Free For All

I'm interested in what you (and others) have to say about this, Chuck....

Just for quick review, the arrangers: Gil Evans (Boplicity, Moon Dreams, Theme) Gerry Mulligan (Jeru, Godchild, Deception, Venus De Milo, Rocker, Darn That Dream) John Lewis (Budo, Move, Rouge, S'il Vous Plait, Why Do I Love You) John Carisi (Israel) I think it's interesting that people tend to think of this as mostly a Gil project (as far as the writing) when in fact he only arranged three of the tunes. I do think it was a Gil project inasmuch as these guys were constantly hanging out at Gil's place talking about the music, the instrumentation possibilities etc. with Gil assuming his svengali role (I would have loved to have been at some of those hangs!). IMHO the idea to use french horn and tuba very likely came at least in part from the time he spent in Thornhill's band and the sounds he was hearing there. I think anyone who enjoys BOTC should follow up by listening to Gil's Thornhill charts, especially Yardbird Suite, Anthropology and Donna Lee. It's amazing the degree to which he assimilated and personalized (Gil-ified) the bebop style when these tunes hadn't been around all that long. We've had decades to analyze these tunes and IMHO no one since has done any arrangements of those three Bird tunes that hold a candle to Gil's versions. And Carisi's chart on Israel is a classic! I never tire of listening to it and use it as a model of contrapuntal writing for my arranging classes. Larry, you describe that piece perfectly! Are there full scores available for all the BOTC charts?? I know there are transcriptions of the individual pieces available, but has anyone combined them into a book yet?

This editing-other-people's posts is way fun! Great idea Allen!

I really have been enjoying the recent reissue of Chamber Music of the New Jazz. What is particularly interesting is to listen to the original version of New Rhumba and realize what Gil borrowed from it for his arrangement on Miles Ahead. Listen to those two versions back-to-back for a fascinating lesson in arranging.

It depends; are you grading on a curve?

I told my wife to unplug me when it's time, but please first make sure I'm not just taking a nap.

Like they say, absemce nakes the heart grow fomder.

And don't forget Paul Anka's Havin' My Baby. *gaack*

It's a flute solo.

Insignificant factoid: Drummer Jeff Hamilton is married to Vicki Lawrence's sister.

Temporarily off topic (so what else is new? )..... As many have probably done, I gave away the comics I collected as a younger person. Man, do I regret that. I had (DC) Metal Men, Justice League, Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Atom and (Marvel) Hulk, XMen, Fantastic Four, Spiderman, etc. And remember those special "team-up" issues, like Thing and Hulk or Atom and Flash etc. That was escapism that has never since been equalled for me. EDIT: Gave away my Hot Wheels and GI Joe stuff, too. What a schmuck!

Is it *Black Bolt* of The Inhumans?

Yes- great stuff. Evans' arrangements of Yardbird Suite, Anthropology and Donna Lee (among others like Buster's Last Stand) are exceptional. It seems obvious that the instrumentation/sound of the Thornhill band was an influence on the instrumentation of the Birth Of The Cool band (specifically the use of french horn and tuba).

Good thread Berigan. I think the positive here outweighs the negative by a long shot. The occasional ugliness that erupts is a drag, but as Berigan said, this is bound to happen when you get such a large and diverse group together. This forum is a work in progress, not a perfect machine by any means but I think the intentions for the most part are honorable. I sure appreciate the job Jim has done giving us such a long leash. I'm willing to weather some BS because of the amount of pleasure I derive from hanging out with those who share passion for the music. I guess we all have to decide what we will stand up to (and for) and I respect the decision of those who have left. I do wish they would return- all those listed in the thread title really brighten this place up and help to tip the scale in favor of the positive contributors. I would like to feel that the ties that bind us are much much stronger than those forces which can potentially separate us. If you guys choose to come back, that would be great. If not, thanks for your contributions and friendship. You are appreciated. -Paul

Now that the smoke has cleared a bit, back to business as usual.... A very happy birthday to you my friend! May your day be a motherclucker!

Congrats, Dan! Good score. I'm a little concerned about your bidding name though......

Yes it is, and *The Duke* is a great tune as well.

Put that in all caps and then you'll really have something! B-)

Same thing w/Blues Brothers and Blues Brothers 2000.

Bill Holman Straight No Chaser (the music of Thelonious Monk) It does not suck!

Dude, this is like, so *five minutes ago*.......

squire"ly\, a. & adv. Becoming a squire; like a squire. squir·rel·ly\,adj. 1) eccentric. 2) cunningly unforthcoming or reticent. Well, which is it?

Good CD, yes....but....not the best time for caps lock, dude!

I'm not going anywhere else. This is where I want to hang. This place is too good to go away.