John Tapscott

A very good post! Makes sense. You are so right. None of these other guys were ever going to be permanent Monk sidemen. I guess the point is to appreciate Rouse for who he is, not who he isn't.

Edited to say - I've been a little late in really appreciating McShann. People would talk about his greatness and I would kind of ignore them, but recently I've come to realize just how great he really was. His playing gives life and lift and sparkle to every session he's on.

Re Christian McBride Big Band - it's a good one, not a greatly profound big band album perhaps, but good solid arrangements, good playing, good band, fine recording. I like it.

I know we've heard the tune hundreds, if not thousands of times, but I really enjoyed Body and Soul from this fine CD:

Just reading through this thread for the first time. Very interesting. Will have to listen to some more Rouse, esp. with Monk. But I agree with the general consensus that Rouse's playing is more interesting away from Monk, esp, when other other horns are involved. This one, for example, which I don't think has been mentioned but is excellent and very enjoyable IMHO.

BillF said "But with only 100 LPs left, you must feel naked! " Not at all Bill; not at all, actually somewhat relieved. I have enough music in other formats and available on the web to keep me listening for the next 25 years (hopefully), even if I never add another item.

Following a major purge and sale, I now have 100 LP's left in my collection. This is one of them and it's a dandy.