Brad

Lon, My apologies too if we all seem to have gotten excited. Group hug

I still don't think this is a good choice but they don't need me to decide for them what they think will do well. I stay by my comments on Rich. It seems around here that if you sling hash at a person's diety, that people all get in a tizzy and out of whack. If you read what I wrote and subsequent posts, I said the guy's technically good, but as an artist I don't think he is and that there are better drummers and drummers I prefer more. That's my opinion and I'm entitled to it. This is supposed to be fun but you seem to be all upset about it. I don't see others getting all bent out of shape about it. We all express our opinions and hopefully we all respect it and take it fwiw, opinions. Disappointing response to say the least.

Lon, I'm a bit surprised by that. We've known each other a long time and you're one of my original mentors in the jazz world and one who I have undying respect for. There are plenty of Mosaics that I don't have that I are probably good Mosaics whether I like them or not. Of course, I prefer the hard bops but I love the swing Mosaics that I have such as the Basie Roulettes and I hope to get for my birthday or Christmas, the Eldridge or the new Basie. I would agree with Jim that this one will do well as Mosaic must target a large group of people such as people who like the Four Freshmen. It would be nice to even see some more Blues Mosaics. So I don't think it's an issue of whether I like it or not. Mosaic does what it thinks is right and more often than not (and damn near all the time) they're right on the money.

Mike, I listened to this album a few years ago but don't have it any more. Anyway, what do you make of this AMG review (I know that you can't rely on them and all the various disclaimers, etc.): The idea probably looked good on paper. Why not combine Buddy Rich's Quintet of 1959 (which consisted of altoist Phil Woods, trombonist Willie Dennis, pianist John Bunch and bassist Phil Leshin) with Max Roach's band of the time (consisting of trumpeter Tommy Turrentine, tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, trombonist Julian Priester and bassist Bobby Boswell)? This CD reissues all of the music (including four "new" alternate takes) but the excess of drum solos and the relative brevity of space given to the horns results in a great deal of sameness from track to track. An unexpected bore.

Now, we're talkin

Hey, to each his own. Intersting comments by Jim and Lon. Don't agree necessarily. I just don't think he ranks up there with the best drummers. Yes, he can play; perhaps I slightly misspoke by saying that technically he's not gifted. In that regard, I lean more to Jim's opinion. Technically, yes, artist, no. The comparison to Babe Ruth is ill placed. Babe Ruth is one of the most significant players to play the game. If you want compare Max to the Babe, that's fine. Rich to Ruth, that does a disservice to the Babe. That's my opinion. You've got yours. So be it.

I think it's an odd choice because I don't think he's all that significant and I don't think he's all that good a drummer. Better than Blakey? I don't believe that deserves a reply. While Lon's post may be tongue in cheek, people who get the Mosaic treatment are usually pretty significant in their field. While the sidemen are, I don't think he is. The Rich Edison cd that came out on LPR not that long ago is a case in point. He overdominated the record and ruined it for me. Now, if this is emblematic of the whole set, no thank you. BTW, I hear the Hans and Brad Cup of Swing series is coming out in mini lp in Japan

It got panned in today's NYT. That video was bodacious. She does have one hell of a body. Luck Nick indeed.

This is just an incredible list and I'll be putting an order in for some things. It's all nice to see Blakey's Au Club Saint Germain come out again. I got that before it went oop several years ago and it's a great set, especially if you love this group.

Can't really figure out what it does but anything to help the back is always welcome.

As others have noted, I can't see how he can help as he is past his prime and the French team must be in a woeful state for this to happen. How the mighty have fallen. It's time for other countries to take up the banner in Germany. I can only hope it's England or Spain for Europe but overall Brazil still looks like they will be tough. Marcus, I'm surprised at you pulling for the French, when you are from Brazil. But then I'm American, pulling for Espana, so vive le difference.

Conrad, My condolences. My father died suddenly many years ago when I was in my twenties so I know some of what you're going through. We're all pulling for you here.

Hmm, Lee sort of looks different

I'm a day late and a dollar short (many actually) but happy birthday to a great person from somebody who's almost got 5 years on you.

At the Organ is a great cd except for Slightly Monkish. I don't think it works and it certainly doesn't fit in with most of the songs on the record, which is why I think Alfred probably left it off the original issue.

I have to agree with Hans on this one, probably backtracking on what I said before, but of the records I've heard of his, he just dominates the session, ruining them. The liner notes for the last Diz Bird date are revealing because they talk about how Rich was a curious choice for that session since he didn't fit in at all with the rest of the musicians. This is an odd choice for a Mosaic, in retrospect.

I plead guilty to not having Volumes 1 and 2

Been listening to the Jimmy Smith. Now, I've never heard any prior version but it sounds good to these ears, plus great music (my first time hearing it).

It's the first time I looked at any blog but this looks interesting, sort of musings. I will check it daily from now on.

Apple sells this little base that you plug the ipod into and then the speakers go into the base. It sounds good to me and works just fine.

As far as I'm concerned quite a lot, actually, like for instance the Rich, Tyner, the Jazz Crusaders, and one or two others. ← I can see your perspective, although not necessarily agreeing. I would probably wait on the Williams, possibly the Tyner but might give the Rich a ride although the problem is his domination of sessions. I'll probably hold on the Crusaders until I hear a few cuts of the web site but everything else looks pretty interesting and all in all it's a very compelling group of releases coming out. Top of the list for me will be the Berry, the Mulligan and the Jazz Trios.

No hope for this one, Brownie unless Martha Glaser has either a change of heart or a change of address. Jaffa might update us on the next Classics release- 1953. ← Let's not hold our breath on this one, unless you want to do it for several years.

Got four of them today: Jimmy Smith, Oblique, Time for Tyner and Think. Listening to 'em later.

As Mr. Jones might have said, it's not unusual to love Dizzy or Lorraine

What forecast? That just went out the window, man. Now, I don't feel so bad about passing up the O'Day set because there are some serious sets that I will be picking up or getting as presents. At the top of my list in the scheduled releases will be the Jazz Piano Trios although if truth be told I'll want to buy everything else. Not sure about the Rich, but what the hell, I'll probably ante up. On the future projects, what is there not to buy?