ghost of miles

One of my faves--hard to track down--is TRIBUTE TO THE LADY, aka SINGS THE BILLIE HOLIDAY STORY. Pretty sure it was one of the earliest Holiday tributes to come out, even before Johnny Griffin's WHITE GARDENIA (well, I guess Webster Young's FOR LADY beats them all, being released two years before Holiday died). NIGHT BEAT and LIVE AT THE HARLEM SQUARE are others I play quite a lot, now available as part of the 4-CD RCA Cooke box (THE MAN WHO INVENTED SOUL, which also contains several songs from the Holiday record). I know we've been panicking a lot about Fantasy lately, but it's likely they'll keep their 3-CD Cooke/Soul Stirrers box in print.

I've been a fan of Allen's ever since Joe Milazzo hipped me to THAT DEVILIN' TUNE, and I'd also recommend his book AMERICAN POP FROM MINSTREL TO MOJO: ON RECORD 1893-1956 (available from Cadence Books). With luck, we'll soon be reading his book on 1950s jazz, which seems like a natural for this board... a warm welcome for Mr. Lowe!

Looking forward to reading Peter Guralnick's bio when it eventually comes out.

When placing an order fairly recently, I asked Scott about an upcoming set that hadn't yet been announced. He told me about it and asked me how I knew it was forthcoming...I mentioned this board and he replied with a knowing 'ahhh yesss...' So, although I don't know how frequently they lurk here, my impression is that they are familiar, at least, with the board. So, MC or SW, if you're listening..'thank you thank you thank you thank you for the Columbia Small group set!!! I usually place orders through Fred Pustay, and I know that he's certainly aware of the board--probably in part because of the Mosaic forum here, and partly because the board seems to have developed a strong underground reputation. Lots of great news about the forthcoming titles, that's for sure. Any word on the Johnny Richards Select? Later next year, I'm assuming? I'm really excited about the Andrew Hill, as I had the impression that we wouldn't see that till next autumn or winter.

Although hearing the 1945 Parker-Gillespie Town Hall concert nearly inspired me to.

Groan.... too much SEVEN STEPS TO HEAVEN box-set... never again... It was a wonderful day, and seeing this thread yesterday afternoon made it even more wonderful. Many, many thanks for the kind remarks... and while it's true that I have eaten chicken in Chuck's house, it is not true that I once did the Funky Chicken in his basement.

A joyous one to you, Dmitry... and the sprightly age of 34 is still far from having to feel as if you're getting a little long in the tooth. (Supply audience groans here.)

Recovery?! Screw that.

I'm a fan of these artists as well and interviewed Frank Kimbrough for a couple of programs this past autumn--one devoted to his new album, and another on the Herbie Nichols Project for Night Lights. You can listen to the HNP program here (the "listen to program" tab will take you to the Archives, where it's listed under "Herbie Nichols" for 9/25/2004). Palmetto is to be commended for what they've done in the past few years. The artists on that label seem very happy to be there.

More compliments from the man who sat next to you--and thanks again for saving us those seats!

Ramsey Lewis, SOUND OF CHRISTMAS. The Kenny Burrell, which was just reissued last year, I think, is also quite good, as other posters mentioned. I also like his version of "A Child Is Born" that appears on his CTI record GOD BLESS THE CHILD. And yes, that Uptown CD is a worthy pickup.

Here in southern Indiana yesterday, a woman stuck in traffic got out of her vehicle and started shooting into the minivan directly behind her. The woman in the minivan ran away and fortunately was shot only in the buttocks. No reason ascertained yet as to why the incident occurred... Happy holidays!

Teddy Charles is on tap for sometime next year. I'm very committed to playing this kind of material--and I think garth is the DJ I was trying to remember elsewhere who had mentioned playing this music as well. I used to work it into my mixes at my old WFHB show quite a lot, and had a similarly positive response. We just had a caller the other day saying very nice things about the Mingus/Carisi "Jazz Workshops Pt. 2" show... and one of the things he said was that you hardly ever hear this music on the radio. Sadly true. Allen, I'll buy your 1950s book right out of the gate--I've been eager to read it ever since learning of it in the author bio for THAT DEVILIN' TUNE.

I think you should, Ed. Costa's arrangements are much better on disc 3 (IMO) and Fred Norman returns on disc 4 (which has BACK TO THE BLUES & other similar material), and I'm enjoying this set more & more as I go along & re-listen to each disc. I didn't even realize that Kenny Burrell & Illinois Jacquet put in appearances as well.

EKE BBB, you are absolutely right. When I looked at the notes, I missed Purtill's replacing Spangler on the June 2, 1939 session, and staying at the drum chair thereafter. My mistake.

The arrangement was by Eddie Durham (if it is indeed the Aug. 1, 1939 recording). Here are Loren Schoenberg's notes for it and the preceding track, "Glen Island Special":

Jim, if it's the Aug. 1939 recording, it's Maurice Purtill (thanks to EKE BBB for correction). I have it on a Miller CD that Berigan hipped me to--THE SPIRIT IS WILLING, a nice collection of Miller's jazzier sides. Now, here's an odd coincidence--after I read your post, I went hunting for that CD, which I was pretty sure had the song in question. It was in a huge stack of CDs on top of my left speaker--the stack of "listened to a couple of times, liked 'em and want to listen to them again before filing" CDs. It was right beneath--ta da!--Quartet Out's WELCOME TO THE PARTY.

Got it last week and have listened to the first two discs. I tend to like the Sigler-Norman material on Disc 1 better than the Don Costa sides, which do get a bit wearisome at times... but in general, Dinah's singing is very good and the song selection is also pleasing. I actually enjoy the contrast of her voice with strings... Hoping to listen to discs 3 & 4 tonight.

I believe they're coming out on Dec. 22, and that Mr. Tanno will be carrying them at Early Records. I'll be saving my pennies, given what's happening to the dollar.

My favorite from the "early" period is SLEEPER (particularly the scene where Woody, disguising himself as a robot-servant, won't let go of the "orb" and also has to fend off a gigantic jello that's attacking him--also Rex the robotic dog--"Hello! I'm Rex! Woof, woof!"), MANHATTAN from the middle period, and either CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS or MANHATTAN MURDER MYSTERY from the later films. (Haven't seen many of the recent ones.) A friend of mine and I all but worshipped the three books--WITHOUT FEATHERS, SIDE EFFECTS, and GETTING EVEN--when we were in high school. Used to quote them all the time to each other. "Remembering Needleman" was a particular favorite, as were the ballet descriptions.

Not so amazing... I just went to the Jump the Shark site, and "Scrappy" wins in a landslide: Etc., etc.

They jumped the shark with Scrappy.

I couldn't agree more. Before I saw this post, I (not having anything better to do) was looking at AAJ and saw that Heaney thread and the self righteous attitude of the administrators. I was pretty disgusted at their attitude. What ever happened to free speech and lively discussion. I let them know it (it'll probably be deleted). They justify everything on the basis that "we have to grow AAJ." I have no goddamn idea what that means. Are they a corporation where they have to increase the profits. Sounds like Human Resources-speak to me. The whole tone, look and approach seems very stilted, even what they call forums ("Talk Jazz"). In a way it's condescending. The ironic thing is--and I say this with admiration for what AAJ has done elsewhere on their board--that the current forum attitude is precisely what is discouraging growth at AAJ. IMHO, of course.

BTW, some interesting picture stills on Albert's site from a recently restored film of the Goldkette band on tour in 1926. I think my favorite is the one of Bix and the person in a monkey suit: