John Tapscott

Count Basie - The Complete Decca Recordings - 3 CD's (GRP) - a great set , even better, I think than the America's #1 Band set on Columbia (though I'm glad I have them both).

Dexter Gordon Select - George Cables ! for the whole set

Count Basie and His Orchestra - America's # 1 Band (Columbia/Legacy)

It would have been neat if the music on the tape had been Ayler or late 'Trane.

I can't but I'll say hello anyway. The best to you and John for a good gig! I'll play a Carl Fontana CD and think of you tomorrow night. Maybe a Rosolino CD, too. I think of John as more in that bag. Oh I know, I'll play the Uptown Trombone Heaven CD with both Carl and Frank.

Gerry Mulligan Select

Randy Weston Select

Earlier this year, I went through a period of about a month or two when nothing sounded interesting to me, not even my favorites. It's was the first time in 35+ years when I didn't really care whether I heard jazz or not. I always take a number of discs with me on my summer vacation, and I did so this year, but I didn't feel motivated to listen to them at all. Everything sounded flat and dull. Nothing seemed to excite me. My attitude to jazz kind of mirrored my spirit, which felt rather dull and gloomy. But I persisted and dutifully listened to a CD or two a day. Thankfully, the interest has returned again and I actually felt it happening one day as I listened to Kenny Dorham Live at the Cafe Bohemia. So I thank Mr. Dorham and freinds for that. I guess the lesson is stick with it, even through the low times, and know that the spark will return.

Haven't heard it so can't comment on sound or music, but one thing that's a necessity for most big band recordings is to capture the bite of the trumpet section. If the engineer misses that, the whole recording can be a bit of a downer.

For sure. I never saw Cannonball "live." I was only 20 when he passed away - hard to believe it's been that's long. I was starting to explore the breadth of jazz at that point after having listened to mostly big bands for several years. I went out and bought the "Somethin' Else" LP. I recall playing it in my college dorm room that fall, and the fellow next door heard it, and said, "You listen to some really weird sh**"!" I took it as a compliment. What I really enjoy now is seeing Cannonball in performance on the recent Jazz Icons DVD.

Happy Birthday!!

I received a shipping notice for the Gordon Select, also, even though I was told by someone at Mosaic AFTER I placed my order that it had been listed on the web site in error, and that I would be receiving notice that it was in fact unavailable. In the interim, I ordered another copy from Amazon Marketplace, and if I receive both, I'll have a copy available for someone here. I'll post in this thread if that comes to pass (no PMs until then, please ). Obviously, they found a few. Plus there seems to be a bit of confusion in the Mosaic ranks these days. I wonder who's in charge over there? I'm not being hard on them, just making an observation. They're feeling the pinch like everyone else. In fact, it's amazing to me that they're still issuing new sets.

I have not yet left the 20th century...

I just received a shipping notice from Mosaic for the Gordon Select. I must have nabbed one of the last ones in existence (or at least in Mosaic's warehouse). Jeff was holding a set for me, and I have emailed him to take it off hold. Thanks for your kindness, Jeff. I'm sure there will be an eager buyer for the set. It's great to be part of the Organissimo family. We may squabble at times, but we know how to stand together when it counts!

Since we're on a Mosaic kick today, let me mention that the OOP Elvin Jones Blue Note set is a great Mosaic and one of my very favorites.

I ordered the Gordon, received a confirmation notice. If it is gone, I am surprised that they haven't emailed me to say that. I know it takes about 24 hours from when you place your order to when you receive the shipping notice. If they CAN'T fulfill the order will I get an email in about the same time frame? In any case, I will call or email Mosaic tomorrow. I have the set Jeff offered me on hold for 24 hrs. Thank you Jeff.

Yeah, and why these particular sets? If one was accidently "destroyed" you'd think it would stop there, once the "mistake" was realized. And then you ask, why did it stop where it did, why didn't the whole catalogue go? There is something we're not being told, not that Mosaic has any obligation to tell us the whole story , but seeing as it has deprived me of a set I really wanted, I'm kind of curious.

As I understand Mosaic's message, it means that the masters and components were destroyed and it's too costly to remaster everything again and make new ones for the remaining run of those sets. I can't for the life of me, figure out how this stuff could be "destroyed". Misplaced in a move, perhaps burned in a fire, but destroyed? It almost sounds like a deliberate act.

That's for pointing that out. I just ordered one. We'll see what happens.

My recent pattern had been to wait until a desired set was running low and then pullling the trigger. Now that sets can be discontinued without any notice, this will no longer work.

Just checked worldsrecords.com. They still have some of these discontinued sets listed. They used to sell them for the same price as the Mosaic website, but now the price for Selects has been hiked to $60. Supply and demand, I guess. J.A.W., I didn't notice the Pullen there, unfortunately.

Dang! I had the Gordon set on my wish list. Really wanted that one.

Dan: Don Brown is definitely not a moron. But I have to say that it's a bit risky to make assumptions about the politics of those who love jazz. One might be surprised. I discipline myself to studiously avoid the political threads on this site.

The thread will probably be overrun with great piano solo performances, so before that happens let me suggest: George Lewis - Solo Trombone Album (Sackville)

Got my Weston yesterday. I like it a lot. The music is strong and engaging. Looking forward to my second listen. It's probably been pointed out before, but the photo on pg 16 of the booket is of Weston and trombonist Quentin Jackson (not Budd Johnson).