Free For All

I'm just glad (relieved) to hear them even talking about "future plans"!

Thanks for the kind words GA, but I do feel humbled by the amassed knowledge around here. I'll be interested, as always, to hear what others have to say. My two cents: Regarding CA, first I'd say he's had a great run getting to play on the same stage as Uncle Sonny. I've seen them several times and always kind of wondered why he didn't solo more. Sure, people come to hear Sonny, but still......... I have only listened to the online samples so far, but I have to say I'm a little lukewarm about his playing. Nice sound, good intonation but the content didn't do a lot for me. One of the main challenges of playing a "fretless" instrument like the trombone is that one has to articulate every single note- no keys/valves to help. Some players sound a little labored in this effort to my ears (too much "tonguing" sound), and the result is limited success in communicating ideas. Of course there are other elements to consider than technique, but that's the "delivery system" for content (as is sound) so I tend to obsess on it a bit, especially since IMHO CA is coming out of a hardbop thing. Sustaining interest over the course of a solo is not an easy thing. Have to respectfully disagree there, GA. That's a tough act to follow. Please elaborate. I would be more likely to make that comment about someone like Slide Hampton. My definition of content: vocabulary, melodic construction, harmonic & rhythmic sophistication, motivic development- all things I love about Rollins. Hard to evaluate someone who's played with him all these years without similar criteria. I tend to get a little persnickety about trombonists, and I expect that comes in part from being a self-critical musician, although I have come to a level of acceptance (with age) and the whole "sour grapes" thing is not really an issue anymore. As a fellow 'bonist I wish him all the success in the world, which he has already enjoyed for some time. I sure would have liked to play with Sonny Rollins! I'm sure there are those here who may love this side, and I'm not out to diminish that at all. My opinion is just that.

You conduit.

Found this duo hit on Amazon. Really great, especially for Zoot fans. Just Zoot and Bucky, and really nice- a lesson in playing w/good time, which is even more critical in the duo setting. "Implied time" is often more satisfying than "directly stated time" IMHO. (there's no bassist even though there's one in the cover shot)

Good choice, paps. Big Tea will git it in yer soul.

Showed up in the mail today......thanks Kevin!

How can you tell when blue cheese has gone bad?

Yes, and he showed them both to us when he slid into the camera.

Terrific game. One of the better ones I've seen (last year's was a great one too). Unbelievable clutch catch by Holmes (and a perfect throw by Big Ben). Warner played great too, but when the Cards scored and were only up by three (and there was still ample time left) I knew that the Steelers weren't done yet. I was expecting OT, but they got it done. A couple bad/non calls- several holds on Harrison's interception runback, but it was still a spectacular play and he sure earned the touchdown. That was a huge momentum swing. Also, I was surprised they didn't review Warner's fumble at the end- it could have gone either way. I thought Jennifer Hudson did a great job on the National Anthem (nice arrangement, too). She's got a hell of a voice. The commercials were nothing special this year IMHO. I had a couple people over and made fajitas, queso & margaritas. Big fun.

Candy Johnson- wasn't he a porn star?

I sure would like to believe that that "ultimate jam" lies ahead! I was an "elitist" early on (in my youthful exhuberence) and tended to overlook players like Hank and Fathead in favor of players like Trane and JoeHen, etc. Now that wasn't a bad thing at the time, but in subsequent years (for me around 1981, when I woke up a bit) I've "widened my horizon" and have learned a lot more about what makes a player great, which is a different answer that I would have given 10/15/20/25 years ago. So I'm apparently still learning, which seems to be a good thing. I've gained a greater respect for "humanity" as well as "vocabulary", not to say that the two are in any way mutually exclusive. Teaching vocabulary is much easier than teaching how to create an identity. Some questions one just can't (or shouldn't) answer.

You've got it easy. It's 1978 here.

Agreed. Teagarden's singing is as soulful as his playing. I wish I could have met/got to know him. For that matter, I also think of Frank Rosolino's scatting as an accurate representation of his style (articulation, vocabulary, energy) on the horn.

Hang in there, HG. Your patience will be rewarded. If you are a drinker, make a refill. If not, do some green tea. Or perhaps a microwave corndog is in order.

I like eggs.

Sounds like fun. Wish I could be there. Well you should definitely see that Hill gets represented, and I'd vote for Passing Ships- you can talk about its long-awaited release. The more I listen to it the more I become convinced of its heaviness. I'd probably take Mode For Joe or Unity. Or Roll Call. Or Free For All. Or Cape Verdean Blues. Or the Blakey Live at Birdland. Damn, tough call. I hope you go, I'd like to hear about it.

I've always liked Steve Martin- when I was in college in the 70s he was doing his standup tour, definitely a rock star for a minute. But for the life of me I have no idea why he would want to try to redo anything Peter Sellers did. Hey, maybe Jim Carrey could redo Being There! Kevin James in The Party?

That song of his reminds me of that song from Juno.

Frank Foster, Richard Davis and Elvin Jones playing Shiny Stockings (from Heavy Sounds). I played it for some students this week and was reminded how MF great it is. Frank's beautiful solo, Richard Davis' tasty playing (especially the chorus where all three are blowing) and maybe the best part, Elvin's brush work. He plays a fill on the outchorus that is so incredibly hip I just crack up every time I hear it. That tune is the highlight of the whole side IMHO.

Welcome back, wes!

Fortunately my stash is in an entirely different location than my Mosaics.

I would like a big pull off that right about now.

I saw this thread and almost went for it, then checked and realized I already bought it. You must play it a lot. It's still in the shrink wrap! And I'm an Art Pepper fan! Seriously, I expect I'll be spending a lot less on buying this year and catch up on what I already have. So STFU and go back to the classical thread!