ghost of miles

Interesting topic, Dan. I tend to think of competent players who worked with the greats but didn't lead many dates of their own--say, Walter Bishop Jr. (In fact, I just checked his bio on AMG and they refer to him as a "valuable utility pianist!") I'll have to chew on this awhile and see who else I can think of.

Eddie turned up unexpectedly on a CD I played on-air today: Betty Roche, TAKE THE A TRAIN (Bethlehem). I hadn't listened to it in awhile and completely forgot about his presence on that date, along with Conte Candoli.

I listen to that one a lot in July and August. It has a kind of slow, brooding energy that I associate with late summer.

Nearing the end of March listening: Shirley Scott, SOUL SHOUTIN' Odetta, LOOKIN' FOR A HOME Bob Dylan, BOOTLEG SERIES V. 5 Wayne Shorter, various CDs Joya Sherrill, JOYA SINGS DUKE J.J. Johnson, TOTAL J.J. & J.J. WITH BIG BAND Martial Solal, A BOUT DE SOUFFLE

Sounds as if it went reasonably well. I hope Grimes doesn't feel pressure to live up to his past (although it must be hard not to). To me, the important thing is that he's playing (and seemingly enjoying) music again. That he's performing out in public after what--three months?--is something of a small miracle in and of itself. Thanks for the news, Adam!

Any other Roy Campbell fans on the board? He's coming to Bloomington next month in some kind of configuration (not Pyramid Trio, not Die Like a Dog); I have and greatly enjoy ETHNIC STEW & BREW (with the ever awesome William Parker and Hamid Drake). Just picked up IT'S KRUNCH TIME but haven't had a chance to listen to it yet. I like how he seems to so successfully combine world, free, and straightahead jazz into his playing.

Well, the time-honored BNBB tradition of suffering from a thinning wallet via youse guys has sure survived. That Gordon box looks great! I'll be sure to get it after I snap up a few more 24-bit mini-LP Japanese Mancini imports with bonus tracks...

I'm very sorry, folks. I learned late Tuesday evening that we had shifted to all-news coverage on our Internet stream as of Monday morning. I will try to repeat the broadcast sometime later this spring or summer, either on WFIU or on the community radio station where I also do a show. At that time I'll place a new post with the relevant links.

I'm sadly late to the game concerning this series, but it's one that's definitely piqueing my interest--thanks for the thread, Soul Stream. I remember a similar one on Ye Olde Blue Note board and need to investigate this further.

Yeah, I swore off political threads about two weeks before the Blue Note board went up in flames (pun intended?). I re-activated a couple of days ago but doubt that I'll be on them much longer... I agree with Joe that the war is a bit of a lightning rod for passion across the political spectrum, and I agree with Simon that given the volatility of the times, it's hard not to feel politicized. I still feel that a love of jazz binds us all, though. Hell, I may disagree with Berigan's ideology, but he & I both love certain early-jazz artists and swap PMs on an occasional basis. AAJ has some interesting discussions going on, but this place feels like home to me now. I'll try not to stink it up with too much backroom cigar-smoke... but every once in a while I feel the need to light a left-wing stogie.

Daedalus Books has this Tom Stoddard book in paperback for about $5 right now. It's a study of the early-20th-century jazz scene in San Francisco and sounds interesting. Just thought I'd tip off any readers who might want to pick it up on the cheap. (I'm a sucker for regional jazz histories myself.)

Gail Levin, EDWARD HOPPER: AN INTIMATE BIOGRAPHY Some books I'm hoping to read when I go on vacation in April: Nathanael West, MISS LONELYHEARTS Ronald Morris, WAIT UNTIL DARK: JAZZ AND THE UNDERWORLD 1880-1940 Edward Said, REPRESENTATIONS OF THE INTELLECTUAL James Cain, MILDRED PIERCE

Any reports on Henry's performance this weekend? I hope it went well for him.

From my spouse: "Is there a cat running up and down the piano keys?" "Why is there a hippo bleating in your study?" "Why are you listening to people learn to play their instruments?" "Stop beating that poor elephant!" (In all fairness, she really likes jazz and enjoys Monk & Dolphy--but doesn't care for what she calls the "skronkfest" in which I sometimes indulge.)

I'm still kicking myself for hesitating to pull the trigger on the Jones/Lewis big-band set. What was I thinking? Capitol re-issued CONSUMMATION--hopefully the rest will come out eventually, and the sound will probably be better too.

As of this morning we're on for broadcast today and tomorrow, barring new and/or significant developments in Iraq that might lead us to cut away to news. We'll have an added newsbreak, but I still have about 75 minutes for music and Mike on each day.

Sorry to hear that, Weizen. That is indeed a fine Dorham date and worthy of more than whatever low-grade products Fantasy used to produce said LP. I have a friend who's a vinyl fiend and who's just now discovering the Fantasy catalogue--any leads on sources for well-made OJC records?

But where's Jake333?

Agreed... God, I love that group with Lateef. Looking forward to FIDDLER ON THE ROOF; just got PORTRAIT and am hoping to snag WITH STRINGS/JUMP FOR JOY soon.

This two-part show, scheduled to air Monday & Tuesday, may have to be postponed because of news coverage of the war in Iraq. The decision on whether to carry news or regular music programming is not only day-to-day right now, it's hour-to-hour. I will probably try to re-schedule for a May broadcast if special coverage pre-empts us.

The Solal and Smith came in the mail yesterday. I've had the chance to listen only to the Solal so far, but it is very fine indeed, Mule. Thanks again!

James Ellroy? That will be interesting! I have only Hunter's Songs from the Analog Playground, but I like it quite a lot, and I thought that he added an interesting color to the Blue Note palette. Were his sales in decline?

You made my morning, Mule, with that article. Here's to Henry Grimes!

Tod, will this be a "complete" set? Did Fred say if it would be a regular set or a Select?

Oh, I'm not trying to make judgements or anything, and I was referring to the lack of response on the Jazz Corner site (do you post there too?). Nobody has an obligation to be interested, anyway, and overall I've found Jazz Corner to be receptive to the Blue Note exiles. JC does exude a certain 'tude, though, IMO, that tends to favor improv--which is one of the reasons why I like to go there--and to be politely disdainful at times to the Blue Note/hardbop crowd (don't like that part). Now Grimes did come out of a 50's/60's hardbop milieu, initially, but the guy is an avant hero of the bass. He played with Cecil Taylor, Archie Shepp, Albert Ayler... you know the story. The artists who burned the collective flame for the fire of improv that many JC posters warm themselves by today. So I think it's telling that there seems to be more curiosity on this board, which is filled with Blue Note exiles. Just goes to show for the nth time that massive categorization and stereotyping are not the most accurate ways of gauging reality.