Late

The documentary is entitled "Last Date" — which has the dramatization that you mention — but it doesn't have motion picture footage of Dolphy with Mengelberg. Instead, it contains photographic stills from their performance together — the one that made its way onto the LP (and then CD) also (and originally) entitled "Last Date." The documentary does have some amazing footage of Dolphy in concert with Mingus, as well as some rare German television footage.

Though perhaps not very practical, I always enjoyed the 3" format for compact discs — they truly were "compact." I seem to recall that, back in the late 80's, Sony even manufactured a portable disc player exclusively for this format. Two questions: • What music (jazz or otherwise) do you have exclusively in the 3" format? • Are 3" blank music (not just data) CD-R's an actual commodity? I'd like to burn some short sets I have (around 20+ minutes) onto the 3" format for portability, but I don't know if this is actually possible. Just wondering ...

Dunno, WD, but usually with Yazoo their compilations always come close to the 80 minute mark. (Single artist comps tend to vary.) One that's great fun — and that might too easily be passed over is: It's better than I thought it would be!

The West Coast Hot set is one of my desert island discs. I really wish it could make it back into circulation again. (A new remaster probably wouldn't hurt either.) The liner notes are by Stanley Crouch, and they contain some of his most tolerable writing.

I thought I had all of Jaspar's work on Vogue — and then I learned he'd recorded some sessions with David Amram (which BMG France have recently released). Anyone have that disc and care to comment? I had BMG France's "Original Vogue Masters" Jaspar/Renaud disc, but I ended up selling it when I came across the Japanese edition(s). Despite strictly following the original 10" album length (usually somewhere around 23 minutes), the Japanese editions sound considerably better to my ears. They also come in mini-LP format (if you're into that) and with original cover art (which is often quite striking). About six years ago, Tower online was unloading these Vogue mini-LP's for $9.99. I went bonkers and picked up the Martial Solals (only Vol.s 1&2 were available), the Al Haig, Don Byas, Henri Renauds, four Jaspars, and one Roy Haynes. I missed the Wade Legge, though!

Very interesting reading. Thanks for posting that.

I wonder what "including Stablemates" means ... Does it mean: "As written by Benny Golson and as written down by John Coltrane"?

The Redman is a keeper. I like his The Ear of the Behearer even better, but Tarik is a nice complement to that album. Fine Ed Blackwell on it as well.

Could all of Jaspar's 50's work under the BMG umbrella fit onto three discs? As Mosaic now seems to be licensing BMG material, I wonder if this type of set could actually happen. I have most of Jaspar's Vogue stuff already, but I'd probably re-buy for a set like this. What exactly could/would be on it?

Another strong endorsement for the Johnson set. If you're thinking to yourself (as I did before purchasing the set) "I don't know if I can take THAT much trombone" ... you're in for a surprise. Jay Jay's musicianship is really astonishing. This is a landmark box set, and something that, not too far down the road, will likely yield insane prices on e-Bay. Best to plunk down the bucks now. If you end up not liking it, you can always resell and (probably) make a profit.

Listened to all of the first disc last night. The programming is really nice, and the sound (given the sources) is fantastic. I'm usually not that big a fan of "rural" music (or whatever you want to call it), but the selections here, at least on the first disc, are a lot of fun. This package would make a great gift for those interested in this type of music ...

Joe M — what did Matt Wilson say? Heard this for the first time just recently. I think I actually like it best for Wynton's playing — which, while still emotionally reserved to my ears — indicates that the guy really can play just about anything he wants to. (Lester Bowie said something like: "If you could just take Wyton's chops and my ideas — damn!") I can't say I'm crazy about Nash, but he certainly puts forth more than a solid effort.

Something about Keystone really works — it's not just another "Miles Davis 70's period" influenced project. I think it will hold up over time (— but I also like The Infinite for whatever that's worth). One thing I've noticed about Douglas's music: I tend to like the first of his projects with a particular band much more than any follow-up. The first Charms album, for instance, has much more impact for me than its successor. Same, too, with The Magic Triangle band and the string band that produced Parallel Worlds way back.

Has anyone checked out Solal's new album with Dave Douglas? Should be interesting, at the very least.

Had to post the cover — So far, this is an excellent compilation!

Oh yeah — Botti's chops aren't as weak as I would have guessed! Hargrove was in particularly good form, but Botti seemed to acquit himself fair enough ...

Hmmm, I've never seen any motion picture footage. But I presume you already have "Last Date"? That's almost like having film footage. Essential, I'd say, for fans of Dolphy.

What a great label. Just today I picked up "The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of" — a 2-disc set of rarities complete with a great R. Crumb cover. Does anyone else have this one? Comments/suggestions as to favorites on this label? Is a fair amount of their catalog on compact disc already out-of-print?

At any rate ... I'm excited about the Blackburn. Nice pick (despite the Fresh Sounds reissue) Cuscuna! It's great that this kind of music can make it to compact disc form.

I wonder how many 18-20 year-olds Mr. Drew associates with. After having spent the last four months (8-12 hours a day) with this age group — culturally diverse, and seemingly fans of the "rap" that's being bemoaned in the article/essay — I'd have to say that they have a lot more awareness off what's going on culturally than they're often given credit for. (Even if they do get plenty excited about fake I.D.'s and who "hooked up" with whom.)

Interesting theory, Allen. I do hear a parallel. Now — does anyone think Concord will release that Alexander album? Hmm? This is going to sound like a strange comparison ... but the way Tadd Dameron stikes the keys — sometimes reminds me of Ran Blake. (Or maybe vise versa.) Am I crazy?

... and Alexander really shines on his solo spots. I can't say that I know of anything he's done outside of this one album. Was he on any other Prestige sessions? Though Mating Call seems to get the most attention of Dameron's mid-50's work, this is the album of his that I return to most often. Something almost "haunting" about it, even on the more uptemo pieces.

Other fans of this album? I'll list the personnel just for fun: Kenny Dorham: trumpet Henry Coker: trombone Sahib Shihab: alto saxophone Joe Alexander: tenor saxophone Cecil Payne: baritone saxophone Tadd Dameron: piano John Simmons: bass Shadow Wilson: drums recorded March 9, 1956 My only gripe — the album's too short! I wish it could go on for at least twice as long.

Picked up some of these recently, and just wanted to give a positive recommendation to a few of them: • TOCJ 6516 - Dizzy Reece: Star Bright The best-sounding edition of this album I've heard — though I haven't heard the Mosaic Select. • TOCJ 6683 - McCoy Tyner: Tender Moments One of my favorite McCoy's. I unloaded the McMaster and RVG after hearing this one. • TOCJ 6657 - Freddie Hubbard: Blue Spirits This edition doesn't have the two bonus tracks, which is a shame, but the upside is that the bass is very listenable. Also, for the first time, I can distinguish some of Big Black's softer (and lower-pitched) conga strikes. • TOCJ 6646 - Joe Henderson: Our Thing Very life-like to my ears, and with a good dynamic spread. Sadly, the alternate take of "Teeter Totter" is not included. If you like this album to begin with (some of my favorite Henderson solos are here), I'd say it's easily worth the 1500¥. I feel like I can finally stop "the search" for the "best" (*) sound (at least on compact disc) for this one. * all the usual disclaimers apply ...

Rolf — did you ever find this set? (And who is Freddie Gambrell?)