John Tapscott

Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Big Band - Farewell (Ascent) - terrific album

On Stage - Tal Farlow, Hank Jones, Red Norvo, Ray Brown, Jake Hanna (Concord)

I'm bugged a bit by the piano sound, but otherwise, this is a top-notch set. Great music, the kind of jazz I was really into in the late 70's.

Also a big EA fan, but I don't own any of the Gentle Ballads CD's, and this High Note date will have much wider distribution and availability. Also agree with Dan's point, to a point. I won't order this one, but may well pick it up if/when I see it in a store.

"Mama Don't Wear No Drawers"

Happy Birthday FFA!! May the slide always return safely home!!! (referring to FFA's axe).

That's a great 2 LP set Kevin. Never been on CD, at least in North America, as far as I know. I am very lucky. I "inherited" a Japanese pressing of this album years ago from a dear jazz friend who passed away. Will have to join you in giving it a listen very soon.

Yes Bill, that's it. The LP notes don't tell where the concert was recorded. It does include a schedule of concerts, though. You attended the Basie concert on Saturday Feb. 21, 1959 at Manchester: Free Trade Hall, some 54 years ago. You must have been a lad in knee-pants! I love the photo on the LP cover. Basie band on stage and wailing with not a page of music in sight anywhere! Now that's when a band is tight! Decided to listen to this one first. The Big Band is up next.

I see it's Basie time for you too, John. I've just been giving this a listen: Cook and Morton prefer the later small group Basie sessions with big names like Lockjaw and Hubbard, but I think that Kansas City 6 date with Willie Cook and Cleanhead takes some beating. I see it's Basie time for you too, John. I've just been giving this a listen: Cook and Morton prefer the later small group Basie sessions with big names like Lockjaw and Hubbard, but I think that Kansas City 6 date with Willie Cook and Cleanhead takes some beating. Yes, Bill, over the last month or so I've made it a little project to listen to all my Basie sides, with particular attention to LP's (and still a ways to go because I can't listen to one artist straight through, not even Basie). I'll tell you those latter-day Basie Pablo dates are mighty enjoyable (despite the sloppy Granz productions which often fail to identify soloists and arrangers). Sound is usually good, though. That Kansas City 6 date is notable for some fine playing by Cook, Cleanhead Vinson and especially NHOP, who weighs in with some really heavy and gutsy bass work, quite different from his style with say, Oscar Peterson. My next Basie LP later this afternoon is : Count Basie and His Orchestra - "The Count in England -The Great 1959 Band in Concert" (Jazz Groove) - can't find an image for it on the 'net.