JazzRules

I did look into the MOTU 828 and the new MOTU Traveler. THe Yamaha was half the price of either, 828 going for $750 and the Traveler for $850. I think I read somewhere that MOTU's warranty was only 90 days? Anyway, the Yamaha looked pretty good for $400. When introduced last year, its list was $1300, street price around $800. Should be a good one, better than the old 20 bit Echo Gina I had been using since 1998.

"Overlooked"? Gibson, Heritage and others made "Johnny Smith" model guitars, if that's an indication.

Ah yes, my old guitar teacher's teacher. LIved up in Vermont as I recall?

Kind of a big "if" on a jazz board, Dan. Is it possible for a jazz fan not to "dig him"? Hard to fathom as he seems to be "it" these days. The man has everthing, chops, soul, technique beyond belief, super fat tone, timing, and a really likable style. ← Ask Jsngry - I think its fair to say that he admires the man's technical skill but hears nothing that he hasn't heard before, and done better, by EA's influences. And I'd dare say there are others here who have not leaped on the Eric Alexander bandwagon. Thus, the conditional clause in my post. ← Sounds like late 50s, early 60s "golden age" jazz to me. I rather liked that period. The man makes great music in that vein, IM"H"O. Sure beats most of the "alternatives" these days.

Kind of a big "if" on a jazz board, Dan. Is it possible for a jazz fan not to "dig him"? Hard to fathom as he seems to be "it" these days. The man has everthing, chops, soul, technique beyond belief, super fat tone, timing, and a really likable style. ← Ask Jsngry - I think its fair to say that he admires the man's technical skill but hears nothing that he hasn't heard before, and done better, by EA's influences. And I'd dare say there are others here who have not leaped on the Eric Alexander bandwagon. Thus, the conditional clause in my post. ← ← Let me guess. You're one of "those people", who interprets honks, squeals and the "atonality banality" as "innovative" and "original"? As you might have guessed, I'd take Dexter Gordan over Mr Braxton, Mr Whitecage, Mr Moronette and latter day Mr Coltrane. That's just me however. In Eric Alexander, I hear early Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, 'Bird, Hawkins and some Brecker. That aint bad at all. PS Nobody is original.

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/Conten...ID%253D,00.html Sure looks like a nice unit anyway. The price has dropped dramatically, now $399 everywhere. Sure it only does 96 KHz 24 bit, who cares? 192 chews up twice as much disk space.

Good luck with your first archtop. I've got 3. Started off with an Ibanez GB-10 (Japan), got a Gibson ES175, then got the beauty to the left of the screen, a Gibson Super V CES (L5 with Super400 neck). It's not fair that jazz instruments cost so damn much, when the rewards are pitiful compared to rock and ©rap charlatans. Be it a Selmer Tenor Sax, a B3, a Steinway, an archtop like the venerable Gibson L5........, jazz instruments cost big $$$. Side note: I've had alot of good luck recording archtop guitar with a Boogie Formula preamp. Nice mix of a tube front end (in full stereo with a stereo effects processor) and digital recording backend. Also does well for jazz-rock fusion as well, great for Carlton-Ford-Ritenour-Santana type stuff.

Sometimes that can be a great idea. I bought a PRS Custom 24 from a dealer in Texas. Got a great deal on a beautiful guitar, that had been in its case since the dealer took delivery. In other words, NOT LEFT ON A RACK TO BE SUBJECTED TO 15 YEAR OLDS! Let's face it, the average American listens to loud obnoxious hogwash, or whatever the marketeers feel like manipulating them with. Tale ©rap "music" for instance. If you told someone 20 years ago that a form of "music" the features no singers or musicians would be the most popular in 2005, what would that someone have thought?

Kind of a big "if" on a jazz board, Dan. Is it possible for a jazz fan not to "dig him"? Hard to fathom as he seems to be "it" these days. The man has everthing, chops, soul, technique beyond belief, super fat tone, timing, and a really likable style.

with Brad Mehldau and Joshua Redman, how could one go wrong? Well, he didn't. Excellent CD, some strange intros to some tunes to be sure. Man, once the band gets going, look out. Rosenwinkel's chops are just as good as it gets today. Just remarkable. I highly recommend this CD!

Damn, didn't see it at Amoeba Records. The guy is quickly becoming my favorite living sax player. Sure puts together some excellent "bands" too. Must be nice to have buddies like Bernstein and Goldings :}

Wynton Kelly, Jimmy Smith, McCoy Tyner. Can't forget Kenny Burrell, Bucky Pizzarelli and a certain Mr Gilberto either.

Kind of a subdued "tribute" concert, as Jimmy had passed away 2 weeks before. Joey was fantastic, as well as Byron Landham on drums and Jake Longley on guitar. Great show. James Moody joined in half way thru, and Bill Cosby made his first appearance at Yoshi's. Philly was well represented that night, even without Norristown PA born Jimmy Smith.

Part of what makes him great. He sounds like himself! I USED to think that way, but not anymore. I've been listening to Metheny since 1975. I've seen him several times in concert during those 30 years. He used to be at the forefront of modern jazz. His significance has taken a rather large downfall over the last 10 years or so. There's a reason why true straight ahead players like Kenny Burrell, Jimmy Bruno, Peter Bernstein, Jack Wilkens, Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, (damn lazy pop-star) George Benson....... sound so good. Because they are straight ahead jazz guitarists. BTW, "fusion" genius Kurt Rosenwinkel is a fabulous straight ahead jazz guitarIST, as heard on his CD "Intuit". Implicit in the reference is that I believe him to be a far superior straight ahead player than "fusion" genius Pat Metheny.

I used to like him, haven't liked much since the mid 1990s. Most of the Pat Metheny Group tunes sound like film score music now, not like the harddriving Brazilian beats of yesteryear. His Trio CD of a few years back demonstrated some fantastic chops, but the music didn't "move" me, I'm not wild about trios anyway. I'm not always wild with Metheny's attempts at playing pure straight ahead jazz. It always sounds like him playing that way, not how a "typical" jazz guitarist might go about things. Well, here's to hoping Metheny will make a return to making some hopping jazz-fusion, like he and Lyle Mays used to. The world could use some good music about now. Think I heard sometime today Britney Spears will be named "artist of the year". Well, I'm glad they won't be annointing her "singer of the year" :}

I saw him a few times with Metheny. Joisey guy if memory serves. Far too young.

I think Joshua Redman share the same faith. As for me, I enjoy Eric's playing, his fire and his mastery of the axe. I don't feel that his technical ability hampers his way of expressing himself. In any case, one can easily hear his advancement over the years. I think he's beginning to find his own voice. I'll be looking for his next release. Redman is a fine player too, another who seems to just get better year after year. Straight ahead sax is an incredible artform, no contrieved dissonance needed.

I can see he's been pretty busy of late. Wow. I guess the word is out. He can appear on my next CD anytime he wants.

He's pretty good, seriously. They're marketing in the "smooth" vein though.

Jon you noticed! Well I guess I have to be somewhere..........

Wow, can't say I've ever seen it in NYC or SF. News to me. Since I have so many Wes CDs, I tend to take a cavalier attitude when I see those long bins of Wes CDs. Maybe there's something new in there I aint got???? Oh the bands and folks Wes could have played with. Guess we'll have to "settle" for Wynton Kelly and Jimmy Smith, yuks.

I think I heard something new on 91.1 in SF. Absolutely fabulous. This guy just keeps getting better and better and better..........

OH really? A few years back alot of people were raving about Stephen Scott the same way. As 4 me and "newer pianists", I'll go with Calderazzo, the next, real McCoy.

Some good artists, but not as impressive as I've seen: http://www.montereyjazzfestival.org/artists/index.htm Herbie Hancock and his Quartet looks to be the star attraction. I also saw a picture of McLaughlin playing an archtop, which is rare these days.

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