John Tapscott

Thanks for the tip. Just nabbed one myself - $7.99 for the set + $6.89 shipping!!! Incredible.

Eric Dolphy - Complete Prestige Recordings - great set, really enjoying it.

I sort of lost interest in Joshua Redman for a while, too. But then I heard him not long ago on John Hicks' excellent "Old Friends and New" CD. He sounds very good on that. So last week I pulled Joshua's "Freedom in the Groove" CD off my shelves and gave it a spin. Gor to say - it sounded pretty darn good - surprisingly so, as a matter of fact. Gonna have to give Joshua another go. Edited to say I agree with Mark analysis of Eric's playing above. To put it simply, Joshua sounds like a more "natural" jazz player than Eric. Maybe I can put it like this - Eric is a great musician first; Joshua is a great "jazz" musician first. In the liner notes to one of Eric's CD's, the writer mentions that Eric started as a classically oriented saxophone player before discovering jazz. That sense of formality still shows in his playing, I think, whereas Joshua's playing seems more flexible and natural in approach and phrasing.

I saw Roswell a few years ago and what he did was impressive and enjoyable enough in the context (and often very loud), but greatest ever....hmmm. I would nominate another guy whose named contained the letters "Ros". My nomination for best trombonist today...wait for it....John Allred.

Nice post Kevin. I agree with you. A couple more who play good hard bop trumpet are Brian Lynch (one of my favorites) and Joe Magnarelli. Actually there are lots more - Jeremy Pelt mentioned by Randy, and Terrell Stafford come to mind. Edited to add Greg Gisbert and Andy Gravish, both of whom play on one of the most smokin' hard bop CD's of the past 10 or 15 years - Danny D'Imperio's "The Outlaw" on Sackville.

Richie Beirach - Elegy for Bill Evans (Palo Alto). Have it on LP, would love to get the CD if it exists - a great record.

Yep, it was under my Christmas tree, as well. Looking forward to reading it.

Dexter Gordon Select

Tom, I have finished listening to the whole set for the first time in several years. You may have to swallow hard when you get to some of the pop tunes. They don't go down easy (at least with me). But I guess that's what big bands had to do in the late '60's/early 70's in order to survive (or get record dates). And all in all, Wilson does a pretty good job with them. Still, I consider them a blemish on an otherwise very good set.

Happy Birthday, Phil. Your new CD (Ballet of the Bouncing Beagles) is another good one!

Andrus was no good but Rita should be fired, too. Can't figure out why he hsn't been already. I think he's the biggest problem.

Gerald Wilson Pacific Jazz Recordings

True story heard in a jazz record shop. Guy brings in a pile of used records including City of Glass. Says to the the proprietor, "That's one's only been played once." Prop replies, "Yep, never seen one any different."

Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass - Big Band Christmas (Concord) - really, really good, probably my favorite Christmas CD.

Haven't heard as many new CD's this year; but here's ten that I really enjoyed. in alphabetical order Ruby Braff - For the Last Time (Arbors) Bob Florence Limited Edition - Legendary (Mama) Von Freeman - Vonski Speaks (Nessa) Freddie Hubbard - Without a Song (Blue Note) Dick Hyman - In Concert At the Old Mill Inn (Sackville) Joe Locke/David Hazeltine Quartet - Mutual Admiration Society 2 (Sharp Nine) Andy Martin/Scott Whitfield - A Tribute to Carl Fontana Set 1 (Woofy) Rosanno Sportiello - It Amazes Me (Sackville) Grant Stewart Plays the Muisc of Ellington and Strayhorn (Sharp Nine) Phil Woods - The Childrens' Suite (Jazzed Media) If I had to choose one it would be the Woods - a really exceptional piece of work. Honorable Mention: Phil Kelly and the NW Prevailing Winds - Ballet of the Bouncing Beagles (Origin) - haven't had this one long enough or listened to it enough to let it knock out one of the above - but it's a good one.

Lp's only, right... The Great Paris Concert Afro - Bossa Far East Suite Tomorrow's three And His Mother Called Him Bill Latin American Suite Such Sweet Thunder

None, I'm afraid. Coming to this Board and asking for help with a music "jones" is like a person going into a bar and asking for help with a drinking problem. But there is some good advice in some of the above posts. I would say that as long as you meet your other expenses and can save a bit of money and you don't go into debt over your music purchases then you don't have a problem. You're going to spend your discretionary income on something and good music that you enjoy is a pretty good thing to spend it on. I have told myself a thousand times to really get to know the music I have before I buy more. The thought lasts a day or two. Sheer curiosity kills it, and the internet has not helped a bit.

Great album. Highest recommendation.

Maynard Ferguson Orchestra - Complete Roulette Recordings It's been a few years since I've played this massive set (10 CD's!!), but from start to finsh it has wonderful music.

Montreal 36 Sask 24 Total 60

Happy Birthday to a fellow bopper!

Yep, excellent jazz music. Von and the whole band, the music, the sound, the hard swing - all first rate. A great release. Thanks Chuck.

Supposedly they consulted with some people who were at ad firms in the 60's and they said MORE drinking went on where they worked back then. Yes, that's right Bruce. A couple months ago there was an article in one of the Toronto newspapers in which they interviewed people (execs and others) who had worked at ad agencies here in Toronto during the 60's and 70's. They also spoke with ex-servers and managers at some of Toronto's fanciest corporate watering holes. They said the Mad Men portrayal is accurate enough but is quite mild, actually understating the reality of the life-style. But apparently it's quite different now.

One of the best, for sure. This seemed to be a more fast-moving episode than some, at least in terms of the plot unfolding rather quickly. Loved the way they cleaned out the office over the weekend, basically leaving it a wreck and how Roger told Don not to bother locking the door. Too bad the season is so short, but lots to think about for next year - how will the new company go - will there be some major lawsuit hatched by the English firm that takes them down? Will Bets come crawling back to Don at some point? Lon's right- how long will Bet's new boyfriend last - wasn't that him in the seat beside her in the plane - already seemed a little distant. Wonder how he'll take to his new family and the baby crying at night? Will Don take up permanently with the schoolteacher or with someone new? Good entertainment anyway. Just about the only non-sports and non-news program I watch regularly.

Happy birthday, Jeff!