Late

Time to play holiday music! 🎄

Hmmm. Maybe I should qualify "inventive" within Nelson's own parameters. Nelson's stretching past what he usually does (in his "Shadow" solo), and stretches even further during his "Elegy For A Duck" solo. Parts of his soprano playing remind me of what Wayne Shorter would sound like about two years later. I wonder if Shorter was aware of Nelson's playing, particularly on soprano.

Agreed. I wonder if Byrd ever was present (in the audience) for a Miles show at Paul's Mall or other venues of the period.

Donald Byrd: Live In Boston, 1974 💣

Even if you (one) doesn't care for the orchestra side—though how could you not like "Flute Salad"??—there's no disputing that the charts are played flawlessly. Especially that opening bass clarinet line. You never hear a breath or a split note. I only wish Nelson had stepped a little closer to the mike. The quartet sides are badass, especially with the addition of "Straight No Chaser" and "Example 78" as bonus tracks. Ron Carter sounds great on "Elegy for A Duck." That's one hip bass vamp. And notice how the tune is a clever nod to "Take Five." I wonder what made Nelson decide to pick up the soprano for this album. He plays it so well...it's not simply a "double" for him.

There's a thread here dedicated to Nelson's work on Prestige, but I couldn't find one that discussed this album. I've had this on compact disc since it was first reissued in the early 90's. I always go hot and cold on it, but yesterday it really clicked for me. Nelson plays soprano throughout, and his intonation is near-perfect, which in a way isn't surprising given Nelson's meticulousness. His solo on "The Shadow of Your Smile" is really something else. Longer than most Nelson solos, and not openly reliant on his "patterns for jazz" as much as other solos of his from the period. It's really inventive. And his sound is so flute-like in the upper register—I wonder what Steve Lacy or Coltrane thought. (Is Nelson playing an Otto Link? I think so.) What do you think of this record? Both the orchestra side and the quartet side. Does the rhythm section (Steve Kuhn, Ron Carter, Grady Tate) gel?

Excellent work, Pim! I think a lot of members of this board would purchase ALL of those sets.

Fantastic!!! Thank you for posting that video. Dig Dennard playing cross-legged at the piano. Oh, check out this article—which mentions Dennard—Tangier's Jazzmen.

Also excellent. Keep the recommendations coming!

Excellent...

This is a wonderful collection of Karas's work. It contains the original version of the "Harry Lime Theme," along with other tracks from The Third Man. (There's even a really nice version of "Silent Night"!) If you like the movie, you'll love this disc.

Looking for recommendations for a single CD of Strauss waltzes. Or Strauss-period waltzes. Target audience: casual classical music listeners who actually would like to dance to some waltzes. Fun over erudition!

This is such a good album*. Disc 1 from the Mosaic (which starts with this album) includes the gorgeous "Barbara's Theme." * [I would've cut "My Funny Valentine" and substituted something else. That said...]

Whenever I see the cover of Our Thing, that intro plays in my mind.

I used to have quite a few Roney CDs, but eventually let go of all them save one. The one I kept I really like. It's:

Opinions on this one? I'm still a Kenton neophyte. Listening to this album right now. I like it so far!

Much agreed. When I was younger, I couldn't get with Joe's backing on this record. I "only" liked his solos. Thankfully, I grew up (some) and started hearing the whole record. I wonder what Joe thought of his 70's records; there's probably an interview out there somewhere. Dig the In Japan photo without text!

Agreed. Black Is The Color contains one of my very favorite Henderson solos—on "Vis-A-Vis":

Up for renewed reading. I'd forgotten about the Steve Lehman interview.

I didn't create the artwork, but I think a member of this board did. (I can't remember who.) The image has been floating around the internet for a while. I agree that it's excellent.

Maybe in conjunction with Michael Garrick? I'm not sure how many discs a Harriott set would be. I'd support the endeavor.

The cover art is ready to go! 😉