Late

What, no thread here devoted to Byas? What recordings of Byas do you most return to? How do you hear Byas in comparison to Bean?

I've been playing this one to start my day for five days in a row now ...

Here's our most recent thread on John Birks. Join the fun!

Agreed. In some ways, though I can't exactly explain why, it's almost essential. I guess hearing different interpretations helps to solidify one's own preference ...

I always go back to the Pablo Casals recordings of the Suites (which I think have just recently been re-remastered). They're classic if not definitive. Thomas Demenga — who seems a relatively new master — has also recorded the Suites for ECM, but they've been spread across a fair amount of different discs. Still, great production values, and Demenga's sound is nice — though he does tend to take some tempi more "up" than Casals. I've never been able to get with either of Yo Yo Ma's recordings of the Suites. (He recorded them, in entirety, for Sony twice, I believe.) Technically immaculate, but something oh-so Wyntonesque about those sides ...

Listening to the VICJ of Art Pepper + Eleven for the first time right now ... The remastering puts Art right in your lap! How can a speaker make a sound feel like it's right in front of you?

Mr. White Chocolate Carter Dogg

A patron at ... ?

Nice! (And thexy!) The Soothsayer ... ?

Wasn't the previous VICJ series (in cardboard sleeves) numbered from 6000? Seems a little odd that the new series would go from 4000. Still, my guess is with Hans — I'd think that this newly-priced series use the same remasters, but are simply in jewel cases instead. I wonder if it actually costs more to put out discs in cardboard sleeves? I wouldn't think so, but ...

I'm teaching the play right now in my Intro to Drama course. Apparently, one of Miller's regrets about this play was that he didn't develop the character Linda as much as he would have liked to. As a result, this leaves her (perhaps intentionally) ambiguous statements at the drama's close open to more speculation than Miller may have wanted. Still, a great play to read and teach. This is the first I've heard of Miller's passing.

If it'd be anything like his work on the Love Supreme set, that would be my hope too. Some of Rudy's best-ever remastering work, in my opinion.

Yes. It got bumped back for reasons that I can't now remember. Estate-related difficulties? I thought it might be more than 2 discs, but I certainly won't complain. I do hope Verve doesn't get too fancy with its packaging ... .

I didn't know Irène played the tuba ...

Verve currently has this one slated for release on September 20, 2005. How many discs will it be? Anyone here in-the-know? I hope the projected date of reissue pulls through this time. Really looking forward to hearing the music.

Up from the depths of 2003, as Hiroshi finally landed a copy (AMCY 1171) of The Shape of Jazz to Come for me. I spun it three times today. Absolutely gorgeous. It's weird how much a good remaster can make a difference sometimes. (And the little puppy was an affordable 1600¥!) Particularly amazing — Charlie Haden's bass comes through with equal presence to Ornette's alto! Not even on my old vinyl (which is not an original pressing) did the bass sound this good. It's almost as if I'm hearing the music for the first time. Very exciting — little nuances of Cherry's horn lines, for example, come through with more clarity ... his breath, "ghosted" notes, and how he plays under Ornette for the melodies. Whew.

... hey, I thought "Clifford Thornton" was just your handle. What did you have the other day? :rsly:

Nice list M. Graham! (A Long Drink of the Blues is actually a Jackie McLean record — though Webster Young is on the title track. It's a very good album! Hopefully it has a good chance of staying in-print.)

"A double skinny latté, blueberry scone, and the Clifford Thornton please ..."

(Superman uses his ThighMaster just a little bit more than Mr. Shazam.)

I think that's right. I remember seeing the original U.S. compact disc release in 1988, but I didn't know enough about Turrentine at the time to buy it. Now I have the JRVG, and it sounds pretty good to me! BTW — I e-mailed Cuscuna about the Edwards PJ title in question. If he gets back to me, I'll post the response here.

I've wondered about that myself. I always have to repeat to myself: "New Bottle, Old Wine" in order to remember just what the title is (was). Here's perhaps an even more focused scan (courtesy of the site Bary linked): I haven't heard this album, but would really like to! (The other PJ title is a favorite.)

There's hope for rational pricing after all!