gmonahan

Bennett really is the original Energizer Bunny. Like the album, though:

I made the switch when cds suddenly far outnumbered LPs at my local Tower Records. That told me (duh) that the LP was truly on the way out. Bought a Sony cd player and never looked back. gregmo

Love me some Mr. Five by Five!

Thanks guys. Number 65. Medicare Time!

The Tatum tracks were issued on Classics (Art Tatum 1945-47) in case some out there (like me) don't have the old Camden album! gregmo

That's always been your problem Larry--no appreciation for really FINE music!!! gregmo

You sort have to be in the right mood.....

Interesting--thanks for the link! gregmo

Interesting that "KInd of Blue" never charted. Despite that, it's still the best-selling jazz album of all time, right? Better than Goodman's Carnegie Hall Concert? gregmo

I've had "Lush Life" for years on a boot. If you listen carefully, you can hear the problem with the arrangement, and as Miller said, Riddle wasn't there to fix it, and they never got around to doing it again. I think the notion of the song being "too complicated" for Sinatra is complete nonsense. gregmo

Every time I watch Buddy on one of these film clips, I wonder how many drum heads he smashed through on any given evening. gregmo

Soooo, a fun detective story! As I read your post, I did remember that Teagarden and James recorded for the label (those have been reissued). So, none of those Varsity 7s were reissued on Classics, huh? I love this obscure label stuff. Thanks for the response!

I just returned from a trip and am only now catching up. I've never heard of the "Varsity Seven." Who owns the Varsity stuff now? Jog my poor memory--didn't some of the Big Bands record for the label? And were there other hidden treasures? gregmo

There are also the six volumes of "The Indispensable Benny Goodman" on RCA's European Black and White series, and that label's Complete Small Groups set. gregmo

Yes, that's what I heard about the Goodmans from Loren Schoenberg when I talked to him a few years ago. He said the Estate wanted way too much money. gregmo

Groovemaker is one of my favorite Basie albums. Only issue with this idea is that most of them have been issued on cd (even Basie's Beat, though only in Japan on a limited release), but pulling them together in a set would be very nice! gregmo

Most of BG's Victors have been reissued on cd before. When that's the case, Mosaic tends to be a lot more hesitant, but I guess it's always possible--maybe a Savory set of Goodmans, assuming they could ever get the Estate to clear it. I think this whole business of trying to be sure they had enough preorders to do the Herman set was an improvisation, and my guess is they didn't know when they started it that 700 would be the magic number. I agree with those who argue that if they're going to do this in the future, they need to give us a number from the gitgo. I have the distinct sense, though, that this has been a learning process for them! gregmo

I think "Blue Horizon" is the best jazz clarinet EVER! I've listened to it countless times, and it still sends tingles up and down my spine when I hear it. gregmo

Had quite the discussion with some friends about the ending of that one. I sort of liked it. They did not! I agree about Hawke, though. "Juliet, Naked" looks interesting (er...as a movie, that is!) gregmo

Wouldn't mind hearing--and having--this one:

Hard to break too! I know Red Nichols recorded for Edison, but I'm not aware of most of the bands Jeff lists in his post. I'm surprised you can adjust your turntable to play Edisons!! gregmo

True that! gregmo

Yes, I like Bechet's work with Noble Sissle from the mid-30s. I finally got it on cd by getting a 4-cd JSP set remastered by Ted Kendall. That Don Byas record looks particularly obscure! I don't think I'm familiar with "Jamboree" Records. Has that one been issued on cd? gregmo

Yes, that was an odd one--the first time I've ever pre-ordered a set before its release and received a notice that it was on backorder! I assume it's just the way they're doing the accounting, but it was pretty goofy! gregmo

I believe that's Preston Tucker, Jim. Forrest Tucker was the actor on F-Troop! gregmo