HutchFan

Yes, Dutoit's Ravel recordings with the OSM are ravishing. I'm still on my Mahler kick. Today's listening: Mahler: Symphony No. 1 / Bernstein, Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam (DG) Mahler: Symphony No. 4 / Abravanel, Utah SO (Vanguard Classics) Netania Davrath was such a marvelous singer. And a perfect voice for this work.

Can't get enough of the M5 lately. This is another stellar recording of the work, imho: Mahler: Symphony No. 5 / Bernstein, Vienna PO (DG)

Mahler: The Complete Works, 150th Anniversary Edition (Warner Classics)Symphony No. 5 / Klaus Tennstedt, London Philharmonic Orchestra (live recording)

Al Haig - Ornithology (Progressive) with Jamil Nasser & Frank Gant; recorded 1977 I've really been enjoying Al Haig's music lately.

Some more Mahler favorites: Mahler: The Complete Works, 150th Anniversary Edition (Warner Classics) Symphony No. 6 / Sir John Barbirolli, New Philharmonia Orchestra Bruno Walter Conducts Mahler (Sony) Symphony No. 9 / Columbia Symphony Orchestra I first heard Walter's M9 on Columbia "Odyssey" budget LPs: Most of the Odyssey LP covers seemed like they were afterthoughts. But I think this one was interesting.

Continuing my Mahler mini-bender with: Mahler: Symphony No. 3 / Rafael Kubelik, Bavarian Radio SO (DG) Kubelik's studio recording of the Third Symphony is my favorite M3.

More Mahler: Mahler: Symphony No. 5 / Rafael Kubelik, Bavarian Radio SO (Audite) This superb live recording from '81 is my "reference" M5.

Yes, it's an excellent performance of the Seventh. I would probably choose the Third as my favorite performance in Levine's set. The Fourth is very strong too. IMO, these three works are Levine's most convincing performances.

James Levine Conducts Mahler (RCA/Sony) Disc 4: Symphony No. 7 / Chicago SO

More Al Haig: Al Haig Trio - Invitation (Spotlite)

Al Haig - A Portrait of Bud Powell (Interplay) Trio with Jamil Nasser and Frank Gant; recorded 1977

Didn't know there was a new one from these guys. What do you think of it, Peter? (or others?) Ah, I see that David Williams has stepped in for Buster Williams. I really enjoy David's playing -- but Buster's on an entirely different level, imho. NP: Al Haig - Ornithology (Progressive)

I love that Jimmy Smith record. Some tremendous playing from Teddy Edwards. Though I've always wondered why they brought in Leroy Vinnegar on a Hammond B3 date. He sounds good (no surprise), but Jimmy Smith doesn't really need a bassist.

Schubert: Klaviersonate Nr. 21 B-Dur, D.960 / Géza Anda (DGG) from

Jimmy Raney - Momentum (MPS/PAUSA)

Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery - Jimmy & Wes: The Dynamic Duo (Verve) Such a wonderful, effortless groove.

felser, The only Blakey book of which I'm aware is Hard Bop Academy: The Sidemen of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers by Alan Goldsher. It's not exactly a biography. It's more an oral history of Blakey as told by his sidemen. I wouldn't call it "essential," but I did enjoy it.

This is also one of my favorite Griffin records from that period -- along with The Return of the Griffin on Galaxy. Both are superb, imho.

Joachim Kühn - This Way Out (MPS) with Gerd Dudek, Peter Warren & Daniel Humair

John Lee & Gerry Brown - Bamboo Madness (Limetree) featuring Chris Hinze, Gary Bartz and Jasper van 't Hof Some 1970s fyoo-shun that avoids clichés and therefore doesn't come across as locked in time. Bartz in particular sounds really good.

Al Haig - Piano Interpretation (Seabreeze) Recorded 1976.

Cladio Fasoli / Franco D'Andrea - Jazz Duo (Dire)

For what it's worth: I didn't get any shipping notice whatsoever on my recent order. But I got it fine. It took a little more than 2 weeks to arrive.

Didn't know that one existed. Quite the line-up. Looks interesting. EDIT: I just found it on YouTube. In case others might want to give it a listen:

Coleman Hawkins - Hollywood Stampede (Capitol) Hawk sounds magnificent on these sides. Maggie too.