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I think this thread might have gotten a bit off track from overrated Blue Note albums as it has ventured into overrated artists, which is something completely different. With this in mind, I can understand some of your comments, JSngry. However, getting back to the topic, I don't think there's anything wrong with stating that certain albums may be overrated. Particulary with Blue Note, which has such a legendary following in the jazz world, and this in turn can easily cause one to think something is automatically great just because it came out on Blue Note in the late 50s - early 60s. For example, most of us can agree that Freddie Hubbard is a hell of a player. But because he's a hell of a player, does that make his sessions as a leader exceptional? I find the majority of his sessions as a leader to be a bit dry compared to alot of other stuff that was coming out at the same time. I'd like to think that I "get" Freddie's playing, but that doesn't mean that his albums as a leader are great albums because they came out on Blue Note and because Freddie's a great player. I think that's what the original aim of this thread was, as I'm sure most of us very much like the artists that came out with stuff on Blue Note during this era. Agreed that its a difficult/controversial topic to address, but its spawned some great discussion!

Just pulled the trigger....$83.99 on Amazon marketplace. Brand new. Can't wait!

Read this over from the perspective of a non-Hill fan, and you might get a sense of why some people consider him overrated. Guy Good point!

Andrew Hill to me is on the same level as Monk or Mingus. A absolutely brilliant and original composer who challenges his audience while at the same time bringing out the absolute best in the musicians that play his music. I could see how he might not appeal to everyone, particularly those with more conservative tastes, but I just don't understand how he can be considered "overrated". He's one of those guys that simply commands respect, even if you don't particularly dig his music. But calling him overrated means that he gets much more love and respect than he deserves, and I just can't see that with Mr. Hill. Sorry....just the opinion of an opinionated, diehard Andrew Hill fan!

This set remains one of my favorite Selects.

Thought I'd revive this thread as I've been on a major Rolling Stones kick lately. Unlike probably everyone here, I only really got into the Stones last year after seeing them live. I've had "Hot Rocks" for years, but its only been the last year or so where I've been discovering their albums on an individual basis. What fun it's been! I would have to say that my favorite album is "Exile on Main St." just for the sheer number of excellent songs on it. "Sticky Fingers" comes close. I didn't get into their earlier stuff as much as I did their late 60s - early 70s material...the blusey, drunken, hard driving Stones sound is definitely the one that connects with me. Aside from all the albums mentioned in this thread (love pretty much all of them), I thought I'd mention "Its Only Rock n Roll". This one seems to be unfairly maligned. Its not on the level of the albums that preceded it, including "Goats Head Soup", but its still a very nice album IMO. I LOVE the Richards/Taylor guitar combo! Its worth a mention that their release last year "A Bigger Bang" is probably their best studio album since "Tattoo You". Don't expect anything on the level of their classic recordings, but its the most consistant and enjoyable latter-day Stones album that I've heard.

Nice photos Mark! Wish my weekend hadn't gotten so f**ked up so I could have joined you.....

Pretty much every Donald Byrd album except "Royal Flush". Pretty much every Freddie Hubbard album except "Ready for Freddie" and "Breaking Point". These guys are excellent trumpeters but always sounded better as sideman in my opinion. And to set myself up to get flamed, I think everything by Hank Mobley is overrated. I think that if he came along today, nobody would pay attention. He was in the right place at the right time. He sounds "nice" on alot of the dates, but never enough to think of him as a great tenor player.

I believe they are both out of print, which is unfortunate.

The most obvious ommission thus far is "Freedom Suite" by Sonny Rollins. An absolute classic. "Fly" by Mark Turner/Larry Grenadier/Jeff Ballard is a more progressive one that is really nice.

Great music here.

Snoop hasn't made a good album since the 90's.

Chicago is in for a foot of snow and 40mph wind gusts. Not looking forward to it. At least our offices will probably shut down!

I think that Lee's music from this period is just fine, but I've never found it to be particularly distinctive from the rest of the hard bop coming out of Blue Note at the time. He was a very expressive trumpeter, especially given his age. But to me, he sounds like just that, a very good trumpeter, and there is nothing wrong with that. But with his sixties stuff, he became a voice, and to me, there is just no comparision between the two eras. I feel the similarly about a few other artists who came of age during the Blue Note hard bop days. There is nothing wrong with their early stuff at all....its very good music. I just don't find myself reaching for "The Cooker" like I do "The Gigolo", "Tom Cat" or "Cornbread".

Who cares. She's hot.

I'm thinking about giving this to myself for Christmas. I've procrastinated long enough.

I've seen pleanty of HD programing in both plasma and LCD, and my preference definitely leans towards LCD. However, I think Sony's SXRD, which is a form of rear projection LCD (I think), has the finest picture I've ever seen.

Agreed

I've never heard this music. Would you say its essential?

Here's hoping the organization gets their heads out of their asses and starts playing Brian Griese.

I saw it last night as well. My faith in the James Bond franchise has been restored. This movie was excellent, and Daniel Craig makes a terrific Bond. The cinematic surprise of 2006?

I love this CD!

Perhaps you should have re-phrased this as "for the people on this board who don't have the disposable income to buy the 2 CD set....." I don't see how the inability to purchase every jazz CD out there no matter what the price equates to not "taking jazz seriously"...

That was a fun game to watch! Miami's defense has been tearing it up ever since they put the smack down on my Bears.

Getting together with an old friend for a day of drinking beer and then going to see the new Bond movie. Best of luck, Lon.