Kevin Bresnahan

Well, here I am on my third day over in steamy Manila. I can't wait to go home. Sooo tired. Anyway, here I am, 4 hours by plane from Japan, and I go into some CD shops, including Tower, and they all carry US versions! Weirdest thing. I've bought a lot of Japanese CDs in Taiwan and I figured this place would be like that. BTW, I'm being told that most CDs in the stores around here are probably bootlegs. Since I just saw a DVD of "Finding Nemo" and it's still playing in the movie theaters, I suppose that shouldn't surprise me. In the Tower around the corner from me, they have two copies of the US version of "Little Johnny C". Is that as hard to find as it used to be? Later, Kevin

John, I am staying at the Shagri La at Makati... "Shangri La"... what a name! I hear it's the American hotel in the area. I don't know about you, but right now, staying in a place that screams American might not be the best thing. I'll just keep my fingers crossed. Thanks for the tip about your friend's club. I'll definitely check it out. A Tower Records too?? Now that's good news! They must have a lot of Japanese CDs in there. Now, I just gotta find a used CD shop. Later, Kevin

That's great! If you hear from them, let me know. I leave Tuesday but I hope to have access to the 'net throughout the week. I hope there's at least one Jazz club so next weekend isn't a total loss. Later, Kevin

I've spun this one a couple of times this week. The CD I have this session on is called "Midnight Soul" and it's a gold CD issued on the French Vogue label in 1992. The other session on the disc is Lou's "Possum Head". In listening to this CD again, I was once again reminded that "gold CD" does not equal "good sounding CD". Sometimes, it sounds the band is playing underwater. Crappy sound quality for sure. Since I have several Argo CDs that sound fine, I have to think it's this CD and not the master tape. As for the "Signifying" session, it's OK. I wouldn't rank it ahead of any of Lou's Blue Note dates. Good boppish soul Jazz. Is it me, or does anyone else think "I Dream of Jeannie" when "Si Si Safronia" starts? Montrell might not be well known, but he plays very good here. Quite frankly, I prefer his playing to Grant Green's. Grant's tendency to get stuck on his pet triplet could and has driven me crazy. Later, Kevin

Well, after trying to avoid it for the last few months, I am finally going to have to fly over to visit a manufacturing facility over near Manila next week. I had to plan it over a weekend but I have no idea what the scene is like over there. Anyone on the board know the Manila scene? Are there any Jazz clubs? Any good used CD shops? Good place for Japanese CDs? I'm leaving 6/24 and returning 7/3. I better bring a lot of books. Hey, at least I can bring that new Harry Potter book. Later, Kevin

This is a truly great disc. I remember when this CD came out. My buddy Rob bought it and played it for me "blind". I was guessing all these trumpeters but I could never really pick up enough to nail it down to one. After several guesses, Rob dropped the CD into my lap. "Tony Fruscella"?? I had no idea. I picked the CD up myself and I play it often. I have thought about that Fresh Sounds/Jazz Factory set a few times but I never got around to it. This thread has me wondering again.... man, so many CDs, so little $$. Later, Kevin

You know, I could have sworn I saw "Ivory Hunters" stuck in Michael's "research pile" when I was there last week. I'll see if I can find out if it's in or out. Later, Kevin

A simple math equation seems to indicate that 179 tracks would be a hell of a lot more than 4 CDs. Even assuming an average length of 2 minutes and factoring the CD mediums "max playing time" of 80 minutes, you get 4.475 CDs. I cannot imagine these tracks would average 2 minutes... not with late 40's/early 50's stuff in there. I bet it would average out nearly 3 minutes per track which would put the CD count up to 6.7 CDs, much more in line with Chuck's estimate. Later, Kevin

Speaking of another pianist whose life was tragically cut short, isn't Carl Perkins the "crab" in "A Crutch For the Crab"? Later, Kevin

I don't know about the "bitch(ing) out" part, but Cuscuna did say that he "got a call" from a distributor saying he had been offered these titles. I don't know if the call was from the one who eventually got them or if it was from a competitor. I told Michael they should just leave them alone. I didn't see what the harm was. In fact, I told him that I thought he should see if True Blue could get them in since their core customers would love a shot at these titles. He said True Blue couldn't touch these. Only Time/Life was supposed to have them and that it was wrong for them to sell them off in violation of their license. Not knowing the ins & outs of this industry, I can't say why Michael was so upset about it. Maybe Chuck Nessa can enlighten us? Although with Mosaic being partially owned by EMI, we may have an answer right there. BTW, I also told him I picked up the Freddie Roach title and that I was loving it. He was not happy but he didn't hold it against me for taking advantage of the situation. I wonder if Tomatbluenote would have reacted the same? As for the ebay thing, since these titles as configured are totally legit, and only their means of sale are in question, I don't see how Blue Note could stop someone from reselling them wherever they wanted. Are you gonna start an ebay business, shrugs? If you do, let me know if you got an extra copy of the Chick Corea's "Early Circle". Intergrity ran out and he says he can't get any more. Later, Kevin

I agree 100%. I think it sucks that these titles are not available here in the US. I remember many years back when True Blue was considering carrying re-packaged Japanese BN CDs and they decided it wasn't financially viable. As much as I hate to admit it, the music-buying public doesn't seem to be buying Jazz. The numbers just aren't there. In a way, Time/Life's "failure" here is as disappointing as Blue Note's efforts to stop the illegal sales. Who knows... if these things had sold the way Time/Life thought they would, maybe they would have extended this program to the US? Now that their Spanish program flopped, they are probably writing off this program and the losers are us Jazz fans. Later, Kevin

Brad, according to what I was told by Michael, the contract was pretty explicit: these CDs could only be sold by Time Life from some special kind of kiosk and only in Spain. Time Life cannot sell these CDs in any other way. Also, the only reason BN is "going after them" now is because they have started showing up in the US. In fact, their whole investigation into the thing started when they got a call from a large US distributor asking them if they were legit. I bet if this had stayed on the Planet Records web site, nobody would have ever noticed. It took a large batch showing up over here to get their attention. Later, Kevin

Just a heads up on these Spanish CDs: I did get a chance to talk with Michael Cuscuna about these CDs and they were only licensed for sale in a very specific way for Time/Life in Spain and only Spain. That is why BN is upset that they are showing up at Planet Records. The deal they got was a very good one, better than Michael could have gotten for Mosaic/True Blue. That's also why they are so cheap. Apparently, Time/Life is "big enough" to get a deal. Since they are in violation of their contract, I imagine it won't be long before these things dry up. Time/Life is probably just as full of lawyers as Blue Note. Betcha two phone calls, tops, and these things will disappear. BTW, I asked Michael why he can't get a deal like this one going for True Blue and he said he could never make the sales needed to get this done. That sucks. Why the heck can't BN do this right? They license these hard-to-find titles to a company that doesn't even meet their sales expectations so they sell their stock off? That's just plain stupid. If they would get a deal like this together for True Blue, it would be handled in a win-win fashion.... Actually, a win-win-win (BN-True Blue--and US ) Later, Kevin

Sadly Jim, all indications are that the one track found on "The Lost Sessions" (and the DG box set) are all that we're going to hear from that session... Unless of course a couple of obviously inebriated guys playing saxophone is a "fit" for the smooth Jazz that Manhattan was known for! Later, Kevin

I don't really understand this question. I suppose the simple answer would be to tell you to order the Blue Note discography from the True Blue web site and go through it as I have. There are far too many "unissued" and "rejected" sessions listed in this book to summarize here. Suffice it to say, there are probably plenty still lying around that could be combined into another "The Lost Sessions" CD. BTW, you did pick that CD up right? "The Lost Sessions" is a very nice CD. The great Tadd Dameron tracks alone are worth the price. Later, Kevin

Cuscuna told me a while back that "Blue Train" would be stereo. I agree with Claude that the Blue Note web site is most likely in error. Later, Kevin

I never picked up the Columbia Hot Fives because all indications I read seemed to say that the JSP CDs with John R.T. Davies' work are still the best. Isn't that so? BTW, I would love to get "Something New, Something Blue" on CD, especially if there is additional stuff in the vaults. This various artists LP gets lots of playing time on my system, even if the vinyl is all scratched up. 4 tracks with Art Farmer, Frank Rehak, Phil Woods, Al Cohn, Eddie Costa, Bill Evans, Addison Farmer and Ed Shaughnessy and another 4 with Donald Byrd, Bob Brookmeyer, Hal McKusick, Frank Socolow, Teddy Charles, Mal Waldron, George Duvivier and Ed Shaughnessy. Great blues playing by all. Later, Kevin

I hung with Doug in recent years. We went CD shopping a couple of times and out to lunch at a brewery once too. Impossible, were you with us then, or was that the time you were away?? I thought I met a fellow named Cary and.... damn, I'm forgetting the other name. Wait was it Sean I met? Maybe Doug can refresh my memory. Funny thinking about this, I just e-mailed Doug to tell him I won't be down that way any more as my sister-in-law is moving back up to CT. I'll miss hangin' with Doug. During the early days of the Blue Note board, several of us met at a show in NYC. I remember "hardbop" Heaney, Bertrand, Dmitry, Morgan Fan(?), me, Rob and few others. Anyway, there were quite a few of us. I'll never forget that ride in Dmitry's car!! Later, Kevin

Like Claude, I have yet to be blown away by many SACDs I've bought with the exception of a couple of them from Analogue Productions (like Adderley's "You Know What I Mean"). However, I am very happy with the sound of nearly all the SACDs I've bought, something that cannot be said for nearly all the CDs I've bought. True, I did buy Peter Gabriel's greatest hits SACD, "Shaking the Tree" and it doesn't sound all that great, but it is really the only dud I've encountered in about 50 SACDs so far. I have many crappy-sounding CDs that I've been forced to re-buy and, in some cases, re-buy again... sometimes for a slight sound improvement. If you are faced with having to buy a new CD player, I would recommend looking into a CD/SACD combo unit. There is a possibility that Sony may start releasing hybrids for some of their product (like ABKCO has done with their Rolling Stones' catalog) and it doesn't make sense to exclude yourself from being able to access that extra, great-sounding layer. If you aren't seeing a need to buy a new player, wait until you old one dies. With any luck, Sony will follow through and get a bunch of hybrids into your CD collection so that sometime in the future when you do get to hear the music on that extra layer, you can see if it is better. Later, Kevin

Thank you, Chris, for getting my name right. And as for my last poast... a "tirade"?? This post is far too tame to be labeled a tirade. After all, there wasn't one expletive in the whole thing. Are you sure you're not just looking at it from a negative point of view? I find I can sometimes get the gist of a post differently if I smile a little when I read them. Think "happy thoughts" and re-read my post and then see how much of it is really a "tirade". BTW, for anyone wondering: tirade - A protracted speech usually marked by intemperate, vituperative, or harshly censorious language. A further check into this definition shows that it should include "verbal abuse" (the definition of vituperative). There is no verbal abuse in my post. There may be things in there that some don't want to believe, but it is not verbal abuse. Later, Kevin

Well, if that's how it reads, I guess I should have slowed down and posted my thoughts more clearly. Several things didn't come across right. First, my "connection" to Blue Note is Michael Cuscuna, who, as most of you know, works with Blue Note on a contractural basis as a producer of reissues and (on ocassion) new releases. Michael is not a full-timer. Michael has had nothing to do with Wynton Marsalis' signing with Blue Note and is not involved (that he's told me) with the upcoming recording date. I have also, by way of the Blue Note bulletin board, been able to talk on ocassion with Tom Evered. I even visited their offices two years ago at Tom's invitation. This is as far as my "connection" goes on that end. In fact, during the demise of the Blue Note board, I was reminded how tenuous my relationship was with Tom when I was unable to get any information as to why the board was "killed". Also, in case I didn't make it clear, Michael Cuscuna told me that the decision to sign Wynton Marsalis was Bruce Lundval's. Bruce was with Columbia Records when they first signed Wynton and apparently is very aware of both Wynton's "philosophies" as well as his ability to sell CDs. He was the ultimate arbiter on the signing of Wynton. I have never met Bruce Lundval. Your next statement is one I have to take issue with: "Chris enters the fray posting his honest opinions on Wynton and his upcoming album." Is this how you see Chris' attitude toward Wynton Marsalis? "Honest opinions"? As I pointed out with snippets of Chris' posts, Chris only has negative opinions about WYnton Marsalis. Negative opinions not based on listening to any of Wynton's latest recordings or going to see the man live, but because Chris has an obvious hatred for Wynton Marsalis the man. I believe "honesty" went out the window for Chris and "all things Wynton" after Burns' Jazz. Of course, Chris denies and denies and denies the hatred, all the while continuing to post negative comments and little "mud-slinging" posts whenever and wherever he can. As for other parts of your hypothesis linking all this to Blue Note, I can only say that I buy and listen to Jazz regardless of the label. I do not worship Blue Note Records. Given that many of my favorite recordings say "Blue Note" on the label, I do wish to see them continue to do well. I hope the signing of Wynton Marsalis is financially beneficial to them. I would not like to see them pay him big bucks and then flop on his artistic face. BTW, I would wish the same thing for Verve Records, Columbia Records, Milestone Records or any of today's Jazz record labels. Jazz seems to be dying off the scene (especially at the major labels) and I would not wish to see any of them fail. I would rather see more releases from all. My comments to Chris is this thread, which you now label "childish" were a long time coming. I have tried in several other threads, many which people here may not have seen because they have been other Jazz discussion boards, to ask Chris if he could "tone down" his negativity toward Wynton Marsalis and several times, I asked him why he can't just leave threads about Wynton alone. He refuses to do any such thing, which is his right. I can't stop him. I am simply exercising my right to tell him his obsession with posting negative stuff about Wynton Marsalis sucks, plain & simple. If you can come up with a way to state what I just stated in a way that's less "childish" that Chris might actually understand, go for it. In closing, I have to say that my attitude on Internet boards throughout the years has been one of fostering good will and keeping a positive focus on "all things Jazz". Back when Chris Albertson first showed up on my screen, I was pleased that someone who had first-hand knowledge of some of Jazz's greats might actually post some of this. That hope has never really panned out. Chris has become the name of a poster whom I dread to see on my screen now as I know it will likely be a negative thread. That is truly the saddest thing about this whole affair. I have always hoped for him to stop being such a naysayer but he simply appears incapable of being a positive person. I wonder what happened in his life that he comes across so bitter today... strike that... he does seem to enjoy talking about Macs! Later, Kevin

Jim, I've been digging this CD for years. It does smoke... and I mean really smoke! Of course, I also happen to like the Blue Note material too. I happen to dig the "R&B trappings". Give me "Dem Tambourines"! Now, if you start talking about George Braith..... nah, I just can't do it. Later, Kevin

There is a problem with what you ask for: You may actually get it! Would you enjoy coming here if we all acted like Deep? Sure, that's taking it to the extreme; but I don't think it would be a better place if we all emulated his Deepness. Him and I have similar musical tastes but even I don't get his on-line persona. I can tell you, he ain't like that over the phone! I would rather leave the negativity out if I can help it. Later, Kevin

I don't know... are you? Later, Kevin

First off, it's "Bresnahan". Get it right. Like I thought, your continuing to get it wrong proves my point that you are belittling me by getting it wrong. So, what have you done that so displeases me? Let's see... Your entry into this thread: "given Wynton's less-than-spectacular musical history" "Bruce has made a disastrous business decision" "composition after laborious composition, but not a single one has a fraction of the artistic merit" number 2 had something to do with musicboy Entry number 3: "It was a double-wobble, guess old Wolf is spinning, too." (in response to a question about Alfred Lion spinning in his grave) Entry number 4: "we are talking about a rigid, stuck-in-a-bad-groove guy who would not recognize an original musical thought if it splashed against his ears" "A guy whose "good" performances are few and far between, and have to be qualified" Entry number 5: "He has written some horrendous extended stuff" "his playing is, at best, acceptable" "He is, after all, so heavily hyped that whatever he lacks in musical value is compensated for by his name recognition" "Norah Jones and Wynton are musical lightweights on a jazz scene" "Signing Wynton indicates that Bruce--or whoever made that decision--shares his myopia" "Will Wynton produce something meatier than Everette Harp, Najee, or Norah Jones? Very likely, but I think good water is preferable to bad wine." (which we've since clarified implies Wynton's music is "bad wine") Entry number 6: "no secret that Wynton has a history of releasing less than stellar performances" Entry number 7: The quote from "The Emperor's New Suit" "has yet to produce anything of enduring artistic worth" Entry number 8 is the (expected) refutation of my previous post Entry number 9 starts the personal attack on me: "I guess I overestimated your intelligence" "I was right about your, shall we say, less than mature attitude" "try to find Dale Carnegie's celebrated "How to" book--you know the one I mean" Entry number 10 continues with this attack: "Kevin's fertile mind is clearly in overdrive" "Is there a cure for paranoia of this kind" Entry number 11 is a plea for me to be civil (the above negativity deserves civility??) Entry number 12 and 13 are Chris cranking up the "positive image" machine. Which I might add is "blowing one's own horn a lot more than anyone else in this thread has done. Entry 14 is about how the screen was shrunk... I even think it may have been devoid of sarcasm and negativity! Entry number 15 starts the name game with a continued personal attack on me: "Get over it, Breshnahan (sic)! You twist the truth to suit your own biases" "think about why you are getting all worked up about things that are a figment of your own imagination" (Wow, I missed this... I guess all of these quotes are a "figment of my imagination"??) "If you think all this is going to endear you to the Blue Note people, I think you may be underestimating Michael's intelligence" "given how off-the-wall and personal your rants against me are--I think they are juvenile. " Entry number 16: "Breshnahan (sic), your last post underlines what many of your previous rants suggested: "juvenile" is an apt term" "I have never started a thread on Wynton nor launched an attack on you" "grow up and get a life!" Entry number 17 is a pat on the back to Jim (kind of a "Good boy, Jim, you see my way" post) Entry number 18 continues with the slight to me by changing my name even after I pointed out the error: "These observation have nothing to do with Wynton or Breshnahan" "a lack of tolerance" Which brings us back to here. 19 posts. 4 which could be called non-negative in nature... most using derogatory adjectives to describe Wynton as well as Blue Note's decision to sign Wynton. But of course, Chris will come back with some grandiose explanation for all these obvious smears. In fact, by the time he's done, he'll have everyone thinking he's a pure as the virgin snow... yeah, right. Later, Kevin