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Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy (Columbia six eyes).

I would get it for Pony Poindexter; Booker is a bonus on this one.

The Duke Plays Ellington (Capital 10 inch)

Lee Morgan, the Sidewinder--Japanese King reissue. Sounds rather nice.

The Dizzy's website says: Randy Weston, piano; Billy Harper, tenor saxophone; TK Blue, alto saxophone and flute; Benny Powell, trombone; Alex Blake, bass; Neil Clarke, drums and African percussion. I wish I was there.

Terry Gibbs (Emarcy mono) The Poll Winners Exploring the Scene (Contemporary, black and gold label stereo). Two great sounding LPs.

Is Zane Massey still performing? I haven't seen any new recordings by him in several years. He was one of my favorite young saxophonists.

Oh, I don't know: I was in there New Year's Day and picked up Tony Bennett's CLOUD 7 on the original red-label Columbia for $6. It sounds beautiful. Like Jim said, it's very hit-or-miss with HPB. Sometimes it's a goldmine, other times it's a chore raking thru all the Herb Alpert/Chuck Magione/David Sanborn/Spyro Gyra/Boots Randolph/Al Hirt records to find out there's nothing there. Just depends on what day you go, I guess. Yes, I like those old Columbias too.

HP Books is of course more often a source of frustration--yesterday I stopped by the big one and they had an original copy of Monk Plays Duke Ellington on Riverside--unfortunately, as is usually the case, the record had been abused (yet they still thought they could sell it for $15, good luck). Vinyl in decent shape is the exception rather than the rule there.

There is Forever Young Records, which is west of Dallas in the Arlington/Grand Prairie area (it has alot of jazz vinyl but charges collectors' prices): Forever Young Records 972-352-6299 2955 S State Highway 360, Grand Prairie, TX 75052 There is also Recycled Records in Denton, which has some vinyl, plus used CDs. I hesitate to mention the odious Bill's Records, and I'm in fact not sure it is still open. For CDs, there is CD Source on Greenville Avenue and Lovers Lane, which is much better than the typical used CD store.

Wow! It is REALLY nice to see that Hog is still about and active. How is he playing? MG He was seated for the concert and played fairly short solos, and it appeared his stamina was limited, but he still had his sound on the baritone. It was an enjoyable evening; he was very gregarious and told lots of anecdotes about Dallas jazz legends, especially Buster Smith. I hadn't seen him perform since the Return to the Wide Open Spaces concert at the Caravan of Dreams. Thanks, and WOW! You were AT that gig. Can I hear you on the CD? MG Yes, I didn't miss much at the Caravan in its heyday. That was one excellent concert (even better than the CD presents it). That same year (1986), I also saw at the Caravan: Ornette Coleman, Benny Carter, Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, Cedar Walton and David Newman, Albert King, Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, Bobby Blue Bland, Ronald Shannon Jackson, Oregon, John Blake, Paquito D'Rivera, Les McCann, and others. Those were the days!

Gerald Wilson Orchestra--Live and Swinging (Pacific Jazz/Liberty) Phineas Newborn Plays Again (illegible Italian label)

Johnny Lytle--Swingin' at the Gate (World Pacific/Liberty)

I saw him with Barry Harris a couple of years ago. I looked in a couple of discographies and some examples of his work are: Charlie Rouse--Takin' Care of Business (Jazzland) Chet Baker Plays the Best of Lerner and Loewe (Riverside) John Coltrane--trio recording session included in Lush Life and the Last Trane (Prestige) Stanley Turrentine--A Chip Off the Old Block (Blue Note).

Wow! It is REALLY nice to see that Hog is still about and active. How is he playing? MG He was seated for the concert and played fairly short solos, and it appeared his stamina was limited, but he still had his sound on the baritone. It was an enjoyable evening; he was very gregarious and told lots of anecdotes about Dallas jazz legends, especially Buster Smith. I hadn't seen him perform since the Return to the Wide Open Spaces concert at the Caravan of Dreams.

At University of Texas in Dallas: Leroy Hog Cooper and Paul Bollenback At House of Blues in Dallas: Buddy Guy At a downtown church in Dallas: Dennis Gonzalez with Tim Green At Jazz Standard: Frank Morgan and Lonnie Smith At the Village Vanguard: Nino Josele and Bill Charlap At Hotel Kitano: Onaje Allan Gumbs At the Iridium: Mingus Orchestra, Mingus Dynasty, Stanley Jordan, and David Weiss with a Tribute to Wayne Shorter. At 55 Bar: Mike Stern at Smalls: David Schnitter At Jazz Improv Festival, New York: Avery Sharpe, Geri Allen, Onaje Allen Gumbs, McCoy Tyner, Pat Martino, Sonny Fortune, Frank Kimbrough, Don Friedman, Vincent Herring, Roy Haynes, and Stanley Clarke.

Jazz Masters of the 1930s, by Rex Stewart. What an engaging book filled with wonderful anecdotes and illuminations of the early greats of jazz.

Saw him a couple of times this year, he still has a juvenile enthusiasm that is contagious. Music seems to keep him young. Yes, he does not look 50 plus at all, and it is refreshing to see a smiling, enthusiastic performer.

The live concert highlights for 2007 for me were: Pat Martino at Jazz Improv Festival. A late set following an excellent performance by McCoy Tyner with Stanley Clarke, Gary Bartz and Jack DeJohnette, Martino was in very inspired and intense form, playing mostly songs associated with Wes Montgomery. Stanley Clarke Quartet at Jazz Improv Festival. Another late set. Playing with violin, keyboards and drums, the quality of this performance quite surprised me and won me over. Nino Josele at Village Vanguard. A pleasing fusion of flamenco and jazz, heavy on the Bill Evans. Onaje Allan Gumbs Quartet/Sextet, at Hotel Kitano and Jazz Improv festival. I remembered him as a sideman with Woody Shaw, and rediscovered a very fine pianist and leader, who has returned, after some success I gather in the smooth jazz arena, to playing the real stuff. Mingus Orchestra/Dynasty at the Iridium. I don't really get why this club isn't packed on Tuesday nights, but for me it's always a great pleasure to hear live performances of various treasures from the Mingus repertoire. Mike Stern at 55 Bar. Another reliable exciting engagement. A tiny club, explosive guitar. Buddy Guy at House of Blues, Dallas. A somewhat odious venue, complete with a body search more intrusive than airport security. But thankfully Buddy was in good form this night. Don Friedman Trio at Jazz Improv Festival. This was very nice, Friedman in a small hotel conference room, performing before a meager crowd, but sounding just as good or better than on his Riverside albums. Frank Morgan at Jazz Standard. I'm really glad I was able to hear him in person again. Lonnie Smith at Jazz Standard. My first time to hear the organ master. Sonny Fortune at Jazz Improv Festival. Another first time pleasure hearing a long-time favorite.

Drat!

Don't know that one, but I have his first on Alacra, called The Bell of the Heart. A relative of mine played on that date, as well as Mario Pavone's Shodo (also on Alacra - it was Pavone's label). If your relative still has any copies, he could probably sell one to me.

Link to thorough Thomas Chapin discography. http://www.diapazon.pl/PelnaDyskografia.php?Id=1

Yes indeed--the Django, Lionel Hampton, and Bix Beiderbecke Mosaic sets.

Herbie Mann--Standing Ovation at Newport (Atlantic)

Steve Kuhn in Europe 1968 (Prestige blue label/MPS)