kh1958

Duke Ellington--Paris Blues (United Artists)

George Wein (Shorty Baker, Tyree Glenn, Pee Wee Russell, Bill Crow)-Jazz at the Modern (Bethleham)

I recently found three RCA Living Stereo records (a Johnny Guarnieri led big band date and a couple of vocal dates), circa 1960, in near perfect condition, and they do sound fabulous. On the Archive label, the best I've come across so far is a Bach harpischord recording from 1958. It has very nice sound and, according to the enclosed receipt, was purchased by a Mr. Brooks, a member of the Army Band, on June 4, 1960, who was apparently stationed in Europe. The price seems rather high for the times, as he paid $5 as a deposit and completed the transaction by paying the balance due of $2.05.

Prestige--Groovy Goodies (blue label) Shelly Manne--Swingin' Sounds (Contemporary, yellow label mono)

Not the only one--my addiction to jazz vinyl has relatively recently spilled over into classical vinyl. I am much pickier with classical vinyl--I only buy if the record is in nearly perfect condition. It seems like this is not that uncommon (buying that classical record seemingly was a better idea in theory than was actually listening to it). In fact, I would be curious what labels others think have the best sound in the classical arena.

Excellent! The Horo Dannie Richmond is another good one.

Eddie Bonnamere--Orient-ed (Prestige, blue label) Jimmy Smith--Midnight Special (Blue Note, New York USA)

Charles Mingus--Mingus (Candid). A happy find from my visit to Academy Records.

I saw his trio last fall and had the same very positive reaction.

Friday night--Sonny Fortune at Sweet Rhythm, with Michael Cochran on piano, David Williams on bass, and Steve Johns on drums--Three sets worth. Sonny Fortune is really playing well these days, mostly standards. I seriously considered going back for more the next night. Saturday night--Mike Clark at Hotel Kitano, with Mark Shim on tenor, Jerry Z on organ, and Christian Scott on trumpet. The Kitano is a really great club, sort of like if your living room was a jazz club. This group was another winner, as I heard two excellent sets, rather exceeding my expectations. Afterward, to the Blue Note for a late set with Melvin Sparks. He barely knew the first names of the organ player and drummer who accompanied him, but it didn't matter too much--he sounded like he could play all night and was just getting really warmed up by the end of the hour and a half set. Sunday--Junior Mance at Cafe Loupe. This was hardly the optimum place to see him, as this job is the typical piano and bass playing for diners at a restaurant, requiring the tuning out of conversations and a procession of waiters. But, it was very enjoyable nevertheless, as he is still playing very well, nearing the age of 80. Among other songs, he played beautiful versions of Monk's Dream and Whisper Not, and a really terrific blues song. After a couple of Junior Mance sets, Spike Wilner at Smalls, with Joel Frahm and Ryan Kisor. This was okay but didn't really interest me. Monday night--A first visit to the beautiful Dizzy's club, for the Francois Richard Octet with guest Mark Feldman. Other than Mark Feldman's playing, this French Canadian third steam style of jazz did not appeal to me. After two misses in a row, I ventured to the lower east side to Nublu, for a performance by Eidvind Opsvik (a bassist) and Hakon Kornstad (tenor), with Craig Taborn on electric piano, plus a drummer. Thankfully, this turned out to be a very dynamic performance. And then I had to go home.

May 31--Dennis Gonzalez--Avenue Arts June 14--Guitar Shorty--Poor David's Pub

I shall be arriving in New York on Friday also, but I'm not sure yet which concert I will attend that night. For late sets, Sonny Fortune is at Sweet Rhythm, and I believe there is a third set at midnight. On Saturday night, Melvin Sparks is at the Blue Note, commencing at 12:30 a.m.

Barney Kessell, Ray Brown, Shelly Manne, The Poll Winners (Contemporary, yellow label mono)

I also owned a Yahama R-9 for about the same length of time until it stopped working a few months ago. I purchased an NAD integrated amplifier (150 watts) to replace it and have been very pleased with the upgrade.

Nat Wright, The Biggest Voice in Jazz (Warwick). Arranged by Teddy Charles and Mal Waldron, featuring Coleman Hawkins, Jimmy Guiffre, and Benny Green.

Herbie Nichols Trio (Blue Note Toshiba) Sonny Clark--Leapin' and Lopin' (Blue Note Toshiba)

The Incredible Kay Winding Trombones (Impulse, black and orange) The Art Ensemble of Chicago--Les Stances a Sophie (Nessa, purple and white)

I saw Sphere at the Caravan of Dreams in 1985--the Rouse, Barron, Williams, Riley edition. As I recall, they played mostly their own compositions. Rouse (the whole group) sounded terrific, but attendance for the concert was pitiful.

There are several inexpensive used copies of Heads Up available from amazon sellers.

I bought this today at Borders, and I must say it is making a very positive impression on first listen.

There are some more. As far as I know, the numbers went up to 595. 586 Lightnin’ Hopkins – Straight blues (BV compilation apparently) 587 Pink Anderson – Medecine show man (BV1051) 588 Rev Gary Davis – Have a little faith (BV1032) 589 Sonny Terry – And his mouth harp (Riv 644) 590 Driftin’ Slim – Somebody hoo-doo’d the Hoo-Doo man (Miles 93004) 591 Jimmy Witherspoon – Blue Spoon (PR7327/7418) (seems to be a twofer) 592 Rev Gary Davis – Guitar & banjo of (PR Folklore 14033) 593 Arbee Stidham – Tired of wandering (BV1021) (I have this one) 594 Scrapper Blackwell – Mr Scrapper’s blues (BV1047) 595 Smokey Babe – Hottest brand goin’ (BV1063) MG The last in the OBC series, which seems to be out of print generally, is still available on amazon.com from newbury for $7 or so. As it turns out, Smokey Babe (a man) put out one of the best CDs in this blues series. He's a masterful country blues guitar player, very propulsive, and a fine singer. At the time of this recording, he was working at a gas station, and little is known about him, except that he is thought to have died in 1975.

I suppose I could try to talk to the record buyer at the store and see if they would tell me who brought this group of records in. I suspect they wouldn't tell me, for more than one reason.

It looks like the final one they added to the series is Oscar Peterson. Sweden 1963 Reunion Blues Satin Doll But Not For Me It Ain’t Necessarily So Chicago (That Toddling Town) Denmark 1964 Soon On Green Dolphin Street Bag’s Groove Tonight C-Jam Blues Hymn To Freedom Finland 1965 Yours Is My Heart Alone Moritat Blues For Smedley Misty Mumbles total time- 86 min.

Bill Evans Sweden 1964 My Foolish Heart Israel Belgium 1965 Detour Ahead My Melancholy Baby Denmark 1970 Emily Alfie Someday My Prince Will Come Sweden 1970 If You Could See Me Now ‘Round Midnight Someday My Prince Will Come Sleeping Bee You’re Gonna Hear From Me Re: Person I Knew My Man’s Gone Now Denmark 1975 Sareen Jurer Blue Serge Up With The Lark But Beautiful Twelve Tone Tune Two total time- 100 min.

Lionel Hampton Belgium 1958 The High & The Mighty Hamp’s Piano Blues History Of Jazz Hot Club Blues I Found A New Baby The Chase (Part I & II) Brussels Sprouts Sticks Ahoy total time- 58 min.