gmonahan

I'd go with Basie, Dizzy, and Chu in that order. All good boxes, but I love the Basie New Testament band. That said, there's some fine Dizzy in that box, especially the Verve stuff. Greg Mo

Didn't Mezz greet *everyone* with gifts of MaryJane?! Greg Mo

Melissa Torme? (Bad Greggy! Bad! I've GOT to quit dissing Melly!) Greg Mo

The Baileys are on the Mosaic Columbia Bailey set, but I had no idea THAT many other vocalists recorded with BG. I'd forgotten about the 34-35 Columbias too, but since the "modern" Columbia label that recorded Goodman was actually started later, does BMG own those masters? I wonder whether they might not go ahead and include the vocals by Goodman himself. Guess we'll have to wait and see! Greg Mo

That's pretty funny. I was thinking that the first two tunes are the only ones I like!! Different strokes.... It is certainly Basie's wildest album, and the most "un-Basie-like"! Nothing at all like "Basie Meets Bond." Greg Mo.

It will be a challenge for lunatic completists like me. Legacy has issued a fine Peggy Lee with Goodman set, and Collectables has a set for Helen Forrest and a Dick Haymes cd (who only recorded one session with Goodman before the recording ban). What (or who) else is likely to be missing? Greg Mo.

No, no relation to Keb! And I'm also excited about the BG release. Is it still the case that it will be an all-instrumental affair and big band only? Kinda wish they'd include the small groups, though I know Legacy did a fine job with the Charlie Christian stuff. I remember reading they weren't going to include any vocals. I also assume it's studio only? Greg Mo.

Good news indeed! Let's hope the progress continues. MG Agreed! Hope things continue to go well for him. The happiest trumpeter in the business. I don't think I've ever heard a single solo by him that didn't make me smile. Hang in there, CT! Greg Mo

Oh good Lord--had no idea that the original Mr. M had returned. I'm so glad I don't cruise the Politics forum anymore. Thanks, but just to be a *little* clearer, I'll add an "o"! I really like this group--my kind of lunatics! Greg Mo

I couldn't figure out what this meant (I am SO clueless), so I did some digging, and discovered that there was a "GregM" who was evidently banned from the board at some point. I'm not whoever that guy is/was. Had I known there was somebody using this signature who was banned, (or even who hadn't been banned!) I'd have chosen another one. I went to options to see how to change it, and, Luddite that I am, I can't figure out how to do it. If somebody wants to tell me, I'll find another signature, even if it means reverting to "newbie" status. My full name is Greg Monahan. I live in Eastern Oregon where I teach college history. I've been listening to and collecting jazz since the 1960s, and I've posted to this group now for quite a while. Greg M (the never banned one)

Complete Kid Ory on Verve, disc 2. I've been on something of a "trad" kick lately. Greg M.

Good news! It would be great to have the Goodman and Ellington boxes in the same year, but I guess I shouldn't be PIGGY! Greg M.

The Complete Louis Armstrong and the Dukes of Dixieland on EJC, disc one (of three). I just got it, and it's something of a revelation--great stereo sound, and Satch is in fabulous form! Greg M.

Excellent arranger, composer, band leader, and a fine pianist too. He used to check in at rec.music.bluenote now and then when I frequented that ng. He may check this one too. I like "With All the Bells and Whistles," "Earth," and "Funupsmanship," all on MAMA. Greg M.

Wow... That should set the cause of getting past White Guilt back several millennia. Or more. Just as I always envisioned it -- a narcissistic/masochistic heterosexual singing to a lesbian. You mean EVERYBODY doesn't envision it that way?! Damn! There's another of my illusions shot to hell! Though, come to think of it, it may be a *little* unfair to refer to Mel as a lesbian. Greg M. Torme suits the role of Porgy in at least one way: he's lame. Is it my imagination, or was there just a touch of sarcasm in the way Steve Allen said "But you've never heard it sung this way" ? That's possible. Allen was very bright and a fine jazz connoisseur, but it's also possible he was just trying to be complimentary. Despite my wise-ass remark (I couldn't resist!), I've always liked Mel's singing. I just think he was *really* "miscast" as Porgy!! As for Frances Faye. Whoa. Twilight Zone time! Greg M.

For an antidote, try this.

Wow... That should set the cause of getting past White Guilt back several millennia. Or more. Just as I always envisioned it -- a narcissistic/masochistic heterosexual singing to a lesbian. You mean EVERYBODY doesn't envision it that way?! Damn! There's another of my illusions shot to hell! Though, come to think of it, it may be a *little* unfair to refer to Mel as a lesbian. Greg M.

Really?! They always sounded pretty good to these old ears, but then it occurs to me I've never heard any other version, so I'll take your word for it. I'm sure not going to diss Mosaic! Part of my reason for not getting the Mosaics was just economic. I'd bought a bunch of the Blue Moons and didn't want to duplicate. Maybe I should have! Greg M.

Chris, Your generous suggestion far surpassed the meager skills of this particular Luddite, so I just deleted mine. Yours is much prettier--FAR more readable! I'd be interested in responses to JSngry's query. Seems kind of harsh that one failed record project would have put a label out of business, but I guess Bethlehem was never exactly a big-time operation! Greg M.

I'd go with Lee Morgan's "Expoobident." It's one of my favorite Vee-Jays. I already had the excellent Blue Moon Vee-Jays when the Mosaics came out, so (rarely for me) didn't go with the Mosaics. I think the sound on the Blue Moons is excellent, and there are lots of alternate takes, plus, as others have mentioned, some of the cool original album covers. Greg M.

Thanks for the responses! I still wish I could find a personnel though--it's the goofball collector in me. I'd seen the Amazon listing, but somehow missed seeing Fagerquist listed. Makes sense that the trumpet would be his. I always liked his work. I may decide to get the full 2-cd set, but doesn't that have a narration by Al "Jazzbo" Collins?! I'm not sure I'm up for that!! Greg M.

I recently got hold of a used copy of the single cd (as opposed to the double) "A jazz version of highlights from the opera Porgy and Bess" on Bethlehem. It's a wacky record, and from what little I can find out, some (much?) of it was compiled from other Bethlehem cds. Does anybody have a partial or complete personnel with recording dates for this record? There's some bright trumpet solo work that *sounds* to me a bit like Conte Candoli, but I'm not sure, and there are at least two different trombonists, one of whom is obviously Rosolino. Any help appreciated! Greg M.

Can any JHS subscribers tell me how many of the old Mainstreams they contracted to reissue are still available? I'm thinking particularly of the Sarah Vaughan early 70s Mainstreams. I've been on a Sarah Vaughan kick lately, and, while I have the Tokyo Concert and the Michel Legrand/Vaughan cd (both found in JHS editions), I'm wondering if any of her others were issued and are available. Thanks in advance! Greg M.

That *would* be nice! I'm looking forward to reports on the Young/Basie set from those lucky enough to have preordered it!