JSngry

Seems to be a LP for $13.50 (Canadian) HERE. That's a real good price if it's in good shape.

Not an "easy" listen by any means, but Billy's on this one. Pretty powerful stuff.

Keep Checking Dusty Groove (the bastards!). They keep a steady flow going of the various Strata-East reissues, so if it'll turn up anywhere, it will be there. What do I think of this album? I think it's beautiful, in the deepest, non-gratuitous meaning of the word. Very spiritual. I know that's a word that means different things to different people, and nothiing to some, but if we stipulate that it's a totally subjective term, then I'll openly say that the music on this album goes straight to the core for me in terms of "spiritual" attributes like strength, resolve, humility, compassion, love, and all those other things that aren't fashionable these days. Billy made a statement deep from his heart on this album, and if you "get" where he's coming from, I think that you can't help but be deeply moved by it. Simply put, a major album from a major artist. Get it by any means necessary.

The site itself requires Macromedia Flash 6. If you already have that, you might need to adjsut your firewall. I had to, and did, and the site works just fine. If THAT doesn't work, go here http://www.blackjazz.com/main.html but w/o Flash installed, you'll just get a black screen. I've not heard a Black Jazz album I didn't like at least quite a bit. Some, even more. It's a label I'd feel safe in recommending a wholesale exploration of. Tribe I know less about. A few old vinyl things by Wendell Harrison & Phil Ranelin, and that's it. The recording's a bit less than fully pro, but good enough. Althoguh the music is just a tad uneven, it weighs far more to the good side than not. I've been meaning to pick up those reissues myself! FWIW, here's a pop-up from the BJ site, a further note about the bootleg.

I certainly meant no diminuation of Chuck's role by using the term "midwife", Larry. The role of documentarian in keeping a new scene alive and enthusiastic is crucial. I also know that he was a very early supporter in terms of attending/sponsoring concerts, etc. I can tell you that right now there's about 15-20 musicians in Dallas who would kill to have somebody do what he did. "Getting it done for yourself" is not nearly as easy or as practical as it sounds. Having a non-playing advocate who won't take no for an answer is beyond a blessing. Individual musicains may have good business sense and an ability for promotion, but as a group? HA! As far as Chuck's involvement as springboard for musical ideas, etc. I've not heard of this, but I'd not doubt it. As you say, Chuck's no BS honesty and straight-shooting is one of his strong suits. If any stories are forthcoming, I'm ALL ears!

Lingua en cheekus, definitely.

Yeah, I saw her, and had the same thought until I noticed that plate in front of her. WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?

Although it is perfectly, no, MORE than perfectly understandable that we guys find much to mock/be frightened by in the women of The Well, honesty dictates that we also mention that the MEN all look like a bunch of fat drunken twistbrains. Women have the 10 & 2 standard also, or so I'm told...

I got one but not the other. Definitely going to be getting this!

Dmitry, you nearly made me spit out my grape soda. My sentiments exactly!

For fear of not being able to and getting drug onto the flight, I'll not even try! No, there's no Covina, Tx, but I tell you, this joint reminds me of places in Longview. LOTS of place in Longview...

I...never...knew...

History indeed! The next phase of jazz was being birthed, and Chuck was there to midwife it. People need to know!

Do you really care? Seriously, I liked the first 2-3 albums pretty well, but after that... I was always a BS&T man myself. Liked their horn writing more, even if David Clayton-Thomas' vocals were kinda creepy and the image of Dick Halligan scoring w/groupies is even creepier. Still, other than James Pankow, I think BS&T had "better" musicians, although Bobby Colomby vs Danny Seraphine probably comes down to a matter of taste. I mentioned this elsewhere, but it bears repeating. The influence of producer James William Guercio on the early Chicago sound cannot be underestimated. If you doubt that, listen to two Buckinghams albums he produced, TIME AND CHARGES & PORTRAITS. There's a shitload full of moments in those albums where you'll swear you're listening to a Chicago album.

FEELIN' IT NOW ALL the Nessa albums THE IMPROVISOR Those will getcha started.

Don't overlook Bertha Hope. Her stuff is happening!

Von is the very embodiment of EVERYTHING I dig about jazz. Live long and prosper.

Where the hell is Covina, anyway?

What happens when you say no to darts after Karaoke:

And doing it well, I hope.

Beleive it or not, from doing a Google Image Search for "To Tell The Truth". You get deep enough into these things, and there's no telling what you might see. One click leads to another, and before you know it, you gots the Internet Experience all over yourself!

Pretty dame cute INDEED!

Again, do I LOOK like I'm suicidal?

Lose what? A finger? A kneecap? WHAT?

What. do I LOOK like I'm suicidal?