papsrus

"I was thinking, and I was only thinking ..." (Any thought prefaced by this phrase means she really, really wants to do it. But we both realize that. It's not subtle or possible to misunderstand at all. It's usually accompanied by a certain giddiness and/or reference materials like catalogs.) Here's one thing we really don't have that I wish we did. We don't have one of those secret signals (other than long, blank stares where the eyes gradually grow wider and wider as the head slowly tilts to one side) that signifies "It's time to leave this dreadful party." ... I think the reason for this is, she likes parties much more than I do.

Dave Holland Quartet -- "Extensions" ... (after spying it on the AotM thread). And this Pepper-Cables disc:

I'm with you. Thanks for bringing the Holland disc up WB3. Definitely will track it down. EDIT: Ordered. There's 11 reviews at amazon and they're all 5 star. One guy gave it 20 stars! I think you're onto something WB3.

That's two years in a row of..."questionable" behavior in the face of post-season defeat by Belichick. I understand the intensity of the season, the game, and the disappointment, & I still have the highest respect for the organization's accomplishments this season, but still....just a little busg-league, I think, and not at all befitting the man & the organization. Yep. Classy move. Didn't everyone and his brother know that the game would hinge on how well they could protect Brady? I must have read a half dozen stories on that. How does the genius not figure out some schemes to counter the Giants pass rush, which everyone knew was going to be coming all night long? I think the Pats had just that one wide screen play (that worked about five times) and that was it. They finally started going to Moss late in the game, but they should have been feeding him the ball more than they did. And it looked to me like Moss could have jumped up to make a better play on that deep pass on their final series. All he did was keep running with his hands out. That's the whole idea of his height advantage -- he needs to out-jump the defenders on a ball like that. It was one of the few deep balls Brady threw that was right on the money. Pats would have been inside the 20 with enough time left to go for a TD and OT in the bag. Congrats Giants. Great win for those guys.

I always sort of thought of Lupica as a 12-year-old trapped in a 50-year-old man's body. Then again, maybe that's what the Daily News wants. One would have to assume.

You know how I feel, Lon. You're a lucky man to have shared the time you had with her. And it must take enormous strength, which you've obviously found, and I'm sure had all along. But it really does put things in perspective, and maybe should inspire people to mend fences where there's a need to. I like Lon's words: Let time be your friend.

Thanks for the input. I guess it's insane to even consider at this point. I spied a used copy at amazon for about $600, I believe. Even that is a considerable amount of money to be spending on music in one drop, to say the least. I think it's good advice to use resources such as this thread as a guide, rather than go bananas on a box which is going to provide some overlap anyways. Envy those that have it though.

A new arrival tonight: This rec is right on Bev. Sunset and the Mocking Bird is indeed gorgeous, and what follows as well. The music unfolds so gracefully. I have to say I love every one of these suites that I've heard -- Far East; Such Sweet Thunder; Black, Brown and Beige; and now this one. It's so interesting to contrast these with his earlier swinging-like-crazy big band stuff. Lonson just mentioned the RCA Centennial box in passing. I haven't checked back into the thread yet, but of those of you who've purchased it or listened to it, how do you feel about it? A silly question -- Maybe better: For someone (like me) just beginning to really tap into Ellington in a deeper way, is it even worth wringing my hands over this set? Or is it wiser to move through the discography picking off things more selectively (almost can't miss with that approach) before considering such a mammoth (and expensive!!) set? I would tend to think the latter, just because there is so much to choose from (thankfully). I know I've seen some "highlights" discs from this set. Maybe that's the more prudent way to go? Any thoughts?

None. Zero. Zilch. Nada. BETJ has some programing (or used to ... I haven't watched in a while) that focused on jazz legends. But I can get that on demand from YouTube now, so .... Beyond that, nothing.

Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra 1941: The Complete Standard Transcriptions Wasn't sure what to expect with this one. Most of the material was apparently recorded solely for radio play, and only about a third of it was penned by Ellington or Strayhorn. But, what an album! ... It contains early versions of "Take the A Train" and "Perdido," also 11 tracks that were otherwise not recorded in studio by Ellington, and generous portions of Blanton and Webster. On top of that, the sound quality is superb, to my ear. The disc spills over with clear, rich soloing from Ray Nance, Hodges, Webster, Blanton, etc. There's a new copy at amazon marketplace for $3.25! Click here. For a 2-disc set! Practically giving it away. Not essential, I'm guessing, but entertaining certainly. And ... have this one on order. Thanks Bev.

Allen, sent you a PM ... Not sure if you have anything left. Just so I'm sure, are you asking $50 for the entire shootin' match? Thanks.

Yes .. Jazzloft $34.99. Maybe elsewhere also, haven't checked around. EDIT: Sorry, strike the above. That's their old web site. Available here at their new web site.

^ Listening now to the Tononi now, disc 1. Here's the cover, for those interested. I see Jazzloft has copies available for $34.99. Don't know if it can be had elsewhere for less.

I'd second the recommendation on Devilin' Tune v.3. It would be an excellent buy if you're looking to explore artists from this era. It would be about 220 songs from various artists and does have an informative booklet. Look for Allen Lowes' various posts for the set in buy/sell/trade section and you'll see he offers them at a very reasonable price. I've purchased and very much enjoyed vols. 2,3 and 4. Thanks! I'll pursue that.

Thanks for starting this one Van Basten II. I'm not familiar with the discs you've mentioned, although I know Centazzo, but ... one that Bev turned me onto a while ago might be of interest, or you may know it. Tiziano Tononi (and the Society of Freely Sincopated Organic Pulses) -- "We Did It, We Did It." Italian percussionist's three-disc extravaganza is a worth tracking down. A big, wild band band interprets Kirk, but also Ellington, Mingus, Monk, Coltrane, Hendrix and Marley. Incredibly rich and energetic. Beyond that, some of the more the usual suspects with me include Rava (Tati, Pilgrim and the Stars) and a more recent favorite: Stefano Battaglia -- "Re: Pasolini" -- haunting and at times quite stirring ... with Dominique Pifarely on violin and Vincent Courtois on cello, among others. Battaglia has a marvelous way of coaxing tender improvised flights.

Tell me more. I'm just getting into this general era now, with Ellington, and now the Basie Decca recordings. All of it wonderful. I'm coming from listening almost exclusively to more contemporary stuff -- post 1950s certainly, but mostly music of the past decade -- so it's taken some adjustment to "hear" this earlier music. A first pass at the Basie Decca recordings, for instance, was a delight. But a second listen was much more revealing; much more rewarding. I expect it will open up to me more with each fresh pass. The same can be said for any music, I suppose. But I find it especially noticeable with these earlier recordings. A little patience pays off big time. Anyways, recs, recs, recs for this period. I know this general time frame has been discussed on the Ellington thread, but what others?

I agree. Are there any regional threads here? Italian jazz, Australian jazz, etc. ... There's a ton of great music happening in Italy, and lots elsewhere around the world. I'd like to hear more from porcy62 on Italian jazz. I guess threads like these would go in the Miscellaneous Music section? I don't know.

There's a security guard at work, older fella. I strike up idle chit chat with him sometimes. So I asked him what he'd do if he won the lottery. Without hesitation he said, "Live in luxury hotels for the rest of my life." ... His eyes lit up as he described all the fun it would be. Never having to clean up after yourself, great food, just rent cars, etc. He loved the idea.

Count Basie -- The Complete Decca Recordings

Yes, the reviews for this one were glowing about the sound quality as well.

My No. 2 costs $12 at Super Clips (kind of the McDonald's of the hair-cutting industry).

Very much enjoying the "Never No Lament" discs. On steady rotation since arriving yesterday. Beautiful. Also got a knock on the door last night (night!) and the UPS man had left a copy of the Newport 56 disc. Went directly to the Gonsalves solo. Wow! The band a hootin' and a hollerin' away in the background. Great stuff. Ordered the following this morning following comments here:

Yes. I was just thinking about perfection in sports in general, however it's measured from sport to sport. Still a rare thing, whether by a team or individual. If you look at Comaneci, for example. Yes, she was awarded the first-ever perfect score, but she finished with five individual golds, an individual bronze and a team silver -- not perfect in that sense. Yet still the perfect 10 is a landmark and a sign she achieved a measure of perfection in her sport. I take your point though.

Yeah, it has to do with the closeness of the crop. No. 1 is one step up from bald. No. 2 is not far off either. You're filling me with confidence. I will try it! ... someday ... .... maybe ...

Laughed when I read this. I go for the No. 2 all around once every four months or so. Zip, in and out in minutes. I actually had to look around for a barber to do this! I tried three or four who considered themselves "hair stylists," and wanted to style me up a bit instead. And one who actually huffed in an exasperation that, yes, OK, he would shave my head, but he didn't want me telling anyone where I'd gotten my hair cut because it was going to look terrible! Just terrible! ... I was a little nervous as he finished up. Never been back.