Rabshakeh

What an interesting concept.

What a great thread this is.

Visually. Ugly artwork on piss-yellow background. Thanks!

Repulsive cover. How's the music?

I'd be interested to know about those records id you recall.

I love this record. Those Verve recordings really were incredible. Such a mood, but then the trombone tone excels even that.

Warsaw Stompers – New Orleans Stomper Some Polish dixieland. I was listening to that one yesterday.

I guess there was a Caesar's Palace record after all, even if it wasn't quite the 'Vegas musicians' own scene' thing that I was getting at.

On a slightly separate note, you would think that the big bands there would have tried to record. It would have been good publicity, if nothing else: Nestor Snodgrass and the Caesar's Palace Centurions!!!!!! The Biggest Band in Vegas Plays the Hits!!!!!! (RCA, 1958)

I wish I could remember the names of the individuals who went to Vegas who led me to start this thread. I'd come across two quite recently.

Las Vegas was presumably comparatively important to a jazz (or jazz adjacent pop) musician trying to get by during the lean years, equivalent to other drop-out-of-the-game contexts like the studios a few years earlier, or rock session musician work. Nonetheless, it strikes me that very few musicians were able to pick up a jazz career around or after working in Las Vegas, and there were very few records that have emerged from their experience of playing in Las Vegas. In the other contexts mentioned above, musicians collecting their paycheck seem to have fraternised and played together. There are occasional records and groups that emerged (Steps on the East Coast probably being the biggest one, but there were plenty of examples of LA musicians cutting records with studio colleagues). But Vegas seems to have given rise to very little. You'd think that different casino's orchestras might have cut the occasional record playing jazz charts to show their firepower, or that there'd have been after hours jam sessions by frustrated horn section players. But overall, it just seems like a dead zone. Despite the fact that there were a number of well drilled groups playing there at one time it is hard to name even a single player who was part of the scene (although I have read a few Wikipedia entries that mention players ending up there). Interested in forum members' views.

Spring Heel Jack • The Blue Series Continuum – Masses I re-listened to Amassed not too long ago and came to the conclusion that it had aged badly, although the fact is that I probably always enjoyed this one more at the time. Relistening now, following a summer spent partly listening to all kinds of terrible 'nu jazz ' and 'jazztronica', I am struck by how un-dated it sounds. What an incredible line up it was. Just a solid gold jazz record.

I agree. I remember having two ideas about jazz as a kid (both stupid in retrospect): the Fast show 'Jazz Club' guy (not sure whether he got to the US but this was a major blocker for younger jazz fans in the UK in the 1990s); and the image of Sinatra / Bennett and Co singing to their aging audiences. Both were strong turn offs.

I don't know him. With what album would you start?

I bought it there. It is definitely an OTO book... Really enjoying it though.

Currently really enjoying Nathaniel Mackey's Fro a Broken Bottle Traces of Perfume Still Emanate. Not sure whether this is a "jazz book" or not.

Great. Sent a donation now. What's the current balance of what is still needed for the year?

Are you still receiving them? I've been holding off this year pending confirmation but will donate if it is still working. How much is needed for this year?

What's this one? An arresting cover.

I do love that blog.

I remember the first time I listened to thus. I was expecting George Duke or Azymuth. It's actually a surprisingly heavy electric jazz record.

That's basically it. That and the diction. I had Seven Son stuck in my head though today, so maybe it's percolating through Thanks, and I'll give these a try

I'm a long term Mode Allison sceptic, but I am prepared to change my ways. What LPs (not comps) would forum members most recommend of his?

I never doubted.

Now one: