.

I had a similar reaction after my first listen to this disc. It has really grown on me with subsequent listens. I don't know if that had to do with my listening environment (better headphones and more ability to focus on the music) or my gaining experience listening to this kind of music and having a better appreciation for it.

nice reviews! I've been very impressed by the four ErstLives so far. 1 and 3 are the most immediately gripping, but I've been spending a lot more time with 4 recently. I really can't recommend this disc highly enough. The four musicians work in an area closer to what I would expect from Sachiko than from Pita or Fennesz, but the level of communication and responsiveness is amazing. Never mind the fact that I really enjoy the sounds these four create, and I am most definitely not a huge fan of sine waves as a musical instrument. The "editorial" at the top of the page is funny. I almost forgot what day today is.

Well, I still disagree with both of you, but I haven't litened to Nailed in a while. I'll try to give it another spin later this week. You do know the story behind that performance, right? I don't remember the specifics off the top of my head but I think at least three out of the four performers couldn't stand each other. I imagine that must have affected the level of communication and exploration.

I will endeavor to do it justice. It looks like I have a lot of listening, thinking and posting to do when I get back home...

also, based on recommendations here, I ordered Grand Marquis from Squidco as well as a few AMM discs I have been coveting. I'll post my thoughts once I have a chance to give it a listen or two.

and thoughts will be posted. I'm looking forward to hearing this one!

Thanks for posting this! I have yet to hear anything I didn't like on Blood and Fire.

Squidco has it for $14.95 w/ no shipping. JazzLoft has it and has samples of two tracks, as well.