John Tapscott

I would like both of these, but I'm hesitating over sound quality. I honestly found the sound on the Jacquet/Parker CD well below Uptown's usual standards and almost unlistenable (yes, I know the source was not great to begin with).

Both the McGhee and the Jackson CD's are available for ordering now at the Uptown website. http://www.uptownrecords.net/home/store/99.html

I have it, Tom. Listened to it not long ago, actually. You're hearing right. While I don't think it's an essential Dizzy album, it's a good and entertaining (as always with Dizzy) release. That band with Moody and Barron was very good. Gillespie was still pretty much on top of his game, trumpet wise, in the early to mid 60's.

I find Kellaway to be a very creative and interesting player. I should listen to him more often. Here are several CD's that I have enjoyed over the years:

Wow! Those are some great choices. A very good read.

Wow! Should be a good evening of music, Bill. Look forward to a report. Well yes, certainly a good evening! Atzmon is a very powerful player - his physique, extrovert approach, showmanship and volume reminded me of Cannonball (yes, I saw him too!) You wouldn't have noticed this in a recording studio, but in the smallish room in Wilmslow (audience of 60) with no mics Alan was clearly out-blown when both were on alto, something that never happens when he's paired with Greg Abate. After the first number Alan retreated to a ballad and brought out his baritone, only to have Gilad say it looked "like an Israeli weapon". Gilad also came up to expectations by inserting quotes from Fiddler on the Roof into "All the Things You Are" and on "My Funny Valentine" his clarinet had a decided klezmer sound, his coda leading into a klezmer rhythm which was eventually picked up by Alan and even by local pianist Vinnie Parker! Nice report, Bill. Thanks. I've never heard Atzmon, but he sounds like someone I would like. I'll have to check him out.

Wow! Should be a good evening of music, Bill. Look forward to a report.

OK - 2nd time in a week. "Easy Living" from Could have chosen "Come Rain or Come Shine", equally as good. Love this CD. Can't file it away just yet.

Hadn't heard it for a while, but I really enjoyed "West Side Story Medley" from The CD sound is great, the band is tight and inspired, the soloists are good, Rich's solo is shorter than the usual live versions. A great Bill Reddie arrangement. Lead trumpeter Bobby Shew left his blood on this chart (literally, according to later Rich lead trumpet players).

Great story. I can understand your disappointment at the personnel changes Don, but what we would give to see that exact band today!!

Aha! So when we see who wrote the liner notes, we'll know who the procrastinator is!

"Passion Flower" from Not only is Hodges exquisite but the band plays the arrangement superbly and the whole performance is enhanced by the fine recording quality.

"The Night Has a Thousand Eyes" -- 11 plus minutes of joyous, uplifting, hard swing. From: This music is 20 years old. Hard to believe that Nick, John and Dick have left us. Of all the wonderful Nick Brignola CD's on Reservoir this one may be my favorite.

w Conte Candoli, Bob Cooper, Lou Levy, Bob Magnuson & Jimmie Smith

He's on the new George Cables CD Icons and Influences (High Note) which is very good. On George's previous High Note date, too.

Now there is a line-up! Nothing but pure jazz, rare enough at a "jazz" festival these days. And Barnes right in the middle of it, naturally.

Good solos, esp. by tenor Gregory Herbert, but the soaring Herd is weighed down by mediocre, funk-oriented charts. Trying to be hip, typical for the early 70's.