Guy Berger

Saxophone Colossus, Way Out West, A Night at the Village Vanguard

Thesis: Hank Mobley cannot be described as underrated these days. In some quarters he may even be overrated. Discuss.

Well, after this string of bad news I pulled the trigger on the Braxton and Turrentine Mosaics as well as the Blakey Hard Bop single. And if the Hill group sessions ever return I'll get those immediately. I'm also eyeing the Zeitlin...

I was listening to "Summertime" off My Favorite Things today. He would get better over the next five years, of course, but he was already awesome in 1960.

Crossing my fingers that the Hill will still return to print... regardless I am going to sift through the wreckage and buy some in-print boxes this weekend. In the worst case, there's always downloading.

Well, smooth jazz has pretty clear roots in soul jazz - some of Stanley's late 60s albums have music that prefigures smooth. Yeah but is that formally reflected in Pandora's methods of choosing music? Does a Roy Eldredge station play some Dizzy, because one was a significant influence on the other? Whenever I listen to Pandora and I click on the "why was this played" link (or whatever its called) I get something about "saxophone solo" or "medium tempo" or some such shit, nothing about influences from the distant past. If anything, late 60s Stanley Turrentine might be played on a smooth jazz station. If that's the way Pandora works. The song reappeared and I checked why it was recommended to me. " Based on what you’ve told us so far, we’re playing this track because it features smooth jazz elements, a melodic piano solo, light drumming, muted trumpet playing and electric bass playing."

Just saw this. As a story/movie, abstracted completely from events that have actually transpired in our world, it was very good. Christoph Waltz was absolutely superb as Colonel Landa, as was the girl playing Shoshanna. But since this movie was based, even loosely, on a historical context, I felt extremely uncomfortable watching it. It's a movie that celebrates killing Nazis, but barely acknowledges what the Nazis did. (Aside from the opening scene, there's barely any acknowledgment that thousands of Jews were being murdered every day.) Some events in history should not be cheapened and trivialized in this way.

Well, smooth jazz has pretty clear roots in soul jazz - some of Stanley's late 60s albums have music that prefigures smooth. Yeah but is that formally reflected in Pandora's methods of choosing music? Does a Roy Eldredge station play some Dizzy, because one was a significant influence on the other? Whenever I listen to Pandora and I click on the "why was this played" link (or whatever its called) I get something about "saxophone solo" or "medium tempo" or some such shit, nothing about influences from the distant past. If anything, late 60s Stanley Turrentine might be played on a smooth jazz station. If that's the way Pandora works. Dan - on the Stanley Turrentine station, David Sanborn's lush version of "Come Rain or Come Shine" (which I wouldn't necessarily characterize as smooth jazz) just came up. Why was this played? "Based on what you've told us so far, we're playing this track because it features smooth jazz infleunces, a leisurely tempo, tenor sax head, a tenor sax solo and a horn ensemble." Similar songs: "You Are too Beautiful" (Lockjaw), "Don't Follow the Crowd" (Gary Smulyan), Stan's Mood (Getz)

Definitely true - it's on the Flipside album.

Well, smooth jazz has pretty clear roots in soul jazz - some of Stanley's late 60s albums have music that prefigures smooth.

I was listening to the "Stanley Turrentine" station on pandora.com and this tune from the Jeff Lorber album Flipside came up. Pleasant, lightweight, inoffensive smooth jazz. But the song title is bizarre - it sounded nothing like Mr. Blount, or at least like nothing *I've* heard from him. What's the genesis of the song title?

My hunch is that the "list" would be dominated by drummers and bassists. Anybody else think so?

Geri Allen's read of "Lonely Woman" is a classic and the rest of Etudes is great as well.

Great to have you aboard, Ethan - we will welcome your occasional (or more) dropping-in.

Why are you guys taking antibiotics? The flu is viral, antibiotics are useless against it. Guy

I'm in NYC for the weekend for my jazz fix - decided to hop over to the Jazz Gallery for two sets of this combo, led by bassist Eric Revis who I believe plays with Branford. I wouldn't have expected Jason Moran and Ken Vandermark to be on the same stage but the combination was enough to tempt me. First, the Jazz Gallery needs better climate control. They turn off the A/C during the sets (I assume because it's disruptive to the musicians) which turns the performance space into a muggy swamp. Second, the concert was good. The first set was a little shaky - Vandermark in particular didn't mesh with the ensemble though the rhythm trio was locked in pretty early. The music was a combination of energy music, freebop tight stuff, and also a little bit of more traditional and funky stuff. The second set was much better, highlighted by an intense duet between Vandermark and Moran. Wow, that was definitely the best moment of the evening. Definitely worth checking out. Every time I hear Jason Moran I'm inclined to throw out superlatives. I'm a bit more skeptical about Vandermark - I like the guy's playing but he sounds like a somewhat limited player to me.

Started reading this... wow. I can tell that I'll need to re-read these stories many times to even remotely understand them. - Tlon-Guy

After seeing the crown in Penguin for "Lumi", I was eyeing this album for a long time. Finally I picked up a copy from amazon marketplace and finally listened to it today. Fascinating music! Not sure if I like it or love it after 3 listens, but it's definitely not boring. Reminds me a little of Muhal Richard Abrams (later stuff), less in terms of style but more in terms of the iconoclastic, post-free approach to a large ensemble. I think the only other album I have with him is Garbarek's "Tryptikon". Anybody a fan? Guy

Awesome!!!!

We can only be as lucky when we pass away as he was, leaving a wonderful legacy which includes INTERSTELLAR SPACE. Thanks Rashied and RIP. Guy

I'll call BS on this.

A classic

I'll throw it out there - this was Miles's best working group, and the best playing of Wayne Shorter's career. Guy

Hey all, I want to pick up the Music Matador/Conversations sessions that Dolphy recorded. Unfortunately there seem to be a bunch of versions floating around - anybody have one they particularly recommend? I'd rather not pay more than $20 per CD. Guy

Thanks folks - this looks to be one of the best birthdays I've had in a long time - but my gf says I am starting to show some grey hair. Guy