DrJ

Agreed, an excellent date musically (and you GOTTA have at least one jazz album in your collection that features a cinder block on the cover!)

Don't really have a favorite single one, but here are some I never tire of: Couldn't find a good image of the last one - Sam Rivers, FUCHSIA SWING SONG

I've seen basically the same cover art as used by 32Jazz being used by Savoy on some reissues (e.g. Woody Shaw's LITTLE RED'S FANTASY)...so you might be disappointed on that end, unfortunately.

I missed out on the pre-release offer, but will be picking this up as soon as it hits the stores officially. I only have a couple of Uptowns, but they are indeed excellent, the Mingus was a dream. I'm "eager" (insert groan here) to explore this new one...

I agree with much that's been said, but it's not as simple as "either or," in real life as opposed to the abstract. I've met some "depth in one area" people who are remarkable in their true love for the music AND can remain open to other vistas. And I've met some who are so narrow minded you wonder if they really listen to the music for fun or just to check titles off a list. Same goes for the "breadth" types - some seem to leap from genre to genre, again almost as if ticking off styles and artists on a list. While others are omnivores in the best sense, listening to a variety of musics while developing a true appreciation for and understanding of each and making connections among the various styles. There are of course an infinite number of shades of grey between these categories, too.

Like Jim I'd also missed this thread while looking at other discussions. My thoughts are with you and your family. My advice is a little different than others, and because I am an academic family physician at a large medical center it comes from a different perspective: you MAY need another doctor/facility, but what it really seems is drastically needed RIGHT NOW is that you get more information from her current treating doctors, that you begin a more open dialogue - say a sit down, lengthy, no interruptions family meeting to get the concerns on the table and get the questions answered...if that doesn't happen - if they are evasive, or blow you off, or don't seem to know what they're doing, THEN start doctor shopping. But that can be its own nightmare for the family, believe me. I say this for several reasons: 1. There are way too many "unknowns" at this point in the information you've posted here for ANYONE to give you decent specific advice about what to do. In reading it as a doctor, the workup they have done so far actually makes perfect sense. Diagnosis of many problems, including enlarged lymph nodes, is often difficult - there's a long list of things that cause what your mom has, and working through them systematically is the way to do it. So far, I'm not seeing anything out of line medically - the MRI, biopsy, etc all make sense - but again, it's sketchy what we have to review. In your discussion with the doctors, it will be really important to find out the prognosis here. Some tumors you're far better off leaving alone as far as local surgery, because if they are either best treated systemically (because the tumor cells in the growth are just the tip of the iceberg), or not curable at all (I sincerely hope this is not the case), then you just put the patient and family through unnecessary, painful surgeries. You again have to know A LOT more about what you're dealing with. Get empowered, get information! Do NOT take "no" for an answer in asking the doctors to meet with you and the family. 2. People mean well with their advice about taking vitamin C etc, but unless one really knows what they're talking about, wading into a discussion on the Internet about how to treat a potential cancer is just plain foolish and may be dangerous. Even as a primary care doctor who knows his patients well, I shy away from recommending specific cancer treatments because that's not something that anyone but an oncologist can truly keep up with. 3. Seeking 2nd (and 3rd or more) opinions is often a good idea, but remember that in medicine there is almost NEVER a single best way to do something, and that is magnified for treating cancers that are not very common. So you might get 3 or 4 different opinions, each with its own merit, and the real important thing is NOT trying to decide which is "better" but which group of doctors you feel most comfortable with. I'd strongly advise waiting on doing this until you've tried to engage her current treating doctors and know more about what the hell is going on. 4. Finally, some BIG words of reassurance - although patients and families often have a hard time believing it, MOST CANCERS GROW FAIRLY SLOWLY. So even if it is worst case a cancer, a "delay" of 2 months to work it up properly so one knows what exactly they are treating and how to treat it is NOT going to impact on prognosis. That doesn't justify unnecessary delays in any way - I wouldn't put up with long delays to get tests scheduled - but it does help to reassure people while the correct workup is being done. It is far better to do this than to leap in and remove a tumor in someone with diabetes (especially if it's poorly controlled), which negatively impacts on immune function and healing in a major way and can result in major post-op complications such as raging infection at the surgery site and sepsis (blood infection). My own grandfather died from post-operative blood infection after a relatively minor toe surgery (which we'd all advised him not to have) because he had an underlying illness that impaired his healing and immune function, the wound site got infected, and then spread to the blood. So this is something that is not just abstract for me, it hits close to home. Again, it's REALLY important to go at this with a clear head and as much knowledge as you can gather. SO - SIT THOSE DOCTORS DOWN WITH YOU, YOUR MOM, and WHOEVER ELSE IN YOUR FAMILY IS INVOLVED and have yourself a conference, where you don't leave until you feel your questions have been answered. Even if they are NOT answered to your satisfaction, you will feel somewhat better - you'll then have the clear answer that these guys are definitely not docs you want to deal with and can move on without doubts. However, if they DO come through as most doctors will when they realize they haven't been as forthcoming with their thinking as they should have been, then you will feel better and, more importantly, your mom will have the best chance possible for recovery. Again, my sincere hopes that everything works out well.

Hell, YES David! I got that one, and it's a real shredder, 3 minutes of punk pop heaven, makes the original by the Byrds sound positively quaint and prissy. Another great Husker Du 45 in my collection: their version of "Love is All Around," otherwise known as the Mary Tyler Moore Show theme, which is on the b-side of the "Makes No Sense at All" single (released right around the time of the FLIP YOUR WIG album). Another winner. They could do no wrong around that period.

I would agree with Shrdlu's assessment of Spaulding's flute work - quite strong. I love PATTERNS. It has a wonderfully melancholy, dark undertow (more so than just about any Bobby Hutcherson album of the period) - partly due to the recording, partly due to the songs, and especially due to Stanley Cowell's piano voicings. Everyone plays well, and the songs are truly memorable in all cases. I agree everyone played better solos at some point in their career, but this album sets a wonderful mood and sustains it, with expert pacing and as indicated by someone else above, a real democratic approach.

Couple comments in this area: 1. I try to limit my listening backlog to no more than 10 or so (the occasional large boxed set notwithstanding). Once it gets to that point, unless there's urgency (something I want going OOP), I slow down and catch up before buying more. Like many here, I keep them on a shelf for "new acquisitions" until I listen, so they don't get lost in the shuffle. 2. Like many, though, often I consider being "caught up" listening only once to a disc, which often of course is really not enough. So I'll also "flag" new CDs when I put them with the full collection by placing the discs pulled on the shelf a bit so they are easily spotted for the near future, where I listen again at least one more time and often more if something "grabs" me. 3. Up until recently, I prided myself on the fact that, with a collection of over 1600 titles and 2000+ actual discs, I had NEVER accidentally bought something that I already had. However, I have been gradually assembling a full collection of all the Bluebird Fats Waller reissues from the 90's (now all OOP) and, in my reluctance to pass on one that I thought I might have been missing, I unintentionally purchased a duplicate of FRACTIOUS FINGERING. Made me extra mad because I was about 90% sure I already had it, but I was shopping away from our home, my wife wasn't home for me to call to check on it, and these sets have been hard to track down so I wanted to be sure I didn't miss out. Streak ended!

I really like this set musically. Overall, one of Turrentine's greatest performances in my view - particularly his more romantic, ballad playing, obviously. "Willow Weep For Me" is a true masterpiece. I don't too much care for the remastering job on this one, though - it's certainly not unlistenable, but it suffers from that harsh high end that Ron McMaster used to always get on his BN CDs but has mostly been able to avoid recently. For some reason, it creeps through again here. A minor quibble, though.

Agreed, clem. I'm a huge BN supporter (in spirit as well as with my pocket book) so I do expect better, really no excuse for that kind of thing going on for years and years without being addressed satisfactorily (there has been some marginal improvement in the last few years, but still way too many errors creep through).

Ok, here goes, but ONLY because I trust you guys not to make fun of me...uh, yeah, right! While I own none of her recordings nor do I ever plan to buy any, I honestly don't mind bellowing along with some of Amy Grant's tunes on "hit radio" stations in the car. You know this music (admit it), 80's hits like "Every Heartbeat" and "Baby Baby" (just the names alone tell you we're not in Cole Porter territory lyrically). Geez, why this is, I can't even BEGIN to tell you. I generally hate inane pop, I'm not a Christian and truly despise rock with religious overtones...I have never been able to figure it out, but there it is and it feels GOOD to say it in public (well, I also told my wife once, but she made me sleep on the couch for a month and after that, for the sake of our marriage, we agreed it was a topic that would never be spoken of again). Well, it could have something to do with the fact that she IS kind of hot...

I've always been floored that Harrell has been able to live with his illness and thrive artistically so CONSISTENTLY...no long absences from the scene, dry spells on record, etc. Remarkable, and I'm really bummed I missed this segment.

I wouldn't presume to say they're the greatest ballad performances ever - far too many great ones to judge there - but I never tire of hearing Dexter Gordon's rendition of "You've Changed" from DOIN' ALRIGHT (BN) or Lucky Thompson playing "The Man I Love" on MODERN JAZZ GROUP (Universal France).

Thanks for the recommendation, Jim. My copy is on the way...

BruceH, that has bugged me about Blue Note liner notes for years...has plagued their Connoisseur, RVG, Rare Groove, and "regular" reissue programs since CDs hit the market. Many threads were devoted to this on the old BN BB - for example, who could forget the infamous "Booby Hutcherson" incident? And it seems Kenny Burrell's MIDNIGHT BLUE is destined to be listed on CD reissue packaging as being recorded in 1967 for all eternity, since the mistake was present on the old 80's CD and then carried through AGAIN on the RVG edition. These are just the tip of the iceberg, though. My personal favorite was the tray card for Bob Brookmeyer's TRADITIONALISM REVISITED CD, which appeared in the short-lived West Coast Classics series. On that one, they clearly sent a draft version to the printer as "final" because there were no track times listed on the back tray card, only place markers that looked like this for all the tracks: (XX:XX)!!!! So this bugaboo is not unique at all to the RVGs. BN simply needs to spring for a decent proofreader (maybe a whole TEAM of proofreaders) in the WORST possible way. ********** Contrary to many, I do read liners. Furthermore, I prefer them to be what some might call dry - just give me the history and facts, maybe make 1 or 2 interesting musical observations but otherwise cut the pontificating and interpretation and blowing the social significance out of proportion. Blumenthal's RVG notes do provide some historical context that a neophyte would find useful - I know I would have. Unless you were born with a thorough knowledge of jazz discographies, I can't imagine how some of the info on, say, HORACE SILVER TRIO liners would not be welcome for a newbie.

I think these are very fine examples of Woody's playing, especially the last volume. However, if you want to hear live Woody of roughly the same vintage that is even better, find a vinyl copy of STEPPING STONES or have someone make you a burn...it's not hard to find in used stores, goes for 5 buck range. There's an urgency and fire on that one, and an elegance, that exceeds the admittedly excellent live CDs issued by High Note for me. The opening (title) track is what I would play for someone who asked me "What's all the fuss about this Woody Shaw character?" along with "The Moontrane" from Larry Young's UNITY and probably a couple of tracks from the Mosaic box. Come to think of it, I also prefer BEMSHA SWING (Blue Note), another live recording issued posthumously, to the High Note live discs. Like the outstanding FREE SLAVE (last out on 32 Jazz), BEMSHA teams him with percussionist Roy Brooks - a great matching - and also features Geri Allen in excellent form. For studio Woody and exposure to his arranging/larger group bag, try ROSEWOOD (Columbia). For studio Muse albums, either SOLID or LITTLE RED'S FANTASY are great, and IMAGINATION is wonderful if you want to linger on his ballad artistry. I'm also very fond of BLACKSTONE LEGACY (Contemporary), which is shows a look at his earlier style. But hell, you CANNOT go wrong with Woody, he never released an even remotely bad album. If the High Notes are enticing you, go for them - they'll probably disappear soon and by that time you'll be smitten by the Woody Shaw bug and will regret having passed on them.

I love everything Woody played on that I've heard so far. CORAL KEYS is worth picking up for sure, Woody is in fine form. STEPPING STONES - Ralphie Boy, you gotta hear that one. It's SUPERB, one of Woody's best recordings, period. My lesser know Woody kick-in: Paris Reunion Band - FOR KLOOK (Gazelle), excellent stuff.

Yes indeed - thanks for the update, sounds "temptingly" promising.

I found my used Herbie Nichols set for list price many years after it had gone OOP at the old Jazz Canadiana site (RIP). My only regret is that I passed on the OOP Mingus Candid set (why I will never be able to satisfactorily explain) they also had for list price...

Well...my I still think Blumenthal's recent liners for Mosaic have been quite good. So my theory about the RVG liners (which I also do find not very helpful to me personally) is that he is writing them for people who AREN'T already pretty much experts regarding the BN and other jazz label discographies. He spends a lot of time talking about, for example, when particular songs were recorded first or later elsewhere by another artist (recent example is in the HORACE SILVER TRIO liners where he talks about "Ecaroh"), or about different configurations of groups (as in the INDESTRUCTIBLE! liners). I think this type of info would actually be quite valuable for people just getting into the music, so they can say "hey, maybe I'll check that other session/version of the Messengers/rendition of 'Ecaroh' out" if they like what they hear on the RVG they have purchased. For this reason, I think, Blumenthal stays pretty superficial and breezy for the RVG notes. I don't think it makes sense to think that he's suddenly "lost it" as a liner writer. Again, his work on Mosaic booklets remains solid to excellent in my view.

LOL, Jazzmoose! BIG Earth, Wind, and Fire fan...in fact, even back in junior high (77-78), during my diehard Zeppelin/Yes/Eagles/etc, feathered hair youthful foolishness, when I wouldn't have been caught dead listening to most of what I perceived as "dance oriented" music, I owned THAT'S THE WAY OF THE WORLD and played it to death, particularly the rockish "Shining Star," but I followed them through all their albums and phases from that point on. EW&F I would guess served as a major bridge for MANY of us early teenaged suburban FM rockers into the world of funk and soul. These guys could PLAY and WRITE and SING and ARRANGE like nobody's business! All Music Guide has this to say about the visionary Maurice White: "White, a former session drummer for legendary Chicago-based labels OKeh Records and Chess Records (Etta James, Fontella Bass, Billy Stewart, Ramsey Lewis, Sonny Stitt's 1966 LP Soul in the Night, the Radiants, among others), aspired to form a band like no other pop music had ever known." Pretty heavy credentials for a "dance band" musician, eh?

My Nat Cole set had the "Made in Canada" stickers, so far that's the only one I have which had those.

Good idea, David. I'm not sure exactly how many discs that would end up being, but if it would fall a bit short of 3 CDs for a Select, how about adding in Pomeroy's work with Charlie Mariano on Charlie's early Imperial date (which also included Jaki Byard) from circa 1950? That's a fine session for all concerned, with Mariano very much in his early, heavily Bird-influenced bop bag.

Assuming this WAS indeed originally released on Liberty, and given Lee Morgan's popularity in particular with reissue fans...why the HELL hasn't Blue Note gotten around to reissuing this material legitimately!?!?!