AmirBagachelles

Shawn - Did I sell that to you? I thought whoever bought it from me was Virginia-based... It's a lot of Kirk, great music though. Dan

I am finally ready to get a small portable player and ditch CDs for plane travel. Is Apple my only option for a player that can handle compressed lossless files on the fly? I figure an 8MB flash player with roughly 10-12 discs loaded on it ought to be good for a week away. Thanks, Dan

I have really enjoyed some tasty Tzadik discs by Bailey, Leo Smith and most recently Ruins. I am sure I'll hear 2-3 more good things on Tzadik every year til I die. As for Ruins and one other New Japan series disc, I am also very hot on guitarist Uchihashi Kazuhisa. If you like Ruins, try these for sure: Ruins + Kazuhisa (FMN Sound Factory) and Improvisations, Kazuhisa w/ Yoshida Tatsuya (label?, avail at DMG and Aquarius in SF).

What is the speculation regarding Rhino's first project? I learned today that it will definitely not be the '73 Winterland box. I'm hoping for an uncirculated Evening With... from '70 with the early acoustic and late sets. I'm certain they don't make enough on these releases to license and include guest (e.g. NRPS) interludes, too bad. Also, can anybody recommend a good Phil Lesh and Friends set w/ Derek Trucks? Thanks, Dan

Most definitely Bruise (Bevan trio) w/ Derek Bailey. Totally under the rader this year. Amazing. And Dick's Picks 36. Over the top '72 Dead.

Got it folks, from an Amazon.com seller. Has anybody seen any good on-vinyl-only sessions on CDR? I would love to get some more old-radical Milford. Thanks, Dan

There is speculation that John Oswald is now prepping a 3-CD plunderphonics set w/ all sorts of quirky Godchaux-era embellishments layered onto heated jams from 68-70. Imagine knowing in Nov-79 that Keith's forehead hitting the keys would compel 3,500 Deadheads to shell out yet again for the classic '68 suite. Count me in. As Bob said on one hazy yet memorable occasion back then "If you see our bass player somewhere out there, won't you please send him home?"

If anyone has this for sale or trade, or knows where to look, thanks. Dan

The ECM website indicates that an 80 minute single disc anthology of OM's four fine ECM dates is coming. I think this was a great band, I wish I could have seen them (also says a reunion concert of the original quartet will be playing in Europe on June 10th.)

I think the fact or alleged fact that Vince tried to do himself in on the Ratdog tour bus was taken by Weir as an aggressive statement of disdain, indifference for the struggles (financial, community) ahead. And we should or could view Weir's decision to take Vince under Ratdog's wing in the first place as a show of faith. The lack of support in getting him medical help is inexcusable, but I wouldn't condemn their whole scene as too by that one uncompassionate act. What I take away is that the charismatic grip that Jerry had on thousands from a distance must have been potentially overpowering for some who knew him well. John Kahn also seemed similarly overcome with grief, and we know what a mess was wrought by JG's unstable family relationships. The guy was huge, personally and musically, and if the other band members seem frail by comparison, I guess that is not unexpected.

thanks for any help, Dan

Dave Holland and Derek Bailey, Improvisations for Cello and Guitar. As great as the ambient tones of this excellent duo come thru on vinyl, the static and dust on this old ECM really compete with Bailey's jabs. I need this to be on CD someday too. This is my favorite Bailey duo along with ORE (w/ Eddie Prevost).

Cash or ideas, thanks, Dan

I made my first visit to The Stone count, catching a fine set by Wadada Leo Smith and percussionist/pianist Tyshawn Sory on Saturday night. Only the first 20 minutes or so was spiky muscular playing by Leo, the rest pretty intense and spacy w/ some electronics and mostly muted in the 2nd half of the 70 minute set. Tyshawn was an excellent and lively foil. I loved it. Journey to the center of my lower east mind (he/it doesn't come out often.) And what a great devoted audience of maybe 50 people. Leo seems like a very gentle soul. Derek's widow Karen Brookman is a lovely woman, she is there this month and has a great stash of rare DB discs there for sale.

Wadada Leo Smith and Tyshawn Sory (percussion, piano), late set at The Stone. Thank you, Leo and Tyshawn.

I want so badly to get there, hopefully at least one set betw now and the end of the weekend. Has anybody anything to report? I just listened to the Ballads disc for the first time tonight, very cool. Soaking in Bailey and AMM constantly over the past month while riding the subway, my ears feel tuned up for an NYC Spring, that's for sure.

Did anybody get their Ictus set yet? Distributor said it was to be mailed a week ago USPS Priority from Calif. I think, nothing here yet in Brooklyn.

I am enjoying Elton Dean's Boundaries very much here on Saturday am. Still to go over the weekend: Endgame, Mal Waldron's The Call, and one each I have not heard from Globe Unity Orch and Rava. All overdue. Psyched!

Can anybody supply a burn of this? Please PM me if so, thanks, Dan

I think David Murray's BS records represent some of his best, and some of the label's best. Did anybody mention the pair of Mal Waldron discs w/ Woody Shaw?

I'll check at Norman's on my way home. And I'll pass thru one, possibly both Bay Area Ameoba's next wk.

The Board works and does not work in mysterious ways. What I had posted was that this title is tough to find, thus I would part with a minty fresh live half of Braxton 4tet Willisau '91, or some such scarce gem, in a trade. (Is the Willisau 4CD set scheduled for re-release? I got a used copy this wk for 28 bucks, sometimes a signal that somebody knows something.) Ridiculous for-cash offers for the Ogun title welcome as well. Thanks, Dan

I love this dazzling session too. Really top notch recording as well, I need to try it with the 'phones too.

I stopped in yesterday before closing time, never saw such a good batch there before, quite a few of the late 90s TOCJs and JRVG mini LPs (e.g. Something Else, Happenings, both perfect condition, $20). Also check the front window, and ask the clerk, I got the impression they were still processing the in-box.

I can remember being so pissed about noisy brand new LPs in the late 70s. Two things it really spurred for me was a willingness to copy to and listen from Dolby-ized cassettes, and a crazed quest for Japanese vinyl. I didn't really consider that European pressings could be better, though some of that mellow ECM sound on quiet vinyl was rather nice.