John Tapscott

The New York Times review from the above link indicates Sam played tenor, soprano, flute and piano. My guess, based on the one live Rivers show I attended, plus the Rivers records I've owned/heard is that he spends approx. 1/4 of the concert on each, perhaps a bit more than that on tenor.

Great album!

See posts #26 and #27 above.

Happy Birthday. Have a great day!!

Exceptionally dedicated to his line of work, I would say.

Great minds think alike - Morgenstern, Lowe and me! Heavy company! BTW, looked at Carole Easton's Straight Ahead: The Story of Stan Kenton this AM. Not as comprehensive as Sparke's book, and has some errors here and there regarding dates and time-lines, but it's perhaps even more insightful than Sparke's book into Kenton the man, and it's better written too,IMO. It's a page turner and often quite humorous, perhaps unintentionally. Some "true believers" as Jim calls them, have told me that Easton really nailed it. Couldn't find the story about Anita getting on the band bus, but there is enough there to indicate that Anita was well, Anita,during her time with the band. The story is included of the time when Anita was in a dress shop trying on new outfits for a tour. From behind a stall curtain, she called out "Stanley, come and see how this one looks." So Kenton pulled back the curtain, and there was Anita, stark naked. Art Pepper claims that during his time on the band the champion drinkers were Art himself and wait for it...June Christy.

No question all that's true. It's said that Roland used to lie on his back on the floor at recording sessions with his eyes closed, when he should have been conducting or playing as the time ticked away. He wrote himself into the band on 5th trumpet then later on 5th trombone - that how the Kenton band expanded to 10 brass. But dang, his Adventures in Blues is a masterpiece IMO, soloing on both mellophonium and soprano sax, as well as writing and arranging every chart. He didn't write Four Brothers but he had something to do with it -I think Giuffre first wrote the Four Brothers sound for Roland's band, which Woody then took over.

Yes, I've read it. Nothing much to add to what's been said. You both provide a good summary. I think Sparke tries to be objective and is for the most part, but there's no question that he is a big admirer of Kenton and his music. In terms of personal taste I am a bigger fan of Gene Roland's writing for the band than Sparke seems to be and less a fan of the Innovations Orchestra which Sparke seems to consider the peak of the Kenton canon.

Well, that didn't take long, thanks to the experts on the Phil Woods Forum. "An Affair to Remember" (Adamson/Warren)- the title tune from this CD:

I listened to it. The tune seems vaguely familiar, but honestly I haven't a clue, either. Nice performance though, and a lovely melody. Very good sound. I put up the question on the Phil Woods Board. Will let you know if an answer comes.

I watched that game, and you know what GA, Hamilton may be the real deal this year. Burris really has a hot hand. It will drive Argos fans nuts if Hamilton makes it to the Grey Cup this year (being played in TO).

It could help; though ear wax seems to come and go of its own accord.

I know from personal experience that just a very little ear wax can greatly affect one's hearing (and sometimes one's comfort). And when it eventually gives way, it's like you are in a whole new world of audio delight. Anyway, I'm glad that whatever it was has cleared up!

Listening to that (which I haven't heard for years,) reminded me that there was a time when a good many musicians made a good living in the studios.

I would have thought that was nicely taken care of when she married Elvis Costello. Nothing against Diana K., mind you. I enjoy several of her recordings and can leave the rest.

Good arranger. I always liked Rob's arrangements on this one. R.I.P.

Yes, Calgary lost that game the way the Argos usually lose,namely the Argo bounce, usually right into the other team's hands! (Did you read the story of how the Argos lost the '71 Grey Cup to Calgary- I will never forget the disappointment of that Nov. afternoon; the CFL was really big in T.O. in those days,50,000+ attendance for games- that was before we got a MLB team- changed everything). Anyway Ricky Ray is a huge upgrade at QB; will probably result in the Argos having a .500 season. Their defense and special teams are too porous for the team to make the Grey Cup , but hey, it's the CFL; wacky things can happen!

Yes, that's a good one; Woody Shaw is also in the front line. Here's another one, even more obscure, on Justin Time, rec. in Montreal, Dec. 1988. It's very good. Bassist Swainson is on this one too, along with Jerry Fulller on drums.

Agree completely about that DVD. Imagine how good it would have been if it had been well-recorded. Camera work is great; sound quality not so much. The brass section was not mic'd properly.

This goes back a few years, to '76. JH was 1 of 2 major tenor influences, the other being Wayne Shorter. Mark Levine came out w/a a really interesting LP: Up Til Now (Catalyst, and long out of print I'm sure). I got it b/c of Tom Harrell-and he's great on it but so is Ray Pizzi and the writing and thinking by Levine. I can't remember the tenor player's name now, but his piece was Owed to Joe. I have that Levine LP. Just looking at it now. Will have to give it a spin. The tenor player is Mike Morris.

Yep, there's another thread on this and that's almost exactly what I said there and how I feel about this release. Glad I have it.

I don't have this music in this release or the 2CD edition. Is your interest sustained over the whole set or is the 2CD set a reasonable "best of" ? My opinion is to get the box set. It is consistently interesting. With the box you get complete sets which honestly gives you a somewhat different and better (IMO) view of how the whole gig unfolded. The 2 CD is certainly fine, but once you've heard the box, you'll hear the music quite differently and you won't want to go back. And you could always make your own "Best of" set from the box.

(tongue-in cheek) Glad mail is still being delivered in Greece. In all seriousness all that we hear and read over here about Greece is gloom and doom and disaster. I wonder if it's really as bad as being reported? Wrong thread, I know.

These are my favorite Allen recordings: