Brad

I called Mosaic just now and while they didn't give me a number they think it'll be gone in two weeks.

Where the hell is this comin' from, especially from a guy who's been here for 5 minutes.

Yeah, let's all relax. I may have to relent on the O'Day. I'll check Mosaic manana.

I d o n ' t t h i n k i t ' s r u n n i n g s l o w . I t s e e m s j u s t f i n e t o m e .

I just listened to those Mosaic site cuts, never having listened to them before, and I was favorably impressed. I'll be getting this.

WKCR will be having a memorial broadcast for Lucky Thompson starting at 2 pm on Sunday and running through 9 pm on Monday. Those times are EST.

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.