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Next time you come to Chi town, check out the Jazz Record Mart. The majority of them are $18.99, but they always have a bunch of titles that they are selling for $14.99. I think I've gotten the majority of my Criss Cross titles this way.

I'm not a huge Oliver Stone fan either, though I do think Platoon is a great war movie. I saw United 93 and I will see this one as well.

okay, i'll bite - who?? Che? Deep? Aric? Jazzis? Greg M? I'm curious too. pryan?

I will be getting this one for sure. Love Frank's playing! Frank, any plans on returning to the Green Mill? Maybe you can talk Paul Motian into coming with!

I have a CD of his called "Steppin' Zone" on Criss Cross that I enjoy. Its nothing groundbreaking, but its a very hard swinging set of intense bop that at times has some really incredible playing by all involved. I didn't think much of his compositions, but he's definitely a fine trumpet player. An above average Criss Cross session IMO.

I'm hoping that they will eventually release a recording taken from the shows he did with Pharoah Sanders and Tain a couple years back.

I lost interest in Pearl Jam back in the mid-nineties. I thought Vitalogy was an excellent album, but really didn't get into anything they did after that. However, I've been hearing nothing but extremely positive things about their new album titled Pearl Jam. I picked it up today but have yet to spin it. Has anyone heard this? Thoughts?

For the past couple of years, I've been going to the wineries located in southwest Michigan along the Lake Michigan Shore. The wines from this region have been starting to get some attention in the national wine press, as its a region that consistantly produces high quality wines. I've tasted some excellent wines from this area...they are becoming quite good at doing Rieslings, Pinots, and Cabernets. Lots of good stuff coming out this year.....Fenn Valley winery south of Holland always makes a very nice Pinot Grigio, and Domaine Berrien, near St. Joseph, has a very nice blend of Cab Sauv, Cab Franc and Merlot that they call Crown of Cab that is excellent. I also hear that the wineries further north near Traverse City are excellent as well. Hoping to plan a trip this summer.

If you don't have this set, or don't own the material......my deepest sympathies.

I saw him play quite some time ago as the special guest of a funk band named Robert Walter's 20th Congress. It was a great show and I was impressed by Melvin's abilities.

Was spinning "Meditations" a few days ago. What a POWERFUL record.

Has anyone heard "Meaning and Mystery", the new quintet studio album?

Overall, it was a fine show. Four sets of music, each one about 30-40 minutes long! Set 1 - Jimmy Heath, Tootie Heath, Jeb Patton, and their bass player (forgot his name). An EXCELLENT set! Jimmy and Tootie sounded fantastic and Jeb Patton was just tearing it up. They played a heart-wrenching Round Midnight and finished off with a really hot version of Gingerbread Man. Jimmy in particular was in fine form. What a beautiful tone! Set 2 - Ira Sullivan, Art Hoyle, Eric Schneider, Junior Mance, Larry Gray, Robert Shy. The best set of the night in my opinion. The contrasting styles of the horns really added to the excitement of this set. They did a five ballad medley that was incredible....the highlight of the evening. Lots of old school, cutting contest style blowing, with great support by the rhythm section. Eric Schneider came in at the last minute to sub for Lou Donaldson, who couldn't make the gig, and he did a stellar job, especially when he took out his clarinet. But Junior Mance was just stealing every chorus he got! What a player!! Set 3 - Yusef Lateef, Von Freeman, Junior Mance, Rufus Reid, Tootie Heath. Another great set. Started out as a quartet without Vonski, with Yusef and the trio doing a very spiritual, intense Middle Eastern-styled piece. Just beautiful. Yusef played 4 different instruments. Vonski then came out for a very free, Ornette-styled jam. It was really getting into some intense territory by the end of what must have been Von's 20th chorus, when Joe "I hate avant garde jazz" Segal walked out to the stage and made them stop. Lots of people were laughing, but I was a bit pissed because the music was really getting really interesting. They finished off with a short, slow blues with Yusef on the oboe. It was really cool sounding, but obviously rushed as Joe was standing there on the side of the stage pressuring them to get off. What was really impressive about the set (jazzkrow brought this to my attention) was how Mance and Tootie, normally straight ahead styled players, adapted impressively to the more "free" context of the music. They are both true masters of their craft. Despite Joe's interruption (it was his party, so I guess he had the right to do whatever he wanted), it was strong set. Definitely the most interesting set of the night. Set 4 - James Moody, Willie Pickens, Larry Gray, Robert Shy. I may be the wrong person to comment on this set, but I thought it was lame. Same jokes, same songs, same stupid rap performance, same dancing. Joe Segal came out and sang some of "Moody's Mood for Love" with Moody, which was entertaining. But over all it was just a boring set. I'm sorry, but Moody just doesn't do it for me anymore. I was having a hard time staying awake by that point. The entire ensemble came out for a final performance of "Straight, No Chaser", which each player taking two choruses and the drummers and piano players rotating. Very cool to see. Mark (sheldonm) got some amazing shots that I hope he'll post when he gets back from NY. It was a very memorable evening filled with lots of great music. Despite my complaints about Joe in my words above, I have nothing but respect and admiration for him, as he's brought so much joy to my life through the Jazz Showcase. May he have many more Happy Birthdays!

Can't wait for tonight!

LOVE volumes 1 and 2. I'll be getting this one.

WOW!!! I am going to try and make this show.

Its all good, Shawn. I'm a few years younger than you, but I'm the same way....if the "real thing" doesn't come around, a bachelor for life I will be.....because I'll never settle. Being single the rest of my life may not be the ideal scenario, but its a HELL of alot better than being stuck in an unhappy relationship.

Indeed! That's a great gig. Good job guys!

I like it. Not my favorite Harrell disc but still quite good nonetheless. That was a really good band he fronted for this recording!

Mosaic order just placed - the JJ, along with the Dizzy & Chambers Selects. <sigh> No need to sigh....once you listen to that JJ set, you'll be kicking yourself for waiting so long to get it! Still my favorite Mosaic set.

By the way, great pics, Mark!

Last Saturday was one of the saddest experiences I've had at a jazz show....Tom was just falling apart. Couldn't play for more than 5 seconds without getting distracted, and you could tell it was really upseting him. I'm a big fan of Tom's, so it really hit me hard. The other times I've seen him have been incredible experiences. As mentioned, he's not really a technical player, but a conveyor of some really unique and beautiful ideas. I've heard him play some solos that are among the best I've heard.

Great news! Loved the first one.

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I appreciate it. The name of the place is the Chelsea Inn. Typical one star joint, but again, I'm there for the location and not much else. I'm definitely not gay, but have never had any problems with any gay people, so if I'm in that part of town, it won't bother me.