gmonahan

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:

Disc III:

Gillespie's Newport "Manteca" when the sax solo starts. gregmo

Jim, just saw that that Ricky Bobby movie will be available to stream on Netflix tomorrow. Enjoy! gregmo

Doesn't stream, but you can get it on DVD. I'm not a huge fan of Apatow's movies (they seem to appeal to a younger crowd), but they certainly are popular! gregmo

Sinatra's last great album, IMHO:

In case Jim's not being sarcastic, he's written and produced some of the more popular movie comedies in recent years: Apatow gregmo

The remake makes no sense at all. It lacks ANY of the regret at the gunfighter's life that flowed through the original, and as big a fan as I am of diversity as an ideal, it's just down-right ridiculous in this thing. "The Searchers" is my favorite Western, though the original "Magnificent Seven" does come close. Like "Josey Wales" and "Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" too. Also, nobody has mentioned "The Wild Bunch," have they? I think that is a great movie. gregmo

So, I've been listening to this new batch (that I finally got hold of late last month), and there is some really good music here. The Lewis/Distel album has some great Barney Wilen on it. The Bechet features Vogue material, a septet from '52 and a sextet from '49--good sound, and Bechet seems to be having fun. I particularly liked the Ellington Alhambra stuff from October '58--good Hodges on that one. Roger Guerin is excellent on the "Hard Bop" album, and the Urtreger trio, recorded for tiny little Vega at the Club St. Germain in 1960, is a very fine trio album. The Mobley and Gordon records I got because I'm a JinP completist, but they sound just fine. The Django is a compilation. Have yet to listen to the Arvanitas and Barclay records. I love this series. Hope it continues! They definitely have "cheaped" down the packaging a bit. As Lon noted, the digipacs have been replaced by gatefold paper sleeves, and the liner notes are now in French alone--no English translations. Full discographical info is still there, though. More! More! gregmo

"Cycles" and "Some Nice Things" are definitely very low on my list, as are the "Duets" albums, but that third disc of "Trilogy" won the prize with me for LEAST favorite!! gregmo

Sinatra Trilogy: First part is great, second part is ok, third part...ugh. And as for the Vaughan, lousy songs, terrible arrangements, uninspired Sassy.

I was wondering the same thing as John about the Galaxy box, so thanks for checking, GA!! gregmo

Collector's Choice did a pretty good 3-cd set of Forrest's complete records with Goodman. "Perfidia," of course, is included. I think it's an essential complement to this set (along with Columbia's Peggy Lee 2-fer). Forrest apparently *really* disliked Goodman, but she did her best work with him.

Disc 8, which starts with some fine Bud Freeman:

They won't have the original paint job. gregmo

Wow. Bea Wain was still living? Who knew! Thanks for posting, Jim! Larry Clinton led one of the best of the big white dance bands during that era, and one that seldom got its due. Its HEP cds are well worth a listen for those who enjoy that era. gregom

Harry James! Miles once said "Harry James is a good trumpet player, and he never did tom or no shit like that. Harry had some feeling." I'm with Miles.