Late

Not Mravinksy's Pathetique on DG?

I'm guessing Sedric's unaccompanied tenor track — "Saxophone Doodle" or "Sax-O-Doodle" — isn't available on compact disc ...

Yes, that's the record. I haven't listened to that monologue track in some time though (I burned a copy sans that track). I do love McPhee, but for this particular project (you're right) I'm looking for shorter, more "inside" tracks. But maybe I better make an "out" compilation too! Of course, then I'd probably only get four or five tracks on the whole CDR. I read somewhere a long time ago (Downbeat? Late 80's, early 90's?) about Branford Marsalis's affection for Rollins' first a capella track (which I also love). Branford thought it was very cool that Rollins would start recording from some distance away, and then walk up to the mike. I think Mr. Marsalis has even copied this practice in a track or two of his own.

Up for re-evaluation. Now I have to track down those Classics discs ...

On the topic, I thought this might be of some interest: Solo Saxophone Flights by Bill Shoemaker. === (Note: In the first post, I said solo Lucky Thompson tracks. I should have used the singular: track.)

It's just one track from his Candid session (Lord, Lord, Am I Ever Gonna Know?), but the whole date is exceptional, and if you're into Lucky, it's a must-have. The track, which splices a solo tenor improvisation between two solo soprano sections, is both easy to follow and worthy of repeated listenings. In fact, the first nine notes I've played over and over: a brief, almost unnoticeable "accident" is turned into a beautiful phrase. (It's not really an accident, per se, but Thompson's line trips a little, and then he makes good use of it.) Re. the Bluiett — another disc in my collection that I haven't reached for in some time. (Right next to another India Navigation session, Arthur Blythe's Metamorphosis.) Thanks for the reminder. Now I need to hear that Gene Sedric record! Where can I find it???

An aside — I once put "Picasso" on repeat to be able to sing along with/memorize it. That was a weird and somewhat hypnotic experience. I lost count around 23/24 repeats, and the song started to sound like one massive, never-ending soliloquy. The solo tracks that Hawkins laid down for the Selmer company are also great. (I'm going crazy waiting for the Hawkins Mosaic!)

Thanks for the recommendations so far! Keep 'em coming! I didn't know that Steve Coleman had a solo disc. I'll probably purchase a track or two from Amazon (listening to the samples right now). Thanks for the heads-up. Lacy — oh yeah. Somewhere around 50 CDs/Lps, I think. Strangely enough, his solo Monk work has attracted me the least. (Curses!) I love his own compositions so much more, though I understand they've been informed, if only obliquely at times, by Monk's aesthetic. Remains is an intense disc on hat; maybe my favorite solo Lacy disc. (There are so many!) I still haven't heard Ballets, and would like to. Not familiar with Tommy Smith. Thanks for the heads-up there too. I haven't played Arcana Major in a couple of years. Thanks for the reminder! "Tenderly" is an excellent call. That'll go on the comp. This is exactly why I started the thread. Thanks guys. When I finally put it together, I'll post a tracklist. Ideally it'd have some kind of "narrative," but it doesn't have to.

The 1974 show is now up on YouTube. East Broadway Rundown

So I guess the short answer is no. Dang. I shoulda done that research, so thanks! I've watched episodes on YouTube, but it would be nice to have them in one remastered set. Someday ...

Right. I saw that set, and when I read "Attain the BEST QUALITY possible with this unaltered 8 DVD set," something about it seems sketchy. But maybe not?

I wanted to put a CDR together for the car of only solo saxophone pieces, and thought I'd ask here for recommendations. Soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, etc. — doesn't matter. I got the idea while listening to unaccompanied Lucky Thompson tracks in the car just the other day. While I have Braxton's For Alto, and Evan Parker's Monoceros, I'm thinking along more traditional lines — anywhere from Coleman Hawkins' "Picasso" to solo tracks by Lee Konitz. So (though I do love outside tracks), for this CDR nothing too "out." I'd like to hear your recommendations, of if you've compiled a similar CD. I know I'll put some Warne on the disc, some Rollins (probably "Manhattan") ... but what else? Thanks!

Was there ever an official release of the Beatles Cartoons on DVD?

I sent Jonathan Horwich a listening copy of Motivation about a year ago, and he said he might consider reissuing it. If more of us got behind it, who knows ... The U.S. packaging of Modern Windows (Suite) is frustrating for sure. There was enough room, of course, to reissue both Modern Windows and The Tenor Stylings of on one compact disc, but as Orrin Keepnews was the reissue producer ... well, we know how that ends up. Then, as if to say "ha ha!" like that kid on the Simpsons, Keepnews included a bonus track ("Desolation") that can't be found on any Japanese edition. I downloaded it from Amazon so that I didn't have to purchase the U.S. edition. I haven't heard the release that's the reason for this thread. Barron is a favorite of mine, however. He spent a brief period with Mingus (1961-62?) that went unrecorded.

All about succes. Established in 1928! "Succes is best-known for her loose-leafed organizers, ranging in style from classic to trendy." A little known jazz trivia fact is that Red Garland owned excellent office supplies.

Also wanted to add that, per the Martin Williams essay, I can't stop thinking about what the sound of the "Jimmy Giuffre 3" when Don Pullen was in the group must have been like. Giuffre, Pullen, and Cecil McBee? Maybe Giuffre recorded some the rehearsals ...

I did the same thing yesterday, listening to both of his Choice records (now on Candid CDs). One of the original covers: Candid CD Covers: For anyone who hasn't heard these recordings, I'd recommend them without hesitation, particularly if you have (and like) some Giuffre recordings already. Sound samples are on Amazon. They're not nearly as "free" as Free Fall. The Rex Butters article (linked above) implies that Eastern philosophy was at least a partial influence when these LPs were made (one track is titled "Om" after all, but this is far away from Coltrane's recording of the same title). Wesley LaViolette's version of mysticism also seems to have inspired Giuffre at this time. The melodies are often very trance-like, Giuffre's horn playing in octave unison with Kiyoshi Tokunaga's bass, while Randy Kaye occasionally adds what sounds like nipple gongs (could be wrong on that; it's some type of miniature gong). Giuffre's not the best flautist (he plays both standard and bass flutes here), but he somehow turns his limitations into an advantage, never opting for rapid-fire lines, and instead focusing on shifts in pitch and interval. I wish he'd picked up the baritone saxophone for these recordings; I'd really liked to have heard the big horn in such a context. The recorded sound on these albums, by the way, is very natural and up-front. In total, a big .

Weird that the mustiness smells like cigarettes/cigars. How do you know he doesn't smoke? I didn't mind the scent/aroma at all. Actually endeared me more to his parcels.

Might be my favorite record on BYG. Not my personal choice for Jonathan's reissue program, but a great record nonetheless.

Joe, thanks for the heads-up on the Williams essay. I didn't know about it. Here's a direct link for those that would like to read it. Man, Giuffre recorded that session ... Jeff, thanks too for the heads-up on Giuffre's book. I didn't know about that either. Incidentally, the first Google hit for this book is your blog! Amazon currently has a used copy for $165. I'd like to see that last exercise you mention with bar-less music. I imagine the book is more engaging than Oliver Nelson's (that's the one I had; not a bad book, but it does have its limitations). Here's a 2003 article by Rex Butters that answers some questions about Giuffre's "wilderness" years. In addition to teaching, Giuffre was effectively freelancing during this time: among other things, recording two movie soundtracks, composing and playing for a dance entitled The Castle, doing commercial work, and performing as a hand model! I'd actually read this article (eight years ago), but had forgotten about it. Is Juanita Giuffre still with us? She has to be sitting on some great home recordings. Some day, maybe, those will be able to see the light of day. That'd be something else. Yggdrasill!

It was through this board that I first became aware of Hiroshi's excellent service. I love how he hand-tailors each cardboard box that he mails out (ever notice that? the joints and folds are his own), and I even came to like the faint aroma of his cigarettes that gently rises out of each parcel after opening. My collection would be considerably less varied and rich if it weren't for Hiroshi. I'll really miss his service.

After the magnificent Free Fall, Giuffre recordings are hard to come by until his Choice recordings of the early 70's. I know that teaching obligations were partly responsible from keeping him from recording, but were other forces at play? Indifference to his music in the wake of "jazz spirituality" or the like? I have one concert recording from 1965 with Don Friedman and Barre Phillips, and it's amazing. Two compositions ("Drive" and "Syncopate") that I can't find anywhere else — and the music is just as challenging and forward-thinking as anything that Coltrane played during the same time frame. Giuffre also (allegedly) had a trio with Richard Davis and Joe Chambers, circa 1966. Maybe private tapes exist. It's frustrating that such talent was so sparely documented. Please share your thoughts/observations, and if you've heard any recordings from the "wilderness years" (Richard Cook and Brian Morton's term) of 1963-1973.

Feelings/thoughts on this period of Chet? Any particular titles that you recommend over others?

From an auction page: I must say that the discs I've purchased (via eBay) from Zoltan have been in excellent condition. They usually take ten days to arrive in the U.S. Make sure to check if an auction you're interested in has a disc listed as a "sample" or "promo" (if that matters to you). Zoltan will list this if this is the case.

I follow Zoltan's (Brian's) auctions with some regularity (and enthusiasm!). The jazz titles tend to go for around retail price, and the classical titles (if rare) go for much more. Johanna Martzy anyone? Try winning an auction for a single disc at anything under $80. Then, a couple of months ago, a Japanese gold disc edition of Ernest Ansermet's Borodin Symphony No. 2 went for over $700. That was crazy. I bought the newly remastered Australian edition for $6. Anyway, no real point to this post. I do wish, however, that Brian would post here and there. Just out of curiosity. Where the heck do you get all your rare stuff? (None of my business.) And multiple copies? What do DJs in Taiwan spin?