Free For All

I've said this before but I maintain that the "tiredness" of a tune is determined solely by the specific interpretation/quality of performance. It seems that just when I'm burnt out on a specific tune I come across a version of it that kicks ass and breathes new life into it. IMHO.

Ohhh baby! Lookin' fine! Now don't get trashed and burn 'em!!

If I had to pick one EB recording, it would probably be Eye of the Beholder, although I don't reach for it very often. I will admit to an occasional fondness for some of the RTF recordings since that was some music I grew up with. JK, you seem to be in a fusion groove as of late, and that's cool, but you have to realize that if you come here to what is mostly *acoustic land* and ask for opinions, you're probably not gonna hear what you wanna hear. If it's something you enjoy, that's all that matters......... .......but don't spend too much time on it.

That was a bit of a harsh generalization IMHO. Drunk? At times, maybe. Sloppy? At times, maybe. Riffing? That's not even an insult. But slackers? NEVER!

Count me in as a big fan. The recordings I would have listed have already been mentioned, but I'll add this one I recently found somewhere "for cheap". It's nice to see Jimmy get some overdue recognition. Some great duets with Eric Von Essen on bass, circa 1994. Jimmy wasn't in the best of health at this time, but you sure can't tell from his playing on this one.

That Robbie Smith is a BAD MAMMAJAMMA!

I remember the original very well. It came out while I was working as a projectionist in a movie theatre in high school so I probably saw it like 60 times. I have a buddy who knows it very well and we like to quote lines from it. It was a good movie, typical Burt Reynolds-type macho guy flick. There were some real football guys in it, like Ray Nitchke. Also in it was Richard Kiel ("Jaws" from the Bond flicks). I see no reason that it should have been remade- I guess they're just plain running out of ideas in Hollywood. Like that's news.

Duke Ellington is like sex and barbeque- even when it's bad it's good.

Thanks for the kind words fellas. That was the last project I did with Frank before he passed. Glad it's getting same airplay. Jim, I can't remember who the drummer was but I'll find out. Thanks for your post!

Dick Wellstood Dick Hyman Dick Wetmore... ← Harry Reems Jamie Gillis Rambone

Here's my plan for the board BBQ/mini jazz fest: We gather at an appropriate site- I'm thinking an outdoor location, preferably where the weather's reasonable. We have a (covered) stage and live music- Organissimo, Quartet Out and any other groups that currently exist (or are specifically assembled) of board members, or friends thereof. There might need to be a bit of a jam session to accomodate the various "loose cannons". Board members will also be manning the grills and concocting their best grill creations. Libations, every sort of grilled food known to man (and woman), lots of dessert stuff (like those lemon bars...mmmmmm). Music the whole time. Frisbees. Water balloons. Kids 'n dogs runnin' around. Chuck giving Jazz Kat noogies. Drunken brawls. Sparklers. M-80s. Emergency rooms. Lawsuits. A big fun hang. :rsmile: The "realist" that has begun to inhabit me in the last 5 years or so (much to my dismay) knows there's probably no way in hell this could ever happen, but it's still fun to dream.

I enjoy this one often. Pretty good for an all-star type of thing. Was it ever conclusively established that this was as "complete" as this one: ???? I've been wanting to get that Verve remastering of the Half Note, especially at the budget price, but I think I've got all the material already on the "Jazz Sides" set.

It's easier if you get one of those holders to put it on. It's a little tricky to balance it on the can, plus I've heard some say the ink on some cans shouldn't be heated like that- not sure why. I use one of these: Fill the receptacle with beer (or whatever), set the spaceship thingie on top of the receptacle and then set the bird on it. Put the plug in the top of the chicken to keep the steam inside the bird. You should plug the top of the bird- you can use a potato or something like that. Otherwise the steam escapes too quickly.

BTW, this is a good book. Good recipes for rubs and marinades. I'd like to get one of THESE sometime. The combination of gas and charcoal allows you to control the temperature better, which is a problem w/charcoal-only smokers.

We are talking about the same thing, aren't we?

-Weber gas grill, for quick grilling. -Weber kettle, which I use a lot in the summer. I separate the coals and use it to slow cook and smoke(short term). -water smoker- for longer projects (did a brisket yesterday- I think I've finally got brisket figured out- came out not too dry with a beautiful pink ring) I use one of those chimney charcoal starters (with the paraffin cubes). It works great and is FAST! No more lighter fluid for me. Lots of different wood chips- hickory, mesquite, apple, cherry, pecan and my latest favorite is those Jack Daniel's smoking chips- they chop up the oak barrels! They're excellent- just the right amount of flavor, not overpowering. I go back and forth between dry rubs and marinating. Currently I'm more of a fan of the former. Have you guys done the beer can chicken? Mighty tasty.

2 per item. I just placed an order- lots of great titles, not all currently in stock though.

← ← Wow, that's a drag. It seemed like a good location, right under the el. I know they got me many times from the smell alone. I wonder if it will continue to be a hot dog joint? I guess change is inevitable, but it's still depressing.

The "top 40" horn bands of the 70s-80s are what initially pointed me in the jazz direction. Chicago, BS&T, Tower of Power, The Crusaders - listening to these ultimately led me to check out the jazz guys, like JJ-via-Wayne Henderson. As corny and redundant as some of these groups became, you don't hear much music on the radio these days that has much if any "arranging". The horn bands had a recognizable sound. I played in a copy band in HS and learned a lot of those Chicago/BS&T/Crusaders horn parts. It's funny, the only singers who could cover Peter Cetera's high vocals were the ladies. I'll bet pretty much every HS from that era at some point copped a Chicago tune title as a dance "theme". "Feelin' Stronger Every Day", "Colour My World", "Beginnings", "Just You'n Me", "I've Been Searchin' So Long", etc. etc. etc. The band Chicago was started by a bunch of DePaul students. Their manager also owns "Demon Dogs", a pretty good hot dog place under the el tracks on Fullerton near DePaul. They have Chicago memorabilia everywhere and play nothing but Chicago on the sound system. I like the band, but if I worked there and had to listen to it every day I'd probably go postal.

I didn't realize that Miles recorded this on his birthday!

My question to you, Jim, is what were you thinking when you paid your money to get in in the first place? That either of these movies were going to be "<really hapnin'>"? I was on a trip with my parents (when I was a teen) and I think I must have convinced them to take me to see "Superfly" 'cause I don't see them going anywhere near that one on their own. We left about halfway through- I was diggin' it, but I guess they must have thought it was unfit for a young lad. I still needs to sees how it ends.

Let's call him "Stinky".

I've seen both May 25th and May 26th listed as Miles' birthday. Not sure which is correct, but we're close, anyway. If I'm doing my math correctly (b. 1926) he would be 79. Here's a salute to one of the greatest of all time. So many great bands and recordings. I'm glad I had the opportunity to hear him live a couple times (in the 80s). Wish I could have heard the 60s quintet and/or the sextet w/Cannonball and Trane. His recordings take up the most room in my collection, and that doesn't even count the box sets! Thanks Miles! (and FWIW, Gil Evans' birthday was on Friday the 13th of this month!)