Late

Listened to the Turrentine today. A little sleepy at times, but I like it overall. One thing, though — if someone had put it on without me reading the notes, and then said: "This was remastered by a Toshiba engineer," I would have believed them (if I didn't already know it was a Connoisseur). On my system, I don't hear the "signature" trebliness that's usually associated with McMaster. Nicely done here.

Also of note: Do not order "Special Order" items from the new Tower. You'll be billed, whether you're going to receive them or not. The old Tower site never billed you for a Special Order item unless it actually shipped. With the new Tower, you'll get billed, and then have to call for a refund if the item never ships. Just a FYI ...

Tom (Rooster) — if you're still reading this thread, you'll want to check out Dave Ballou. He's a "progressive" trumpet player with a contract with Steeplechase. He's made quite a few sides for them. Good chops, nice sound, and interesting ideas. Tenor fans will definitely want to check out Ari Ambrose. Our own Ken Dryden reviewed some of Ambrose's work for AMG. The kid can play. Think Archie Shepp from the New Thing at Newport record, and then add considerably more technique. At least that's how I hear (some of) Ambrose. His solos are also not dry or academic; he's got something to say.

That sucks that you got used CDs, but I'm glad they seem to be in good shape. It's weird. I ordered six titles on 5/31 (some of these had "duplicates" at higher prices on the site; I ordered the cheaper ones), and I just received the package today. All discs were shrink-wrapped. Maybe it has something to do with the fulfillment center? Still, if a disc is used, it should be advertised as such. I'll be interested to hear what kind of response you get when you tell Tower about this.

One thing I've noticed: jazz compilations always have the worst covers. Though I guess 32Jazz's Jazz for After You've Finished Brushing Your Teeth had an OK cover. That Playmate had nice teeth.

I've been a fan of Giuffre's for what seems a long time (ten years), but it's really not that long at all! It does seem strange that Seven Pieces isn't even on iTunes, but maybe there's still hope. Of course, I'd prefer an individual CD reissue too, but am unfortunately skeptical what with jazz reissue programs these days. I think our best bet is a Mosaic: The Complete Verve Jimmy Giuffre Sessions. How big a set would this be, and what would it contain? I'd prefer a "leader only" set, but Giuffre co-led and played on some other Verve sessions ... Didn't the Andorans just release a "new" Giuffre 3 package? A live set with Jim Hall?

I would imagine that the new Japanese Konitz/Half Note reissue is identical in content to the original U.S. version. There might be a new remastering with this set, but that's just a guess. The music is terrific, and the sound (on the U.S. edition) is really quite good for a live recording. If you haven't yet heard this set, and like the Tristano school in general, you'll want to get the package at some point, though 3900¥ is fairly pricey. Maybe getting the U.S. edition used is the way to go?

Yeah, the Atavistic stuff is the dang. I also like when that group hooked up (electrically) in 1968 for Debut. Karsten Vogel is, in my opinion, a shamefully overlooked saxophonist in this genre. If there could be a hybrid between Hal McKusick and Charles Tyler ... that might be Vogel.

If you don't have it on your list (or have it already), add: Booker Ervin: Booker and Brass This was a standard Pacific Jazz/EMI issue, and it's a very good session in great sound. There are a lot of Booker fans here, but this session seems to get overlooked. At any rate, I'm a fan. OOP, I think. Yep. Forgot to add that to my post. I find it swingin', but I can see how it might not be to others' taste. The larger ensemble adds a little more excitement in my opinion.

If you don't have it on your list (or have it already), add: Booker Ervin: Booker and Brass This was a standard Pacific Jazz/EMI issue, and it's a very good session in great sound. There are a lot of Booker fans here, but this session seems to get overlooked. At any rate, I'm a fan.

Thanks guys. Tower-Caiman has this for just under $25. Very tempting ...

Hugh Steinmetz: trumpet Karsten Vogel: alto saxophone Niels Harrit: tenor saxophone, flute Per Aage Brandt: piano Steffen Andersen: bass Bo Thrige Andersen: drums recorded April 19 & 20, 1966 If you're a fan of Albert Ayler or Don Cherry (or the two of them together), you'll probably like this recording. While the music is generally inspired by the two musicians just listed, it somehow avoids being derivative. A very fine listening experience. Sunny Murray dug Steinmetz enough to record with him a few years later.

here are los of missing 's in he world, bu hey're no all your faul.

So that's what you've been saying all this time. I says something different.

Free shipping on orders over $20.

Reminds me of the old AllDirect.com site. Damn, I miss that site--although my wallet doesn't! Yeah, I loved AllDirect. I'd wait a couple of months between orders, and then put in a $99+ order (that was the only way to get free shipping, and I think it was FedEx if I recall correctly). I think I bought all my Yazoo discs from them. I even bought my own book from them, as it was cheaper than the wholesale price the press offered. Those were the days!

Which version do you have and like?

You should still be able to talk to an actual person if you call 1-800-ASK-TOWER. At least, that number was still active last week. Just have your order # ready, and be ready to repeat it about 2-3 times for the representative. My order through the new site evidently shipped today. I received six separate e-mails for each unit (six discs) in the order. Kinda weird, but if they all come in I won't complain. I much preferred old Tower, but the new site does seem to have pretty good prices — as long as you know what you want before you go there, as the search engine is pretty weak. Some classical EMI discs are selling for as low as $3.53 ...

I think all those titles are "officially" OOP, but a number of stores in the last few years are listing unsold inventory. Jazz Loft uncovered some not too long, and even Cadence listed some after not having them in their inventory. The Zingaro/Lee is a nice one. I couldn't get with the Clusone 3, and gave it to Joe Milazzo a number of years ago.

I've had four orders with Tower-Caiman come through without a glitch. These were all made through the old Tower site (which still had the excellent search engine and sound samples) that was newly powered by Caiman (all my receipts noted "Caiman" on them, and were shipped from a warehouse in Florida rather than Sacramento). The new Tower site is indeed lacking in functions, but maybe that will be corrected over time. I hope so. The only difference I've noted so far is that shipping takes longer. I used to receive discs from Tower (Sacramento) in 2-3 days (media mail!), but from Caiman (Florida) they take about 10-14 days. All the discs have been in fine shape, and all the orders have been filled. I've even called customer service twice (they're now out of Montreal), and haven't had problems receiving information on orders. One thing to note — Caiman, unlike old Tower, will often ship out discs one at a time, though your confirmation e-mail will simply say "your order has shipped." Once I understood that, I haven't had a problem. I've read about others having problems with Caiman (though almost exclusively through Amazon), but I've yet to experience a negative transaction.

Not from the UK here, but I just placed my first order with the now Caiman-owned Tower.com (— they dropped the "Records" from the URL) today. I'll let you know how it goes. They've slashed prices (well, as far as EMI goes) on classical discs. I placed an order for six classical discs — it totalled just under $23. The final switch-over from the old Tower system to the new Caiman-Tower system actually took place just yesterday.

These have been mentioned already, but they're of huge importance, muscially and historically, and if they go out-of-print, it'll be a sad day: • Lester Young: The Complete Aladdin Sessions • Gerry Mulligan Quartet with Chet Baker: The Pacific Jazz Sessions (or whatever the exact title is) If anyone's on the fence about these, I'd say pick 'em up now. If you don't like them, you might have fairly good resale value on your hands. ====== I wonder what will happen to the EMI classical catalog? Just a FYI in this regard — EMI has both a 20-bit and 24-bit line, often of the same recordings. While I haven't even come close to listening to that many duplicates, I actually prefer the 20-bit recordings so far, most of which (I think) are contained in their "Historical" series. You can find a complete list of that series here. Also note that list price for the "Historical" series is $6.99, and list price for the "Great Recordings of the Century" (which is the 24-bit line) is $11.99. You can find, say, certain Mozart performances (which are identical) in both series. They just have different cover art and different remastering. I've been scooping up discs from the "Historical" series like mad lately — and this was before I heard about EMI being purchased!

Which Lacy got "less music"? Are you thinking of NY Capers & Quirks? Those two LPs do indeed have more music to offer. So far, no prior compact disc reissue to my knowledge has been trimmed down for re-reissue on hatOLOGY. I wish that Werner would get to some Lacy that has never been on compact disc before. Two that come to mind are Stamps and Ballets. I'm sure there are a few more. Overall, however, I can't complain. There's a live Ayler date that's been catalogued and presumably remastered for compact disc on hat, but it has yet to come out ... (and it's not the Lörrach and Paris set). It's even listed on the back of some hat reissues that have made it into stores.

Well, probably not a loophole, per se, just the "perpetual" thing mentioned above ... :rsly: :rsmile:

I don't know if this is some kind of loophole, but if you simply type in: visitborders.com into your address window, you'll get a page with a 20%-off coupon. The page automatically refreshes on a daily basis, so, if you want to, you can print one out every flippin' day. Carpe diem if Borders is a fair deal in your parts!