jazzbo

Okay, I've been listening to a lot of pianists lately (I was thinking it has something to do with the possibility of having a Stienway grand in my home that is impending, but no, it precedes that). . . . And one of them is Geri Allen, who was another amazing player I had not paid enough attention to for years now. Geri has such imagination and such "ears"! And she has created an impressive body of work. I've been playing over and over lately (something I don't normally do) the Jazzpar 98 "Some Aspects of Water" cd on Storyville, a wonderful cd that has great trio, quartet and nonet performances in killer sound! And I keep coming back to "Twenty One" with Ron Carter and Tony Williams. . .a work that had to grow on me, but now needs to be surgically removed! Like Renee Rosnes, another beautiful player with a tremendous touch and control, great writing and arranging skills, and great leadership abilities. Don't make my mistake and overlook her works.

I've ingnored this beautiful and talented pianist for too long, and I'm not sure why! I just hadn't thought to really check her out. . . . I'm making up for lost time. I've been buying her cds when I can. She has become one of my favorite interpreters of Monk; her version of "Four In One" on For the Moment for example. . . she submerses herself into the Monk world and then just remains herself as well. . . no easy trick. She has a beautiful touch and sound on the piano, and she writes interesting material, leads great sessions and arranges well. She's got it all!

No, I'm extemely photographically challenged (and disinterested in pointing it at me or my things).

I think I saw those wooden boxes at ze www.objectworhip.com Weizy! Wow, a quick lesson in cabinet making too! I have to say, I'm glad I don't have a way to show my chaotic collection keeping to you very impressive and organized folk!

I've been trying to name a favorite. . . and just can't. I am about to put forth a title, and then remember another and another. . . . The one that most recently bowled me over on relistening was "Prepare Yourself for a Miracle" but. . . that's only because it was the most recent listen! You just can't go wrong with this consistent jazz monster!

Wow, you're going to have some good listening this weekend! (Me too!)

I pretty much feel that way about the Beatles too. . . I'll let you know about the XRCD. May arrive tonight or tomorrow. Got my monoblock tube amps back from the builder for upgrading last night, so I'll have lots of listening to do this weekend, whether my wife likes it or not (talking bold aren't I?)

That Merrill XRCD is finally out; cduniverse mailed me a copy yesterday! May have it tomorrow. . .

SURELY that is a rhetorical question?

Yes, those were the days Brian, where you could live as a poor person in Austin. Now gone. . . . I used to love this town. I still like it. . . but the love is gone.

Yeah. . .all the big bands started doing that in the twenties. . . .

It's "otay." In my opinion.

Yeah, and having a friend there to show you one sheets and advances etc. sure is nice too!

How nice of you to denigrate the work of one of my best friends! Well, NO store in Austin can be as big as one in Chicago. I agree it's not the best store on the planet, but in my opinion it's the best jazz store in Austin (there are lots of fans of Waterloo, but I've never been that impressed jazzwise with Waterloo and I find it a pain to shop at and too many "hipper than thous" go there). Anyway, yeah, starting about the time you first visited there Tower began handcuffing the ordering capabilities for the buyers (especially re: imports) and began shrinking the jazz floor and isolating it "upstairs" which was good and bad). But I hate to see it go: it is right smack dab in the middle of my bus route to and from work, and it is one block from my wife's office at the University, and it employed one of my best friends for nearly fifteen years!

Hmmm. . . . they are closing the Tower Austin in June. . . .

Hmmm. . . going to be of a little different opinion here. I like Mance. .. a lot. But. . . I don't think he's of the top teir as a leader especially. Some good sideman appearances for sure (I dug what he did with Cannon a LOT) and one or two leader dates that were really good. . . but. . . . I don't think he's underrated, I don't think he needs to be a household name. Sorry! Just my opinion.

Depending on how you define a "muscial note" a drum such as a snare (I consider a stroke a note in a lot of ways) or a string instrument such as a guitar or violin (some folk can pluck like wildfire. . . not sure I consider them all notes!) and a piano (even I can trill a note pretty darned quick) would be contenders.

I was very lucky: about four years ago I saw them perform in a University recital hall for about ninety minutes for six dollars! You're in for a solid treat!

Just the title alone of this one clues you in to his sense of humor. . . . Songs I learned at My Mother's Knees and Other Low Joints

Even two dollars cheaper at cduniverse.com The original two volumes of Hoagy released on JSP were fantastic compilations in great sound .. .. .. looks as if all the material is here in this set plus more. . . wonder what the sound is like and doubt the notes will be as great.

Yes, he's very funny and witty, he both sings and seems to have the quippy manner of a Fats Waller. If I'm remembering correctly Marty came to America as a young person from Germany.

Berigan, that IS the wing with the twenties jazz!

I have my own armored car and four operators. . . . Dr. Rat you are so much better looking than we imagined!

Chaos rules in my collection!

Marty Grosz is a master of the guitar! But probably more importantly, he's a great entertainer and singer and repository of good old good 'uns. I'm really just grooving away to his stuff lately. I know that Harold Z is a big fan because he has fanned my ardour. . . . I love his singing, I love the arranging, I love the guitar playing that brings echoes of Lang and Green. . . . A great bandleader with killer regular sidemen as well. . . .