T.D.

I don't consider chess players athletes, but GM Levon Aronian seems to be a major jazz fan. There's a lengthy interview at this Russian site but I'll quote: - Comparing your chess style with jazz, who would you be? I guess Magnus Carlsen is somewhat like Thelonius Monk – simple but yet very complex! (CiT) I’ll respond using too many words, but please bear in mind the mitigating circumstance that I’ve got a maniacal affection for jazz. Given that Thelonius had fame and recognition only among his colleagues, while the critics had difficulty understanding his ideas, he’s probably better reflected in the chess world by Michael Adams, while Magnus himself is more likely Tony Williams – a prodigy and trendsetter. It’s a difficult task for me to compare myself to anyone. My natural modesty means it’s hard for me to name Joe Henderson or Booker Little. So as not to disappoint you, I’ll give a short list of other comparisons. Let’s start with one close to my heart. Vassily Ivanchuk, in my opinion, is Ornette Coleman – that same universality and great influence on other players. Bent Larsen is somehow similar to Roland Kirk. A great melodist (positional player), whose play was extravagant. Vasily Smyslov could very well be represented by Grant Green. A harmonious manner of play and wonderful technique. I associate Tigran Petrosian with Warne Marsh. A unique style of play which, it seemed, was too calm and dull, while in reality it was deep and cunning. - Have you ever played a game as smooth as Kind of Blue? (CiT) To be honest, I’ve never particularly liked “Kind of Blue”. Due to the fact that I heard it for the first time only after listening to many of the great albums of a later period it didn’t make the proper impression on me. Of course I do, however, recognise its enormous significance for the following era. So let’s designate the “perfectly smooth” album as “The Next Step” by Kurt Rosenwinkel

I recall a flurry of interviews in 2006, readily found via Google, but they have that nebulous quality: NYT JazzTimes AAJ

Discs 5 and 6 (Mendelssohn, Bruch, Wienawski, Tchaikovsky) Discs 1 and 6 (North American Ballads and The People United...) Maybe more later.

Thanks, but I don't have broadcast TV, just a set I use for DVDs (don't want to pay for cable or dish). Unfortunately, I couldn't find this on Netflix DVD or Youtube so it may not be possible to watch.

! I have a much later live recording on Philips.

Damn...I didn't know a film had been made based on the great Eric Ambler novel A Coffin for Dimitrios (personal favorite). Will have to look for this.

Late as usual, but Happy Birthday!

Yes, I also failed to find the Ian MacDonald book. Even contacted Macdonald, but too late, after the book went oop. Don't want to pay the current $86.04 offering at Amazon... Only about 30 pages in but enjoying Dameronia so far. I also saw the Jazz Times review, which is pretty accurate. Apparently it's not possible to compile a detailed biography because Dameron was private and left little documentation behind. But there's sufficient material to put together a reasonable biography with some unavoidable holes. Also concur re. the musical analysis, which is somewhat over my head. However, the analysis is blended in with the biographical prose so there aren't lengthy unreadable passages. And I can make a longer-term project out of deciphering the analysis. To sum up (prematurely, see above), the book is not everything I as a Dameron fan hoped for (because of the sometimes sketchy details), but I doubt one could do better because of the lack of researchable material (disclaimer: I haven't read MacDonald). One could argue that the musical analysis is essential because of Dameron's reputation as a composer, but it might well intimidate many readers. Still, this is at the front of my reading queue and I expect to finish it over the weekend. And then spend some time researching harmony and musical notation...

I leafed through it in a bookshop and consider it well worth reading. But I just bought Paul Combs's Dameronia, so will hold off for a while.

Hey, John Sebastian's playing this Saturday in Woodstock.

Larry, how do like Chen's Bach? I love her Hat Art recordings of Schoenberg and Barraque/Boulez. Most curious about Bach, but reluctant to take a flier considering the # of recordings I already own.

Actually, to 4 of the original Dorian CDs (Cuarteto Latinoamericano). Also have a couple of discs with the Danubius Qt. on Marco Polo, but overall not quite a complete set.

I ordered Sunday night, and the immaculately wrapped package arrived Wednesday (postal holiday!). Don't know how that could have happened, but most grateful.

Ditto. And today was a postal holiday - I don't understand how the package arrived!

Just got e-mail from Berkshire touting Haba's complete string quartets (plus some other pieces) recorded by the Stamitz Quartet on Bayer. Any opinions on Haba's quartets? I'm favorably disposed to microtonal music, so might like these. [Added] Have been listening on Youtube and greatly enjoy what I've heard. Budget tight right now, so will revisit after the holidays.

Agreed on all but the Kuhn, which is unknown to me. The Moondoc is really good. I was fence-sitting on the Ayler and Lyons, but snoozed and lost.