Teasing the Korean

I think we need to change the laws so that the descendants of the great classical composers can be compensated too.

This is very sad news indeed. My thoughts are with his fans and family.

Rugolo Plays Kenton - Mercury (blue label mono) Pete Rugolo was the best thing that ever happened to Stan Kenton's band.

First, we lost Dr. Samuel Hoffman, podiatrist and theremin player (who played on soundtracks by Miklos Rozsa, Bernard Herrmann, and records by The Great Les Baxter). Then, we lost Dr. Julia Hoffman, a.k.a Grayson Hall, of Dark Shadows fame. And now this. What is it about doctors named Hoffman?

I'm now lost for words. Chew on these words for a while, Chuck: Les Baxter (March 14, 1922–January 15, 1996) Baxter also wrote the "Whistle" theme from the TV show Lassie. As he once told Soundtrack! magazine, "I never turn anything down!". In the 1960s, he formed the Balladeers, a besuited and conservative folk group that at one time featured a slim and youthful David Crosby. When soundtrack work reduced in the 1980s, he scored music for theme parks and SeaWorlds. To say nothing of all those great exotica records from the 1950s.

I can has cheezburger? Which titles do you recommend?

Don't worry Chuck. I like the "good" stuff too. Still hoping to find some Nessa vinyl (sadly I don't have any).

The Great Les Baxter - Africa Blue - GNP (stereo) I'm just a sucker for records by aging jazz/EZ artists trying to get hip to the sounds of today. So much better than what the kids were doing then.

Just funnin' witcha.

I'm always flattered that my posts seem to evoke a response from you. I'm beginning to think you like me. Wanna get lucky?

Alice Coltrane - Lord of Lords - ABC Impulse! While John may be the improvisational virtuoso genius, I'm beginning to think that Alice was at least as good of a record-maker as John, possibly better. Apologies to John Coltrane fans (including myself, who owns and loves dozens of his albums).

The Sweetheart of Sigmund Freud Tale of an African Lobster (both by Shorty Rogers).

DAMN, I thought I had Roger Waters. Tough to tell the difference.

The Great Pete Rugolo - Reeds in Hi-Fi - Mercury black label mono. He incorporates Bird's original improvised solo into the arrangement of "Yardbird Suite." CAN'T GET ME ENOUGH PETE RUGOLO THESE DAYS!!!!

Michel Legrand - Strings Aflame - Columbia 6 eye stereo As close as he ever got to making an exotica LP.

Henry Mancini - Mr. Lucky - RCA stereo Dynaflex Snobs be damned. This is the BEST SOUNDING slab o' dynaflex I ever heard, and it blows away my Dynagroove copy. How does this happen?

The irony of this is that LPs may prove to be the most durable medium in the long term. But yeah, there is a sad beauty in destroying the very thing you love each time you play it.

The Great Les Baxter - Jungle Jazz - Capitol (rainbow mono) With solos by Plas Johnson. This and "African Jazz" need to be reissued as a twofer CD.

Mort Sahl and Shelly Berman should have ranked higher, IMO.

It is worth noting that groove cramming was an issue for a long time. It was especially noticeable on the inner grooves of stereo LPs once you got to a side length of around 25 minutes or longer. I have some stereo LPs of classical symphonic works which have side lengths of around 30 minutes. The levels aren't as hot as they are on shorter sides, and overall they lack some depth and impact.

Yes, called Death March or something.

I hope that his students, who presumably were paying for "lessons," are being compensated.

One drawback of becoming an adult is that I have much less time for dedicated listening. Music is usually playing while I'm doing other things. I find that it is very difficult (generally) to have out/free stuff on in the background if I'm not completely focused. If I can close my eyes and give it my undivided, I really like it, but I just don't have the time to do so.

Les Baxter - Que Mango - Alshire (stereo) Great 1970 session done under the 101 Strings name. This album just exudes early 70s high life decadence.

Why do you say that?