HutchFan

Just curious: What bugs you about Bellson? His playing's too busy? No need to explain the aversion to Pass. Seems like he's the Oscar Peterson of guitar: listeners either love him or loathe him.

Probably not. One thing that I think Pablo could have EASILY done much better is the naming of albums. The titles are SO generic. For example, take Basie's output: Count Basie - Jam Session at The Montreux Jazz Festival 1975 Count Basie - Basie Jam Count Basie - Count Basie Jam: Montreux '77 Count Basie - Basie Jam #2 Count Basie - Basie Jam #3 or Count Basie, Joe Turner, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson - Kansas City Shout Count Basie - Kansas City 5 Count Basie 6 - Kansas City Count Basie / Kansas City 3 - For The Second Time Count Basie - Kansas City 7 That's too many records with the words "Jam" or "Kansas City" in the title. It's confusing as hell -- and it's BORING. Granz should've shown the music enough respect to give each album a title. It's not like coming up with a name added to the production costs. It's just lazy.

I've never really noticed the AQ on my Buddah LP, one way or another. So I suppose that means it's fine. Perhaps not extraordinary. But certainly not noticeably bad. Which is worse? Bank manager or spouse?

That's what makes this place so dangerous for all of us !!! So much collective knowledge 'round here!

Yes. Plus Herbie and Dee Dee Bridgewater on the opening & closing cuts. Next up:

Oh yeah. It's one of my desert-island discs, for sure.

Now on my 'table: Norman Connors - Love from the Sun (Buddah, 1974)

Compilation of LH&R's three Columbia LPs: The Hottest Group in Jazz, Sing Ellington, and High Flying

It's excellent, IMO.

Attila Zoller - Memories of Pannonia (Enja, 1986) with Michael Formanek and Daniel Humair

Spinning this again: Jackie & Roy - Full Circle (Contemporary, 1988) with Conte Candoli, Bob Cooper, Bill Perkin, Bill Watrous, Monty Budwig, and Jeff Hamilton

I haven't gotten to that stuff yet. But I will.

I still don't think your ears are bad. Don't forget that SUPER HIGH-END equipment can reveal every single flaw in the recording process. As far as I'm concerned, the latter is a good reason not to invest in a system like that! Of course, like you say, audio quality matters. But, at some point, a line gets crossed and things get silly. (I suppose each person has to decide where that line is for themselves.) I'd rather get my system set up and then forget about it -- so I can focus on the music.

Sebesky's "more is more" approach to arranging often doesn't appeal to me, but -- on this album -- the arrangements don't feel overblown. They're still big and cinematic and very much of the time. But they work, IMO. As for Jackie's voice, she's still got me in her grip, regardless of the setting. EDIT (after listening a bit more): Well... maybe the arrangements are a little bit overblown. But I still dig the music.

That album title -- "The Master" -- is spot on.

Pim - I don't think you're being insufficiently critical. Not at all. My take: Many (most?) audiophiles have a reputation for expecting perfection -- or at least near-perfection. That's why they're so often disappointed. From where I'm sitting, it usually looks like a "losing the forest for the trees" sort of thing. Not always. But often. That's why if someone asks me, "Are you an audiophile?" I say "No."

Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Big Band - Tanuki's Night Out (JAM, 1981)

Saw this in a theater today: Great to see it on a BIG screen.

with Al Cohn, Monty Budwig, and Nick Ceroli

Thank you! I'm going to investigate these.

mjazzg, I've only scratched the surface of Hampel's discography. Which of his albums are your favorites?

Michele Hendricks - Carryin' On (Muse, 1987) and Carol Sloane - Love You Madly (Contemporary, 1989)

IIRC, Jeanne Lee was married to Gunter Hampel.

Jackie & Roy - East of Suez (Concord, 1981)

Yes sir. Good stuff!