mjzee

I'm in.

Riccardo Muti - The Complete Warner Symphonic Recordings, disc 14.

I was transfixed by this, which turned out to be his last concert. I included a track on my last BFT. A great artist, a great musician, a great mind. RIP.

Thanks for the reminder. I need to get these.

In the old days, you could just visit the Mosaic building in Stamford, CT and buy it there. Those were the days, my friend...

Being processed.

Bracha Eden and Alexander Tamir - The Complete Decca Recordings, disc 10.

Riccardo Muti - The Complete Warner Symphonic Recordings, disc 13.

Thanks all for your comments.

For instance, I just listened to this Brahms's Piano Concerto #1. Should it really take 52 minutes? Couldn't it have been shortened to 30 or even 25?

Brahms needed an editor. His compositions run too long.

I would say yes. This, to me, was the autobiography Sonny wanted to write, and it's apparent he extensively cooperated with Levy. I found the details of his arrest as a teenager fascinating, how his father's experiences affected Sonny's politics, the details about Clifford Brown's death and funeral (with pictures), his many sojourns in Europe with pickup groups, his home life with Lucille...the list goes on. The book is exhaustively documented - I don't think we need the details of every tour Sonny did in the '70's, '80's, and '90's, so you may want to dip into the book for specific periods you'd find interesting - but you do come away with a good sense of the man's personality.

Release date January 17: Drummer/composer/educator Steve Johns moved to New York after graduating from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1982. While still a student, he won the Outstanding Drummer Award at the Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival. His musical career then took off performing with a barrage of luminaries of the world jazz scene. Here is Johns' SteepleChase leader debut showcasing not only his versatile dexterity but his astounding talent as composer. Release date February 14: Alex Norris has been one of the most sought-after elite trumpeters for the past three decades on NY scene. Norris received a Master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music and a Doctor's degree from the Univ. Of Miami Frost School of Music. He has kept busy schedule performing principal post in renowned large and small ensembles all over the world. Despite his impressive achievement Alex Norris' leader albums are scarce. This is his fourth album and the second for SteepleChase. Norris forms a time-tested yet distinctive trumpet trio with some contemporary twists superbly collaborated by Paul Bollenbach on guitar and Paul Gill on bass. ".Norris writes and plays with rare assurance and seldom walks on overly familiar paths.. he's not an aggressive stylist and his penchant for thoughtful dynamics gives him the confidence to leave space and unexpected intervals in his solos." (The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD)

Release date January 24: Back with a newly formed quintet, the German pianist Benjamin Lackner presents a different and exciting side of his composer-approach. Subtle fanfares meet contemplative lyricism in a program of originals that always puts melody and ensemble chemistry first. Saxophone and trumpet take the lead, forming their own little ensemble section, and contribute elegantly interwoven lines and striking solos to an especially harmonious group sound and a tuneful set of songs.

I recently found a used copy of "Sonny, Please," and am digging the hell out of it. If this turns out to be his final studio date, it must be said that he really went out on a high note.

Looks like Dusty Groove got in a bunch of Delmark CDs priced at $3.99 or less. Chris Woods, Chicago Underground Trio, Exploding Star Orchestra, George Lewis, Roscoe Mitchell, Zoot Sims, Keefe Jackson, Kalaparush, Eric Alexander, Rob Mazurek, Flip Phillips, Junior Mance, and more - do a search for Delmark.

Bracha Eden and Alexander Tamir - The Complete Decca Recordings, disc 9.

Riccardo Muti - The Complete Warner Symphonic Recordings, disc 12.

I did. Doesn't worry me.

Just noticed this new release at Dusty Groove: Trumpeter Jack Walrath is something of a secret hero in jazz – a player who's created amazing sounds for decades, both in his own groups and in lineups led by giants like Charles Mingus or Bobby Watson – but also an artist who's sometimes a bit under the radar, then pops up with an amazing record like this! Walrath is often at his best in a more open, freewheeling live setting – definitely the case in the way the Smalls Live series allows a key player to open up – often producing the kind of material that doesn't always get captured this well in the studio. And as with most Smalls sessions, the rest of the group is superb too – Abraham Burton on tenor, George Burton on piano, Boris Kozlov on bass, and Donald Edwards on drums – all stretching out on tracks that all hover nicely around the ten minute mark. Titles include "A Bite In Tunisia", "Roadkill", "Sacrifice", "Mood For Muhal", and "Left Turn On 86th Street"

I pulled the trigger and ordered. The audio clips convinced me: very lively and involving music. At the time, I detailed why I would not be buying the JATP box - I found the concept and execution of the music to be boring and predictable. As I mentioned at the time: I'm on the fence about this one. The format (long blowing jams on uninteresting standards) bores me - I barely made it through the JATP '40's box. All the usual suspects are here: Lady Be Good (2x), Indiana (2x), Idaho, Honeysuckle Rose, Tea For Two, Stomping' At The Savoy (3x). Nat Hentoff famously said that jazz is the sound of surprise, and, boy, this ain't it. I was concerned that this Vanguard box would be a similar experience, but the audio clips convinced me otherwise. We shall see!

Same here. Using iTunes, I also have the following recorded in 1974 that I like: Chet Baker - She Was Too Good To Me Dexter Gordon - The Apartment Don Sebesky - Giant Box Gary Burton & Steve Swallow - Hotel Hello Gerry Mulligan & Chet Baker - Carnegie Hall Concert Joe Pass - Live At Donte's Miles Davis - Dark Magus Pat Martino - Consciousness Paul Desmond - Pure Desmond Ralph Towner & Gary Burton - Matchbook Randy Weston - Carnival Sonny Rollins - The Cutting Edge (I track albums in iTunes by recording date; the Burning Ambulance list probably uses release date.)

Why not be more welcoming?

Lou also talked about the Birdland date in the movie "It Must Schwing." He was badmouthing Blakey there too.

Bracha Eden and Alexander Tamir - The Complete Decca Recordings, disc 8.