MartyJazz

An absolute Mingus must is BLUES AND ROOTS (Atlantic). Recorded shortly before MINGUS AH UM, it is a stronger, more intense session with fabulous blowing by McLean, Pepper Adams, John Handy and Booker Ervin. Other excellent late '50s Mingus are: EAST COASTING (Bethlehem) THE CLOWN (Atlantic) I also highly second the previous recommendation of TIJUANA MOODS (RCA Victor). IMO, all of the above are essential Mingus. edited for spelling

For me, one of the great highlights of this set of which there are many is the trumpet "battle" between Fats and Howard McGhee on "Double Talk". Great, great playing. I echo what others have said, get it!

Just off the strength of his playing behind Joe Henderson on the latter's 1972 LIVE IN JAPAN date (Milestone), I nominate Hideo Ichikawa. In particular listen to his comping and solo on "Blue Bossa" alone. Tremendous!

There's more MUSIC going on here than most high speed bop songs ever recorded. And on the contrary, the musicians seem to all be on top of their game. Once again we're arguing tempo not substance. No, we're not arguing tempo. I can listen to "Idle Moments" and "Django" from Green's IDLE MOMENTS session without any problem whatsoever as that is a consistently interesting date. On the other hand, AM I BLUE is a ponderously boring date IMO. What's more I had the temerity to personally say it to Joe Henderson 30 years ago when I casually knew him when he temporarily lived in the same neighborhood (Brooklyn Heights) as I did. He too felt that he had recorded better stuff with Green. That certainly doesn't cinch the case for my view, but it doesn't hurt either.

I totally agree. It remains the one original Blue Note LP that I just had to discard after two listens. Probably should have kept it if only to make more dough by selling it. But musically, everyone must have partaken of a little too much V&V (vodka and valium) by the time the date got under way. Can't figure out why it was released when Green's SOLID, a much stronger date, also with Joe, stayed in the can for so many years.

Check out BUT BEAUTIFUL (Milestone) which consists of material recorded in concerts at Laren and Antwerp in August 1974 by Evans' trio with guest, Stan Getz. Some magnificent playing by all including a tremendous version of "Funkallero".

Nevertheless, here's a partial review of the James material most of which I have on LP. I do not own the Mosaic box. The first two sides he made for Capital by and large consist of material previously recorded for Columbia. Not essential, although for Helen Forrest fans, you might enjoy hearing her circa 1955. The later Capital sides have a distinct modern Basie sound, the result no doubt of using arrangers such as Ernie Wilkins and Neal Hefti. While quite a few of the charts do swing and are well done, in my view, this material is not essential. If you're a completist of either Krupa or James, then it's a different story.

I was fortunate to see this group several times in the early -mid '70s at the Village Vanguard. It was a great, if somewhat unheralded, Mingus ensemble - certainly his best group post '65. Don Pullen was a tremendous performer who really thrived within the Mingus musical framework.

Maybe I've never forgiven him for wigging out this young 18 year old honey that I took to the Vanguard in December '66 (I was 21). When he appeared screeching his head off - this was the last Trane group that included Alice, Garrison & Ali - the date looked at me as if to say, "I thought you liked me. Why are you subjecting me to this?" My problem was, I could see her point. B-)

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Good choice. I love that album. Gee, two guys who are into Sanders. My feeling is that whenever he does Trane material, I yearn to listen to Trane. Hence, it's available.

Lon: What I'd like to know (and forgive me because I think I may have asked this question before), is there a way on your machine to index tracks without inserting a split second of silence between the end of the previous track and the beginning of the new one? This is critical when transferring concert material wherein an artist can segue immediately into a new tune and/or where one doesn't like to be jarred audio-wise by a split second of silence being introduced during audience applause between tunes. Thanks, Martin

The following multi CD sets are available, free shipping within the U.S.: Edited for price reductions and for removal of sold items. ARTIST TITLE NO_CDS LABEL PRICE Coltrane, John: A Coltrane Retrospective: Impulse Years 3 Impulse $14 Coltrane, John: The Major Works of John Coltrane 2 Impulse $12 Davis, Miles: Live-Evil 2 Columbia $14 Davis, Miles/Monk, Thelonious: Live at Newport 1958 & 1963 2 Columbia $12 Gillespie, Dizzy: Dizzy's Diamonds: Best of the Verve Years 3 Verve $16 Holiday, Billie: Lady in Autumn: Best of the Verve Years 2 Verve $11 Lovano, Joe: Quartets Live at the Village Vanguard 2 Blue Note $11 Marsalis, Wynton: Quartet Live at Blues Alley 2 Columbia $11 Mingus, Charles: Epitaph 2 Columbia $14 Rollins, Sonny: A Night at the Village Vanguard 2 Jazz Heritage $12 Shaw, Artie: Indispensable 1944-45 Big Band 2 RCA Victor $12 Tatum, Art: 20th Century Piano Genius 2 Verve $12 Tatum, Art: The Complete Capitol Recordings 2 Capitol $12 VARIOUS: Alligator Records 25th Anniversary (blues) 2 Alligator $11 VARIOUS: Fujitsu-Concord 25th Jazz Festival 2 Concord $10 VARIOUS: The Commodore Story 2 Commodore $12 VARIOUS: The Sampler - Jazz Heritage Series 2 Concord $8 VARIOUS: The Verve Story: 1944-1994 4 Verve $21 VARIOUS: West Coast Jazz Box 4 Contemporary $22

Dug "The Procrastinator" while doing some crosstraining cardio at the gym yesterday. Visually I enjoyed looking at a couple of particular women working out. A wonderful multisensory experience!

I know that Jimmy Cleveland was, and perhaps still is (?), married to Ms. Thurlow.

Exactly my thoughts. I've given multiple copies of "Someday My Prince...." to various friends and relatives over the years. It's a terrific album and a wonderful introduction not only to classic Miles but to the beauty and appeal of jazz in general.

Actually, Ray Anthony, the bandleader/trumpeter, was thought to have a likeness to CG.

Interesting that this 11 CD box set lists for $140 ($12.73 per disc) while the recently issued Miles Davis "Seven Steps" 7 CD box set lists for $130 ($18.57 per disc). I wonder where is the logic, or perhaps the word is "greed" when it comes to Sony Columbia.

Back around '89, I brokered a deal (no fee to me) for a friend who had a mint copy of Jackie's AdLib LP for $500. I thought that was an outstanding price. More than 6 times as much 15 years later, I'm astounded!

you say that like its a bad thing! Aw, hell no. They're MILFs all right! OK, I give up. I keep thinking the more I see "MILF" mentioned, the sooner it will come to me just what the hell that acronym is supposed to stand for. Please tell me, in a private mail if need be.

Afraid not, although I have seen "Notorious" quite a few times. It's also one of my favorite Hitchcock films, perhaps due to a few similarities with North by Northwest, the magnetism of Grant but more importantly, the theme of a man's emotional involvement with a woman he does not trust. In both films the implicit sexual relationship of the woman with a villainous rival contributes much to the behavior of Grant's respective characters. "Rear Window" always struck me as too much of an indoors film and as a result I never found it visually as appealing as the other two.

Can't help you with this but here's a good piece of evidence of how often I've seen this film. To me, the scene stealer, since he has the best lines, is the incomparable James Mason. When Grant surprises everyone by entering the auction gallery and confronting Mason and EMS, Mason says (and this is off the top of my head, so help me): "Has anyone ever told you that you overplay your various roles rather severely Mr. Kaplan? First you play the outraged Madison Avenue man convinced he's been mistaken for someone else. Then you play the fugitive from justice accused of a crime he insists he didn't commit. Now you're the peevish lover stung by jealousy and betrayal. It seems to me you fellows could use a little less training from the FBI and a little more from the Actors' Studio". Grant: "I'm sure the only performance that will satisfy you is when I play dead". Mason with the capper: "Your very next role. You'll be quite convincing, I assure you". I may have messed up a few words here and there, but obviously, I just love that particular scene. Edited for spelling

Residing also in Palm Beach county, one town north of Dan's, I got to visit him this weekend and I saw the two music videos he created memorializing the Red Sox triumph. They are truly awesome and of network quality, meaning that they could be shown on any of the major networks and they would elicit positive responses, most especially from Red Sox fans and sympathizers. Take Dan up on his offer, by all means. And this is coming from a Yankee fan!

1) "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Very nice version, flute, trumpet, alto, they all cook. Have no idea of the personnel however 3) Is that Konitz? 5) Singer is Jeanne Lee. Pianist is probably Ran Blake, the album being from the early '60s I believe. Got to see her perform back in the mid '70s during the loft scene in NYC. I think she passed away recently. 6) Walt Dickerson? His vibe sound has that profound brooding quality. Got to listen to the rest of the tracks. Interesting worthwhile disc.

J-E-T-S. Jets, Jets, Jets! Living here in southeast Florida while still holding on to my Jet season tix of 38 years (I sell the four tix to a guy in Manhattan every year since I moved here some 11 years ago), that was one of the most enjoyable Monday night victories I've seen in years. Beating the Dolphins this particular year is not such a great achievement (although the Rams are probably still wondering how they were shellacked by them last week) but it was still great fun. Nothing will overtake the Monday Night Miracle some four years ago, but it sure was great to sit back, enjoy a rout and not have to be on pins and needles about the eventual outcome. Here's hoping we don't lay an egg in Buffalo next week.