gmonahan

Harry James, Bandstand Memories set on Hindsight, disc 3. Good set with some fine James trumpet.

What an extraordinary life! I was just indexing the Louis Armstrong Mosaic set with his name and listening to him strumming away before I saw this. Rhythm guitarists were *so* important to the music. I worship at the altar of Freddie Green. greg mo

If I really take to an artist, I want to hear everything, including the less that perfect stuff, because I want to know him/her artistically. So I guess I am one of those looney completists. You don't want to hear the numbers. You'd conclude that I needed counseling. And you'd probably be right! greg mo

Louis Armstrong, disc 7. Great set! greg mo

Yeah, he and Bob Bush used to honcho a shop called "Campus Records" I think, just a few doors down from where Discount opened. I hung out there *a lot*. Bought a lot of RCA Vintage and (God help me) Stereo re-processed Decca Jazz Heritage LPs in those stores! Small world! greg mo Bob Bush was a great friend in the early '60s when I was there. Campus Records used to be around the corner, west of the Hamburg Inn. All my extra money (and some of my dad's) went into that shop. I imagine others are getting tired of reading our little stroll down memory lane, but I too remember Bush as a lovely, gentle man. He was very nice to me in the late 60s when I hung out there and helped guide me toward some better music than I was listening to then. To generalize this a bit (!), the loss of smaller, often independently owned record stores is a real shame. One can still occasionally find independently owned stores, mostly with used stuff, but they are largely a vanished breed. I guess they gave way to the big chain stores like Peach's and Tower, and then those folded to the internet. Of course, it's possible now to find material we couldn't dream of finding then (when we searched laboriously through Schwann catalogues, ordering and hoping maybe the record would get there in our lifetimes!), but the ambience and occasional educational value of such stores is sorely missed--at least by me! greg mo

Yeah, he and Bob Bush used to honcho a shop called "Campus Records" I think, just a few doors down from where Discount opened. I hung out there *a lot*. Bought a lot of RCA Vintage and (God help me) Stereo re-processed Decca Jazz Heritage LPs in those stores! Small world! greg mo

I went to high school and college in Iowa City (graduated from UofI in '75). Used to pop into Discount Records there now and then too. Did you work in that store Chuck? There was a guy who worked there named Bob Beals. A real character that one. Knew every classical record ever issued. Was Hancher Auditorium after your time? I heard Ella, Duke, and Dizzy there in concert. Ella was great, Duke was fine, Dizzy was obviously bored to tears. greg mo

Oscar Peterson Songbooks box, disc 4. greg mo

Thanks for the heads-up on this! I went ahead and ordered it, as expensive as it is, because this is my favorite Sinatra album. According to the amazon site here, it does include the two bonus tracks, but that might just be Amazon repeating info from the standard cd issue. I guess I'll find out when it arrives. Thanks again. greg mo

I find all this very interesting. I assume that the Sinatra albums reissued by Capitol in the "Concepts" box are the stereo versions. Have the mono albums ever been reissued on cd? greg mo

I ordered the set today. I was going to wait, but self-control has never been one of my attributes. Would like to have the Forrest stuff though. Is Collectibles still issuing discs? Maybe they'll do it. Their set of the Forrest/Goodman material is pretty good. greg mo

Listening to disc three of the Proper Box of his early stuff. Happy Birthday George! greg mo

Seems like somewhere--probably an album liner--I read someone compare listening to Tatum to drinking a fine liqueur--best done with complete attention but in small amounts. I've always thought that was good advice! (And I have a *lot* of Tatum!) greg mo

If that story isn't true, it ought to be! greg mo

As far as I know they do still have a few booklets from OOP sets, and they are selling them for $20 each. No downloads. Yeah, the trick is figuring out what they still have available. Unfortunately it seems to be a hit or miss situation. If only Scott Wenzel published his list of excess OOP stock, things would be a lot easier. As it stands now, you have to email him and ask about a particular item's availability. Last I checked, boxes go for $10, booklets $20, and CDs $16. Standard shipping rates apply. BTW, within the last year I've picked up an extra Parlan box, a CD and booklet from Classic Capitol Jazz, and a booklet from Chico Hamilton. I emailed Scott and ordered up several booklets: 106: Tina Brooks 124: Freddie Redd 202: Vee Jay Morgan/Shorter 205: Vee Jay Chambers/Kelly 114: Art Hodes 123: Commodore Recordings, Vol. I 145: Don Cherry I also wanted the booklets from the other two Commodore sets and the Nat King Cole set, but no go on those. With the exception of Hodes and all the Commodores, the music from the other sets has been made available from other labels, so with the booklets, I can think of them as d-list Mosaic sets. As for the Hodes and the Commodore, I ordered them because I'm an eternal optimist! greg mo

With the exception of the Mobley 50s box (I assume everybody has that one, right?!), I'm pretty sure this is the oldest limited edition set still available from Mosaic (the Parker Benedetti isn't limited). Must have been a long lease! It's a fine set, even though some of the artists are, as one poster intimated, a bit obscure! But I like 'em. greg mo

I sometimes wonder whether Ellis Larkins doesn't deserve the award as the most under-rated pianist of all time. I don't think I have *ever* heard a poor performance by him. Maybe it's because he made his name as a premier accompanist, but he was one fine pianist. greg mo

I think there are a couple of other extra tracks on Indigoes as well as those from the mono release. Both cds are definitely worth getting. Sony should have put them out officially. I believe there are extant copies of ADIAW but that they are in black and white. You might be able to see it at one of the Museums of Broadcasting. (I remember seeing it when it was first broadcast but it was before we had colour tv in my area. Thanks to both you and Lon for the replies. I'll put those on my short list. I always liked the Indigos album. You're right--Sony should have put them out, especially ADIAW, since it was reportedly all ready to go. greg mo

I store the boxes, put the cd jewel boxes on one shelf (well, *several* shelves!) and all my booklets together on another. It saves a HUGE amount of space and encourages me to play the music more often--I don't have to pull out a box and dig them out--but I would NEVER get rid of the boxes! (I'd rent a storage shed if I had to!) greg mo

Disc three of the Oscar Peterson (Canadian) Songbooks box. greg mo

Grace, style, cool ideas, technique--Hank Jones has them all. Happy birthday! greg mo

Apologies if this has already been discussed: Has anyone listened to the "Complete Ellington Indigos" on Jazz Beat? It looks like a Spanish pirate label except that there are a fair number of alternate takes. I'm wondering about the sound. Also the recent reissue of "A Drum is a Woman"? Anyone listened to and commented on that? If so and I've missed it, I hope somebody will post a link (just watch--it's probably on THIS thread and I've missed it!). Otherwise, I'd like to hear comments. "Drum is a Woman" has often provoked a fair amount of comment! greg mo

Great idea! Ill just pull those out of my billfold and put them in the mail! greg mo

I wish there was some way to give them some suggestions for this series, but their website is hopeless. Anybody know of a way in? greg mo