John Tapscott

Yes, vividly told in this biography which I found in the Music Department of Manchester Central Library. http://www.langtonin...5115740&loc=GBP Yes, I have that book. A good read. The story is also vividly told (and shown) in the recent Jazzed Media DVD.

It's said that when Nat Pierce was Woody Herman's pianist and band manger, he gambled away the band's two week payroll one night in Vegas. Had to work with Herman a year longer than he planned to pay it back. But it a non-musician named Abe Turchen who really did Herman in. When Turchen was the band manger he gambled away the band's withholding taxes over a number of years. Herman didn't know what was happening and was later held liable for all of it, since the band was unincorporated. Almost put Herman on the street. He could never retire because he had to keep the band working just to put a dent in the debt (which had been inflated by the IRS beyond all reasonableness).

Don't know whether he was 'notorious' or whether it got him into trouble, but Count Basie apparently liked to play the horses.

I agree. I received Pendulum 10 days ago and it's and excellent set which never seems to get much notice.

Well partially on CD, I know, but not in its glorious (IMHO) fullness.

Japanese pressing - impeccable.

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.