Brad

Today is a double birthday for Ike and Duke, both important figures in the Blue Note legacy. One of my earliest cds was Congo Lament so that will get a listen to tonight.

Thanks for the rec. It's on my very short list.

Man, this is going to be great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm salivating just reading the discography. This is going to be a hell of a fall with this and Dexter. Yes, there is a God and he lives in Stamford, Connecticut

Where's Metronome when you need them?

What's the view here on the recently released Desert Winds (although it's technically not a Verve). I've been debating whether I should get that.

Kevin would seem to be right. I've only gotten a couple of nibbles and none near what I paid for it. So, I'm perfectly content to sit tight. I'm not trying to hype this set; I don't believe it needs that but I've got a few Blue Moons (Lester, Illinois Jacquet) and I don't think the sound is all that great. Passable but not wonderful.

This appears to be temporarily out of stock but I'm hoping it comes back in soon. It sounds very exciting.

That's a shame because of all the great recordings Dexter made during this period, that one is my favorite. Great charts and terrific playing by all concerned. I echo what Marty and others have said about this session. It is truly fantastic. I was lucky enough to get a copy off ebay.

Yes, I agree with you, too. For example, I will NOT purchase a Conn. release at Border's unless I can get some sort of discount. I mean, $18 for a Conn. title at Border's or $13 via the internet? If I purchase an entire group-release of Conn. titles, say, 4 disks multiplied by $5 difference-per-disk and I'm talking about getting an additional disk, for free, if purchased from the online store versus the retail store. RVGs are more reasonably priced and I tend to purchase them at Border's (unless the RVG is a double). I'm always surprised when a single RVG is priced at $11.99 but a double is priced at $26.99. Like, uhhh... did I miss something? I usually buy the RVGs at the local Borders here in Jersey and they're pretty reasonably priced around $11.99. The Conns, yes those are expensive, but the RVGs aren't badly priced. I also found that if you don't reserve them through their online ordering system (since they only get one copy, 2 at the max), you won't get them. BTW, Blue Spirits is sensational. My first time hearing it.

The Jimmy Smith would be interesting if I probably didn't have everything already. If it's good as the Grant Green box, it can't miss.

Jim sums it up for me. Downbeat is even less interesting.

Don't forget East Broadway Rundown, one of my favorites. I'd also stick in a vote for Worksong, a very fine cd. I don't really want to wade into this controversy but I saw Sonny awhile back at New Jersey Performing Arts Center and all the criticism I read here I don't feel is justified and even more so when he's 73 or 74. I hope I'm functioning at half that level when I'm 74. Didn't Monk record and play many of the same compositions over and over? I don't see anybody criticizing him for that.

Mike, keep the groove goin and hope you come back. Happy birthday.

I'm like David. I have only a couple of his Prestige albums although I may have some of the material with Wardell. So this is a must buy for me.

PMs sent back and Hans is right about it being LP and small group sessions. Bol, if you need more information, please let me know.

I am looking to sell this set and I'm only selling it because there's a lot of great Mosaic and other sets (Dexter) coming out in the fall so something's gotta give. Everything is mint and I kid you not. The box is in fantastic condition and the book is likewise in fantastic conditon (looks brand new; I'm fanatical about those things). I paid a pretty penny for this so if you're interested please send me a PM. I will ship by UPS because I think they're safer and for this you want safe. Thanks.

If you want to talk killer stuff, check out the upcoming Dexter Prestige Box.

$140 is a lot but 11 cds for that price? It's hard to knock that price.

Three of the new RVGs: In N'Out, Blue Spirits and Tender Moments.

As a leader, no. At least according to the Chronological Classics which is said to contains all his dates as a leader. In the liner notes of Coleman Hawkins and Chu Berry: Tenor Giants, a Commodore reissue, Francis Davis refers to Billie Holiday's book in which she recounts Chu Berry battling Lester. Perhaps this is what Mike is referring to. According to the notes, most musicians felt that Chu bested Lester that evening.

Dave James and Stefan are the champs so far.

BTW, Benny's Terminal 1 is very, very good, especially his renditions of Killer Joe and Blues March. His playing is at top peak. Plus with Mike Ledonne on piano, how can you go wrong?

If you throw in Selects I'm approaching 50 plus. I wonder if the gurus at Mosaic are reading this.

Never knew that. I wonder why. Must be the tension on the arm.

Yup, got it on Monday. It's great so far and great sound. I even like the singing.