relyles

I just found last week a copy of the OOP box set, Alive for only $50. Chapin was very inspirational. All of his Knitting Factory work is worth hearing. I had wanted the box set for a while, but because it was OOP i never saw it anywhere for less than $100.

The Bunky Green Label-Blue release, Another Place is now available to be ordered from the Label Bleu website.

I actually like "Love Jones".

I have heard him in a couple of different contexts and liked what I heard. I have heard favorable things about the Fresh Sounds NT release.

McPherson also had a long solo during the first set that did not do much for me. Hill did not seem to take as many, or as long solos as everyone else. Also, sometimes he was slightly drowned out in the mix by Herbert and McPherson. What he did play and I heard, however, I enjoyed immensely. I should have also mentioned Tolliver. I heard him a couple of years ago with the Music Inc. reunion. His playing was good that night, but he seemed a little rusty from not playing in public often. His playing tonight was much stronger that the last time I heard him. So much so, that I am going to try to make one of his big band gigs in the future.

I was somewhat reluctant to take the two hour drive alone into NYC to hear Andrew Hill’s quintet at Birdland. Eventually, with the surprising encouragement of my wife I decided to enlist my father (who lives in Manhattan) to join me, selected a few recent additions to the collection for the ride and made the trip. I am glad I did. Time Lines seems to be receiving a favorable response from both fans and critics, but in person the quintet really brings this music to life. Everyone played well. Greg Tardy was particularly impressive. This is the third time I have heard Tardy with Hill and each time he seems to be getting better. He seems to be finding all the right spaces to play within Hill’s quirky rhythms – no doubt enhanced by several years exposure to Hill’s music. Of special note was a tenor feature on a very familiar Hill ballad. Tardy’s tone was simply gorgeous and his sound filled the room. I should also mention Eric McPherson’s contribution. I have had the pleasure of experiencing Mr. Hill live about ten times over the past 18 years. One thing I realized tonight was that the drummer is very important to Hill’s individual way of approaching rhythm. This is the first time I have heard McPherson live, but he brought something new to Hill’s music. At times he and bassist John Herbert seemed to be playing two different songs, but on closer examination I could hear that the two were locked in on the underlying groove in a way that was possibly felt somewhat more than heard. Very interesting. My only disappointment was that the set at just shy of an hour seemed to be a little short considering the amount of driving I did and the amount of money I spent. Nonetheless, what I did hear was worth the trip. Thanks again Mr. Hill. Playlist for the drive Andrew Hill - Time Lines Ron Horton - Everything In A Dream Thomas Chapin Trio plus Strings - Haywire Mary J. Blige - The Breakthrough (For late night driving alone I often need a little booty shaking music for that last leg to bring me home)

I am.

The Hutcherson recording was my first and I believe only exposure to Stinson. I was thoroughly impressed and wish he had the opportunity to record more often.

Jimmy Greene is from my corner of the world and I have enjoyed following his development since first seeing him in an in store performance at a local record store shortly after he participated in the Monk competetion. I heard Berkman live a couple of years ago at the Litchfield Jazz Festival. At the time the performance did not make a signigicant impression on me, but I have since become a fan of his music.

Today I have been in a Jaki Byard solo piano mood. Listening now on Rahpsody to his Maybeck date for the first time and it is really making me wish I can find a copy at a reasonable price. Moreso than ever considering paying the $7.00 it would cost to buy it from Rhapsody and burn it to CDR until I can find the actual disc. I need to pay Byard some more attention.

My connection timed out as well.

I think I will make an effort to get down either Friday or Saturday.

Were there an equal number of men and women participants in the study? I have not been single for a long time, but I think many women think the "supply" of elible men is far less than the demand for them. So, if that is true and we assume that there may be more women than men (I don't know), wouldn't it make sense that men would report more partners?

I was forced to lay around at home for a couple of days last week because of health issues and had a chance to watch the film. I have heard a lot of Taylor's music, but the "interview" segments gave some insight into Taylor's personality. Probably not the kind of person that I would typically hang out with, but interesting. The concert footage was also very nice to see. I saw Taylor live years ago at Alice Tully Hall, but I was so far back I think some of the experience was lost. This gave me an opportunity at least on my TV to get a glimpse of him in action up close.

I don't remember anything in the Marsh biography indicating he thought his playing would be enhanced with the use of pharmaceuticals.

Last night I caught Ernest Dawkins' New Horizons Ensemble at Wesleyan University. I have not been out of the bed much for the past four days and there was a snow storm threatened, but I was determined to go. She did not say anything, but I could tell that my wife felt like I should stay home also. I am glad I made the trip. Despite disappointing attendance (the theater was less than half full) EHE played an enjoyable concert. With Dawkins were long time member Steve Berry on trombone, trumpeter Maurice Brown, bassist Darius Savage and Isaiah Spencer on drums. The group played a very representative set showcasing all the things they could do - freebop, Art Blakey type hard bop, all out energy free jazz, New Orleans style marching music (complete with a walk around the room by the hornsa couple of other pieces. Everyone was impressive. I believe Spencer and Savage are relatively new to the group, but you can tell they play together often in various Chicago groups as they seemed to lock in with each other very well. The solos by all the horns were very impressive - Brown with his youthful exuberance played a lot of crowd pleasing stuff, but for me the mature solos of trombonist Berry may have stolen the show. Of course Dawkins soloed well also, but he seemed to be disadvantaged at times by the acoustics of the room. After the show I got to talk to Dawkins a little. I bought two of his self released CDs and he signed one of them. I spoke to him a little about the chi-creates.tv website and I was surprised that after he new my name was Ronald he asked if my last name was Lyles? Since he runs the site he knows who purchases anything. Still, I was surprised that he would remember my name. He was very appreciative of the support. By the way, I asked him about Edward Wilkerson and he told me that he is working on getting some Wilkerson on the site. Talking to Dawkins alone and the warmth I felt made all the risks I took more than worth it. I started to feel a little uncomfortable later in the show after sitting for a couple of hours, but never anything that distracted me from the music. I got home before it even started to snow (and right now we are in the midst of a full storm). Overall, I am glad I took the risks because it was a show well worth seeing.

Good to see Kyle Koehler mentioned. He plays some good organ on Dom Minasi's Quick Response. I'd like to hear more of his playing. The Minasi recording was my first exposure. I believe he may have also did some touring with Lou Donaldson.

Keeping in mind the prices of CDs by some sellers I think the 3CD first season was a bargain and the 2CD second season is worth the price. Good music.

I have had a chance to listen to an advance copy of the entire recording. First impression is that although it is not necessarily a "classic" recording, it is a welcome addition to the discography. It will likely take several close listens to fully appreciate.

Rick actually lives in Erie, PA.

I first encountered Menza on the 2001 Woofy Productions release, Live at Capozzoli’s. My impressions on first hearing that recording was that Menza was a mature musician who was comfortable enough to simply relax and play himself. I did not hear a lot of the firebreathing technique monster Jim hints at. The new recording souns like it make be similar and something worth checking out.

All of Curson's recordings with Bill Barron are worth hearing. "Urge" is indeed very good as are some of the things he did on I believe India Navigation - especially a very interesting trio date with Ray Drummond and Roy Haynes called "Trio".

I am a Terence Howard fan, but are you basing that on a possible resemblance or on his ability to bring the role to life?

An excellent actor should be able to make the lack of a resemblance a non issue.

I recently received an email from Ron Horton. The new FSNT disc is available from the Fresh Sound website. Ron also told me that he should have copies of the disc when he returns to NY from a tour.