John Tapscott

In the most recent Mosaic sale, I ordered the Gillespie and Turrentine black box sets, plus the Andrew Hill solo and McCoy Tyner Selects. Today, a huge box arrived at my office, much bigger than I had anticipated, not with my order but with an order for a customer in Belgium (with my name and address on the outside of the box). Actually, his order was quite interesting - 2 Andrew Hill Selects (small groups) 2 Sonny Stitts 3(!) John Handy Selects 2 Stanley Turrentines 2 Hank Mobleys (And no doubt the customer in Belgium has received or will be receiving a much smaller box than he was expecting). Now that wouldn't be a bad take at all except that I have them all except for the Handy and the Turrentine (which I had ordered). I called Mosaic and the fellow told me they are moving and currently have no internet and just one phone line, so I was told to just hold tight until next Tuesday, when they will sort it all out. No problem, (though I am sorely tempted to listen to that Handy set)! When Mosaic changed their warehousing/shipping arrangements a few months ago, I posted a mild concern about it, hoping that customer service would be still as good as it has always been. This incident is going to cost them a bit of money and I sure hope it is an isolated incident. Yes, I know the changes were designed to save Mosaic money and perhaps even save the company, and I know mistakes happen, but I sure hope Mosaic didn't jump too soon with their changes or they may cost them more than they had anticipated.

Eric Dolphy - The Complete Prestige Recordings - one of my all-time favorite box sets.

Happy Birthday, Chuck!! Thanks for the music. I just pulled out Warne Marsh's All Music CD for a spin. You looked younger back then.

After reading through this thread and looking at my overflowing shelves at home I have concluded that I have (almost) enough recorded music to keep me content for many years to come! (It's true, but let's see how long I can hold that thought!) or maybe

Sam Rivers - disc 1

Strong words, but yeah, some days I feel like that. Similar numbers on the CD's too, but no '78's, a bit heavier on the LP's/cassettes - yes, I used to buy those for listening in my car, still have a bunch. I once overheard someone ask another person why they didn't quit smoking. The person replied, "I like it too much to quit." That's my trouble, really. I like jazz way to much to ever quit, at least completely. Cut back, yes, but quit - not likely.

I heard Rivers and his trio about 5 or 6 years ago in concert. It was a very stimulating show, free - yes, but structrued too, with a sense of direction and purpose so that it never seemed like just free blowing. Rivers toured with Dizzy Gillespie, back in the mid' 80's, I believe. I recall that Diz was quoted as saying something like "He (Sam) knows the changes better than anyone."

Just last week I just listened to Hank's "Upon Reflection- the Music of Thad Jones" with Geroge Mraz and Elvin Jones - really good stuff. I love Hank's playing, but I don't have that many recordings with Hank as a leader, perhaps 10. Two of my favorites are 'Bop Redux and Groovin' High which I have on Muse LP's. Really enjoy his recent CD's with Joe Lovano, as well. You knew that Hank had been around a while when he referred on his Maybeck solo disc to "Joe Bushkin, one of the newer writers around these days." R.I.P. Hank Jones and thanks for all the great music.

A tough year for losses in the jazz world. Rob and his various bands (Boss Brass and the Tentet, plus his trio with bass and guitar, which sometimes became a duo, sometimes a quartet), made some excellent recordings over the years which I really enjoy. I think I have his full discography on my shelves. Rob was also a great valve trombonist who wrote very creative yet swinging and accesible arrangements (at least for the listener). Musicians often found them very difficult to play, apparently. Rob had a great sense humor, personally and musically. Bascially, I loved his work. Thanks for the music, Rob. R.I.P.

"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.