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Ray Bryant, Dancing the Big Twist (Columbia, mono six eyes) The Sound of Paul Horn (Columbia, stereo six eyes)

Here's a photo I took; click on it and it increases size.

There were a lot more people there than I expected. I sat next to a friendly fellow who had been to quite a few of the same concerts as me (Ornette Coleman and Sun Ra at the Caravan of Dreams, Roy Hargrove at the Meyerson, etc.) over the last thirty years or so.

The sound mix was perfectly fine from where I was sitting (on the balcony to the right of the stage). I learned on a prior visit to the Kessler that with loud music (which this sure was) you definitely want to be in the balcony--the sound is much better up there than on the floor. I thought the concert was thrilling and would love to have a recording of the group and music. The blind trumpeter was the best soloist, but the guitarist and violinist were also worthy.

Yesterday, Dave Brubeck, Bossa Nova USA (Columbia two eyes) and The Riddle (Columbia six eyes). This morning, yesterday's find of ten inch records ($3.99 each), Art Hodes, Dixieland Clambake (Blue Note), Pee Wee Russell, Jazz at Storyville, volume 2 (Savoy), and Muggsy Spanier--Pee Wee Russell, Ragtimers (Stinson # 30)

This evening, Ronald Shannon Jackson and the Decoding Society at the lovely Kessler Theater in Oak Cliff. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, given Ronald Shannon Jackson's public musical inactivity over the last 15 years or so. But I need not have feared a polite evening of respectful applause for a retrospective concert by a past-his-prime artist. Instead, it was holy f--k, what a great concert, incredible, fantastic--this edition of the Decoding Society was the equal of any I've heard, and well rehearsed, with wonderful music and strong soloists. I never thought I would get to hear this music live again. And there was even a substantial sized crowd. The Decoding Society was: Ronald Shannon Jackson, drums and flute; Melvin Gibbs, bass guitar; John Wier, trumpet; Gregg Prickett, guitar; and Leonard Hayward, violin. In the course of an hour and a half concert, they performed: Deluge (Wayne Shorter) Momma Plays the Guitar (RSJ) Reese (Gregg Prickett) People We Love (RSJ) He Walked into the River (Gregg Prickett) Concerto for Drums (RSH) Howard Beach Memoirs (Melvin Gibbs) Petals (RSJ) Bloodlife (RSJ). And for an encore, Ronald Shannon Jackson played an amazing drum solo.

Pre-ordered a copy.

Dallas Observer article regarding tonight's Ronald Shannon Jackson concert: http://www.dallasobserver.com/2012-07-05/music/jazz-great-ronald-shannon-jackson-returns-to-dfw/

I noticed that dusty groove lists the Loadstar for CD release on August 1, 2012. Another bootleg?

Stanley Turrentine, Rough 'N Tumble (Blue Note Liberty mono)

That's a good one? I've never heard it.

I couldn't help then; using that criteria, it was pretty much all the same to me.

Coincidentally, I just finished listening to this set/transferring favorite tracks to iTunes this morning. I had rather mixed feelings about this set. I generally didn't care for the uptempo pieces. But some of the slower pieces/ballads on the set are rather beautiful. The versions of Nardis all feature long and (in my opinion) tedious bass (I'm not really a Marc Johnson fan) and drum solos. But the following ten tracks are beautiful and enjoyable.: My Foolish Heart 4:11 Quiet Now 5:12 Your Story 3:59 Person I Knew 4:32 The Two Lonely People 7:08 Time Remembered 5:37 Polka Dots and Moonbeams 5:59 Knit for Mary F 6:35 Emily 4:17 Minha 3:18

The Louis Armstrong Story volume 3, Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines (Columbia two eyes)

The Art Blakey (Bobby Watson, David Schnitter edition) and Duke Ellington releases on this label are both excellent, as is the Cannonball Adderley. I'll definitely get the Dizzy Gillespie.

The Kessler Theater website says Melvin Gibbs will be on bass. No other personnel information.

The Black Saint/Soul Note box set is enjoyable.

Within the last week, Hampton Hawes For Real (Contemporary stereo deep groove), Yusef Lateef, Eastern Sounds (Prestige stereo, black and silver NJ label), and Jimmy Smith Plays Pretty For You (Blue Note mono, W.63rd/NY USA hybrid). Not in the greatest condition, but LPs like this are not common in these parts.

This one is good: Oliver Lake Organ Trio, Makin' It http://www.amazon.com/Makin-Oliver-Lake-Organ-Trio/dp/B001CDL8IC/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1340583996&sr=1-1&keywords=Oliver+Lake+Organ+Trio

This set can be bought for around $25 at present on amazon.com. Native Dancer is of course fantastic. Atlantis, mostly is not for me. I only liked The Three Marias. Phantom Navigator, I did not care for this album. Joy Ryder, to my surprise, I mostly rather like; Wayne sounds great, and I even like the electric keyboards on this one (by Patrice Russian, Geri Allen, and Herbie Hancock).

Montego Joe, Wild and Warm (Prestige, blue label)

That's pretty funny. It should be "Mose Allison Plays and Sings Cynical Songs for Lovers Who Are About to Break Up." Includes, I Told Ya I Loved Ya, Now Get Out.

Yesterday, John Coltrane, Blue Trane (NY USA stereo), upgrading my Liberty copy. Cannonball Adderley, Know What I Mean? (Riverside blue label mono), upgrading my battered stereo copy. And finally, Mose Allison Plays for Lovers (Prestige, blue label mono). I couldn't resist this bizarre concept anthology. All in very nice shape.

I saw that group at Smalls a year or so ago and I very much enjoyed; their two recent worthy recordings on Steeplechase are Forsooth and Heavy Mirth.

Willis Jackson, Boss Shoutin' (Prestige, blue label, mono)