jazzbo

I'm just very careful indeed to assign "influences" to anyone any longer. Nothing ever seems that easy to me. I personally believe that it is likely that most of Herbie's musical identity was forged quite a ways prior to "Zodiac Suite." There are other reasons why he didn't record before that Chocolate Williams date. . . . Anyway, I guess a lot of deep thinking about the nature of musicians influencing others (or should I say artists influencing others) I've done in the past few years (helped a lot by thinkers on this board and its predecessor) has taken the "fun" out of it for me and made it serious business. Enough about this from me! I'm so glad that another Mary Lou Williams has been slated for release! Here's hoping for more still (yes, I'm greedy).

Herbie was not in short pants in 1945! I've read the book too, hey, I don't hear it the same way you may, that's fine. I've been listening to both of those players for some time. I just don't hear an influence of MLW in HN. There's lots of places both players could have gotten similar pianistic habits.

Yes, it appears to be a compilation from 2002 and I don't see it at the usual places I shop. I'll widen my search.

Yeah, those are great. . . I didn't mention them because they aren't really to me like the trio albums I did mention, and it was a trio album he was wowed by and wanted something like it. . . . Nichols "clearly influenced" by Mary Lou? Hmmmm. . . not necessarily something I'd say. The opposite . . . that might seem more possible to me!

Or Bertrand Uberall.

If anyone knows of a cheap copy of this one, I'd be interested. I am surprised to find that thtis does not appear to be in print. Is it worth pursuing?

Unlike Brandon, I feel that "Zoning" is an important work and can recommend it. I also recommend highly the HighNote cd "Live at the Keyston Korner" and "At Rick's Cafe Americain" which are both nice trio recordings.

I've heard two models of Jolida amps and I don't think they are in the same league as the Decware amps. To my ears the Decware---and at the time I was listening to the Jolidas I had their very first amp without any of the three revisions they now have on the basic model---had more clarity and less grain. On the Decware board there have been several who reported that they thought Jolidas were very good til they heard Decware or good vintage tube gear. I am not sure that the Integrated from Decware can be used for biwiring. Perhaps. For several reasons you may want to check out Decware's forum and you may want to call up Steve and ask him a few questions about your speakers, etc. Don't be afraid of seven watts. Seven watts of good tube power can really achieve a lot! And my experience with audio has led me to believe that the lowest powered amps are really the best. . . . My five watt amps do all I need them to, and I really loved my two watt amp and agonized over parting with it to afford these new ones! Nothing quite like the deepdown wholeness and clarity of the sound. There is a speaker for 700 dollars made by a fellow named Dave Parker that is made specificially for the basic Zen amps that keeps getting increasingly more positive reviews from Decware users. . . the Parker Audio 95s. Their ohms and effeciency are set up to match the amps'. I'd be tempted if I didn't already have the Radial speakers, which are the best I've every heard; these speakers are just the bedrock of my listening world.

Well, I feel better, just made a date to meet Helen at our favorite Indian restaurant, The Clay Pit, where I can indulge in their MARVELOUS chai, really a treat! NOW I'm watching the clock! (Now? )

Throwing promotional money at it and putting it on Regis and Ellen and Leno and Letterman etc. couldn't HURT. I think it would help.

Fantasia and Latoya are neck to neck as the one most likely to win in the poll at the bottom of that article. I voted that I think Fantasia is the most likely to win, though I'd rather see Jennifer get it. I think that woman is an awesome singer!

It sounds really nice, better than an lp copy that I've had. I guess it depends how you feel about Shepp's contemporaneous work. I really like "Attica Blues," "For Losers," "Kwanza" and this one. . . though they are different in instrumentation and material than those that came before them. I view this one as a sort of Shepp response/reaction to Duke's "My People" show---and he does "Come Sunday" here too, which Duke had in disguise as "David Danced before the Lord" in his "My People." Joe Lee Wilson does his usual wonderful singing job on here. . . Shepp blows some really nice horn, it's funky and soulful. . . .I really like this and wish there were about 200 other sessions like it.

I can't cuz I'm at work but I'd love a mug of my favorite (and I indulge in it at home everyday) coffee: This stuff is so good I can barely drink anything else.

You're right, I'd forgotten how long those were. . . . And no lack of bass if you ask me!

My wife drives me nuts every year because she insists on doing the taxes (and for a while her stock holdings made for a good excuse for her to do so, that she does not now have) and she procrastinates and procrastinates and. . . I would have them in the mail in early February if I could, but instead. . . I mailed the return off April 13!

Merry Ole Soul is one of the only holiday albums I'll play! I really like it. Sh, yes, I don't find this ALWAYS to be the case, but some, perhaps many or most lp to cdr transfers of a mint lp are going to outshine most of the "official" cds. . . . To my ears and taste in my system, as I should always say.

That cd version of Circle in the Round includes material that was not on the lp version. I think the lp version was about 26 minutes long. I think the longest I've seen would have been about 28 or 29 minutes per side; some of the live Miles lps were pretty darned long-sided. . . that's not really or just barely "fifties or sixties" but I don't think there was a technological change that allowed the longer sides, just an ideological one.

I like the two UMO Jazz Orchestra cds I have, and a few others too. . . .

Una Mae Carlisle Herbie Nichols BIX Monk Charlie Christian To name a few.

The JSP box is probably a good way to go to get a nice slice of Bix all at once. I haven't heard it or even touched the box! I've had all that stuff for so long. . . I love that stuff.

Well, you have to take a lot of audio babble from consumers and manufacturers with an unhealthy sodium intake. Still, there is a synergy that is important in some systems, and one cord may well sound better than another in a specific application. And I would hope so in the sense that if I were to spend 400 dollars, or 4000 dollars on a cord (not that I would unless I suddenly became one of the oligarchy), I would wish that they would sound at least different (no at least a whole bunch better) than one that I paid 40 dollars for. As for the kit form. . . there is a really strong undercurrent of "do it yourself" interest in the world of audio hardware and there are a number of successful appeals made to that body of buyers. It's actually something I've done a little of and really enjoy more than I thought I would; one possible retirement activity of mine may be building my own amplifier or speakers or both. . . . I recommend seeing if you can find a dealer who will allow you to demo the PS Audio "XSTREAM" cords or at least read about them on www.psaudio.com I'm really happy with mine; the connector technology seems to make sense, and in my experience may be making a difference.

Well, they lined up the three persons I liked least as the "lowest three" and got my hopes up. . . and then that John Stevens got to walk back and sit down. I just can't believe it! How long will this travesty go on!

The duets are quite nice indeed!

I just have this on the Decca cd that was out before the Impulse! and I think it sounds. . . like a Decca cd from the early digital age. . . .

I've never been disappointed with any Naxos purchase. A wonderful label!