duaneiac

Roulette put out a whole series of these compilations:

I'm sure that was an important set of albums to many a listener. It depends on where one is in one's jazz journey and what one is expecting from a boxed set as to whether it might be "must have" or not. For some one newly exploring jazz -- or exploring new fields within jazz -- the Smithsonian has put together some other fine sets. Two on big band jazz one for various jazz pianist and one on jazz singers Some other sets I would consider essential: and this music in one form or another

That horse is kinda giving me the stink-eye. Who needs a statue of a judgmental horse?

Sadly, I have learned this is a fake, but here's the real original album

That's a good one! I forgot all about that one.

Yes, it was the restored 106 minute version. I think in the commentary track it was mentioned that the film had been cut down to a 99 minute and an 84 minute version. It didn't feel like anything as pure padding in the longer version, although I;m sure a few scenes could have been tightened up or perhaps even cut entirely without drastically affecting the storyline or the feel of the film.

I could absolutely understand some on not liking this movie. I guess I could also understand some on absolutely loving it, but I do not understand why it became such a cult favorite. To me, it's just a good movie, kind of stylish/stylized. but with a contrived storyline. Recently watched Released on DVD by Criterion under its original title, The Devil and Daniel Webster. The alternate title came from the fear in 1941 that a lot of theater owners would not be willing to put the word "Devil" on their marquees. It's a really good but also strange movie. At times it feels like a light comedy, at times like a fantasy tale and at times it takes a dark turn to the supernatural. This movie poster really would not prepare a prospective audience member for what the movie is really like. Walter Huston and Edward Arnold are great. Edward Arnold's performance as Daniel Webster is even more impressive given that he had to come in as a replacement after much of the film had already been shot when the original actor had a serious on-set accident. James Craig is good as the down to earth, New Hampshire farmer whose life is changed dramatically by his deal with the devil. This was only the second film scored by Bernard Herrmann (following something called Citizen Kane) and for it he won his first and only (!!!) Oscar. Another Kane alumnus, Robert Wise, did some wonderful editing work here. (An interesting bit of trivia: Gene Lockhart was the father of June Lockhart and he also wrote the lyrics to "The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise".)

I don't have much of his music (the GRP brand of jazz was never a favorite of mine), but I know I have the Two Amigos CD he recorded with Herbie Mann. Mr. Valentin is also due respect and thanks for having been a middle school music teacher in the South Bronx for three years. May he Rest in Peace.