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Everything posted by John Tapscott
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I personally find it hard to believe Oscar is playing solo. All of his recent (and rare) concerts have been with Ulf Wakenius (g), NHOP (B) and Martin Drew (d). Oscar basically lost the use of his left hand due to a stroke over a decade ago. He comps a bit with his left hand, but most of his playing now is with his right hand. I think that's part of the reason he always always plays concerts with his quartet. Oscar still plays well, and you've got to give him credit for his courage and his continued "will to swing", but to put it gently, he is nowhere near the powerhouse pianist he once was. In his prime, his solo playing could be almost overwhelming. But you should go to see him, whatever format he's using. Please tell us about it if you do.
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I saw the Basie band three times that I can remember, first in '74. Sonny Payne was back on drums for a short stint and really tore things up. Al Grey, too. The next time was in '75. Butch Miles was on drums and Dave Stahl was in lead tumpet. Jimmy Forrest did one of his feature numbers, Body and Soul, I believe. The audience was disappointed because the band only did an hour long set before departing for the night. There was a mix-up somewhere. Perhaps the most enjoyable Basie concert I attended was in the early 80's. Basie came on stage in a scooter, slid onto the paino bench, played little, said even less, and hardly moved thoughout the whole concert. The band was very good, however. I believe Dennis Mackrel was on drums. Some of the soloists were Kenny Hing, Dennis Wilson, Booty Wood and Bob Summers. Freddie Green was still at Basie's side. Most of my Basie exposure has been though recordings, - the Pablos, Verves, Mosaics, and some of the earlier Decca and Columbia sides. I prefer the later recordings, however, because of the superiorr recoding quality. The Mosaics are among my most teasured musical possessions. The live Birdland material is exceptional IMHO. It's so well recorded you'd think you were sitting at a table a few feet in front of the band. Listening to Basie's music always lightens your load, helps to make the sun come out, and seems to make the world a brighter, better place. Basie's music is a supreme example of how the swinging blues can "blow your blues away."
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All right, bad enough, but nothing on Buddy. I like the way he gives the guys three days to "get it right", then one week "to get it right. " A few more minutes and it would be two weeks to "get it right." A little while longer and it would be the whole tour "to get it right". Personnel changes in the middle of a tour are a pain, no doubt.
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Which Mosaic to get next
John Tapscott replied to Hardbopjazz's topic in Mosaic and other box sets...
I have it. It's an excellent set, marred only by a couple of sub-par pop tunes which not even Gerald can redeem by his arrangements. However 90-95% of it is top-notch. If you like powerful big bands that swing (and it sounds as if you do), then this is a great set to have. Personally, I'm really looking foward to the Johnny Richards Select. -
Which Mosaic to get next
John Tapscott replied to Hardbopjazz's topic in Mosaic and other box sets...
Of the three you mentioned I only have the JJ. I've heard some of the Stitt, and enjoyed it, and I have some of the Hodges on Lp. They are all very good sets. I would get the JJ first for the reason you mentioned. -
OJ Simpson Ten Years Later
John Tapscott replied to Dan Gould's topic in Miscellaneous - Non-Political
I remember the day after the "not guilty" verdict, OJ proclaimed on national TV that he would spare no time and personal expense to find Nicole's "real" killer. Uh.... we'e still waiting, OJ. -
Though 80% at least of my jazz listening is in the mainsteam/hardbop/straightahead vein, I must say that this is really great album, easily my favorite Taylor. to Jimmy Lyons, too.
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I guess not - that's too bad. I would have ordered a couple.
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How Long Has Jazz Been In Your Ears?
John Tapscott replied to Dan Gould's topic in Miscellaneous - Non-Political
32 years ago at age 17. Jazz has been my only real musical interest since then. I have probably bought 500 jazz recordings for every one of any other style since then, and since I have 5,000+ jazz recordings, you can figue out how much "else" I have. My wife and daughter buy the "other" stuff around our house. -
Bud Shank/Bob Cooper Mosaic Select
John Tapscott replied to sal's topic in Mosaic and other box sets...
I listened to Dinah last night on the website (very nice, BTW). On that tune, it sounds to me that Cooper solos first. -
underrated trumpet players from the 60's, 70's...
John Tapscott replied to Rooster_Ties's topic in Artists
Sam Noto. I very much enjoy two of his mid 70's Xanadu albums - "Entrance!" and "Act One" (especially the latter). -
Which Mosaic Are You Enjoying Right Now?
John Tapscott replied to Soulstation1's topic in Mosaic and other box sets...
Paul Chambers/Wynton Kelly disc 2. Ok, you guys told me this was a good set, but c'mon, I didn't know it would be THIS good! Cannonball - man alive- he is on fire! Give me all the alternate takes you want when they're this good. Right now I'm listening to the 1st Bassman set - another winner! This set is on course to becoming one of my favorite Mosaics (out of the 40 or so that I own). And to think I still have 4 more discs to listen to. -
Which Mosaic Are You Enjoying Right Now?
John Tapscott replied to Soulstation1's topic in Mosaic and other box sets...
Chambers/Kelly Disc 1 - just arrived today. This is GREAT stuff, freakin' GREAT. And to think that I did the hesitation shuffle over it! -
Morgan/Shorter and Chambers/Kelly Vee Jays
John Tapscott replied to DrJ's topic in Mosaic and other box sets...
Oh, just the thought of a Mosaic set being destroyed cuts me to the heart. I know it's just silicon, plastic, cardboard and paper, but still! I believe that the numbers do matter when a set comes to the end of the run. The Vee-Jays must have both topped out under 2,000. Again, I'm guessing 1,850. Hopefuly, someone who ordered in the last couple of days will post their number. -
Morgan/Shorter and Chambers/Kelly Vee Jays
John Tapscott replied to DrJ's topic in Mosaic and other box sets...
Well, I'm a bit surprised, too, but to call them "popular" is stretching it a bit. My Kelly/Chambers, ordeed 2 weeks ago is #1,795 of 5,000. At most they sold 1,850. Someone posted that Mosaic had expected to do one more pressing even after the Vee-Jays passed into the "running low" category, but then were unexpectedly told "no." So my guess is that they just didn't have that many sets on hand when the word came down. -
Morgan/Shorter and Chambers/Kelly Vee Jays
John Tapscott replied to DrJ's topic in Mosaic and other box sets...
This is an interesting thought that is quite plausible. I hadn't considered it. It's possible, but if it's that's the case, it would mean that Mosaic still has some sets left in the warehouse. What ae they going to do with them - destroy them? I don't think so. My understanding is that the time out basically puts a limit on the pressing date, ie. no more sets can be made past a particular date. In the case, of the Vee-Jays, that date came a couple of months ago, much to eveyone's (including Mosaic's) surprise. But they were allowed to sell the sets they still had on hand as of that date. Glad I got one of them. -
The Mosaic Rationalization Corner
John Tapscott replied to Uncle Skid's topic in Mosaic and other box sets...
For those outside the US My country's currency is at a 3 year high (or 5, 10, whatever is convenient) against the US$. Therefore, better buy a set now and throw in an extra set while I'm at it. It will only get more expensive later. -
Which Mosaic Are You Enjoying Right Now?
John Tapscott replied to Soulstation1's topic in Mosaic and other box sets...
T/K/M Disc 3. This is some of the most incredible jazz piano I've ever heard. Almost overwhelming. For me, it's ranks right up there with Powell and Tatum, two of my piano heroes. -
Question about OOP Mosaics
John Tapscott replied to TheMusicalMarine's topic in Mosaic and other box sets...
Absolutely. Every one of them, I would say. -
My Mosaic purchase and the ensuing guilt
John Tapscott replied to TheMusicalMarine's topic in Mosaic and other box sets...
Wow! That's an incredible batch of music you've got there. Don't feel guilty. You'd only spend the money on something less valuable anyway. And hey, what did somebody say about money - they're printing it everyday! But they sure aren't making music like this everyday! I know the money's not coming out of my pocket, but I'd say you've got a million bucks worth of music there. There, feel better? -
Which Mosaic Are You Enjoying Right Now?
John Tapscott replied to Soulstation1's topic in Mosaic and other box sets...
T/K/M disc 1 -
I just ordered "One Day With Lee"- a 2002 Konitz date with the Mark Masters Jazz Ensemble on Capri. Really looking forward to it. To me, Lee always sounds great as soloist with a larger ensemble. I give a big to that Metropole CD, the Nonet recordings, and the Kenton stuff (check out Kenton's "New Concepts of Artistry in Rhythm") . I love Lee's small group playing too, esp. on the T/K/M Mosaic.
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Which Mosaic Are You Enjoying Right Now?
John Tapscott replied to Soulstation1's topic in Mosaic and other box sets...
J.J. Johnson - Disc 7. Rather unexpectedly, the quartet session with Victor Feldman, Sam Jones and Louis Hayes keeps emerging as my favorite session of the whole set. -
Why are ballads usually the 3rd track on records?
John Tapscott replied to Hardbopjazz's topic in Miscellaneous Music
I don't think it's coincidence, but a deliberate programming decision. It's much like one might call tunes on a live set, in order to give variety and balance to the program. I also read somewhere that you should start your recording with one of the strongest, brightest tunes, since that's the one DJ's are most likely to play (the thought being that they're too time challenged or just can't be bothered to listen to the whole recording). -
Morgan/Shorter and Chambers/Kelly Vee Jays
John Tapscott replied to DrJ's topic in Mosaic and other box sets...
One more question about Morgan/Shorter as I consider taking out a second mortgage to get yet one more Mosaic set. I have the Wayning Moments Cd and have been giving it a spin over the past couple of days. I consider it to be excellent. Is the rest of the M/S set generally at the same high level as this one? If so, then I know what I'll have to do.