Late

What? That is strange. Maybe they saw something else? A documentary on the combustion of certain dictators?

Into the 90's, Lacy was using a mouthpiece (can't remember the make) that was a 12* bore. That, with an alto ligature — I don't think there's ever been a larger sound on the small horn. But I think I know what you mean about some soprano players' tendency to go for that "piercing" sound. It gives me the creeps.

I think Blanchett is one of the finest actors around these days — male or female. (Haven't seen "The Aviator" yet, though.) Check out her dual role in Jarmusch's "Coffee and Cigarettes." One of the highlights of that film.

"What are ya gonna do today Napoleon?" "I'll do whatever I feel like doing. GOSH!"

Right (but I like listening for him, and the lines he's given, on Nelson's album).

Just saw this movie for the first time last weekend. Not great, but still enjoyed it — and found myself liking it even more the next day (while thinking about it). Did anyone else here like this one?

Jeez — the Fantasy catalog description makes it sound pretty good. One to add to the list. I don't think it's been K-2'ed or VICJ'ed. (Snap.)

... any albums, other than those I've listed, where he has a solo feature? I have Charles' Tentet album, but don't recall that he solos. (I don't think he does.) I'll have to give it a spin.

What's the story of George Barrow? A tenor (and baritone) saxophonist of no small capability, his star seems to have gotten lost somewhere in the jazz universe. AMG doesn't yield anything, and most searches I did (Google) don't add much. Here are the records that I know of Barrow being on: • Mingus at the Bohemia: Charles Mingus (Debut) • The Charles Mingus Quintet + Max Roach: Charles Mingus (Debut) • Jazz Studio 6: David Amram-George Barrow (Decca) • Blues and the Abstract Truth: Oliver Nelson (Impulse!) • 7-tette: Bill Dixon (Savoy) I really like this guy's playing, but wish more of it was accessible. Anything missing from the list above? Any other fans?

Phew! Alfred Schnittke is one bad motherf-er. His Klavierquintett: Lento with the Keller Quartet and Alexei Lubimov on piano ... definitely for lovers of the Microtonal School. Thrilling stuff. A lusty for this one on ECM New Series.

Hmmm ... well, there's that one track with Bud Shank on pennywhistle! Close, but no cigar, I suppose. I want to say (but can't remember exactly) that I saw some recordings with recorder on the Tzadik label. Maybe worth checking into?

Alldirect has the Starker for $15.99, but it's currently out of stock.

Interesting — my favorite period of Lacy is roughly 1976-1979. David, I've heard Doneda, but have never even heard Rainey's name. Thanks! The AMG bio makes his music sound pretty interesting. Will have to check it out. Any particular recs?

Tuh-may-toh, tuh-mah-toh ... Booby, Boby, Bubbly. Just wait until Mr. Hutcherson gets his pimp handle. Then it's SMACK DOWN!

I've had positive results with Squidco. For a short period of time (though no more, it seems) Tower would sneak a few OOP hat(ART)s on their site for $11.99. Picked up some Lacys, Taylor's Garden, Part II, and a Braxton this way. Wh'happened?

You're right. Sorry. Just kick Kenny down the stairs.

Amelie's cynical while more worldly older sister.

You mean Alban "Albany Al" Berg? Or the Austrian composer?

Probably not nonsense — I think we're just interpreting the term differently. There's no doubt he was a formidable, and influential, force on the tenor saxophone.

... don't take it too hard. Condensed operas rarely get the Nielsen nod they deserve.

OK, WD45 just gave me an idea ... Who wants to take a stab at James Spaulding's Blue Note album? (Title and sidemen up to your own imagination!)

... oh, and Ron — you're banned. You'll find the exit down that flight of stairs and to your left.

Yup. Agreed in full. Left Shorter right out of my "opening comments." Bill Evans (the saxophonist) once said (to a bunch of us little music students) "Thank God Wayne picked up the soprano."

Hey, you're right ... ... but wouldn't you need to make that (a la Billy Joel) "ti-himes"?

In my mind, the great triumvirate of the soprano saxophone is Bechet-Lacy-Parker. (Evan, that is.) Convincing arguments could be made for the significance of Coltrane-Braxton-Liebman's contributions to the horn, but they tend to strike me less as innovators and more as superlative practitioners. I'm leaving out a lot of other important players on this horn, though. Who do you like on the soprano?