Bill Nelson

In 1970 while DJ-ing at my college station (WRIU-FM, Kingston, RI), I recall pulling this LP from the jazz stacks to preview for airplay. Try as I might, there wasn't a single track I could find the least bit attractive, with a solid groove or jazz chops. Epic Records flung this one out there to see if it'd stick. Anyone who actually bought a stock copy at regular price had to be nuts. Betcha Ray Draper's mother hated it, too.

Thousands of stand-up comedians just lost two minutes worth of easy jokes along the lines of: "Man, that Michael Jackson's pretty weird, huh? I mean, what's up with him, anyway?"

P-Vine, Shmee-Vine. I'll sit tight and be alright with my 'Soul of O.V. Wright' (MCA 10670). It's 18 tracks of Back Beat (1964-74), mostly 'hit' singles, with some of the later tracks in a gospel vein. Easy to get -- still available new at Amazon for $10.49

The collective Braves' Borg bullpen meld could not throw a strike. The 'pressure' of holding a narrow 10-to-3 lead rendered the robotic relievers unable to find the strike zone -- probably just a program error.

The Audiophlile Splendor of RVG Blue Note Remasters Rudy Van Gelder on Beltone vs. Miracle Ear: "No Difference To Me!"

Buddy Rich's Inner World: Techniques of Serenity and Love The Buddy Rich Teacher's Guide To Encouraging Musical Talent of Young Musicians 'On the Bus With Buddy Rich' -- Fun and Good Times On the Road With His Band

I've had moments of 'significant' blues, but give me a day that's 'blues-drenched' and... I might as well be serving a 'major' in the oblong penalty box... Go for a long ride in the bronze-handled sedan... Book an extended stay in the Deep Six Motel... Slip on a turf tuxedo and hang with the stiffs at Club Mud...or, Hold the line for The Man while waiting in the pine phone booth.

Besides the 'wacka-chicka-wacka' of the title track, the remainder of the LP is one smooth ride arranged by Claus Ogerman. 'Dr.' George Butler must've set aside a heluva budget for this album.

Probably too many "This item has been discontinued by the manufacturer" link responses. AMG would have to hire a full-time checker just to verify the availability of product. Instead, they may have resolved,"Why do we need to promise each CD can be purchased immediately?"

Dusty has listed a truly great MPS CD for $8.99 -- 'Sentimental Journey' by the Singers Unlimited with the Robert Farnon Orchestra. It's THE best album by a jazz vocal ensemble backed by an orchestra -- and the first time I've seen it available as a single CD.

While not privy to EMI accounting systems, I have to believe that 350 copies per CD refers to U.S. sales. The same item would be tracked differently by EMI International Division. But it's just my guess.

from today's Jazz In Print topic thread 'At 70, A Legendary Label Asks, 'Now What?' there's a link to a 2/6/09 same-titled NY Times story with the quote: "Late last year (2008) the label made a round of catalog deletions; any title that sold fewer than 350 copies over a 12-month period was vulnerable." The paragraph implied a battle between those sharp-penciled EMI accountants versus Bruce Lundvall, who could intervene and spare a title or two from expulsion.

The one Blue Note to-be-delected I'm REALLY glad I nailed at $11.99 before it vanished is: Kenny Cox and the Contemporary Jazz Quintet: 'Introducing' ('68) and 'Multidirection' ('69). This BN Conn is getting the axe, barely a year-and-a-half after release by EMI on CD. For anyone with an indelible imprint of Miles' 1965-68 Quintet on their little grey brain cells -- Kenny Cox & the CJQ is a logical extension -- with the exact same instrumentation. Oddly for Blue Note, both albums were recorded in Detroit and originally produced by Francis Wolff. The CD is mastered in 24-bit entirely by Ron McMaster with NO RVG futzing. As long as listeners can cool-out their expectations of hearing the 'sound' of Wayne, Ron, Herbie, and Tony -- this jewel should provide lots of pleasure.

"Debby, she be crazy -- running around nekkid n' barefoot, too." Hey Jazzhound: besides a jacket, why not spring for a pair of shoes?

We might include snaps of 'Fran' Sinatra Jr. after his gender re-assignment.

"We shall NOT see his likes again." Really? Has Clem: 1. Gone for a long ride in a bronze-handled sedan? 2. Been whisted by the Ref to serve forever in the oblong Penalty Box? 3. Been 'on hold' in the pine phone booth? 4. Arrived at Club Mud in a turf tuxedo? 5. Checked in the Deep Six Motel for an extended stay?

RCA album cover designers on crack? Uhh, you're 30 years late, Chewski. Since we're talking 1959-61, they'd more likely be swilling martinis and hi-balls. (Check an episode of 'Mad Men' sometime and get a taste of the ad industry during these years.) RCA and Capitol consistently led the field in adventurous cover designs during the 'golden era' of developing the consumer market for LPs. RCA went even further in knocking out these zippy phrases just above the logos on the upper right front. It's as if the exceptional quality of Living Stereo pressings weren't enough and RCA honchos felt consumers needs further 'convincing'. It just lasted for a couple years, but I find these zany phrases adds to the charm of experiencing each LP.

Nauseating? Hardly. They're a gas! What other major label printed jacket fronts implying "file this under: "For Hi-Fanatics" Esquivel- Infinity In Sound "For Woofers and Tweeters" Esquivel - Exploring New Sounds in Stereo "Soundsational!" Marty Gold - Skin Tight "A Romping Holiday" Bob Thompson - Mmm Nice Let's see... should I file that last one under 'Romping' or 'Holiday'? (Such a deep post-modern dilemma!) RCA went with these upper-case headings for many (but not all) of their LSP releases from 1959-61. They stand today as hilarious attempts at product positioning.

As a jazz radio programmer in the early 70's, I recall being unimpressed with both 'Soaring' and Haiku' when the promo copies arrived. They were thin, unformed, and facile, compared to Ellis' earlier works. I dutifully filed them in the station library but never played either of them on air. My advice: tread lightly and sample first.

Since Nobody's Mentioned It Dept. My favorite single LP from the Mosaic box is the last one Wilson recorded for World Pacific, 'Eternal Equinox'. It's seriously hip shit from June, 1969, especially when you've got George Duke, Paul Humphrey, Jean-Luc Ponty, Harold Land, Hadley Caliman, Bobby Hutcherson, and Richard 'Groove' Holmes on board. With the exception of 'Aquarius' from 'Hair' (which is just cool enough) there's no concession to hit pop tunes. Most of the track were written by Wilson and they all groove. Caveat: one track not written by Wilson, the 3-minute 'Baby, Baby Don't Cry' is bewildering and will conk your head when you hear the vocal. (Those with the Mosaic set are probably in the habit of reaching for their remotes.)

I've got 4 Criterions -- and I watch them about once a year: 'Bob le Flambeur' by Jean-Pierre Melville 'Down by Law' by Jim Jarmusch 'M. Hulot's Holiday' by Jacques Tati, and 'Wages of Fear' by Henri-Georges Clouzot The transfer quality is excellent, or certainly the best possible.

Is that a rhetorical question?

Just listened to 'Jambangle' and, in the first seven notes of the melody, there's indeed a vague association to 'Light My Fire' -- it is vague.

'Astrud Gilberto Remembers Pearl Bailey' 'The Manhattan Transfer Tackles the Singers Unlimited' 'Della Reese Sings Blossom Dearie Favorites Leon Thomas Live at the Swiss Alps' Yodel Festival' 'The Jazz Soul of Linda Ronstadt'

But he makes a 'pit stop' in Muncie and his car is stolen -- there'll be lotsa LPs of Jazz at the Pawnshop (in Lower Muncie).