connoisseur series500

Thanks for your thoughts, Sal. As Brad says, Mosaic reissues a lot of stuff that is unavailable elsewhere on cd. I do believe, however, that most of these sessions will find their way on cd format as Blue Note continues to reissue things. I really like good masterings. That's why I pay the hefty price for Japanese issues and why I tend to upgrade by buying the new RVGs as they come out. If I find an older issue has good sound then I don't upgrade. I think, for example, that the sonics of the domestic version of Bobby Hutcherson's "Happenings" is quite good. The sound of the domestic version of Jackie Maclean's "Demon Dance," on the other hand, is awful. These things have to be judged individually.

I just bought my first Mosaic set: the Duke Pearson Select. It seems that this forum is dominated by those who view Mosaic box sets with the devotion of cult members. I am new to Mosaics so perhaps my opinion might reflect some objectivity. Here's what I think: On the plus side is the packaging, the pictures, and the booklet. Also on the plus side is the reasonable price. $39 for five cds worth of material along with a nice booklet represents outstanding value. I do have some major complaints however. The mastering downright sucks. I sold a couple of Duke Pearson JRVGs in anticipation of buying the Select, and the difference in sonic quality is disconcerting. Those JRVGs sound so much better, it's not funny. I have to jam up my volume to hear some of the songs. Duke's piano doesn't sound clear on several of the tracks. Crappy job of mastering. There is a curious song chronology as well. The tunes for "I Don't Care Who Knows It" get split up into at least two of the discs and the songs seem to be put together in pell mell order. Maybe that's not important to some of us, but I think it would be nice to have the tunes all arranged according to the released cds. I was planning to purchase the Stanley Turrentine Mosaic set and felt that I could sell my TOCJ versions of "Chip Off the Old Block," and "Jubilee Shout." I now have changed my mind. I'm not getting rid of my Japanese masterings for those crappy Mosaic masterings. No way! I've just made my first and last Mosaic purchase. BTW, I like most of the tunes on the Duke Pearson Select. I do like his later stuff. He really is an undeservedly ignored composer and pianist.

That was a very exciting Master's tournament. Els played to win, but Mickelson scorched the back 9. Lots of great shots by others inbetween. That was as good as golf gets.

Got mine done close to a month ago. I pay my kid's school fees from my refunds, so I try to get them done as quickly as possible.

Shame on you, Dan! I like tea but hate taxes.

Happy Birthday, Evan. If I knew how to post a babe picture, I would. :rsmile:

Nice to hear from you again David.

The two Duke Pearsons are on hold for Kevin. Thanks!

Chimps? Clones? Charts? Cracks? Clamps? King Curtis? Billy Childs? Climbs? Clocks? Choices? Circus?

$20 shipping included. Duke Pearson, "How Insensitive" JRVG (Dusty now offering it for $28) Duke Pearson, "Merry Ole Soul" JRVG $15 shipping included George Braith, "Two Souls in One" TOCJ Get all three for $50. I might be talked into selling the two Duke Pearsons together for $35. You all know the deal: no cowrie shells, koala beans, backgammon chips (no matter how pretty!) etc.... B) Personal checks are probably the best way to pay. I'm not registered to receive funds through peepal.

Dang it! I would have liked the Mclean as well. I've got the domestic version and it needs to be remastered badly.

Sorry about missing you, Scott. I hold my sales on weekends to help out those who are unable to attend Grey's weekday sales.

Send your address, Alex, and I'll send it immediately. You can pay by check if you like.

Do you think that this fact plays any kind of role in the selection process? I would hope that it would be the case, but I'm not sure. Hopefully, Kevin might have some news for us...

and when they might be due out. Any news anyone?

$16 postage paid to US addresses. Would entertain trade offers as well. Checks are okay. Not registered to receive funds through peepal. No cowrie shells, koala nuts, backgammon chips, Yugioh cards or expired lottery tickets accepted as payment.

I think I can speak for Underground when I say that the only thing he's been divorced from is a buch of traded cds!! I also wish Ed Swinnich the best and hope he will be able to rejoin us here when things stablize. He's a good guy. (I also hope never to experience a divorce.)

I'm sending off $$ for the Sam Rivers. Now if I could only find "Contours"....

I second that. You won't be disappointed by the cd. Great price.

Only 3? 1. Sweets 2. Hot tea (with a dab of milk like the English do) 3. Dusty Groove (the Bastards!)

It's a hot topic because we've all been scammed or have interesting stories to tell as ebay users. I don't think any of this is any reflection on you or your practices necessarily. I would say that you are doing your due diligence by testing every cd as you have been doing. Quite remarkable.

I don't have any negative feedbacks, but I had to threaten someone in order not to receive a retaliatory negative. He didn't send the merchandise even though I had paid for it. I slammed him, and he threatened to return the favor. I told him that I'd be filing a police report with the cop next door (who is a friend) if he would follow through on his threat. In the end, he kept my $10 and I didn't receive the negative feedback. I also never received the item. Ebay's feedback system is definitely not perfect.

How long does it take to test play 33 box sets and 654 cd's? Good question. Obviously, Mom did not listen to all the cds. Everyone knows that if she had listened to them, you guys wouldn't be selling them.

So young...too young. Sorry to hear the sad news, friend. You've got some family here, David. We're here for you.

I admire courage, both moral and physical courage. I like people with personality. I really like pleasant people with a good sense of humor. I admire determination and loyalty. I like people who are comfortable with themselves; they don't have to be greatly educated. As long as they are comfortable with themselves, then I will be too. B) I do like people who are kind, but strangely I prefer the above listed qualities. I guess I just assume that people who value loyalty and who are courageous are also kind. (Maybe that's a stretch.)