GA Russell

Well this is interesting. For this 2-CD set, CD Universe says: List Price $19.98; Their Price $16.89; Pre-Order Price $13.99. For the K2 Monk's Music that Chuck is recommending, CDU says their price is $13.49. So for the next month, you get the 2-CD stereo mix for 50 cents more than the single CD Chuck recommends. CDU is also selling the "remastered" (K2?) Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane for the same $13.49. So even if everyone agrees with Chuck that the mono mix is better than the stereo, the K2 price for the music is $26.98 versus $13.99 for this new set with the two bonus alternate takes.

Found it. http://www.organissimo.org/forum/index.php...c=26506&hl=Monk

I think it was Tranemonk who started a thread about this, but I couldn't find it, so I'm starting another. I received the following email press release from Concord/Fantasy today. You will note that it will be a 2-CD set taken from four sessions, with two previously unissued alternate takes. Pianist/composer THELONIOUS MONK and tenor saxophonist JOHN COLTRANE--genius mentor and budding genius--joined forces in a fabled Monk-led quartet that worked steadily at New York's Five Spot Café for a five-month period, between July and December 1957. And in the spring and summer of that year, they met in the recording studio on four occasions for the Riverside label, with producer Orrin Keepnews and a varying supporting cast. The results of those sessions, which comprise the sum total of the music Monk and Coltrane created together in a recording-studio setting, have been collected in a new 2-CD Riverside set aptly titled The Complete 1957 Riverside Recordings. Due for release June 27, the package was compiled by original producer Keepnews, who also wrote a revealing essay about the making of the music. Two previously unissued alternate takes--"Crepuscule with Nellie," from the June 25 septet date with Coleman Hawkins and Art Blakey; and take 1 of the 19th-century William Monk-penned hymn "Abide with Me," recorded the following evening--are included, as is the first stereo release of "Blues for Tomorrow," which was previously issued only in mono. http://concordmusicgroup.com/artists/album/?id=4335 Sequenced chronologically, the set commences with the ballad "Monk's Mood," with Coltrane and bassist Wilbur Ware, recorded in April 1957 for the otherwise-solo album Thelonious Himself. On two late-June evenings, Keepnews assembled a Monk septet (with trumpeter Ray Copeland and alto saxist Gigi Gryce in addition to Coltrane, Hawkins, Ware, and Blakey) that produced the classic Monk's Music album. The final session took place in July, with Monk, Coltrane, Ware, and drummer Shadow Wilson--the original Five Spot quartet--cutting three tracks ("Ruby, My Dear," "Nutty," "Trinkle, Tinkle"). In his notes, Keepnews explains how it happened that the group was never captured live during their extended Five Spot engagement: Coltrane had just been signed to a Prestige contract, and though Prestige's Bob Weinstock would have permitted reciprocal use of his artist to Riverside, former Prestige artist Monk--who'd had a less than amicable parting with the label--would have none of it. At the time of the July session, the quartet had just begun their Five Spot run, the impact of which Keepnews describes as "unexpected and amazing. Somehow," he writes, "Coltrane, now becoming thoroughly compatible with (and actually enhancing) the Monk idiom, was reaching listeners in a way he had never previously achieved with Miles Davis. What I found most impressive was how immediately jazz fans with a sense of history were making comparisons to an event a quarter-century earlier, when the major New Orleans cornetist of that era had summoned his protege--twenty-two-year-old Louis Armstrong--to join his band at a club in Chicago. (To extend that parallel further, both Armstrong and Coltrane remained with their mentors for something less than half a year, but both pairings are probably permanently ranked among the most meaningful collaborations in the history of jazz.)" ============ In another nod to history, the cover image--Monk and Coltrane on a postage stamp--recalls the postage-stamp likeness of Monk that appeared on his Unique album. Riverside publicist Billie Wallington famously had perforated sheets of the "stamps" created and distributed, and, to the chagrin of the U.S. Postal Service, some of these pseudo-stamps, when affixed to letters, managed to get at least a few of those letters delivered. 6/24 edit title and subtitle 7/15 edit subtitle

Happy Belated!

Four is Disc 2, Track 8. Mind is Disc 2, Track 5.

She was named Cabaret Artist of the Year in New York in the early 90s. I bought one of her albums, Beautiful Baby. I remember when she died. I read the obit in the Baltimore Sun while visiting my mother, I guess for Christmas. Her dying wish was to get married, so her boyfriend married her I think in the morning, in the hospital, and she died that afternoon. That's how I remember the story. Nancy LaMott was about as wholesome as they come, artistically speaking. My sister loves her. It wouldn't hurt your collection if you added one of hers to it, but I don't consider her jazz. She's cabaret.

Thanks for posting that 7/4!

Now I'd like to say a few words about the bonus disk. I was really psyched to hear it. As I suggested above, I would have paid $14.99 for it. But now that I have heard it, I am disappointed. I suppose that those of us who are not collectors of bootlegs need to be reminded that not every discovered tape is of the quality of Monk with Coltrane at Carnegie Hall. I am more positive about the three main disks than Chuck is, because of the recorded order presentation. But I am apparently more negative about the bonus disk than Ed Rhoades is, because of the sound. Thanks for that informative post Ed! To continue the scenario mentioned above, having heard the music, if all four disks were sold separately listed at $17.99 and discounted on the internet to $14.99, I would spend the $14.99 for the three main disks, but I wouldn't buy the bonus disk. Three times $14.99 is $44.97, which is more than the price of the box, so it's still a good deal. I can imagine that those of you who are completists and Trane fanatics would choose to buy the bonus disk and be satisfied, but for most people I don't think the bonus disk cuts the mustard. All of the music is good, but I don't think that any of it is as good as that of the five albums. Maybe Prestige caught lightning in a bottle three times at the three recording sessions. But let's look at the sound. Here's the track list: Max and Mind were performed on The Tonight Show November 17, 1955, the day following the first Prestige session. (Speaking of which, I'm really digging that session now more than ever.) The fidelity of both sounds like 1940s era. Mind sounds like the tape was improperly stored over the years, and shouldn't have been included, except for curiosity's sake. Tune Up and the first Walkin' were performed at a Philly club and caught by a radio show called Bandstand USA on December 8, 1956, six weeks after the final Prestige date. The sound is muffled throughout, but passable. Paul Chambers' Walkin' bass solo suffers from some strong overmodulation. The remaining four tunes were performed May 17, 1958 (48 years ago tonight!) at the Cafe Bohemia, also for Bandstand USA. On all of them, Miles' trumpet is overmodulated. This is particularly annoying during Blackbird because of Miles' use of the mute. As Ed mentioned, Bill Evans has replaced Red Garland for the '58 date. Evans is unrecognizable, playing much funkier on Blackbird and the second Walkin' than anything I've heard of his Riverside recordings. Two Bass Hit is only 53 seconds long before the quick fade out, too short to make a contribution. The disc is 39 minutes, including 4 minutes of Steve Allen introductions. Judging from the many comments about Mosaic boxes, Miles boxes and the Monk with Coltrane at Carnegie Hall disk, there are many of you who value the book. I agree that a good book makes a box set more special, but I don't place the premium on it that many of you do. In this case, the book is an enjoyable read. Much of it is in the style of Ira Gitler liner notes, and the comments on the bonus disk are informative. I would pay the price of a magazine for the book, not much more. In sum, I'm really, really glad to have this box. But I don't expect to listen to the bonus disk very often. edit for typo

Running low - John Coltrane Plays for Lovers It looks like they are getting out of the Fantasy business! I plan to order this one next payday.

Chaney, as stated above, CDU had set their regular price at $48.29. I see that has been changed. I agree with you that pre-ordering to save 16 cents doesn't make much sense, unless you're really hot to trot for an album.

Jim, I had a problem twice yesterday. I was unable to post using the apostrophe key. When I hit it, the later letters would be entered into the File Attachments space. Let's see now. Nope, now it's OK!

Tranemonk, the release date is May 23.

I have spent much of the day listening. Here is what I have found: I should start by saying that I assume that everyone has the five OJCs. I bought the five LPs years ago, and never got the material on CD. I listen to them occasionally, but I do not visit any of my LPs very often. I cannot speak too highly of the three CDs which encompass the five albums. Hearing the songs in recording order is like hearing the music for the first time. The 24 bit sound is terrific. The music sounds great on both my stereo system and my small Sony boombox. (I am not an audiophile. My system was pretty decent when I bought it, but that was years ago.) I will post about the bonus disk later. I do not want this post to run too long. Here is my recommendation: Suppose (as jlhoots wishes) the bonus disk with the eight new tracks were available separately and listed for $17.99, discounted to $14.99 on the internet. Would you spend $14.99 for what I think is fair to call historic music (it was a historic band) and transcriptions of five Miles solos? I imagine that many of us would. CD Universe has pegged its pre-order price at $41.99. Subtracting $14.99 from $41.99 leaves an even $27.00. Is it worth $27.00 to get all five albums in recorded order, sonically upgraded to 24 bit, with a 40-page book? To me, that is a no brainer. A great bargain. If these numbers make sense to you, I recommend that you pre-order the box.

I am a lucky guy. In my mail today arrived an advance copy. The first thing I have done is burn a copy of everything for the car. Now I am going to start listening. In regard to the bonus disc, the eight tracks are: Max is Making Wax aka Chance It It Never Entered My Mind Tune Up Walkin Four Bye Bye Blackbird Walkin (again) and Two Bass Hit Max and Mind are from Steve Allen and The Tonight Show. The others are apparently from radio broadcasts. I will have to read the liner notes to get the details.

3 CD Master Takes available from Your Music for $17.97: http://www.yourmusic.com/browse/album/Char...SCO_1582_ALBUMS

I have found a price lower than CD Universe's. It's at the Concord website. This surprises me, because it has been my experience that manufacturers offer their wares at list price, and leave it to the retailers to offer discounts. Yesterday I received the Concord Spring Sale Catalog. It has the box on sale for $44.98. And just below it, it says: Order online at www.concordcatalog.com and receive an additional 10% discount. Promo Code: CATALOG2006 The 10% discount would make the price $39.99. Also, order $100 or more (tax and shipping not included) and get free shipping (ground service). Jim, maybe Concord will offer you a piece of the action for a direct link to their website. They have quite a few OJCs on sale for $8.98.

Yesterday I received the Concord Spring Sale Catalog. It says that on June 27 they will release "Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane, The Complete 1957 Riverside Recordings".

AK, here are the artists my database says I picked up from Wayside Music between 1980 and 1986. My recollection is that the vast majority were recorded between 1975 and 1979. Dom Um Romao The Lounge Lizards Stanley Cowell Soft Machine French TV Captain Beefheart Area Kit Watkins Gary Windo Mother Mallard's Portable Masterpiece Co. Happy the Man Cyrille Verdeaux Quiet Sun Francois Breant The Muffins Peka Pohjola Mike Oldfield Alain Markusfeld Elton Dean Quintet, Ninesense Maneige Neil Ardley Klaus Schulze Turning Point Annette Peacock Clearlight Chick Corea Robert Wyatt National Health Ben Mink Paul Bley Zytron Gowen, Miller, Sinclair, Tomkins Dean/Gallivan/Wheeler Terry Plumeri Ian Carr's Nucleus El Skid Vanessa Transit Express Allan Holdsworth Wigwam Dudu Pukwana Heldon Zao Terje Rypdal Khan Mirage Aquarelle Cecil Taylor Marc Hollander Nova Secret Oyster National Health Isotope Sam Rivers Kevin Ayers Patrick Forgas Cos Gryphon FM Jack Lancaster and Robin Lumley As I recall, all but a few exceptions cost $2.00 each.

AK, I'll make a note to go through my database tomorrow to give you a list. The violins that I remember right off the bat were Didier Lockwood and a Quebec band called Aquarelle.

Now available from eMusic here: http://www.emusic.com/album/10917/10917971.html Apparently you can listen to it all there.

I didn't know that Cryptogramophone records are available at eMusic. Randy, if you're going to download Penumbra, I also recommend that you download Jeff Gauthier's One and the Same. I really like it.

Thanks Chuck!

Looks like something for Your Music!

Anybody know what year the Kenton was issued? I prefer his 50s work. I picked up the Cannonball in college for $1.99. IMO, it's not that great.