jazzbo

Berigan, that is what is happening, US imperialism. I open my eyes, that is what I see. If I call it that it's because that is what I see. If you don't see that fine. But I wonder where you're looking! And honestly this film IS a morality play, popular back when Christian imperialism was taking over the Old World and the New Frontiers of Africa and Asia. The similarities are something I see as well.

I'm not planning to go see it. I don't believe the accuracy of the source material, and I don't think I'll want to see it graphically displayed as the cat's meow. . . . It's an interesting conflict, and it sure is interesting to think of medieval morality plays in a time of Bushian imperialism, but I'm not planning on being a part of the spectacle.

They match up sound wise. There are nine volumes, the ninth recently released. They're different than the Condon concerts. They are more traditionally oriented to New Orleans style jazz, and don't necessarily suffer for that; they do suffer a little from the strong grip of the editorial hand of Blesh. And Blesh's talk and pronouncements often cause me to hit the skip forward button. . . . That said there is amazing work here from Davison, Bechet, Armstrong, Hodes, Foster and many more. . . .You can hardly get enough of those cats and there's plenty there to hear and enjoy.

I'll grant that Chuck is correct that Strayhorn influenced change in Ellington, I just think that change was good. As Tony mentioned before, Ellington was writing songs before, and Ellington had a real and serious need to have singers for songs in his band and Billy's arrangements for these were top-notch and a boon to the Orchestra which had to compete with the other bands for attention for vocalists. I also think that a lot of Strayhorn's work is largely unnoticed as his, and the contrast that he provided to Duke's music within arrangements made for strong and interesting pieces. And the individual compositions he presented are wonderful. To my way of thinking there's a chance without Swee'pea the Orchestra may never have made it into the fifties in the manner that it did, and we would not have the rich body of work we do have to study and enjoy today. Hey, I'm no fan of the AEC, and if they had had a Strayhorn-like organizational influence and more form for me to perceive I would like their work more. Yet Chuck loves these guys to pieces. So there's different approaches and different tastes. I've been wearing mine for a while, I like them, I know Chuck feels the same way.

Al, thanks for sharing. I bet I really should be saying "There but for the grace of Gott im Himmel go I". . . .

Thank goodness we had them both. It's amazing that they worked as well together as they did, and it's really hard to decipher what is what and there really is a manner in which the two combined are better than anything. . . . Even stuff that he did at seventeen is so damned sophisticated it shames nearly everyone! He's part of the reason I'm such a glutton for Ellington Orchestra material.

I really like the fullblown Strayhorn alone things tons. The four cds on Challenge by the Dutch Radio Orchestra are just amazing!

It's all copacetic here on the Strayhorn Planet, at least on the surface. . . . Strays deserves his own thread, equal billing in a way with the Duke now that there's an Ellingtonian Corner thanks to Ubu. More and more I am fascinated with Strays' universe of sound. Before I went to work today I listened to an lp burn of "The Peaceful Side of Billy Strayhorn." (I don't believe the liner notes to the reissue cd; this doesn't sound like pseudo-stereo to me but I could be wrong). It's a great way to start a day. The whole atmosphere that it creates is one I can use a bubble suit filled with. . . . Any other Strayhorn fans? (I'm hoping that's a rhetorical question!)

Well, let's put it this way. . . that would be an easy out. Would that be the Jim way? B)

Really Ubu, do you think that Duke has enough material to discuss to have a Corner of his own? Now you have me thinking I should start a thread called "The Strayhorn Satelite Thread"! How about those recent reissues? Now where's "A Drum is a Woman!"

Well I have a French cd that pairs Masterpieces and the Liberian Suite together (last volume of a Complete 1947-1952 series). . . it would make a lot of sense and it's a good pairing.

Gonna have to look for that one. I'm partly in love with Joya Sherrill. . . . I'll have to watch my Çanadian Bell Telephone Hour video again soon. . .. B)

Well that would be one I would buy! Hell, who am I kidding? I buy them all. . . .

Ah, "The Grasshopper Lies Heavy." My favorite book that never was! Life in the Black Iron Prison is no fun!

How about the Miles depicted in THIS tale from the old BNBB? Is he someone you would love or hate? B) Meeting the Magus at the Crossroads. . . and other BN BB Fantasies

The correct word then is "Beautiful"!

Word up Chris!

It IS out of print, and I haven't seen a copy for a while now. The lp is on ebay right now, still cheap and with only less than a day to go. . . Ebay listing of Mosaic set

There is a now out of print book called "The Jazz Reader" that includes the very same long interview with Milt Gabler that was the non-session by session description portion of the three Commodore set booklets. It's a fascinating read, but I don't think you'll find anything in there about politics at all.

But of course!

Yes, I would say for investment reasons alone, that is a good deal! I've had the Blue Note US cd, and I've now the Blue Note Japan cd, and I love this material. It's almost all slow blues. . . so if those bother you (to have that much all at once does bother some) then it may not be your cup of tea, but this is really interesting music to hear, and I bet the booklet is excellent!

I emailed the webmaster (only choice you get) on www.helenmerrill.com to see if he/she has any light to shed on these Victors becoming available.

I emailed the Jazzology folks through their website re: the collected Lee Wiley Town Hall Concert performances. I'll let you know if I get a response.

I remember it being sort of Tristanoesque. I haven't spun it in a long time. I know I like it though; all the Black Lion Konitz are worth hearing.

That is a good idea! Maybe you should let George H. Buck know. . .