Kevin Bresnahan

Actually - it tracks from 3-6 grams with 5 supposed to be the sweet spot. That's a lot of tracking force and I would think that it is contributing to LP wear. I wouldn't use that on my records. BTW, it's been many years - decades really - since I've "worn out" a record. The fact that the original poster is having records wear out, something that seems to be a thing of the past, may mean that the high VTF of that cartridge may be the culprit. I think this is one of those instances where older is not better, it's just older.

According to Feather's Encyclopedia, Rein de Graaff "Visited US in late 67, sat in w. Lee Morgan; Hank Mobley", so since this photo has been attributed to him (he is still alive BTW), it is likely to have been taken in the US and not Europe.

What is that - a ceramic cartridge? Now we know why your records are wearing out. And if you're not kidding, forget about buying another old RVG LP. You really should update your turntable. I can't even imagine the tracking force of that turntable.

I assume you all listened to this interview of the man who ran Slug's Saloon: https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/nat-music/audio/20145088/slugs-saloon I thought it made for a very interesting listen. I wish someone would transcribe it for posterity.

I have tickets to see him this fall. It was supposed to be in January but COVID pushed it out. Now I'm wondering if it'll be worth the wait.

If the title is available in the recent reissue program from Analogue Productions, found here: https://store.acousticsounds.com/index.cfm?get=results&labelid=4473&CategoryID=5, you would be making a mistake to buy an old, possibly beat-up Van Gelder pressing for more than $40. These new records generally sound better than the old RVG pressings as Rudy had to roll off the bass to make them play back on the junky turntables of those days. You should try one before splurging on these blue-label Prestiges.

David - How is James doing these days? I was able to see him many years ago at the Up And Over Jazz Café and had a blast. It was recorded and released on a CD called "Blues Up and Over". I always wished I could see him again someday. I have never been able to find a copy of the sequel, called "Round To It Vol. 2". I expect by now, at 84, he might not be playing anymore, but I hope he's at least living comfortably in his retirement.

Johnny Hodges - The Complete Johnny Hodges Sessions 1951 - 1955 (LP 2). This is the material from 1952 with Emmett Berry on trumpet; Lawrence Brown on trombone; Hodges, Al Sears on tenor; Leroy Lovett on piano; Barney Richmond or Lloyd Trotman on bass & Joe Marshall on drums. Am I the only one whose cover photo looks yellowed? I see these box sets listed on eBay and some are yellow-looking and others are white.

You couldn't pay me to take any DMM LP over the CD of that title. I was never impressed by the sound quality of that cutting system.

The one I really wanted was "Soul Station" but asked him for several. Even with the combined shipping, he quoted me ~$85, which, at the rime was very high for a new pressing, even in Japan. He also said they were very expensive to ship due to their weight. Looking back, I should've just pulled the trigger.

I wish i could remember all of the CDs I bought from Hiroshi over the years but only one or two come to mind. I never did buy any vinyl from him as his prices were very high (as they are in Japan). I came very close when Disk Union came out with those mono replicas of a bunch of Blue Note titles but with the shipping, they came out at almost $90/each so I balked. I wish I had pulled the trigger on a few of them as they are now going for crazy money. For some reason, I thought I'd be able to pick them up used for less. Who foresaw this market?

He was a great connection to the Japanese market but it went beyond that. He was a real Jazz fan and record collector too. Sometimes, you felt like he was enjoying the hunt as much as you were.

When I first got this, I played it quite a bit. The opener, "Freedom", was definitely my favorite track. Of the numerous posthumously released LPs (and I gave up keeping track of them decades ago), I preferred "Rainbow Bridge" as I really liked the 2 tunes "Dolly Dagger" and "Hear My Train A Comin'". These days, I usually play his first 3 LPs, "Are You Experienced", "Axis Bold As Love" and "Electric Ladyland", which is my favorite Hendrix release. I don't remember the last time I heard any of those posthumously released LPs. In fact, I picked up the SACD of "Machine Gun: The Fillmore East First Show 12/31/1969" a few years back... I don't think I've played it yet.

But the article says, "Her second marriage, to Nicholas LaSorsa, ended more than four decades ago and she remained in Philadelphia living in privacy" and "The past few years, though, have reportedly been extremely difficult for Gilberto, who turns 82 in March 2022. She now lives in isolation, in her apartment overlooking a river, with the company of a cat and visits and calls from her children. Her voice is apparently still intact, though her spirit is broken." That would seem to be the opposite of what Francis Davis reported?

Blind Faith - Blind Faith (MFSL Gold CD). I wish this band stuck together long enough for me to see/hear them live. I did see Steve Winwood in the 80's but he was doing his own thing by then. Seeing this jam band would have been fun. I'd put the cover here but I'd hate for the sex police here to take offense.

Aldo Romano - Non Dimenticar (MLP). Nice date with a killer band of Italy's finest Jazzers - Paolo Fresu on trumpet, Franco D'Andrea on piano, Furio Di Castri on bass and Aldo on drums.

Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill. Such a raucous collection of tracks. Mixed way too fucking hot and in your face. Distorts like hell like something a grunge-rock band would do. But what a statement she made with this. I imagine every woman over 40 (this came out in 1995) that ever had a nasty break up with a guy loves "You Oughta Know" and probably screamed along with her at some point. Of course it also had her one of biggest hits...

How many pop hits did Jazz Samba have? How many millions of dollars did it generate? Gilberto's vocals pushed Getz's Samba craze into the mainstream. Getz stealing the credit from her is just who he was.

Is that big box set really worth it? Are there tracks on there that just have to be heard? I have a lot Getz and I always figured the 2 CD version was enough. truth be told, as good as this is, I tend to play "Serenity" and "Anniversary" more often than this set.

Stan Getz & Kenny Barron - People Time (Verve). Disc 1. Such a beautiful recording. I've read where people say that they can "hear" that Getz is ill but I am not one of them. I suppose comparatively, one could say that he doesn't sound like the Stan of old, but to my ears,he still sounds pretty damn good. BTW - When I first saw this cover, I tried to figure out why TTYA was bolded and never could. Anyone know if there was a reason or was it simply an artistic move by the cover designer?

We all have our guilty pleasures. I listen to a lot of 80s bands that would probably raise a few eyebrows on here. I actually played this to smile a bit. Many years ago, when my youngest daughter was very young, the song "Voices Carry" came on and she started singing along with it with a chorus of, "This is scary". Still brings a smile to my face whenever I hear it. If it helps my cred any, I'm now spinning Marchel Ivery's "Marchel's Mode" with Cedar Walton on piano.

'Til Tuesday - Voices Carry

My last 3 cars didn't have a CD player. I miss having that ability. My latest ride is the top of the line 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Limited and it has almost every bell & whistle except for a CD player.

I wish Michael had copies at his website. I'd like to make sure he gets the most financially out of this... I tend to doubt that Amazon does that but I suppose I could be wrong.

So Kenny Barron last night was wonderful. He is still playing great at 78. My only complaint would be that the club I went to is new and they don't seem to have the hang of how to mix the sound for a piano trio or they didn't design the sound system right. We sat in front of the stage and could barely hear Kenny's piano if the trio was playing. I got up at one point and walked back into the club and after about two rows of tables, Kenny was clear as a bell. I think the stage speakers are too high up. They have to be 15-20 feet up.