ghost of miles

On to a new breakfast book after finishing Rick Perlstein’s Reaganland, which concludes his comprehensive quartet that chronicles the birth of modern-day American conservatism across the 1960s and 70s. For some reason I seem to favor history books over my granola and fruit, so on now to a general overview of a subject that fascinated me as a kid—an obsession taking hold with me again in light of both recent events and longstanding cultural trends: ... and hoping to soon crack this one, which I bought a couple of years ago:

That's a beautiful record. I recently watched a documentary about her that retraced her and her partner's gypsy-like journey across the UK that inspired the album. Right now--really digging this! (As I figured I would--the era and genre right in my generational wheelhouse)

Not jazz, but definitely the best thing I've heard (for the first time) this week--from Strum and Thrum, a collection of 1980s underground American jangle pop:

2007 Mosaic Contemporary reissue:

Agreed--I have most of it too, after having bought the French CBS CD set that came out a long time ago in addition to the domestic reissues that Sony did in the late 1990s. But I'd still bite on a Mosaic treatment, Ducalist that I am. And there's plenty of good material as well. Actually--not in terms of a Mosaic, though--I find myself lately favoring a number of live recordings from this era, like the 1948 Carnegie Hall date.

Listening to David Shire’s top-drawer score for the 1975 Farewell My Lovely:

Right, it would definitely have to br two sets, and I wasn’t envisioning live material being included in a 1956-62 box. I could swear Scott said at one point a few years ago that they were looking at a possible late 1940s/early 50s Columbia collection, but that seemed to give way to the 1920s/30s Sony-owned overview they were considering. I’ll ask him about all of this tomorrow if I get him on the phone for an Armstrong pre-order.

Upping this today in honor of Hughes’ birth anniversary (February 1, 1902) and the beginning of Black History Month: Hughes’ Blues: The Langston Hughes Songbook

From the NY Times’ “The Morning,” Good vaccine news.

One more go-around for Portrait of Little Jazz, which re-aired on Night Lights stations this past week.

A very nicely-curated set, as noted recently by another board member:

This one’s fun:

Thanks, will check it out! Currently revisiting Sammy Nestico’s composer/arranger debut with the Basie band:

Oh! Intriguing... I don’t recall having heard Powell’s tunes scored for jazz orchestra before. I’ve listened only once and should revisit in the next several days before weighing in further, but Ingrid Jensen’s trumpet-playing stood out for me first time through. Also want to spend a little more time absorbing the original material that Ethan wrote for the album in addition to his Bud arrangements. Yes indeed! Just finished listening to the 1975 Eastern Rebellion reissue that was also in the package, and finishing up with what prompted me to start the order in the first place—another purchase brought about by reading this board:

Pre-ordered it from Amazon and it arrived yesterday, which was indeed the official release date.

Always a happy day when a Dusty Groove package arrives:

Yep--she (Courtney Fitzpatrick, Sam's wife) got an assistant professorship in Texas A & M's biology department, starting this autumn. Really going to miss having her and Sam as next-door neighbors, but fortunate that they ended up staying here as long as they did. Sam can do his writing and research pretty much anywhere, so they were always going to land wherever she could find a tenure-track job.

The Rainbow Bakery! Much favored for a couple of years by my girlfriend and me (she was the one posting the photos)... I’m proud to say I turned on neighbor and Jazz Loft author Sam Stephenson to that fine establishment, which is within walking distance of our houses. But it’s been a no-go zone since the onset of the pandemic... hoping he and I can return there come summer before he ups and moves to Texas. (His wife got a faculty job there.) Hope you and your daughters have weathered the past year with formidable spirit! (Or spirits as the case may be. 🍻 )

Some of my favorite jazz in recent years has emerged from this scene. (H/t to Mosaic Gazette for the link) The Sound of London 2020

Armstrong set now has a release date of April 10. Louis Armstrong RCA Victor and Columbia 1946-1966