tooter

I've only got the LP but no bonus tracks on CD? Nice to know you like it as much as I do. Sometimes I can like an album so much that I don't play it for quite a while, somehow afraid that the "mirage" will disappear with overplaying. Does that make sense? Never found it happen yet though.

Couw - thanks for posting the larger picture. Surprised indeed that you don't have it.

That was quick, John. A few seconds only. Enjoy, yes, I hope you and many more. Couw - I see you're here too. Busy afternoon for me!

"the ultimate in cool jazz" (AMG - Scott Yanow). This is the one album I'd take to my desert island if only one was allowed. I'm listening now to the first track now, and wholeheartedly agree that this is archetypal cool, because notice has been a little short. I only read your email about an hour ago, Jodigrind, but thanks indeed for passing the ball to me. I am very pleased indeed to have a go, at the first time of asking too. I think a lot of the fascination of John Lewis's playing is in the timing. I remember reading somewhere that he is thought by some to sound like someone picking at an unwanted meal when he improvises but not to me. He is thoughtful, deliberate and a consummate artist. And the match with Bill Perkins is sublime. The title track (alternative) is one of my all time favourites too. I won't go on about the the rest of the album at this stage - will wait to hear what others think - except to say that for me it's goose pimples/bumps time. Hope you like it! And that there are lots of contributions!

I absolutely agree. I have never heard "Black Christ of the Andes" and don't have a lot by Mary Lou. But the little I do have includes "Free Spirits" which is a firm favourite. Buster Williams really shows his mettle and Mary Lou is in fine form. A feast! Did she make any other albums like this one?

This has taken off and I'm only just catching up. I've got a whole list of them here, so here's the only one that's got four. Rifftide (Coleman Hawkins) Merry Lee (Howard McGhee) Hackensack (Thelonious Monk) Toll Bridge (Joe Gordon) but not sure if the last is the same tune or another tune completely with the same title. I think the first three by the stated composers are the same tune and it has also been called by the last. And how about Stan Blues? Eleanor, originally, by Gigi Gryce?

Jim - you're more than welcome. I noticed that Marc Cary calls it "Melody in C" rather than "for" - that's why I didn't link to Sonny. I wonder if the "C" was Cannonball. I was going to look up recording dates but you beat me to it. There are very many instances of tunes claimed by people who didn't write them sure. Bill Evans and Miles, of course. But sometimes I hear a tune and know I've heard it before, just like you did with this one, then to find it under another title and composer.

There's yet another tune called "Lisa" by Al Cohn on the albums Birdlanders and A Date in New York I think - Henri Renaud leading. I've always liked the Feldman tune and am a great fan of his playing. Not too long ago he died, sadly. It was he that inspired Tubby Hayes to take up vibes. Listening to my LP version of the album now - two tracks missing! - this is an old favourite. Calm, considered, inventive jazz, energetic but no histrionics. Adderleys at their best. Good choice. Not only Victor underrated, but also Nat I think. Jim - Adding this - try Marc Cary, album Cary On, tune Melody in C. Sounds somwwhat similar.

That's would be really good - I would be very interested to hear the story of his discovery by Stan Getz, straight from the horse's mouth.

I'm emailing you now.

As a retired member I am full time now on this. All you workers all have my sympathy.

Just in case anyone wants to contact, the email address is office@hwmedia.de - "w" not "u". Hope you don't mind the correction, Couw.

Tom - does this help? Dec 13 1956 and Feb 22 1957. Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Ray Bryant p Oscar Pettiford b Art Blakey d Jo Jones d Specs Wright tymp Candido cga Sabu Martinez bgo. Dilemma, Just for Marty, Nica's Tempo, Oscalypso, The Sacrifice, Cubano Chant, The Drum Suite. Columbia 1002. I don't have it - just the info from somewhere.

At a loose end then Jazzman? All that time on your hands?

I'm in too. You have PM Alexander. Make it a good one - hard acts to follow.

Jim – both discs received - here are impressions. Disc 1 1. Not much idea about this – clarinet solo contains a quote “on top of a load of hay” but I cannot even remember the name of that tune! Vibes playing reminds of Gary Burton playing behind Stan Getz. No solo for him though so unlikely to be GB. 2. Again cannot recognise anybody here even though it is a bit nearer my usual kind of thing. Nice though – enjoyed it. 3. I have a deeply ingrained prejudice against organs, mainly because I played alongside one for many years in a dance band (the damned thing was at fffff all the time, or so it seemed) but also because they seem to me always to lag behind the beat. I failed to identify anybody in the line-up. Again a nice track though – be interested to know the players in due course. 4. Not my kind of thing, beat a bit too insistent, but I found myself liking it nevertheless. No idea who. 5. “Whirling Dervishes”? Is it a baritone or a bass sax? No hope. 6. The name “VSOP” popped into my mind but wildly off the mark I’m sure. If only they would play some phrases I know I might be able to guess at somebody. Beginning to think “won’t get anything here” and then 7. Got this one – nice blues – unmistakable tenor/flute so that leads me on to the rest of them. Cryptically – thought of as lucky by some. 8. This is my kind of listening too but only a wild guess to offer – Donald Harrison? 9. Piano sounds like “Flight of the Bumblebee” at times. No clue again. 10. Wild guess again – Ronnie Cuber? 11. “Nature Boy” – great song. No guesses even. 12. Sure of the leader – piano – the real thing. Title to do with aviation. Don’t know the album. Disc2 1. Arco bass sounds like a didgeridoo – effective. But it’s too far out for me to have any chance. 2. Same again I’m afraid. 3. The only way I’m going to appreciate this music is some kind of a lobotomy I guess! 4. More accessible for me – curate’s egg. Woody Shaw’s name springs to mind but I don’t think it’s him. No more guesses, inspired or otherwise. Thanks for a very stimulating and engrossing BFT, Jim – I was so carried away I forgot the time and was chastised for tardiness in complying with the usual routine here. And my congratulations too on the birth of your son.

I tried listening to the album blind (practising for BFT!) as regards composers and surprised myself by getting five of the six right. It was a fair bet that Morgan wrote most of course. However, I thought “Rio” sounded like Hutcherson or Hancock but it was written, as was “Dear Sir”, by Shorter. So my score was really one lucky guess and one wrong guess. An excellent choice of album for me – right in my favourite area. All the tunes sound nice and the whole thing gels. Morgan’s playing, it always seemed to me, did sometimes edge into the same pitfall that befell Dizzy – “I am a really great player (true in both cases of course) and therefore everything I play is necessarily great and so sometimes I don’t have to bother trying too much”. Morgan often resorted his stock of favourite phrases but on this album the tendency is not much in evidence - except perhaps in the fours with Higgins on #4 where his fourth four is very familiar and first, fifth and seventh of the eight fours somewhat less so. I suppose one must expect a bit of relaxation from invention in front line players in fours with drummers – perhaps they unconsciously try not to hog the limelight too much. I remember recently noticing Stan Getz playing fours superbly on one occasion – on “The Last Concert” I think it was. No coasting for him! The (Ronnie Scott?) quote about Dexter Gordon “playing the tonic as if he just invented it”; the sort of playing, the assertiveness and aplomb, it conjures up is to my mind held in equal measure by Wayne Shorter and perhaps even more so by Booker Ervin. And on this album Shorter, although relatively restrained, still conveys this power in full measure I think. Hutcherson is right at the top of my list of vibes players, just after Milt Jackson. Consummate on this album. The version I have is the Blue Note Classic double LP previously mentioned which has the Morgan session with George Coleman, Julian Priester, Harold Mabern. “Free Flow”, etc. Now that’s a good one too although perhaps not quite up to the same standard.

Christian - Thanks very much for the info on [Messages from Munich] - it was one of the big holes in my discography although I'm sure there are many more. And still some way to go before it's anywhere near complete by the looks of it. Rodney

I just noticed that Damian and Dougie Robinson both played alto sax and piano and were active around the same period. Can anyone tell me if these two British musicians are the same person - could one be a nickname? Bit of a coincidence if not the same person.

Sorry that I did not participate in your BFT - missed a really good one - it was because I was agonising about whether or not I could see myself compiling in due course. But I would like to thank you for the plug "Cow brought us Tooter's website to honor the great baritone". I have yet to upload the largely completed version of the discography but it should be ready soon. Still no doubt many errors and omissions - it's like sweeping dust from concrete!

Jim - have just emailed you - hope I haven't missed the boat - but disc one only please.

I've only ever heard "No Problem" from the Movies album, on the radio, but it did seem to have great energy. Les Spann plays both flute and guitar on the track I think - he died in 1989 according to Penguin and I did hear a mention, also on the radio, some years ago that he had been seen playing in the street, as a down-and-out I guess. Does anyone know more of what became of him? My records show Jerome Richardson playing eight intruments (baritone sax and piccolo on "No Problem"?)and that's only some of them maybe. How about [Jazz Station Runaway] for straightahead material - worth a try I think.

Spoilt for choice - thanks. I've replaced with the first. Only me here now.

Just used a select portion of your picture as my avatar - Hope you don't mind! Only temporary until I can get something in colour.

Still waiting for the gospel on the story though. I guess there were plenty of Americans who came to the UK and complained about our rhythm sections so it was a novelty for the boot to be on the other foot. But until we know the nature of the complaint we can't say.