Kevin Bresnahan

I believe there would be people who would believe that EMI released this title now, during the war in Iraq, on purpose. That's what I think. I think it's absolutely ridiculous but you know, nothing surprises me any more. Hell, there'd probably be people boycotting Norah Jones concerts and manning picket lines with signs saying, "Support the Troops". She'd start getting mentioned in the same breath as the Dixie Chicks. Later, Kevin

Surely you're kidding here, right? You honestly think in this country right now that no one would be offended by this title?? I think there would be an outrage in certain quarters. There are people out there who's lives are consumed with finding stuff like this to vent their anger on. It'd probably get made into posters and carried around at the next World Trade Conference with references to EMI's corporate "attitude". BTW, I never thought of it before, but Basra is held by the British and EMI, Blue Note's parent compnay, is British. Now don't get me wrong, I don't agree and I checked the calendar to make sure it wasn't April 1st when Michael told me this. I figured it had to be a joke. But it isn't. It's an indication of the world we're living in. Later, Kevin

Calm down... I was not given the OK to say who wanted the title changed. However, it should be noted that the artist in question, Pete LaRoca (Sims) is still alive and, if you notice, he did in fact propose a new title for the session. Put two & two together. Michael Cuscuna did not want this change. Tom Evered did not want this change. Later, Kevin

Well, from what I was just told, you can blame the war in Iraq! First off, I'm not making this up. Pete LaRoca's "Basra" has been temporarily withdrawn from the release schedule. There is some pressure to change the title. There is intense sensitivity to our guys dying over there and this sensitivity extends to the Jazz world. Sorry guys. BTW, Pete Sims prefers "Lazy Afternoon" and Michael Cuscuna prefers "Candu" (because the number of letters is the same and the cover change would be minimal). Later, Kevin

The (unlicensed) Blue Note Club in Taipei is the smokiest hole-in-the-wall throwback club you ever want to visit. I believe it's still there at 4th Floor No. 171, Section 3, Roosevelt Rd. Is Jazzclub Unterfahrt still in business in Munich? They used to be mal Waldron's regular hang... sadly, I missed him every time I went by a few days. If they're still in business, I imagine they are also pretty smoky. Their old website doesn't seem to work anymore. I'd be very sad if that place was dead even though I doubt I'll ever get another chance to go to Munich. Later, Kevin Edit: Ah, I found it: http://www.unterfahrt.de/. They have Chris Speed playing there this week.

I saw it and thought, "this is why we have George Bush as our president".

I've been offered a copy by a friend of mine (thanks Mike) and I'm looking forward to hearing it. I simply cannot get enough Ben Webster... well, and Don Byas too. Later, Kevin

There seems to be some confusion with this Lonehill CD. It has incorrect recording dates. The two sessions were released as BLP5059 - Best from the West, Volume 1 and BLP5060 - Best from the West, Volume 2 in 1955. They were recorded 12/54 and 1/55. They fall under public domain in the EU. Also, any "licensed from" statement on that CD is simply not true. I asked Cuscuna about this CD last week and he didn't know about it and his reaction was surprise. As I said, he was seriously thinking about doing this in the Connoisseur series. From his reaction, I tend to doubt he's thinking that now. Later, Kevin

I agree that it's great that this stuff will finally be back in print. However, it isn't "legit" for me. I see where you don't have a location listed in your profile. "Legit" is true only if you live in the EU. If you live in the states, this CD is technically illegal to import. Obviously, it is nearly impossible to stop this, but just realize it's still not legit. Blue Note holds the exclusive rights to this music for 75 years from it's initial relase. FWIW, I imagine this Lonehill CD will likely kill this title from Blue Note's reissue plans. It was on track for a Connoisseur release but likely not now. As long as the sound is good, that probably won't matter much. Later, Kevin

Is this in print anywhere? I've got to get my hands on this one. Kevin

I do like "The Panther!" but my love of Booker Ervin's playing has me pulling "Setting the Pace" off the shelf more than any other LTD disc. "The Jumpin' Blues" has some nice Wynton Kelly... sadly Kelly's last date. Am I the only one who didn't dig "Ca'Purange" at all? I actually traded it in. Later, Kevin

I have a large Can-Am unit and I love it. I used to have a very nice wall unit and while it made it easier to read the titles and pick out stuff to spin, there was some fading on the spines. A lot of my CBS/Columbia CDs with red print faded pretty bad. I also had a lot of dust along the top. Well, there was also no way to store my odd-shaped sets... hmm, more drawbacks than I remember. Needless to say, the Can-Ams have been a help. My wife still hates them though. Later, Kevin

I have had great luck going with recommendations from Jim Sangrey. That Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis set on Jasmine that he recommended was absolutely wild. Based on what I'm reading here, I've got to get myself a copy of this CD. Allen, I sent an E-mail. Let me know how you want the money. Later, Kevin

Michael told me that this new label that may start up is a good place for these PJ titles. I imagine that many of them aren't big sellers. You know how EMI is about those titles... sucky policy but hey, I'm not "in the business". Myself, I want Pepper Adams' "Critics Choice". Later, Kevin

I haven't found any reason to replace any of my early-90's TOCJ CDs with domestic reissues unless there were extras or unless someone said the domestic was much better. I think there were only a couple... Freddie Redd's "Shades of Redd" and Tina Brooks' "Minor Move" maybe? BTW, I have the JRVG of "Along Came John". It sounds like I should try to find a domestic copy. Later, Kevin

Damn, I voted 11-24 and I just re-counted and got 26! I guess I got more Jimmy than I thought. I can't get enough of "Cool Blues". Jimmy Smith and Tina Brooks... can't get much better than that. Well, especially when you add Blakey! Later, Kevin

Yeah, but by 1967 they were in a very large minority when it came to sales. I remember finding a mono LP in a bin when I used to shop for records and passing it over because stereo was considered "better". They even used to discount the mono versions to move them out. Many stores stopped buying them. This is why companies like Blue Note "electronically re-channeled" most of their mono back catalog... just so they could put the word "stereo" on the cover. It was the only way some stores would order it and some people would buy it. Later, Kevin

Yes, at 1,500 Yen too. What a great date. Nice and mellow but still gets your foot tappin'. I picked up a recent Japanese remaster of this date and the improvement over the old Portrait/Epic CD from the early 80's was very noticeable. Later, Kevin

This is a crazy thread... I keep writing a post to respond but every time I go to hit "Add Reply", I look at it and figure, "Why bother"? There is nothing wrong with someone buying Mosaics for any reason! In my opinion, it's much better when Mosaic sells out a set than it is for them to "wait around" until every single buyer who may ever want this set orders one from them and keeps it forever. This is simple economics at work here... that and people crying over spilt milk. Later, Kevin PS. PLEASE, PLEASE go speculate on Mosaic's The Complete CBS Recordings of Eddie Condon (#152) on LP! Please! They will never sell out of that set if someone doesn't do it.

Another Francis Wolff photo of Jimmy at work... actually the cover shot from the Mosaic set.

Bye Jimmy. You created a style that's been imitated but never duplicated. Kevin

Supposedly, GoDaddy.com paid to have their commercial run twice but the NFL saw it the first time and prevented Fox from running it the second time. Here's a sport who's goal is to have huge men maim each other and they're concerned about a woman with nice cleavage and a failing spaghetti strap on her shirt... hmmm.... I've read that steroids cause erectile disfunction... that's it... the NFL is full of a bunch of guys who can't get it up for sexy commercials. Kevin

Wow, I never would have thought Ossie was that old! He was great as the chauffeur in one of my favorite movies, "Joe Versus The Volcano". RIP Ossie. Kevin

I believe Green's "Sunday Morning" has a clearly audible sound of a beer bottle being knocked over on one of the tunes. I foget which tune but it's one of the ballads. I think it was Cuscuna who told me it was a beer bottle. Of course, it could be my failing memory... but I'm positive it was a Grant Green date and almost positive it was "Sunday Morning". Later, Kevin

I wonder if the RVG will make that beer bottle falling over louder or softer on his remater of this date. Later, Kevin