Dan Gould

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!

I got this in today's mail. Its not a burner but its real nice. Good to hear Stanley T. with an organ! Good to hear Stan The Man, period!

Well, the Groove's listing certainly implied it. I did get the shipping confirmation so I'll have details next week. Had no idea Blueitt started out in a soul-jazz organ outfit.

I'd like to see this one naked but I don't think that's the kind of naked you're referring to.

This is tremendous work, John, but can't you get Lou to pass the sammitch?

All "newbies" to the Blindfold Test fun are invited to check this thread: http://www.organissimo.org/forum/index.php...=ST&f=21&t=5073

OK, here's the summary of Blindfold Procedures (Use or B-3er, can this be "pinned" please?: 1. As with the Album of the Week, the current chooser (or compiler, in this case) names the next test giver. 2. When that person is ready, he will solicit interested parties to give him their mailing particulars. 3. Members who are able to make burns may be asked to help in sending out burns so that the expense is shared, so please tell the compiler if you have a burner. This is particularly important outside the US where the mailing costs might get prohibitive. Fortunately we have had a number of fine individuals step up and help with European distribution. (And don't worry if you do not have a burner, "free riders" are allowed). 4. The compiler will probably stagger his mailing schedule so that his assistants and folks outside of the US will have their copies mailed early, so that hopefully most people will get the blindfold test relatively simultaneously. 5. A new thread will be posted-"Blindfold Test #___ Discussion" where everyone should post their guesses/impressions/comments. This thread may be started by any participant. 6. After a certain period by which most people have had an opportunity to post their guesses, or the discussion of the tracks has exhausted itself, the compiler will post a new thread-"Blindfold Test #____ Answers and Further Discussion". 7. The compiler will choose the next compiler and round and round we go.

HEY! Y'all have missed the obvious LD cover! You need to animate the "Here 'Tis" cover so that Lou actually hands off that "sammitch" to the guy as he strolls across the cover!

This, to me, tells me that its still going to be a killer, Jim's protestations notwithstanding. I mean, shorn of expected context, what are we supposed to go by? Are we to expect a twist on the Getz bruhaha by hearing the Getz sound in a super funky context? Not to say I am complaining, in fact I am looking forward to Jim's multi-disc set, but this half of the theme "People You Probably Know In A Way You Might Not Expect" sounds extremely difficult for my ears and "people you might not know but might want to" is hard by design. But still, bring it on!

Just placed an order for a weird one from The Groove, somehow I doubt I'll land it, but it caught my eye: Leo's Five -- Spider Burks Presents Leo's Five . . . LP . . . $22.99 (Item: 11424) LG Records, Early 60's Condition: Very Good- View Cart Fairly obscure record of an excellent little small combo that made its name in East St. Louis in the early part of the 60's. The group was managed and fronted by Leo Gooden, a club owner and singer in the city at the time, who sings on a number of the tracks on the LP. His style's sort of that deep baritoned male jazz style that was popular at the time, and isn't that special, but the real treat on here are the instrumental tracks on the LP, which have a good lounge jazz feel, and a nice relaxed vibe. Lots of these are original, with titles like "Tippin", "Cookin' With Chezie Mae", "Minor Over Matter", and "Mop Water". The band also includes slightly famous members Fred Jackson and Hammett Bluett, and features a strong sax/organ lineup. Anyone heard of this?

It's also out on the Who's Who in Jazz label, CD-21022, under the title Sonny, Sweets & Jaws; and strangely enough, the titles are Lady Be Good, What's New, There is No Greater Love, The Chief, Can't Get Started and Lester Leaps In. So I guess you need at least both releases to get all of the material ...