Free For All

Belated b-day greetings from me too, Dan. Let me be the first to wish you a happy 39th for NEXT year. And we know what's coming the year after that, don't we?

Well, it's tough to get fired up about buying Mancini when you have to go to the dreaded "easy listening" section to find it. A lot of his discography consists of various "pops" orchestras playing medleys of his greatest hits arranged by someone who hasn't checked out Mancini's writing much. Not very enticing. I think you're better off trying to get the actual soundtracks (or the CDs I mentioned above), where you can hear HM's own settings of his tunes. Granted, there are some "pop" moments that can be a bit cloying, but there are also some great swinging cuts as well as subtle moments that are almost Gil Evans-ish. I think he had a real gift for melody- his tunes seem to have real staying power. Some other Mancini tributes were put out by his daughter Monica, James Moody, Dave Grusin and a real quirky group called Oranj Symphonette. Once at a gig some high roller came up to the stand and tipped the band $50 PER MAN to play Baby Elephant Walk. Normally, I try to maintain a modicum of dignity and artistic integrity, but for a $50-per man tip you can believe we were all over that shit. We played the first chorus or so (it's a blues) and then took it hard left. The guy looked moderately bewildered but seemed to be generally OK with it. Another satisfied customer!

McFarland did a recording w/Bill Evans and some kind of ensemble- I think it was on Verve. I assume it was included in the Evans Verve box, but has it ever been released by itself on CD? Evans and McFarland seem like they'd be a good match.

I think it's too bad that much of Mancini's stuff has been categorized as "Muzak" by many. He wrote some great tunes and IMHO was a master of orchestration. I always have liked the way he wrote for flutes, utilizing their low register, as well as writing for alto and bass flutes. What a great sound. There are also some great jazz moments in his scores- the Pink Panther series, Peter Gunn, Silver Streak, Breakfast at Tiffany's, to name a few. I've always thought Dreamsville was a great tune. I have a few Mancini recordings- Mancini '67 and Blues and the Beat on RCA are mostly big band-type affairs with some great moments (and some big names); some very atmospheric jazz, some of it kind of film-noir in style. Also there's some music from Peter Gunn on Fresh Sounds that has the Candolis, Rosolino, Bud Shank, Jimmy Rowles et al as featured soloists. The cuts aren't real long, not much stretching, but some interesting stuff nonetheless. I think we've heard so many lame versions of his tunes in elevators and grocery stores it's soiled his name for some, which I think is a shame.

I've passed on many of Carter's leader dates because, well, I've just never been overly impressed with too many of them. They seldom get repeated play; I don't really know why- they seem to me to often be very "studio-self conscious" and not particularly inspiring or spontaneous. You'd think that anyone who came out of one of the greatest Miles bands could be a sure thing as a leader, but for me, Carter is most effective as a sideman, a supporting player; no disrespect intended. It really has nothing to do w/him being a bass player-leader, and he often has great players on his sides (like Chet Baker, Art Farmer and J.J., to name a few). I do also like the duets w/Jim Hall. I recognize his high level of musicianship, I just don't run out to buy his new recordings. I would rate his post-Miles work as the least compelling of all the 60s band members (meaning WS, HH and TW). So regarding Ron Carter: am I missing something?

Two pages and no Rooster. Looks like someone's out of town and computerless.

I just got a bunch of stuff in the mail that included the McDuff big band CD, Prelude. I haven't checked it out yet- anyone have any comments on this one? It looks very interesting- Benny Golson arrangements, Joe Dukes, George Benson and Pat Martino, Red Holloway, and it clocks in at just under 80 minutes.

Please tell me what Carl and Frank you got!

Marry that woman! Yeah, the Holland is EXCELLENT. I read some remarks by Robin Eubanks (BTW, wasn't he great as host of the "Newlywed Game"?) at Jazz Corner where he said he wasn't happy w/his performance, but I hear nothing on the recording to support that claim. I think he and Chris play very well together, and the variety of textures the group achieves w/its instrumentation is really impressive. It's nice to hear some quintet playing that's more "organic" and not simply "horns vs. rhythm section" or "head/solos/trade/head". The integration and seamlessness of improvisation and ensemble playing makes for some inspired music, very different from much of what is out there currently.

It's doing the same thing that this site was doing (at least for me) for the last couple of days. What's the deal?

Thanks Hans!

Just noticed they're on the Mosaic site now.

What, is Greg back?

Well, you can thank Swinging Swede for posting the artwork here- I just happened to notice it at another site.

B.C.- Before Changes, dude!

Hey man, I play TROMBONE, so don't tell ME about what's ancient! I mean, I play a big ol' TUBE! How ancient is THAT??

Please make every attempt to disconnect your conversational skills from your driving skills, should you be inclined to talk at length whilst in the car.

Man, I've had a hell of a time getting/staying on this site for the last couple of days- is it just me and my lame dial-up? Anyway, one of the CD sources I frequent, Overstock.com, is taking pre-orders for the "new" Andrew Hill. The price ain't THAT great (13.49- they're asking 9.89 for the latest RVGs, so I'm wondering if this release will be priced higher on other sites as well) but it's the first time I've gotten to see the artwork- it looks very hip, very much in the 60s Blue Note style. This seems to be an AOL related site, but I think anyone can get on to it (let me know if I'm wrong)- sometimes they do have good deals, esp. on box sets (got the Rollins RCA box there). Anyway, I couldn't get a link happening, but if you go to the site and go to "music" and search for Andrew Hill you'll find it. You might find a better deal elsewhere, but I just thought some of you might not have seen it yet- Blue Note doesn't seem to mention it and Jazzmatazz doesn't have a visual link yet. Sorry if this is old news. P.S.- I guess this should be under "New Releases", not "Reissues". Oops.

...and musicboy back there kickin' it. With softsong on vocals. Welcome to hell's waiting room.

One of my all-time favorites. I loved him in Rope (actually ALL the Hitchcocks), Liberty Valance, The Shootist, Flight of the Phoenix and I can't help but enjoy the Glenn Miller Story, with all its faults. I love the part where Glenn discovers his "sound". I had a girlfriend once who was from Indiana, PA (Stewart's home town- there is a statue of him there). As I said in another thread, I love the part in It's A Wonderful Life where we get to see the evil Potter-controlled version of Bedford Falls. THAT place had the best jazz. Figures. Remember the SNL skit about the "lost ending" to IAWL? After the Auld Lang Syne scene they all went to the bank and beat the shit out of Potter (Jon Lovitz). An actual funny bit on SNL. I also loved Jimmy on the Tonight Show.

Speaking of Dr. Death, has anyone ever heard the recording he put out? Doesn't he play flute? I saw it once at Tower but couldn't quite rationalize my curiousity- just like that "Clinton plays sax" CD that was out for a minute. Someone transcribed one of Bill's sax solos and sent it around- quite hilarious. Good party stuff- like that Shatner "Transformed Man".

Sorry for the brief tangent- Erik, I understand you're an Aggie (obviously). I went to grad school at UT Austin. Did the Aggies really steal Bevo once and serve him barbecued to the UT football team? Or is that just "urban legend"? I hope you're enjoying Germany- it's a long way from Texas. I would assume your German friends have got to be giving you shit about being from the land of Dubya. Hook'em Horns!

So it's worth the trip, huh? I know it's a lot less busy and commercialized- is that the draw? Less people and more nature? I've been to the south rim many times and have wondered about the "other side". Last time my wife and I were there we stayed in the park so we could do both the sunset and sunrise- that's about the coolest thing I've ever seen. How do they look from the north rim? BTW Chuck, I picked up "God is in the House" and it's a beautiful thing.