paul secor

Listened to the Braxton/McDonough twice since it arrived. Didn't know what to expect before I listened. What I got was a set of lyrical, smart, engaging dialogues. Haven't listened 50 times, as Chuck has, and will probably never get there, but the second listen was more rewarding than the first, and I'm sure that further listenings will follow that pattern. The sound is wonderful - almost made me wish that I had tubed equipment to listen to it on. Thanks for releasing this music, Chuck. I hope that folks will give this CD a try. I'm sure there are those who might stay away because it's Braxton, but to my ears this music falls under the umbrella of lyrical and playful rather than intellectual - not that there's not intelligence involved in it.

One night when I heard J.R. playing in a small club in Albany, the pianist was a lawyer. I wonder if he represented J.R. in the lawsuit. "The Pianist Was a Lawyer" - could be a good title for something.

Johnny Otis Rhythm & Blues Caravan - The Complete Savoy Recordings (3 CDs) - $12.93 or $12.95: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0000206AR/ref=sr_1_1_olp?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1297126993&sr=1-1&condition=new

The Johnny Otis Rhythm & Blues Caravan - The Complete Savoy Recordings

$140 listed on Amazon. I haven't heard a lot of her Columbia recordings, but is 12 CDs a bit over the top? It would seem that there would have to be a fair amount of fluff and filler in there. But perhaps I'm wrong about that.

They reissue LOTS of recordings that are less than fifty years old.

Prince Albert in a can Bang on a Can Billy Bang

I don't believe there's much about Gambit that's legit.

Terrible news for you. Hope all works out well.

Hope you heal completely - and quickly if possible. Completely is most important.

Auntie Mame Mamie Eisenhower Ike Turner

I have a memory of an interview with J.R. Monterose (possibly in Cadence) where he said that Don Schlitten did the Xanadu issue by dubbing it from an LP. A person I knew years ago in the Albany area who had some contact with Mr. Monterose said that he was unhappy that Schlitten had issued it, and tried to sue over the fact that his photograph was on the cover of the LP. This last is hearsay, so I don't know if it's so.

Braxton/McDonough and Roscoe arrived late yesterday afternoon. Thanks for the music - tho I've had no time to listen yet - and for the fast service.

Louis Armstrong - A Self Portrait Short book consisting of Louis Armstrong's words from a magazine interview plus some photographs. Nice to read Louis' own words without some critic/sociologist interpeting them.

The Hollywood Flames Arthur Brown The Firehouse Five Plus Two

Personally, I would much rather hear younger, more vital musicians rather than older ones living on past glories. But that's just me. YMMV. I agree, but I do hate to miss the veterans that I've missed in 40 years of concert going. Here's another vet, this one I have heard a few times: Roscoe Mitchell 70th birthday, 2/17 at Roulette. Roscoe Mitchell is an older musician - hard to say that, as I remember photos of him in Down Beat as a young man - who's never lived off past glories. Seems like he's always making it new.

Reminded me of looking out the window this morning and seeing a cardinal, a bluebird, a dove, a sparrow, and two squirrels all together in a ten foot circle searching for food in the snow.

Daddy Warbucks The Clash Mikey Dread

I'm happy that Andy Pettitte is going out on after a good season, like Mike Mussina did a couple of years ago. Too many players stay beyond their time.

Patrick Ewing Charles Barkley Karl Malone

Best of luck.

Milt Jackson + Count Basie + The Big Band Vol.2 (Pablo)

Oscar Hammerstein Lorenz Hart Ira Gershwin

Adam Eve Johnny Appleseed