John Tapscott

Mosaic once sent me someone else's order (and presumably mine to the other person, I don't know). It was a very large order with multiple copies of some sets and I mailed it all back to them. They then sent me what I had originally ordered along with a free set of my choice. So I'm sure they'll make it right. Give them a chance. I think there are only 3 people working in the office. They're likely swamped (probably should have chosen another metaphor there). Having said that, there is no doubt in my mind that the Mosaic shipping service is not as good as it was when it was still in-house (and it's more expensive). In other words Mosaic themselves would probably not have mailed something in the midst of Sandy. But the new guys don't have the same connection to the product.

I have several Don Friedman CD's. I think this is my favorite. I notice a seller is asking nearly $600 for a used CD on Amazon marketplace. It's good, but not that good. I'll sell mine for a couple hundred less.

Over the past few days Discs 2, 3, 4, 5

And did you keep your job?

Never noticed that one slip out - a great line-up. I not only like the playing on this CD, but also the recording quality which is superb. Music as complex as Mingus' really benefits from excellent recording quality.

Excellent new release on Woodville.

Here's one for you, Steve. 1956 De Soto. Combines both your passions quite nicely, I would say.

Yes, my 18 year old daughter offered to give me her iPod (which I paid for in the first place). I declined. I'm so old-fasioned and out-of-date that I still listen to vinyl LP's. And I still thrill to receiving a CD mailer in the post and ripping it open to find the treasured CD therein. Doesn't take much, I guess. But I just don't like downloads and the rest. A discman is my limit. I like the physical product and when they're no longer available I'll stop buying. Of course, I could stop buying now and have more than enough to listen to for the rest of my days. Oh, that's next year's New Year's resolution.

Bought a new turntable with some Christmas money and revisiting some old vinyl. I had forgotten how good this one is.

followed by, naturally,

Thanks for the reminder. Sounds great.

Disc 1

If the Bills were any good and tickets weren't so outrageously priced more might attend. There is not as much of a natural connection between Buffalo and Toronto as people assume (at least not in sports - the Leafs and Sabres have long been bitter rivals with the Sabres usually having the upper hand). Actually the Blue Jays AAA club has moved to Buffalo from Las Vegas for 2013. IMO, Kent Austin is a very good hire for the Ti-Cats.

Only a moment to answer and will add a few more later but # 1 for me is Philly Joe Jones "Look, Stop and Listen". I love that CD. Edited to add: Every Uptown release that I own is worthy but some of my favorites include Pepper Adams, the Chet Baker in Boston, the recently re-issued Frank Wess/Johnny Coles date, Dexter Gordon's recent Ballad CD, and the above mentioned Serge Chaloff. The Don Sickler CD is good too, though I haven't heard it in a while. Oh, and the Carl Fontana , as well.

There's lot of people he would have punched in the face, including the great Jimmy Knepper (whose chops were wrecked for at least for a time by a blow from Mingus' fist). I've always been curious as to who the sideman was who carried a revolver on stage when he played with Mingus. BTW, Eric A. is a he**uva player IMHO.