Guy Berger

I'll posit that having interesting soloists was not what that band and thatmusic was all about anyway. It was very much a group music, with the intent being to create a collective rhythmic organism, with overt soloing serving as an ornament, not as the tree. Totally agree, but I think the advantage of the band with Cosey & Liebman (Fortune later) was that it combined the textural thing (which actually got a lot more advanced as time progressed) with interesting soloists. Whereas the '72 band only works on the textural level. Guy

I recently went through the ELP albums in my collection for the first time in a few years and had the same impression as Bev: Keith Emerson was REALLY into jazz. I think he even quotes "Misterioso" on the tune "Trilogy". (The quotes of "Tiger Rag" and "St. Thomas" on other tunes are better known -- any other obscure quotes on ELP albums?) I recently posted on the piano trio section ("Atropos") from the first ELP album, and how it would have made a fun blindfold test in the early 70s. Guy

I went through a Porcupine Tree phase before I got into jazz. The Sky Moves Sideways blew my mind (anybody who really likes early 70s Pink Floyd really owes it to themselves to hear it) and I really liked Signify. I kind of lost interest with the studio album after Signify, don't remember what it's called. Never really got into Fates Warning but I do have A Pleasant Shade of Grey, which I haven't listened to a lot (might dig it out soon) but remember as being pretty good. Really don't care for these guys. Too slick and a bit too "hair-metalish" in parts. I'm not a huge fan of these guys (only heard the first album). They have a good knack for songwriting (a skill sadly lacking with many modern-day prog bands) but again, the frequent lapses into arena rock are irritating. If you like these guys I recommend checking out a band named Echolyn. Much better. Yup. Very Coltrane influenced, IIRC. Never really got into them and got rid of the two albums that I got. Guy

What are you trying to tell us about the actual voting results in Ohio? Guy

I love the gospel treatment, it's outstanding. I just think it could have been a few minutes shorter! Guy

Hey, I know you're joking, but seriously... TAKE IT EASY, everybody!!! I'm okay Maren, thanks! Just finished and it wasn't too bad. Light stuff was on top. Damn, it's cold out there though. Seriously. I know those of you in the midwest will laugh at me but it's 9 or 10 degrees out there and that's fucking cold! I miss San Diego! Guy

I haven't watched the Smurfs for a long time. Isn't there some sort of "Evil Smurf"? Or maybe we should rename "Rated X" to "Gargamel". Guy

Great choice! Since I'm stuck at home today I think I'll give this one a couple of spins. Guy

I've heard two versions of this (the officially released one, on Standards Vol. 1, and a 2003 bootleg) and it's a great concept that goes on way too long. Guy

I don't think so... Losin's website says the disc you are talking about is this one, from a year later (the Lucas/Cosey/Liebman band). Guy

Paul Tingen talks about this a lot in Miles Beyond (pp. 139-142):

This is going to be my second blizzard since moving out to the New Haven tundra. What a pain in the ass. Guy

Or what about ANDREW!!! ? I'd also really like to finally hear Bobby Hutcherson's Happenings. Guy

Maybe it's time for people named "Connoisseur Series" to start pulling their weight as well... Guy

Yeah, and the part where Michael Henderson finally locks into the groove... awesome. If you can somehow get a hold of a bootleg from Paul's Mall around the same time, the music is actually much better than the Philharmonic Hall gig. The big minus to me about this band (which, I'll agree, gets trashed unfairly sometimes) is that aside from Miles there aren't any really interesting soloists, just interesting textures. Guy

Weird... I thought the In a Silent Way mix was a disgrace. Well, not a disgrace really, but it sucked. There's a reason why the original album was awesome and hence screwing around with it is going to lead to subpar results. The other stuff is better because I don't think much of Miles's studio work post-Bitches Brew was intended as a finished product, if that makes any sense. Guy

If you want to hear it without the prominent keyboard parts, pick up Panthalassa. That mix really clears up the rhythm section as well, it sounds muddy as hell on the original. I think the freaky organ part adds something to the tune though there would probably be a happy medium between Teo and Laswell's mixes. Guy

I'm now halfway through the set... the live stuff on discs 2 & 3 (even the first session with Horn) is really good! I'm guessing I haven't touched the more comatose recordings. Guy

I'm not an expert on these works, and this one is awfully expensive at full price, but I really like the Giardino Armonico's (period instruments) set. Nice blatty baroque horns on the first concerto. Guy

I think a lot of the McCoy Tyner stuff from the early 70s could be considered out. Definitely way way out by 1959 standards. What about the Ervin/Byard/Davis/Dawson albums? Guy

Two favorites that haven't been mentioned so far: Charles Mingus, Town Hall Concert Sonny Simmons & Prince Lasha, Firebirds (would be routinely mentioned as a classic if it was on BN)

I just got the following from BMG Stan Getz, Captain Marvel Dexter Gordon, Our Man in Paris Freddie Hubbard, Ready for Freddie Milt Jackson and John Coltrane, Bags and Trane

Also, a gorilla smoking a cigar.

Not quite a monkey, but it is a primate. We've come a long way in the past 40 million years.

According to Alan L's site, this is coming out on Feb 8. Guy