HutchFan

Roland Hanna - Sir Elf: Solo Piano (Choice, 1973)

Art Hodes with Milt Hinton - Just the Two of Us (Muse, 1981)

Sad news indeed.

First order of the new year. All five CDs were reissued in November/December 2015 in Japan: Richie Beirach - Ballads Richie Beirach - Ballads II Jim Hall - Live in Tokyo Jim Hall - Jazz Impressions of Japan Roland Hanna with George Mraz - 24 Preludes I am super-stoked about FINALLY hearing this music. I've wanted to hear these recordings for a LONG TIME -- since Richie Beirach, Jim Hall, and Roland Hanna are some of my all-time favorite musicians.

Agreed.

Merry Christmas to all. Peace on Earth & Goodwill toward all men (and women too!). Warm wishes and best hopes to all for 2016.

I'm don't know about "greatest" -- but this is certainly one of my very favorite recordings. I don't think it's ever been issued on CD: David Liebman, Richie Beirach - Forgotten Fantasies (A&M Horizon, 1976) Sublime.

I'm now listening to Gene Ammon's tribute to Nat Cole Night Lights, and it includes one holiday tune, "The Christmas Song."

Buster is playing at Blues Alley in Washington, DC in January (01-21 to 01-24). Steve Wilson will be with his band. More details here. I'm toying with the idea of driving up to DC to catch a couple shows. My wife and I could make a long weekend of it. Hit a couple museums during the day. It'd be fun. It's a LONG drive though. About ten hours from ATL to DC. ...We'll see.

I discovered Bob Degen recently. I think he has a very singular, unique voice.

Thanks!!!

mjzee and jhoots -- please post your impressions of those two releases! I've eyed them for a long time too. But I'd love to hear some first-hand reactions to the music. EDIT: ************************* Just found "Billie's Bounce" from Live in Tokyo on YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNl9yi0fksk

Paul, I included a couple classical recordings on my list too. I guess we're rebels!

I've had a FANTASTIC year music-wise. Ninety-five percent of my listening has been focused on jazz from the 1970s -- and a great deal of it was new-to-me. But I'm going to hold off on sharing my thoughts on that music. I want to save those impressions for my book. Here are some 2015 new-to-me jazz discoveries from other decades: Marc Cary - For the Love of Abbey (Motema) Pierre Dørge & New Jungle Orchestra - Even the Moon is Dancing (SteepleChase) Hampton Hawes - Blues for Bud (1201 Music) Rick Margitza - Heart of Hearts (Palmetto) Duke Pearson - Sweet Honey Bee (Blue Note) Quest - Testament: Live in Stockholm 2012 (Vaju Prod.) Buster Williams - Houdini (Sirocco) And here are a couple classical recordings that I found in 2015 and have especially enjoyed: Franz Liszt - 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies / Roberto Szidon (DG) Jean Sibelius - Syms. Nos. 4 - 7 / Herbert von Karajan, Berlin PO (DG)

Sure thing, Larry. I realize that Wild improvised. I just thought it was humorous that Wild wanted to "take down" Jarrett, put him in his place. You mention Liszt. Along with Rachmaninov, Liszt is right up Wild's alley. BIG tunes. BIG sound. "Virtuoso" music.

Wild's Rachmaninov concertos with Jascha Horenstein ROCK. But Wild was very much an extrovert, "virtuoso" pianist -- with all of the attendant pluses and minuses that come with that sort of approach. I know that there are lot of Oscar Peterson detractors around here. (I'm not one of them.) Wild's playing has always struck me as a sort classical analogue to OP. (And, since I'm not an OP "hater," I don't mean that in a disparaging way! )

Yep. Also, does anyone besides me think it's odd that Wild considered challenging Jarrett to an "improvisation contest"? The fact that Wild wants to cut him makes me laugh. Obviously, Wild's approach to music (and improvisation?) has more in common with someone like OP than a musician like Jarrett. BTW: I'm with Jim regarding Jarrett's music. From my point of view, it's very much hit or miss. There are big swathes of his discography that leave me cold. But when he hits it... YOWEE!!! He can take you on a rocket-ship to the moon.

Very cool. I definitely want to read that one.

Phew! Good!

Never heard Hustlin'. Sounds splendid. I'm adding it to my list. Great idea for a thread, Jim!!! And, yes, long live the REAL Mr. T!!!!

Jim, you're so right about Stanley and the CTI's. I know that Sugar is the "classic" -- but Salt Song is my fave. The other Stanley Turrentine that really makes me smile is Jubilee Shout!!! Along with Stanley, it features Tommy T., Sonny Clark and some FANTASTIC Kenny Burrell. Of course, Stanley ain't half bad on KB's Midnight Blue either!

Two more titles you should hear: Let Freedom Ring and Action! Along with One Step Beyond, they're probably my favorite Jackie Mac records. But, like I said, you really can't miss with any of the Blue Notes.

Aren't there ANY shops where you live, Hbj??? There aren't many here in ATL. But there are a few that I visit regularly to get my "fix."

For the entire decade of the 1960's, McLean made one masterpiece after another. No duds. NONE. They're ALL fantastic. You are in for a TREAT.