ghost of miles

Has that one circulated at all? I'll have to check Dahl's bio when I get home from work.

My pleasure, believe me! It's cool to have some brand-new (and good) yuletide recordings to spin on the air. Do you guys want me to mention their availability for download on the site?

Hey all, I'm sitting in for our weekday jazz DJ today from 3:30-5 p.m. and will be featuring at least three of the Organissimo holiday tracks, along with Shorty Roger's THE SWINGIN' NUTCRACKER... you can listen live on WFIU (12:30 on the West Coast, 2:30 Chicago time, 3:30 Michigan/New York). Still putting together the set-list, but "ChristmasTree" will probably lead off the show.

What do Pepper fans here think of the Village Vanguard sessions? I was thinking of them while reading Larry's piece on Bill Evans in his new book--in particular, his postscript analysis of the impact of cocaine on Evans' TURN OUT THE STARS dates, which I've always thought do indeed have the "feverish" or frantic air that Larry imparts to them. ("Brittle" is another word that comes to mind.) From what I've read, Pepper hardly slept during the VV stand as a result of his stimulant intake, and yet I don't hear a distorting impact on his music. Perhaps I'm not listening deeply enough... I find the VV box a satisfying experience. Then again, I'm somewhat of a Pepper devotee, putting him right up there with Bird, Jackie, and Lee in my alto pantheon.

Came home tonight to find your book in the mail, Larry, and just reading the table of contents sent me in search of a sedative... So far I've read only the Bill Evans piece, but I'll say this--as a Bill Evans fan, I think you made very compelling, thought-provoking, and valid points. It's the "sound of surprise" made manifest in words. This one will stay on top of the book stack until I finish it.

Does it include the "new/last" song that finally surfaced last year?

What will be your rationale tomorrow? nah nah nah! catesta only drinks, eats junk food, and surfs porn on TWO occasions: 1. when it rains and 2. when it doesn't rain rarely met a guy with such a strong spirit. amazing. He's an inspiration to all of us. I indulge only when it's sleeting--what a g.d. slacker, eh? -_-

What will be your rationale tomorrow? It's Thursday. Hell, by college standards, that's already well into the weekend!

Did I miss a thread? If not, we sorely need one... Pedro to the Mets? Pavano to the Yanks? Wildman Wells to the Bosox? Cubs looking to unload Sammy? No baseball in D.C. after all? (Story here.) Discuss, discuss...

What will be your rationale tomorrow? Happy birthday, couw!

Just got AT THE JAZZ WORKSHOP in the mail a couple of days ago & will give it a spin tonight in honor of Mr. Harris.

riverrun, past Bird and Diz's, from swerve of horn to bend of note, brings us by a commodius vicus of recirculated breath back to Jelly Roll and Armstrong's. Or something like that. Methinks it's time to head home.

Link!

Cool, Mark! Link?

Our chief announcer just told me that the Ayler box was on "Fresh Air" today. Anybody else catch this?

If you ever get a chance, check out the vocal version on the Evans Verve box.

Regarding the Gillespie-at-French-Lick story, George Wein (who ran the 1959 festival) gives it at least partial validation in his recent book--he says Gillespie and Jimmy McPartland leaped into the pool arm-in-arm.

Here's a picture of Miles & Dizzy at the 1959 French Lick festival, taken by Duncan Schiedt (JAZZ STATE OF INDIANA):

Haven't yet read either the Shipton or the autobiography, but there's a story about Dizzy & southern Indiana that I hope to one day verify (or not). In the 1950s French Lick, IN (yes, birthplace of Larry Bird) hosted a pretty happening jazz festival, about as hip as this particular neck of Hoosierville ever got. The French Lick Hotel had a swimming pool that was, uh, shall we say, not open to many members of the jazz-playing persuasion. Gillespie allegedly came down from his room in royal regalia, posing as an African monarch, and singlehandedly "integrated" the pool by leaping into it fully-clothed. A great story, but one that certainly bears some form of validation.

AB, sent you a PM re: the Terry.

Funny--I was just listening to Booker's "White Christmas." I'm going to use it to kick off this week's Night Lights. Another Sonny Rollins tune on a non-Christmas album is "Winter Wonderland," off THE ALTERNATIVE ROLLINS. Red Garland does the same song on ALL KINDS OF WEATHER, and Kenny Burrell does "A Child Is Born" on GOD BLESS THE CHILD (not to mention the original Jones-Lewis release, which wasn't on a Christmas album either).

Doc, I heartily recommend all of the Winchesters and most esp. NOCTURNE, which includes Winchester, recorded under the leadership of Oliver Nelson. Winchester will be the subject of a future Night Lights program, probably just in time for the 37th anniversary of the Prague Spring. How's Vienna treatin' ya, ya lucky dog? B-)

I did not realize Morgenstern was the source for that quote--I've repeated it many times to friends who've asked what Ayler sounds like. The book is a beauty; my wife gave it to me as an early Christmas present, and within minutes of opening it I'd come across two passages that I'm going to use in upcoming radio programs. Just ordered a copy for a fellow DJ friend in order to, as Joe Milazzo says, "keep the positivity flowing."

Interesting essay from that site on the baby/butcher photo-session.

Yes! With the late-period picture of them standing in a doorway on the cover. That was a personal favorite of mine as a kid because it contained "Rain," which is still IMO one of the coolest songs they ever did. Now, if they do re-issue YESTERDAY AND TODAY... bonus "baby butcher" cover or not? There's a whole website devoted to it.