BruceH

Great subject for a show! I love Victor Feldman.

Come to think of it, just about EVERY major turning point in Ellington's career came in for some negative criticism from some quarters before people got used to it. Not only "BB&B" but the Suite albums of the 50's/60's, the first Strayhorn stuff (not as good as the Cotton Club stuff don't you know)...over and over, some scritics were quick to say that whatever Duke was doing now wasn't as good as what he used to do.

Wow! That's a little startling.

Tristano's "Intuition" perhaps?

This list reminds me that a considerable amount of my favorite jazz is from the pre-album era. That is to say, was not initially released on LP. I mean, you can't really call a collection of Armstrong's Hot Fives and Sevens an album because it's a compilation of 78's. Same for the Blanton/Webster era of the Ellington band, the pre-Atomic Basie, etc, etc.

There was a time when I used to play Riot obsessively, driving those around me to drink...

I don't keep close enought track of my listening to say for sure. Broadly speaking, I think the music I listened to most was jazz, but that's no big surprise.

Teddy Wilson Trio, discs 1-3. What a touch he had!

All of 'em?

No Ellington. Tsk.

What a maroon...

I would love to see a Mulligan Sextet box.

I'm hoping the Collectables 2-on-1 "Jazz Hoot"/"Woody's Winners" has all the tracks.

Agreed. 'Stand' is the best album, but is basically made up of singles plus a long filler instrumental. All the ones up to Fresh are enjoyable, but this is a group where you can start with the 2CD Essential collection (amazing remastering) and really get the point of everything up through 'Stand' (plus a couple of classic single sides that aren't on any of the albums). 'Riot' needs to stand by itself. Each person needs to decide what they think of it, but it should be heard. 'Fresh' is good, but to me not absolutely essential. Nothing after that should be touched with a 10 foot pole, regardless of what the marketing on Rhino Handmade says. I would agree completely except for one thing: Back On the Right Track, from 1979, has its moments. "Same Thing" is a personal favorite, for one. Sure, the album is not a Stone classic, so to speak, but any Sly fan should have it.

Is that the one where the front cover is nothing but an American flag? With sunburst (instead of five-point) stars, yes.

This had been a big favorite of mine for more years than I care to admit. I first heard it at a friend's house; there were a bunch of people there and someone threw this on and it blew me away! The next day I went out and bought a copy. An example of how to "jazz" a classic RIGHT.

Years ago I guess I would have said skinny, but things have gotten ridiculous... Whatever happened to the golden mean? Then again, these days, "well fed" in model-land would mean something like 5'9" and 125 pounds.

I hate to admit this, but he's one of those guys whom I had half a notion had already passed away. He certainly lasted a good long time, thank God. I was first introduce to his music through an old Charley vinyl compilation that I bought in the 80's. A very talented man, and, from all reports, a nice guy too. RIP

I heard it divided film festival audiences. I've got to admit, the reviews so far haven't been very encouraging.

Digipaks----yippee. I wouldn't say Riot has "awful" sound. I always thought of it as artfully murky. But yes, give us a CD that sounds like the original pressing...and that classic alternate-timeline flag cover!

I actually have the original LP of this one--it has the "deep groove" and is pressed on see-through orange vinyl. Wow, orange vinyl! I've found that LP's pressed on translucent colored vinyl tend to sound extra good for some reason. I've got it on boring old opaque black vinyl (and CD too.)

Ya gotta love Tal!

Go get 'Singin' In The Rain' and watch You'll never regret it! YES!!!

Out of that list, I'd go for the Dizzy Small Group.