John Tapscott

"Live" is the way to go if you really want to hear Joe Lovano at his best. Joe is a great player but he's one whose tone does not always record well. There were other players like that. It was said to be true about Lawrence Brown (though I never heard him live).

Sorry to hear about Genes Lees. R.I.P. He was a very good writer and lyricist (and Canadian, too). I have several of his books, including his bios of Oscar Peterson and Woody Herman. He was, in my mind, more of a reflective writer rather than a historical researcher. These books spend much time on the period when Lees had professional and personal interaction with these players, rather than giving a balanced view of their careers. For example, the Peterson book talks a lot about the trio with Herb Ellis, but glosses over Peterson's even longer association with Joe Pass. Still, these books are very interesting and contain a good deal of historical information. Lees' masterpiece IMO was "Meet Me at Jim and Andy's." The word portraits of Paul Desmond, Bill Evans and Frank Rosolino (among others) in that book are very memorable and often very moving.

Honestly, the 2 CD set was sufficient, when it was all we had. But no longer. The 7 CD set is definitely the the way to go. It's a fabulous set. Hearing the 4 nights worth of music in sequence is a fascinating, often stunning, and completely satisfying musical experience. This set goes with me to the desert island.

What Jim says. Excellent.

Quincy Jones - just received, now spinning disc 1.

Modern Jazz Quartet - MJQ 40 (Atlantic) - a very nice and comprehensive 4 CD overview

Totally agree. Unless those draft picks yield some superstars for the Eagles (unlikely), this could go down as one of the dumbest trades in sports history. Incomprehensible. Edited to add - My initial reaction was -- to a team IN THEIR OWN DIVISION???!!! I know full well that the Eagles and Redskins are in the same division, but no kidding, I had to check just to make sure it was so.

Allen's right. I've removed the lyrics. Give me a break. You guys are kidding, right?

I really liked Herb's playing, and the blues feeling he brought to everything, not really overt, but there was always a subtle undercurrent of the blues. Will be listening to some Herb later today in tribute. And that Roll Call CD on Justice that Dan metioned is very good indeed.

Charlie Parker - Now's the Time (the Verve recording) - in my view, the ultimate jazz solo - spontaneous obviously, but a perfectly formed and logical story ending with a climactic phrase which Bird has already hinted at earlier in the solo - exciting, memorable and even singable, everything you could want in 3 blues choruses - the product of a brilliant musical mind.

All I know is that a lot of you guys have cost me a lot of money!!!

Good. It's a really fine set, very enjoyable. One should not hesitate.

Hey what are you talking about!! The Stitt is a great set. Seriously. The Pass is very nice, too. I'm kind of tapped out, but may take a stab at the Q Jones on March 31. Somebody please wake me up on that day! Of course, by then I will have visited the sale page a hundred times and convinced myself that I need 3 or 4 other sets, as well!

I just got a new Venus CD by the Phil Woods Quintet - Ballads and Blues. rec. 2008. It's my first ever Venus recording. Honestly, I've never heard Phil's alto recorded with as much warmth, resonance, and presence. It was quite a shock when I first heard it. The recording quality overall is excellent.

Stan Getz - Kenny Barron - The Complete People Time Recordings (Verve) - was supposed to arrive in May, got it yesterday But as to the music - breathtaking, spell-binding, etc. etc. Fabulous

Happy Birthday, FFA! Later, I'm going to get our the Gallery CD and listen to it in your honor.

Hey, do you think maybe some "bail-out" money could be directed towards Mosaic? Mosaic's product lasts longer than GM or Chrysler vehicles!

I'm no bean counter but really, how much can they save by shutting down their warehouse? You would think it would be marginal. Now they have pay a third party to store all their sets and and to ship all their orders (wonder if this will result in an increase in shiupping costs). And what will they lose in terms of customer service? You had committed jazz people shipping the sets but now you have people who couldn't care whether they're shipping a Mosaic set or a toaster oven (and probably don't know the difference). I love Mosaic and have many sets but this move is not a good one IMO. But I guess if it's keeps them alive a little longer it's OK. They must know what they're doing.

Thanks for the tip, Brownie and Ted. That's a great price. Just ordered it. I added Stan Getz at the Shrine for $9.99 and got free shipping on the order. But the shipping date is 1-2 months hence. We'll see if it comes through.

Shelly Manne & His Men - Complete Live at the Blackhawk (American Jazz Classics)

Oh dang! We just lost Ed Thigpen and now another drummer who qualified for the title "Mr. Taste". I loved Jake's Hanna's playing. One of my all-time favorite drummers, not just with Woody but with small groups too. RIP Jake Hanna!

Well, it was a pretty good game. I listened to jazz at half-time. I picked the Colts but it was good to see the Saints win for a lot of reasons, especially to see a new team added to the roster of Super Bowl winners. That only happens about once or twice a decade. The Colts coach Jim Caldwell seems like a good guy but he was really out-coached by Sean Peyton. I know the game is played on the field, but the Saints made better side-line decisions than the Colts. Coaching mattered in this game. One of the biggest blunders was when the Colts decided to try a 50 + yard field goal on 4th down when they had already converted a 4th down play earlier in the drive.

The Complete Verve Tal Farlow Sessions

Colts by 4, say, 31-27, late TD pass by Manning.

Curtis Amy Select