John Tapscott

Thanks for reminding me of these. I have them all and they're great (though I had sort of forgotten about them). I'm going to give them a listen.

Have a good one, GA! Happy Birthday!!

Today and over the next few days - Jackie McLean 64-66 BN sessions

The jfk tribute came off a lot better than I had anticipated. I liked the archival speech introductions that set the theme for each song...'Artists' rightful place' was pretty awesome, imo (both the sentiment of JFK's speech and the music) I agree. Never having heard the Kennedy thing before, I would say it's pretty good, better than I had expected. Overall the whole set is very strong and I really like it, though there are parts of discs 5 & 6 with Jimmy Smith which seem a tad weaker than the rest. On the other hand that's what you get with "complete" sets and some of the stuff with Smith is really good. Edited for spelling

Hey, what about the Argos!! QB Michael Bishop was really getting ripped on the phone-in sports shows in TO last week. Yes, his inexperience sometimes shows, but c'mon! I forget what the exact figure is, but I think the Argos lost only 2 (maybe 1) game that he started all year. 2-6 when he returned from injury, finishing 11-7 and in first place overall. Remarkable, really. I don't give a fig what the QB's stats are, as long as the team wins, and with Bishop the Argos win, sometimes ugly, but they WIN! The team plays with a lot more confidence with Bishop, because they know he has the ability to pull off a big play anytime. And he always seems to, when it's needed.

Oliver Nelson - Discs 3 & 4

Oliver Nelson - Discs 1 & 2

Heavens, no! PM sent to Chuck re Canadian delivery. Now ordered. Thanks, Chuck!

Just finished the Jazztet Disc 4. This is a wonderful stuff, very consistent and interesting. Two things have really stood out for me in my listening so far - first, what a wonderful, top-drawer tenor soloist player Golson was in those days (I knew it but needed to be reminded), and secondly, what a fine trombonist Grachan Moncur 111 was in a straight-ahead, changes-oriented setting.

I am in total agreement with Ken's recommendation. I should add that I found the price per DVD way lower when you buy the box (and if you get one you'll want them all, anyway).

Happy Birthday, Chris! I enjoy your posts (even the ones I don't necessarily agree with) - keep 'em coming!

The Canadian P.J. Perry is a superb bebop alto player. I like Chuck Wilson, who plays with more of a swing bent. I am also a big fan of Andy Fusco's playing. Ditto Gary Pribeck. I am a Phil Woods fan, but my favorite alto player right now is Bud Shank. At 80 years old he's playing the best music of his career IMO.

all week - Art Farmer/Benny Golson/Jazztet, which arrived on Friday (great stuff, indeed!) next week - the Oliver Nelson box which should arrive this Friday

Thanks everyone. Yep, feeling good on my birthday this year, though I've had some sinus and ear problems over the past week. This time of year is a little tough for me with the fairly sudden changes in temperature. But it's been a good day - out to supper with my family, a couple of nice gifts, listened to to the first 2 discs of my new Art Farmer/ Benny Golson Jazztet box ( ) plus watched the new Dexter Gordon and Duke Ellington Jazz Icons DVD's. Lots to be thankful for!

Sorry to throw cold water on your suggestion, but if Mosaic's current offerings are selling slowly, I can't imagine that the ones you suggest will exactly fly off the shelves. I can understand Mosaic's caution.

Yes, the list is hardly comprehensive. I voted for Maria Schneider, but would have voted for either Florence or Holman, had they been listed. I'm also a big fan of the John Fedchock Big Band. His latest CD "Up and Running" on Reservoir is excellent, possibly his best yet.

The only time I buy Mosaics now is when they have some kind of sale, however modest. It's good for us, and probably short-term for Mosaic, but I wonder if having sales so often is in Mosaic's long-term interest. In other words, to be very busy when they have sales and slow the rest of the time. P.S. One set I will buy immediately upon release, sale or no sale, is the Woody Herman Philips set.

Just ordered the Oliver Nelson box. Still awaiting the Farmer/Golson from last month's sale.

Gee, did you have to remind me of that one? I was thinking I might suck it up and get the Nelson; now you've got me thinking about this one, too!

I ordered a couple of sets under Mosaic's shipping sale last month. I would have saved more under this sale. Not a whole lot, but still....Dang!

Uh-oh.

You can check out samples for both Reeds and Deeds Cd's at amazon.com. Wailin' and Cookin'. That should give you a pretty idea of what they're all about. I don't have either, but they're tempting for sure. But if you're not into retro hard bop, they may not appeal. (I am, so it's not an issue for me). As far as Grant Stewart goes, I highly recommend Grant's latest CD - "In the Still of the Night" on Sharp 9. No question, this man can play (and I always like to put in a good word for a fellow Canadian).

Haven't heard it for a while, but I don't recall it as boring, just somewhat different than the typical hard-bop date. What I do remember is that Art Blakey was definitely not his usual self on the date (whether by design or for some other reason, I have no idea) ed for spelling.

Charlie Parker - A Studio Chronicle 1940 - 1948 5 CD's (JSP)

It's a great session. Definitely worth the price.