Peter Johnson

Another post to the Concord sale made me realize the existence of the Bill Evans' "complete" Fantasy box set. Another thread here goes into some detail (pushed by Michael Fitzgerald) about the fact that this box is not actually complete, but doesn't really discuss the music/sound. Not being familiar with Evans' Fantasy output (but having nearly everything else he ever recorded), can you folks talk to me about this set? Worth it? Thanks.

Just a heads up, in case anyone needed ANOTHER reason to head to Chris' for the hit next week. I just found this out: Saw the previous post about crawfish in Kimberton, so I thought I'd chime in and let you know that Chris' Jazz Cafe just started doing crawfish daily. They have a nice, spicy boil going and are experimenting with different sources. The staff told me yesterday that they were expecting a shipment of 90 pounds of live crawfish from Louisiana today around noon. It's $10 a bucket (about 20 depending on size) and goes well with the $10 buckets of Coronitas, though I'm more a fan of the $2 Kenzingers... So if you're in the neighborhood tonight, there will be plenty of bugs to go around. I see a bucket of crawfish at Chris' followed by a plate of Delaware Bay salts at the Oyster house in my future. PM for additional food hints if you wish!

Just published info about this to my facebook--will be seeing a lot of friends this weekend, so I'll twist some arms, despite the fact that I shouldn't have to. Let's fill the place!

errrrrrrmmm...$100...sort of ashamed to drop that kind of ducats, but I have literally never seen this LP before. And I can't find the CD anywhere, so... (they did give me a discount on the others!!!)

An unusually good day of record shopping today! Found a first pressing of Clarke/Boland "Golden 8" (BN 4092) at Academy LP's--I have NEVER seen this in my years of crate digging and was prepared, as the guy brought it down from the wall, for it to be a Japanese or other reissue--nope! The real thing, stone near-mint. Also scored copies of "Smithville" and "Bone and Bari", albeit white label United Artists pressings--cheap, though, so I'm not complaining. Then I detoured up to Academy Records, and what was staring at me in the window but Bill Evans' complete Verve recordings--with almost no rust--for $120! Jumped on that, needless to say!

Going to either boil up a couple of lobsters with potatoes and smoked pimenton, Galician style, or skate with brown butter and champ. "sort of" picnic food for this amazing 78 degree manhattan day!

GAAAH! I KNEW that was going to happen (damn relatives!)! Still, I have nothing bad to say about the set I saw...really terrific stuff. Tom played his ass off all week, but on Sunday night, he was just on fire. Maybe Randy's presence inspired him to kick it up a few notches. All of us on stage were mesmerized. There wasn't much left to say after Tom soloed - just taking the tune out would not have seemed unreasonable.

Whole grilled red snapper (seasoned with salt and pepper, thyme and lemon slices stuffed inside) basted with white wine/chicken stock/red, yellow pepper/onion broth (which is ultimately served over the top); roasted corn, "de-cobbed", and tossed in a pan with shredded basil, salt, and pepper; a nice Spanish Rosato to wash it down on this fine, beautiful evening!

Indeed! Perhaps Shawn could give Miles Smiles the "treatment"!

Whoa...trippy and totally cool. It's like Miles is everywhere! Well done.

Woot! Happy birthday Jim--and many more!

I'll be there for the 9:00 show, Joel--looking forward to it. I'll be sure to introduce myself. Cheers, Peter

*smacks head* Yes, Valerie--Randy Brecker! i assume you meant Randy Brecker?!? sure wish i could catch this band!

What a terrific show! If you're in or near NYC, go! Laura and I went to the 10:30 show last night and had great seats and got a chance to chat briefly with Michael and meet bfrank, in from San Francisco. I've never heard Tom Harrell before, but he was in wonderful form last night--such an effortless approach to complex lines and harmonies. Toward the end of the set, Tom and the saxophonist (sorry, can't recall his name, but he was great) took a breather and the trio played an absolutely sublime version of "The St. Vitus Dance." It was neat to hear that Blowin' the Blues Away was the first jazz record Michael bought--as I told him afterwards, it was the third or fourth jazz record I bought! I can't say enough about this band--we're heading out of town this weekend, otherwise I'd go back for another set or two, and am really disappointed I'm missing the Sunday shows (with Michael Brecker). Seriously folks, GO SEE THIS BAND.

Man, that is rad! What a great guy to take the time to write that note. Also cool that the CD ultimately made its way to him--I suspect folks like Groening get all kinds of unsolicited shit, much of which ends up in the roundfile. Of course, with that CD--which I'm proud to say I bought straight from the source--what's not to like?

Tomorrow night! Ars Nova Workshop presents: Wednesday, May 6, 8pm BRÖTZMANN / WAITS DUO Peter Brötzmann, reeds Nasheet Waits, drums Philadelphia Art Alliance, 251 S. 18th Street $12 General Admission The founding father of the European Free Jazz movement, German saxophonist Peter Brötzmann has made important contributions with Last Exit (with Bill Laswell, Sonny Sharrock and Ronald Shannon Jackson), Die Like a Dog (with William Parker, Hamid Drake and Toshinori Kondo) and his Chicago- and Scandinavian-based Tentet with Ken Vandermark. He returns to Philadelphia in duo with the exceptional drummer Nasheet Waits, best know for his work with Andrew Hill, the Fred Hersch Trio and Jason Moran's Bandwagon. Advance tickets still available at http://www.arsnovaworkshop.com.

Great to hang with you too, man. I just got my Broetzmann ticket online, so I'll keep an eye out for you tomorrow night. Well, you and "taper-man." Ron, how about it? Coming downtown tomorrow night?

I had the great pleasure last night of seeing two of Reptet's three sets at Chris' Jazz Cafe in Philly, and also got to meet up with J. H. Deely and Mr. Johnny E as well! In short: GO SEE THIS BAND. Completely amazing. I can't remember the last time I saw music in a live context that literally made me laugh out loud with humor, and with amazement at the chops on display. These guys are GREAT; they're playing tonight in Brooklyn and I'd be there if I didn't have a bunch of work stuff back here in Philly in the morning. The writing and the arrangements are terrific, and these guys have a real sense of each others' space, to the extent that at one point, the trumpeter, trombonist, and saxophone players left the stand, walked around the room, and out the door into the street while John and the bassist kept the beat going; that worked well because there's a PA feed from the stand out into the street! Just a terrific evening of joyous music and fun that defy categorization. If there's any way you can see them, GO! At the end of the night, you may even know the answer to the question: "chicken or beef?" Thanks to you and your bandmates for a great night, John!

Just scored a couple of great tickets for Saturday's show at the Spectrum (Philly). Anyone else going to be there? <-- almost Captain Trips avatar!

PM sent re Joe Henderson and Freddie Jackson.

Thanks for the info, Lon. The bike is locked away in storage for now--but as soon as I have access, I'll take some measurements. Thanks! P.S. Fine looking ride!

(not you, Ron) I did, indeed, and was told that they won't book any group that's not already well known in NYC.

Vanguard is probably booked during all possible nights; Renee Rosnes is there from 6/16-6/21, and the Vanguard Orchestra is on Monday the 15th. I know, however, that they occasionally do a late set (but not sure if they'd consider it for someone other than who was playing). Still, worth a call, no?

Interested in selling that Corbin solo, Lon? I'm sure it would be a bolt-on for my /5...

I've read a lot about Corbins over the years, and have been tempted many times. Still get troubled, though, by the idea of moving away from my bone stock ride! I wonder if they make a version for /5's that's easily interchangeable with the stock seat, which I've been on for hours at a stretch (but aware that there are more comfortable options!).