Guy Berger

For what it's worth, I spoke to Motian briefly while he was autographing the CD and he said he really liked it. He seemed somewhat taken aback by my suggestion that they release a second one.

I'll disagree with David on Etudes - it's a great set with Haden, Geri Allen and Paul Motian. There's a superb version of "Lonely Woman" on it.

I saw this trio last night at the Vanguard, with Greg Osby subbing for Potter. I felt that Osby was somewhat superfluous except as a colorist, though Moran and Motian were terrific and really locked in. They played "Mode VI", "Lost in a Dream", "Ten", and "Drum Music" from the recent album as well as "Round Midnight", "The Sunflower", "Once Around the Park" and a few other tunes I didn't recognize. Much more uptempo than the album.

Obviously this is personal taste, but I still think the very top tier of Andrew Hill albums is Point of Departure and Black Fire (also Dialogue if you count it as an Andrew album), followed very closely by Judgment, Andrew!!! and Passing Ships.

Guy,When you say the most recent Motian/Frisell/Lovano, do you mean "Time and Again"? I wasn't crazy about it at first, but it has really grown on me, seriously. Yes. It grew on me too but this disc with Potter and Moran is better.

Judging by other Motian gigs I've attended, I'm guessing ECM was intentionally selective in favor of the slower material at the beginning of the disc. "Drum Music" and "Ten" are fairly intense free jazz performances. Guy

Sal, yes, all of them. That's somewhat of an exaggeration - there are some fast tempos near the end, though about 2/3 is slow or slow-moderate tempo. It's a great album regardless. Guy

Studio... maybe if this is a hit they can talk Paul Motian to join them for a sequel!

Apparently Keith and Charlie recently reunited to record an album of duets - it will be released in May according to Steve Lake at jazzcorner.

Only listened to this once - but it's good. Definitely better than the most recent Motian/Frisell/Lovano disc.

Blues & Roots - I enjoy this one the most. The combination of intense earthiness with sophisticated arrangements kills me every time. Plus, I like Mingus's medium-sized groups more than his small ensembles. Plus I love the lineup here. Mingus Dynasty - The widest breadth of compositions, even wider than Ah Um. Again, medium-sized ensemble. Black Saint & the Sinner Lady- Love the Ellingtonian feel. Larger group.

I saw a gig (or two?) with David's group about 5 or 6 years ago and they were great. The albums I've heard I like. (Flight of I, Cryptology and especially Dao.) However, at times the music tends to be too relentless for my tastes. Guy

I finally gave this a first listen (disc 1). Great music. Definitely lived up to my hopes - I enjoy Scofield's playing here a lot. Guy

As others have said, the music has been circulated widely. I think the Rome concert is particularly well-recorded (though is this the complete recording? it wouldn't fit on just one CD). I believe the Rome concert has the last recording Miles ever made of "Round Midnight".

Hard to believe, but I've read reviews by "serious" Ornette fans that badmouth the Contemporary albums. A serious mistake in my opinion.

The Miles is of course a great concert though the group's concerts from October/November are even stronger.

My understanding is this is simply a catch-all name for the groups Jack led in the late 70s and early 80s. (I haven't heard New Directions - the group with John Abercrombie and Lester Bowie.) I've heard three of their albums Special Edition - the best of the three, one of the best ECM recordings I've heard - Arthur Blythe and David Murray are a fantastic pairing. Tin Can Alley - good but my least favorite Album Album - a tad more commercial than the earlier too, but my second-favorite. Great tunes on this one, and it's nice to have Murray back Any thoughts on their other work? I'm convinced Inflation Blues is a must once/if it is reissued. I know they did some more fusiony stuff on other labels later on. I'm not averse to well-done fusion so if others endorse it, I may seek them out. (Are any still in print or easy to find on disc?) Guy

There's the Feb 1970 gig at Ann Arbor with McLaughlin and Airto onboard. An interesting lineup though my recollection is the music is disappointing.

Bertrand's analysis seems on the dot. Losin says that the December '68 Jazz Workshop performances were Tony's last live gigs with the band, and that Jack joined permanently in late Feb. There might have been an interim drummer in the interim?

The lost quintet was the group Miles performed with from March 1969 (or earlier) through November 1969 (or slightly later). I wouldn't classify the Fillmore 3/70 performances as the lost quintet, they have a different vibe - though it was good marketing for Columbia. Guy

Every time someone gets anointed as "America's team" I want to puke - hence I'll be rooting for the Colts, and hopefully by a crushing margin.

What do people think of the recently released David Murray + Waldron duets? Seems like a potentially very promising combo.

The Seagulls of Kristiansund is a fantastic album - highly recommended. I recently picked up Git Go from Soul Note but have not listened to it yet. Be sure to check out his duos with Steve Lacy as well.

Titled "Lost in a Dream". The tracklist looks like mostly Motian originals.

Isn't this OOP?