sidewinder

Lou Donaldson 'The Natural Soul' (BN NY USA mono) Horace Silver 'The Stylings of Silver' (47W63rd DG mono)

Johnny Coles 'Little Johnny C' (BN NY USA mono, deep groove side 1).

The Conn CD of 'Contours' is indeed one heck of an improvement. I've recently picked up a copy of this and am very impressed with the overall sound and excellent dynamics. Ron Carter's bass is on the quiet side on all 3 versions. Checked 'Euterpe' on this CD and also the Mosaic LP and the NY USA mono LP a bit earlier. As expected the NY USA mono had the best dynamics, presence and soundstage. The Conn CD also had great dynamics, especially the clarity of Tony Williams' drums . The Mosaic LP sounds to me much more 'mannered' but is a very satisfying listen. Almost like a King LP in terms of soundstage and musicality, very nice, very precise. All have their particular strenghts then but my personal preference is for the original LP. The biggest suprise is the Conn. By the way the wow at the beginning of 'Euterpe' isn't noticable on the original LP, sounds slightly noticable on the Mosaic and more so on the Conn, so looks like there has been a bit of tape degradation.

Check out also his work on flugel on Herbie Hancock's 'Fat Albert Rotunda'. He's well on form on that one.

Time to bring out the Miles & Gil Mosaic set. 79 eh? Wow, it seems like only yesterday that his 60th was being celebrated. Da man, indeed...

Oxfam is well worth a look. Apparently they now have rare LP auction lists, thanks to the various donations from the punters. Currently spinning Sam Rivers 'Contours' BN NY USA and also the corresponding LP (LP 3) on the Mosaic set for these tracks. Interesting comparisson ! Before that it was Carmen McRae/Clarke-Boland 'November Girl' on Black Lion.

Can't go wrong with this one. Fine performance by Johnny Coles but very much a Duke Pearson session. 'Hobo Joe' is one of the all-time classic BN tracks. Love the cover art on this one too.

Erik - I would say that any of the Spanish Blue Notes that you have which are copies of the Toshiba remasters (look on the inside sleeve notes to check this) are definitely worth hanging on to. The ones which are copies of pre- 20/24 bit McMasters I would be more inclined to dispose of. I suspect 'True Blue' might come into this category but not sure.

Your Esteemed Maj. - you've given me a good chuckle with your comments and therefore more than done your bit to raise the sense of humour factor over here. Grazi !

I have a UK original mono of this one (on HMV I think) but my recollection is that the sound is not that great. I'll put it on the VPI and give it another spin this week to re-assess.

It's definitely true. I've noticed a real difference over the past 20 to 25 years but I think this is not just limited to the UK. The increased uncertainties of modern life, the anonimity of much of it and the endless rat race all take their toll.. And the TV at present is absolutely the total pits. 'Celebrity Love Island'? Frontal lobotomies advised ! ( ) The UK is a materially richer place these days (well, for the majority it is I think) but not necessarily a happier one. I read the other day a statement that we have become as a nation much more like the Germans in this respect. An interesting observation..

I don't know about 'Electric' birth of the cool but some years ago I saw a pretty good recreation of the original 'acoustic' nonet sessions, using the original arrangements. Herb Geller was playing the alto lead, with West Coast guys such as Bob Enevoldsen and Bill Perkins also in the band. Worked for me ! They also did some great re-creations of some of the early Shorty Rogers material.

Yes, I would agree with that assessment. The vinyl (especially on the Kings) is usually deadly silent. What I miss though from original pressings is the big soundsage and level of 'umph' - dynamic range, I guess.

Wolff - I don't see much quality vinyl coming out of this country. Must of the re-issued stuff I have bought has been from Japan or the US. With respect to Blue Note, I still rate the Japanese King re-issues the tops after the US originals (and even better in the case of most of the Liberty pressings). About the only UK vinyl I have bought of late have been the Sun Ra Saturns that are churned out from somewhere over here (possibly from some-ones back-garden shed..) I wish that Dutton Vocalion would put out 200g (no - 180g ) reissues of the Derams that are just coming out on CD.

Thanks ! I remember this one being in your bundle that afternoon (along with a Coltrane 'Live In Japan Box' if I am not mistaken.. B-) ). Thay are asking £5 for the Braith so I'll more than likely pick it up anyway. Anything with George Braith on the front cover gets my vote.

Probably "Double Your Pleasure - Live at the University of the Street", which came out in 1992 - think I've got this one stashed away somewhere. ← That's indeed the one , erik ! Didn't you pick that one up from 'Vinyl West' that day? What's it like?

I came across a George Braith CD yesterday on Bellophon, recorded live in NYC. Anyone come across this one? Can't recall what the title was, exactly.

Splendido ! Really looking forward to hearing these two. I would have bought the 'Brown Sugar' too but I've got a good vinyl copy. The Bards have also thrown in the John Patton 'Minor Swing' too so it promises to be a great little consignment. After my £5 Conn 'haul' yesterday I'm on a roll with the BN CDs !

Anyone interested in ordering most of the above plus lots of other nice Conns and RVGs at £4.99 should check out the HMV UK web site. Blue Note HMV UK sale :rsmile:

Sam looked to be breathing a little bit laboured at times on the UK gigs. Maybe he has a bit of asthma? In any event, the tenor playing was well up to scratch and he was pretty dynamic in directing the big band he toured with. Huge kudos to him to keep touring and playing, if that is the case.

I'm interested in hearing a bit more about this one myself - have been put off in the past by the neutral-to-negative comment this one seems to attract.

In a rare-ish excursion away from the vinyl racks I came out with an amazing stack of BN Conns and Doubletimes this weekend: Sam Rivers 'Contours' Andrew Hill 'Dance With Death' Bobby Hutcherson 'Now' Larry Young 'Of Love and Peace' Kenny Burrell 'Introducing' (2CD) Stanley Turrentine/Three Sounds 'Complete Blue Hour' (2CD) All for £5 each !

That's good to hear about the quality of the Water reissues. I've just ordered 'The Phantom' and 'Say It Loud' from The Bards and I'm expecting great things..

Christopher Marlowe William Shakespeare Ben Johnson

Excellent !