Shawn

Man, that's KILLER haul you got there! The Ammons of course are stellar and the Newman's are also tops. And Fountainbleau is of course a classic. Hell they're ALL great. Don't know about the Draper though....

Grass Is Greener is a fun album. I might have to pick this one up as well.

I think that's a wonderful sleeve!!!! MG Me too. There's 2 of us, think if we call Blue Note they'll reissue it?

Can't download these at work, but anxiously await hearing them when I get home. Thanks!

It was basically situational for me. As I was growing up I wasn't really exposed to any other music than was being played on the radio or on records at the house (mostly classic rock albums that belonged to my Mother). During my teenage years I became hooked on progressive rock which I think helped down the road. What helped even more was that I grew up a classic film FANATIC and was particularly fond of Hollywood musicals (that went over REAL well with my metalhead friends). Then I moved to Seattle to go to college and ended up working in a used CD store part-time to fill my need for eating. There happened to be a couple MAJOR jazz freaks that worked there and I began hearing all kinds of stuff from them. At first I remember being really annoyed by it...one of the guys played Africa with Coltrane/Dolphy and I asked him "who's strangling the goose"? But then one day Blue Train hit the stereo and for some reason it just hit me...I bought the CD and listened to it several times that evening. The next day I was back at work quizzing the guys on what other albums/artists I should check out, it quickly escalated to obsession (a common theme with me). Then I picked up Cookin', Workin', Steamin' & Relaxin', studied them, started buying records by the other members of the band and off to the races I went. Not too long afterwards I ran across the BNBB and started a long, fruitful relationship with Lon...who I owe TONS of credit for really opening my ears and my mind to all kinds of different sounds. Later I moved to Dallas and started hanging with the ever wonderful Mr. Sangrey, Mr. Milazzo & "The Sheriff" who helped bust the floodgates open even wider. (I should have never left Texas).

I hope it's something to listen to...cause it sure is painful to look at.

I gotta say that I'm getting REALLY burnt out on director's cuts. In some cases it's justified (studio tampering, censoring for R rating, cut for running time in the theater) but it's just gotten ridiculous. It's the film version of "digitally remastered". So many times these new cuts end up undermining what worked about the film in the first place. Take the original Alien for instance...yes, sure it's okay to see these deleted scenes...but I think the new Scott cut just ruins the pacing of the film.

freeform, you MUST get these, excellent sessions... Turning Point definitely fits the avant-grease category...and what a BAND! Lee Morgan, Julian Priester, Bennie Maupin, Melvin Sparks & Idris Muhammad!!! Can I get an Amen? Drives is not quite up to those standards, but the back to back combination of Spinning Wheel (a really killer jazz read, btw) and Seven Steps To Heaven (on acid) is a joy to hear.

"Get Up Offa That Thing"

Oh hell, I've got The Main Attraction and I think I've actually listened to it twice. It's pretty bad...but it's Grant Green man...I still gotta hear it.

Yeah, the lyrics are pretty campy at times...I've often wondered how much of their thing was tongue in cheek? But here's the thing... Take a track like Gypsy from their debut. You can blueprint the ENTIRE 70's - 80's European Metal scene in that one fucking song. Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Rainbow, etc. While on the surface...yeah, it's pretty damn silly...but there's something very interesting going on underneath.

Without a doubt, that is one of the "universal truths of Lon" ever since I've known him!

It was a joke. It's not "quite" bottom of the barrel, but it's definitely not top shelf.

Wonder what sparked that idea?

I'm quickly becoming a Bobby Broom FANATIC! Modern Man is an excellent session.

Lon, I seem to remember listening to that session at your house not long after you got it. I'll check out those emusic sides.

One of those sessions that always puts me in a good mood. I believe this was the first album that Stanley & Shirley played together on(?), there's a perfect symmetry from the git-go. Not a "greasy" session by any means, but a very soulful, bluesy groove. Also of note is the lack of a bass player, which I think adds even more to the intimate vibe. The track Troubles of the World would go on just about any Turrentine compilation I would put together, My Shining Hour is another highlight. Any other fans of this one?

There was rock before 1970? (kidding)

Thinking Of Home is a beautiful record, I find it heartbreaking. Mobley's later playing turns some off, but I've come to love it and I see it as a "stripping down to the essence".

Anybody have the discographical info for "Night Lights"?

It's worth having, not essential by any stretch of the imagination...but with that lineup you can't go horribly wrong. You can see why it wasn't originally released, but I've heard far worse sessions than this. I thought the name for this reissue should have been: Grant Green - Bottom Of The Barrel.

Right on! Grass Roots deserves a good bit more credit than it usually gets. There's a special groove to that session(s).

What I find difficult are albums/sessions/concerts that are SO CLOSE to being something special...almost there...but then the payoff doesn't come. You know that you really want to like it and will probably revisit it several times just to be sure that...it doesn't quite fucking work.

Oh yeah! Happy Birthday...hope you called in "well" from work today.

Where is Sangrey's review of that Ron Carter Bach album when you need it.....??? One of the best album reviews OF ALL TIME!