Shawn

I'm pissed at these guys at the moment. I'm on my second order of the Miles Seven Steps box...checking the status page I see it's backordered *again*. If they can't get additional copies, they need to remove the fucking thing from their website.

You know Jim, I've always preferred the Prestige sessions to the early Columbia stuff...I like the fact that the band basically went into the studio and played their set. There is a "happy accident" quality since they are just winging it. Did it always work? Not totally, as I've often felt that some of the uptempo numbers are just a little too sloppy. This group TRULY worked fucking magic on ballads and mid-tempo pieces though! One thing that is underrated is Red Garland's influence on this quintet...if it hadn't been for him and his little book of "changes", I don't think Miles would have had some of these songs that this group performed.

The RVG has more tape noise.

Okay, I did a side-by-side comparison of "The Hawk Relaxes" this evening, the original OJC issue (mastered in 1991 by Phil De Lancie) and the new RVG. There are quite a few noticeable differences between the two. 1. The OJC was hard panned: Hawkins all the way on one side, Kenny Burrell on the other, etc. The RVG has been narrowed to around 10 o'clock/2 o'clock, I actually prefer this, the crazy stereo panning in the late 50's drives me bats...especially when there's only 1 horn player. For those still scarred by the whole JRVG thing...don't worry, they are not "almost mono". 2. The OJC had a TON of reverb on it (I'd guess that was done for the original vinyl master), the RVG is considerably drier by comparison. The sound of Hawkins' sax is much warmer, the original OJC sounded distant, while this new remaster is very "in your face". The rhythm section is also more distinct (you can actually hear the bass) even though they are still relatively low in the mix. 3. There is ALOT of tape noise! Part of that is in the remastering with the noise floor being more audible...but it really makes me wonder if they didn't CEDAR the older CD issue of this. It's not so bad as to be distracting and I'll trade more tape hiss for better tonal representation of the instruments any day. There are also a few places where tape degradation is audible. Overall it's definitely an improvement in my opinion. A couple noticeable moments: Check out the drum sound during the exchanges in Moonglow, they really "pop". The blend of sound between Hawkins & Burrell on Just A Gigolo is really stunning.

Yes, I'm all over this. *keeping fingers crossed*

Sent PM....

It's a good thing they got rid of Keyshawn before T.O. arrived...man, what a horrible combination of egos THAT would have been. Kinda like Freddie Hubbard & Nat Adderley on crack.....

I got the RVG of Dippin' this past weekend, to see if maybe it would strike me differently than in the past. I'm a Hank Mobley fanatic...but this album has never even been close to the top of my list. Anyway, I did enjoy it more than I remembered...however...the 2 things that irritated me the most about this album are still there. The heads of "The Dip" and "Ballin'" just sound cheesy as hell to me. Of course once you get into the tunes it's fine...but for some reason having the album bookended by two tracks that annoy me drops it down the list a ways. If they had let me choose the reissue, I would've released A Caddy For Daddy instead.

I've seen Lonnie in concert with Idris before (around 1998 or so) and I must echo the statements here that his albums never seem to reach the intensity of his live performances. His live performances on ballads can be subversive as hell...he sticks just close enough for the audience to "think" they know what they are hearing...but he's re-harmonizing like crazy and playing the most wacky shit...but only enough for the "hipsters" in the audience to get the joke. My favorite studio album is Turning Point, followed closely by Drives.

I'll stick with Bach, Paganini, Rachmaninoff, Debussy, etc. Mozart makes me feel like I need to brush my teeth after listening to him.

The Browns are making some good moves so far. LeCharles Bentley is a major addition that should help "beef up" that offensive line...and we all saw what Joe Jurevicious can still do last year in Seattle. I'm shaking my head over the Brees thing...I mean, more power to the guy and it's GREAT news for the Saints, but I just don't understand why the Chargers didn't sign him and trade Phillip Rivers for a host of good picks. You have a proven playmaker...then you have a very expensive but still unproven QB who has hardly taken any snaps since entering the NFL. Lastly...the Redskins are making me ill with their money-spending frenzy. I know that the Skins are the most profitable team in the NFL...I wonder by how large a margin?

I personally think Don Cheadle is one of the finest actors working today, I can see it working beautifully.

I would suggest Bill Withers. He made a pile of money and then retired (aside from a couple instances) to watch his kids grow up.

If you stand outside and watch them for a little while, you can usually spot where the nest is. Once you find it, there are a few methods I've used. *Note* - Always wait until night to mess with bees nests 1. Get spray can like the one mentioned in the thread above, spray...then run like hell. 2. If nest is hanging somewhere within reach, you knock the nest off the house onto the ground...then run like hell. Wait 30 minutes or so, when coast is clear enough throw a window screen over the nest lying on the ground..pour on gasoline/kerosene and roast...and run like hell just in case. 3. This is my favorite method...GET SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT FOR ME WHILE I WATCH FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE! My family was always dirt poor, couldn't afford exterminators...so we had to "improvise". WVI: West Virginia Ingenuity

Max Roach - Disc 2

Coral Rock is awesome...Mr Sangrey turned me onto that one (along with about 10,000 other things). Okay, I'll keep pondering the Shorter...in the interim, what are the other "must-own" titles in this series? I have the Waldron/Lacy as well. Thanks gang.

A few vibes albums I really enjoy: The vibes player on Something Blue is Emil Richards...who I don't really know much about, but he cooks on this record.

I want one.... Ty Tabor Signature Model - Yamaha RGXTT

By some coincidence, I started smoking cigarettes at around the same time I started smoking "another substance".

My favorite Muse... Greek myths, Olivia, E.L.O., Gene Kelly & roller boogie....

If I were you, I'd go ahead and buy the Fantasy reissue...it's well mastered and a really solid twofer. With only 1:30 or so difference I doubt they did much (if any) tinkering to make it fit.

Ya can't go wrong with this one!

What's the lineup on the Shorter album? How is it?

I had to go with Hutcherson as well. I've seen him live and it was one of the most beautiful shows ever. My second choice would be Lytle.

I agree. Still not as bad as "Relaxin' With Miles"...that has been reissued so many times in the past few years (K2, SACD, etc).