gmonahan

What a marvelous life! RIP gregmo

I can't do the cool stuff Jim does with graphics, but this is far and away my favorite track on this album: Empty Ballroom Blues. Hodges is SO great on this track! gregmo

Yes, all those, and yet, still loads of fun. Especially Daniel Craig, who seemed to be enjoying himself immensely. gregmo

If memory serves, this was Hodges's last studio recording as a leader. It was reissued on cd by BMG France in the EU back in 1997. gregmo

I don't know, Lon. Given Mosaic's parlous state, I pre-ordered at least in part because I wondered whether they'd press any more copies once the preorders were filled! As for Jim's query, I've long wanted on cd the Wilson instrumental small-group material that was issued years ago by Columbia on a 2-LP set. I thought it was on a par with the Hampton Victors of the same period. For me, the relatively rare big band things are a great addition, and while I'm not super-wild about the trio/solo stuff, I may change my mind once I hear it! Of course, Mosaics ain't cheap, so each potential buyer obviously has to make his/her own decision about whether it's worth plunking down the money. It does seem to me that the risk of waiting has risen considerably, however! gregmo

There's a cool little jazz cd store in Sydney if you get over there called "Birdland." I took a day tour in Auckland that went to Hobbiton, Rotorua, and the very, very cool Waitomo Glow Worm caves. Took a whole day, but I enjoyed it. gregmo

Very cool! gregmo

For sound, I still like John R.T. Davies's remastering in the 4-cd JSP set. gregmo

Whoa, now THIS *is* obscure!! You sent me on a search. Apparently, this was recorded sometime in 1944?? Yanow wonders in his allmusic description of a defunct LP if Wilson was on all the tracks and if there wasn't also a bass?? Or is that something completely different? I do like your 78 posts, Jeff!! gregmo

I pasted that from a google search that had those. NO idea!!! gregmo

Love the great Sonny Rollins, but this thread could be about quite a few musicians: Theodore "Sonny" Rollins, saxophonist* Conrad Yeatis "Sonny" Clark, pianist Sun Ra, aka Le Sony'r Ra, aka Herman Poole "Sonny" Blount, pianist/composer Frank "Sonny" Dallas, bassist Warren Harding "Sonny" Sharrock, guitarist James Marcellus Arthur "Sunny" Murray, drummer* Huey "Sonny" Simmons, saxophonist* Edward "Sonny" Stitt, saxophonist William "Sonny" Criss, saxophonist Cornelius "Sonny" Fortune, saxophonist/flutist* Sonny Red, aka Sylvester Kyner Jr., saxophonist Saul "Sonny" Berman, trumpeter William Alexander "Sonny" Greer, drummer Percival "Sonny" Payne, drummer George "Sonny" Cohn, trumpeter Herbert Lawrence "Sonny" Greenwich, guitarist* Sunny Sumter, vocalist/DC Jazz Festival Executive Director* Sunny Jain, drummer* gregmo

Preordered. Thanks for the heads-up! Let's hope it gets here before Christmas! gregmo

We have that long "wish Mosaic would do thread," but all of the Hampton Presents albums on Who's Who would make a nice box. gregmo

Record 5: Sid Catlett Quartet with Ben Webster:

And Ira Gitler. He was a champion liner writer back in the day. gregmo

One of the first LPs I ever bought was by Fats. I always loved his version of "Trouble in Mind." He was much in the news in the aftermath of Katrina, but kept on keepin' on. gregmo

You're right Larry. I shouldn't blame the magazine for either one. I guess I just figured there was more editorial control over the critic's poll, especially in the membership of the small group that chooses the "historical" Hall of Fame members. That said, I don't share the low opinion of Down Beat found among many of my friends here on the Board. I admire the magazine, if for nothing else than its sheer perseverance, and I continue to subscribe. I often find the articles interesting, still like the blindfold tests, and do read the reviews. gregmo

Thanks again GA! gregmo

I don't necessarily blame the magazine for the Readers Poll. Now, the Critics Poll, yes. My guess is that's the only way Hank will get in. But given Wynton's visibility (as another poster suggested), it's hardly a surprise, and he is very active in pushing the music, albeit his own definition of it. greg

Roy, hands down, but Buster looks mighty fine. gregmo

I tend toward GA Russell's idea, so I differentiate between "brilliance" and "genius." Brilliant musicians excel and do original things within a context. For me, Prez was brilliant, but not necessarily a genius. A genius does something truly original, something that hasn't been done before. I don't think there have been many of those: Armstrong, Ellington, Mingus, Coltrane, and yes, Miles. Maybe Monk. gregmo

I thought the same thing. That, or the license is *finally* running out! gregmo

Interesting piece. Thanks for posting it! gregmo

Heard Wynton on the radio burning it up on "Things to Come." When he stops talking and plays, he's still pretty damned good. gregmo

Definitely some nice music on this one: