John Tapscott

I have the above CD, and it's a good one. Del was a fine baritone player. Caught him once in concert in Halifax, N.S. when he was doing a cross-Canada tour with his quartet. R.I.P.

Pretty sure I have Tanuki's Night Out as well but not sure I ever transferred it (my turntable is dismantled at the moment ). Anyone have any insights into or a review of Farewell to Mingus? Did it ever make it to CD*? This is something that I might try to track down (even if I can't listen to it for a while in its LP format). * Looks like it is available as a fairly pricey import. Might still want to stick to the LP which costs about half as much. Farewell to Mingus is a terrific album, one of the very best in their whole discography IMHO (and I have every TALT album in one form or another, with the exception of two, I think.). It's a little better than "Tanuki's Time Out." Actually F to M is in the same class as anything you hear on the Mosaic Select. The period from about 1974-1981 was Toshiko's most productive, I think. I have never found the albums the band made after T & L relocated to NYC in the early 80's to be quite as good. There was something really special about that L.A. Band and that period in her career.

Well, the only one I have is the TALT "Tanuki's Night Out" LP. TALT's "Farewell" may have been on JAM later, but I have it on Ascent which appears to be an American label (probably the first issue). Surprised to see that it came from Victor,Japan. Anyway on the "Tanuki's Night Out" LP cover the details about the recording are sketchy, but inside along with the album there are a couple of typed and photocopied sleeves. One sheet is basically liner notes with soloists listed; the other describes the JAM concept. Seems the pressings were done in Philadelphia and the sales office was in Washington D.C. The basic concept was to issue pressings of higher quality than the usual North American pressings available around that time (pretty crappy as I recall), but not quite as up scale or expensive as the very top end Japanese vinyl pressings. The pressing I have is good and quiet.

Looks interesting, John. Must look into that one. Yes, Bill it's a nice one. Gerry's Big Band from the early 80's. Perhaps not quite as gripping as the original Concert Jazz Band, but some really nice writing from Gerry. Saw this band in concert in either '80 or '81. It was a wonderful evening.

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).