Dan Gould

I could be wrong, but I thought that Peter Crawford of Stateside Distributors has the Timeless catalog. And I know Stateside is the distributor of Steeplechase, though I guess CD Universe could beat him on price. Stateside Distributors-1004 N. California. Chicago, IL 60622-3408 Attn: Pete Crawford. Phone toll-free 1-888-776-0436 or e-mail stateside@prodigy.net

Personally, I really prefer to get up when I'm halfway through and change the side.

Wait a minute, now I get it. You're referencing what your Mom would choose for your initiation, not her own, right?

Well, definitely one of those stories that deserves to live on! Personally, I think #2 sounds more likely, but who really knows. The story in its broad terms certainly fits a certain stereotype about MTV "newspeople".

Aggie, I've never known if this is a true story or not, but my understanding was always that Soren did not embarass herself during the interview but rather, afterwards, she screamed to her assistant, "who the hell is the loneliest monk?" If you actually saw that interview and heard that exchange as you remember it, that's the first time I've heard it described that way.

Works for me!!

What Chuck said.

Thanks for the offer, Chuck. I'm pretty sure that Eddie will do the introductions, since I think he enjoyed the interview himself and on top of that, I plan to butter him up by offering him my recently acquired copy of one of his very earliest LPs, something Eddie didn't even remember being involved with when he put together his discography.

Well, I asked Roush and he said that Weinstock would be a little out of their scope since they concentrate on musicians not producers, but if he gave a lot of first person stories about artists and sessions, sure. Otherwise, he'd prefer Ira Sullivan, and I'm hoping that my "in" with Higgins can net me an introduction. Of course, no one said that a Weinstock interview has to go to Cadence, so ...

Here in south Florida there are at least 5 or 6 "Jazz Societies" which try to attract corporate sponsorship, state grants, and member dues to bring in an assortment of jazz artists, mostly during the "season"-October/November through April or so. The concert venues are typically small theaters which work quite well. But I would say that the problem isn't the size of the audience but the age. My wife and I are in our mid-30s and we are always amongst the 10 or twenty youngest people in attendance, and that's including the teenagers who usually appear to have been dragged to the concert by their folks. But for me, its the Jazz Society concerts that get my attention and my cash. There are a handful of active clubs but their music policies aren't exactly strict about defining "jazz" and I inevitably find the level of conversation and disrespect to be too much to tolerate. At least with the jazz society concerts, the blue hairs are there to listen-and me and my wife are still agile enough to get around them and out the door when the concert ends!

As some already know, I had a wonderful opportunity last May to interview pianist Eddie Higgins. Well, the word just came down-Cadence Magazine wants to publish it!!!! No word on publishing date and I bet it will take a while since they only publish monthly and probably have quite a backlog, but watch this space for announcements!

I'm listening to Alligator Boogaloo right now, and I totally agree with Lon! B)

Thanks-I'm sending my check off as I type. FWIW, Marc also told me that he's got a new Tardo Hammer session in the can which he thinks is his best to date, plus what promises to be a killer date, Jim Rotondi is the leader with alto ace Jesse Davis and a rhythm section of Hazeltine, Drummond and Farnsworth. Can't wait for that one!

Happy Birthday, Weizy!

Happy Birthday, Conn!

I'm all over that! Is there a release date set?

For me, McDonalds, Burger King and the rest might add up to twenty times a decade.

I still haven't picked this one up since I have had all of the material in one form or another. In Memory Of and Mr. Natural were "Rainbow" issues of the late 70s and Another Story is a Liberty-era set that's kind of an oddball for the time since he usually recorded with an organ or a big band at that time and this is a quintet date with Thad Jones and Cedar Walton. All three have never been out on CD anywhere, I believe. I'm sure the set is great, I've just hesitated to put out the $$ because the music's not "new" to me, though I'd like to hear a nice transfer of the vinyl-only dates.

Looks like you could use a few hours working out with a rake to me. Uh, Chuck, I think you're talking about Johnny. He's the one who's the self-described "fat fuck". Nah, I saw your pic with B3-er and company. I was going by that. You must be one of those "never miss an opportunity to burn fossil fuels" guys. Jet skis, snowmobiles, leafblowers, etc. Scourge of the earth. Well, Chuck, you got me there, so far as the picture goes (and I thought it wasn't as bad as it could have been!) But you're also entirely wrong otherwise. Never used a jetski, snowmobile, nor have I used a leaf blower since about 1990. And for the record, I drive a Honda Civic-no SUV for this "never miss an opportunity to burn fossil fuels" guy. And as Paul points out, leaf blowers are actually pretty damn heavy to push around a yard for a couple of hours. Hardly a total labor saving device anyway.

Looks like you could use a few hours working out with a rake to me. Uh, Chuck, I think you're talking about Johnny. He's the one who's the self-described "fat fuck".

Interesting. SS's citation isn't the album I was thinking of. It's Herb Ellis' first full set as a leader since leaving the Concord label (where he had been during 1973-88) finds him in inspired form. The veteran guitarist is heard in a trio with the recently rediscovered organist Mel Rhyne and drummer Jake Hanna plus guest violinist Johnny Frigo and Jay Thomas on tenor and flugelhorn. A fire seemed to have been lit under Ellis for he plays on the well-rounded program with much more passion than he had on most of his later Concord albums. This CD is highlighted by "Just Blue," "Limehouse Blues," "Sugar Hill Stomp," and "Detour Ahead" but all 11 selections are worth hearing. Recommended. -- Scott Yanow I just picked up another Herb Ellis' disc on Justice, Down Home and for the heck of it, checked AMG and saw this one and since I dig Mel Rhyne, I decided to order this one used for $4, and I started to wonder about organ/violin combinations.

Brian Lynch Quartet, Fuchsia/Red (Cellar Live, http://www.cellarlive.com ) I'd heard about the Charles McPherson CD on this label but when I heard they had an upcoming release from Brian Lynch I decided to wait and order both at one time. I knew that he'd recorded with a Fender Rhodes but not being the kneejerk reactionary hardbop is ( ) I figured I'd give it a shot. Can't say as I love it, but as I listened I have to say that it had me thinking that this might be close to what Mogie might have done, had he lived. I mean, Brian's always had a lot of Morgan in his playing, and the Rhodes gives it that 70s feel, so it might appeal to people on that basis. Generally, my reaction is that I am at best ambivalent about the accompaniment-I tended to zone out whenever Lynch wasn't playing but when Brian came back in, more often then not it snapped me back into what was going on. Part of the problem might be the long tunes-10 to 15 minutes each, which with the lack of clear structure have a way of noodling off into nothing much. But I still dig Brian's playing and recommend it on that basis, and those of you who dig the Fender will probably dig this one more than I did.

Well, to answer my own question, it has, but its a combination that really surprises me and I'm wondering if anyone can name a jazz date with both an organist and a violinist. I'll pop back with the one that I found later.

All I know is, when I lived at home and had to rake in the fall, I hated it and it took forever to get done. Then I started working at a Party/Equipment rental company and was able to grab a leaf blower to take home and I loved them. I could do the two biggest sections of lawn in no time at all .... of course, the important difference is that no one lived within about 1000 feet of our yard, so no one had the problem Jim is rightfully complaining about. I guess your options are to find another career or move deeper into the boonies!

Anyone familiar with his King Records release, A New Sound, which featured Groove Holmes and Joe Pass? Thanks!