Guy Berger

Nobody's mentioned Miroslav Vitous's Infinite Search. Joe appears on only two tracks (including a smokin "Freedom Jazz Dance"), but plays great. I'd say my favorite sideman appearance by him is on Larry Young's Unity. His solo on Zoltan is unbelievable.

This is wonderful! Very excited, especially about the NYC (extra 30 min) and Monterey concerts.

I like my Kindle. I'm on my second one. (Somewhat stupidly, I lost my 1st one at a restaurant, though the new Kindle Touch is a more updated version). They aren't great for illustrations like maps. But otherwise, I love the portability. I do get frustrated when a book I want is only available in print.

It's a Michael Jackson tribute, I believe. Still not curious? Still no takers? Well he's touring it and it's coming out whether you want it or not! At first I thought you were kidding, but now I'm intrigued. I wonder what the look on Manfred Eicher's face was when Rava brought it up.

I think it is good. Solid groove.

Never quite realized that any of the one (or two?) "Chick had to play acoustic" Bitches Brew era gigs had ever been recorded professionally (or semi-professionally, or at least good enough to release legit). Never in a million years did I expect to ever hear the Bitches Brew band play with an acoustic piano, but that's long been a dream of mine -- to hear that kind of material played with acoustic piano. Now, the "Miles Ahead" footnote isn't entirely clear -- on this particular recording (the one about to be released) where there ANY of the Bitches Brew tunes played with acoustic piano?? And if so, which ones?? (Obviously I've never heard the recordings of this gig that circulate.) The Stockholm concert has two sets. Corea's electric piano breaks down during the 1st set of "Bitches Brew", and he plays acoustic for the rest of the tune as well as "Paraphernalia", "Nefertiti", and "Masqualero". By the second set, the electric piano has apparently been fixed (or replaced). There is also a partial recording from New Brunswick NJ (7/27/69) that has Chick playing acoustic piano. The group plays "Masqualero" and "Miles Runs the Voodoo Down". Guy

I thought Fahrenheit 451 was tedious when I read it in jr high (or high school), but loved the Martian Chronicles when I read them in college.

Both sets from Antibes? Sure? That would be just great! Those are great concerts. (Though I think some of the fall concerts are even better!)

I was thinking the same thing! Are the live JATP recordings on the same level?

I recently got this box. Have listened only to the 1st disc so far (the Bird + Benny + Rabbit session) but it's M A G N I F I C E N T . Wow. A must-hear.

I saw this group last night. They were great. I really think this group is a natural extension of early (1971-72) Weather Report, and am surprised that more reviewers don't mention this. They always solo, they never solo. The only tune I recognized was "Plaza Real". Guy

I am extremely excited about the Flying Dutchman news. Hip hip hooray!!!

You're confusing sexual orientation with sexual behavior. People focus on and label behavior, rather than try to understand who an individual is and where they are coming from. It's often complicated and confusing, and can raise questions and fears about one's own self. I don't know much about this subject, but my understanding is that contemporary psychologists think of sexual identity as a multidimensional characteristic (wrong word?), and behavior is one of those dimensions, though certainly not the only one.

Seriously... America's obesity problem isn't being caused by people eating too many avocadoes or walnuts.

I agree with Shawn, Pulse is what it is is. You're much better off seeking recordings of the band from the 1970s, but it won't make you wince like Delicate Sound of Thunder.

Recently listening to Trio Fascination. Fantastic session, Elvin is on fire here.

Unfortunately, that's only true of the second disc of the "Last Savoy Sessions." I'll be darned. I had an unopened copy of the Savoy set and had assumed it was redundant. But now I'm glad I have it. Though I am sure one of the European labels will cover this eventually and obviously it's available on MP3 as well.

Eh. This album has its moments for sure, but I think the band was past its creative prime by this point. The experimental edge was almost entirely gone as was Rick Wright's creative input. I'd compare it to some other late 70s prog rock albums like Going for the One and Wind & Wuthering. Nice albums, but not on the level of their earlier work.

Just get the Fresh Sound "Yusef's Mood" 4 CD box - it's in print and includes all the material in the Savoy sessions box, and a lot more.

I've been slowly making my way through the 4-cd 1957 sessions box, in particular I've listened to the two sessions which generated Jazz Mood and Jazz for Thinkers, and Ubu is right, they are brilliant. Some of the very best Lateef I've heard.

This reminds me of the story about how on his first British tour, audiences were shocked to hear Muddy Waters playing with an electric guitar and a pounding beat. (Didn't he go acoustic-only for his second tour as a result?)

I loved this movie too. Much better than the overrated "Artist".

Jarrett's on record saying that as a budding jazz pianist he loved Bley's trio recordings.

I don't see how the "revelation" that players "shoot to kill" (so to speak) shatters any "illusions" created by staged prayers, flyovers, martial music, suffocating corporate miasma, whatever. Hell, it just reinforces them. America loves shoot-to-kill and America loves to sentimentalize it. Organized savagery is the wave of the future if the present social/economic trends continue. The illusions are the reality. Having said all that, I still love a good football game. But not like that. In many ways this is similar to steroid usage in baseball. It's all part of the spectacle that fans want.

Not surprising. It's a violent sport.