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I'm in agreement. Will probably end up being one of the best of the year for me.

As always, great photographs Mark!

Does anyone know where I could pick up the 1965 "Live in Antibes" and the "Live in Paris" discs on Charley/Le Jazz? Are they even in print anymore?

Happy Saturday everybody! A quick background......while John Coltrane will probably always be my all time favorite tenor, this last year for me has been the year of Sonny Rollins. After finally really "getting it" about a year or so ago, I've probably spent more time listening to Sonny Rollins recordings than any other jazz artist. Anyways, I was spinning my new K2 remaster of "Worktime" this morning and got to thinking about some things. I read on the back that it was his first date as a leader after kicking his drug habit, and that he had been spending time woodsheding in Chicago before this date. Upon reading this, a thought came to mind and I wanted to know what people thought about it. I've heard a fairly good amount of pre-1955 Sonny Rollins recordings. There is no doubt that he was a fantastic player in those days. But to me, he really didn't sound like....Sonny. I hear a very good tenor player with a strong concept of rhythm and melody. But when listening to "Worktime", as well as the recordings with Clifford Brown & Max Roach, I hear the MONSTER Sonny Rollins that revolutionized jazz saxophone. The endless way of approaching a melody, the playing against, with, over, under, and around the rhythm, the sense of humor...it all seems to come together at this point in time. Sonny Rollins seemed to graduate from "Sonny the really good tenor player" to "Sonny Rollins the Master". What are you're thoughts on this? Are there pre-"Worktime" recordings that you feel showcase Sonny so fully formed? Do you think he didn't reach his stride until a year later? I'm interested to hear what the board members have to say.

My favorite beer also happens to be a lesser known brand....Bell's out of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Their beer tastes so good, it should be illegal.

Johnny Hodges complete Verve small groups - disc 3 This is some beautiful music. It makes me want to stretch my tastes out further from my usual bop/post bop/avant garde bag and explore swing music more deeply.

Glad to hear this good news, Brad. Thanks for the review. I got it yesterday in the mail (along with 10 other CDs), but I haven't gotten around to listening to it yet. I look forward to. It sounds like a good one.

Fantasy put out a box set a few years back called "Live Trane: The European Tours", which contains some great stuff from Europe and a few shows from Birdland which were mistakenly labeled as being European shows. Its seven CDs of some fantastic live Trane. The sound on some of the previously unissued tracks are sketchy, but the majority of the sound is quite good. I love this set.

Thanks for the review, Jim. I'm extremely interested in hearing this. Does anyone know where it can be purchased?

I don't know if I'd go that far. I've seen him several times in the past year with various groups, and his soloing has been first rate. He's especially good when on the front line with another great player...seems to inspire him.

A few that come to mind: "Maiden Voyage" "Freedom Jazz Dance" - the Miles Davis version. Not necessarily lettered notes, but an amazing array of percussive notes from Tony Williams "Recorda Me"

So, you don't understand the Dead. Its your loss, not ours. You don't have to post here.....

I agree about the Mulgrew CD as well. Very exciting music. That last track is a burner!

Maybe I should have narrowed my praise a little bit considering my being somewhat unfamiliar with his newer recordings. But I think the consistancy he has displayed is more than most. The constant high quality of his Blue Notes makes his body of work the strongest on the label IMO.

I was pondering this question last night as, once again, I was getting my mind blown by another Jackie Mac album I'd never before heard, "Action". In my humble opinion, he must be the most consistant recording artist in the history of jazz. And what makes it even more amazing is that his personell was always rotating. But seriously...from his early Prestige stuff to the few newer recordings I've heard from him, they've all been of consistantly high quality. Of all his output, his stuff on Blue Note really stands out. "Action" is incredible. But as diverse as all of his music was during these years, it manages to still be consistantly innovative, exciting, and hard swinging. "New Soil", "Capuchin Swing", "One Step Beyond", "Right Now!"......ALL OF IT!! Jackie Mac is the shit. I don't know what else to say.

I have and love both of them.

I'm loving them so far. I picked up all except for Blue Mitchell, which I have in the Mosaic. "Inner Urge" is a vast improvement over the 80's CD. And I had never heard "Buhania's Delight" or "Action" before....both are fantastic. This was a great batch.

Bev, that's the one.

Yeah, and that soundcheck from the Watkins Glen concert, that turned into a mini-concert and is captured for all time on this box set.......don't buy this set, Lon.

I'm sure its a great thread.....just too long to jump into.

Hmmmmm...then I guess I'll stop talking about that beautiful "Bird Song" with Branford.....and that absolutely TRIPPY "Playin' in the Band".......and that killer "That's It for the Other One" from the sixties.......or the great "Scarlet>Fire" from 88......or the soundboard recording of the famous "Eyes of the World" from the Grateful Dead Movie.........or the rare studio recordings.......or the fantastic booklet..........or.....

I like that one too. The "Here Comes Sunshine" is really cool. Another song that has been under-represented in the "offical" releases.

I agree, but just by the previews, 2 looks to me MUCH better. I'll be checking it out, but only AFTER I see Farenheit 911.

The Funny Rat thread.

Wise words. I agree completely.