mjzee

Thanks for the tip. They're also available from Amazon US (search by the ASIN # provided by the UK site). I ordered the Benny Goodman from a reseller.

Organizing is fairly simple, as long as you're consistent with a few rules: how to list the artist, and whether a collection should be listed as a compilation or be under an artist's name ("album artist"). CDDB usually takes care of the rest; it's not perfect, but it usually works (TMG's experience to the contrary). I usually list personnel under "Comments," unless there are too many musicians to fit there; then, I enter them under "Lyrics." Don't forget that the search function works really well; using the above instructions would allow you to easily find every, say, Hank Mobley date as either a leader or sideman. I keep liner notes with the original CDs.

I have 525 gb, all mp3, mostly ripped at either 192 or 256 kbps.

Cool pix! Funny how that arrangement looks so much like when I saw them at Seventh Avenue South in the early '80's - just substitute Adam Nussbaum for Bill Stewart.

eMusic has the Art Tatum Storyville box in two parts, 5 discs worth in each part, for $5.84 each: Volume 1 Volume 2

For those of you into disco (and who isn't! ), this is a great set I picked up recently from Amazon UK: 4 CDs. Some tracks are the original 12"s, others are recent Moulton remixes. So many songs I have fond memories of: Back Stabbers, Love Train, I'll Always Love My Mama, The Love I Lost, T.S.O.P., Love Is The Message, When Will I See You Again, I Love Music, You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine, etc etc etc. Sound quality is excellent. Parrrrrteeeee!!

Happy birthday! Hope it's a greeezzzzy one!

Universal Closes on EMI Deal, Becoming, by Far, Biggest of Remaining Big Three

This is interesting, from the liner notes: "In December 1970, Saunders replaced Howard Wales at a weekly jam session with Garcia, bassist John Kahn, and drummer Bill Vitt at the Matrix in San Francisco. The audience grew over time until the place was packed every week. Saunders taught Garcia standards like "My Funny Valentine" and "Georgia On My Mind," and the pair bonded over John Lennon's "Imagine." Quoted in Blair Jackson's excellent biography Garcia: An American Life, Jerry said: "I'd never played any standards; I'd never played in dance bands. I never had any approach to the world of regular, straight music. He knows all the standards, and he taught me how bebop works. He taught me music."" That last sentence is a little hyperbolic, IMHO; Garcia seemed to be doing just fine up until that point. But Saunders led him to expand even further.

Yes: Alternate versions of Keepers, ITALTL, My Funny Valentine, The Harder They Come, How Sweet It Is, and Someday Baby. Also, "An instrumental excerpt titled "Space" on the original release is restored to its original context, the July 11 performance of "Merl's Tune.""

I just received this email from the Greenwich, CT library: Upcoming Concerts: Louis Armstrong Month This month, we celebrate jazz legend Louis Armstrong with a series of special programs co-sponsored by BackCountry Jazz. From October 12-28, join us for concerts, lectures, film in the Cole Auditorium. Tickets are not required. Master Class: West End Blues Friday, October 12 at 3 PM An open rehearsal followed by a master class with trumpeter Wendell Brunious who will lead a discussion of Armstrong's music beginning with the classic "West End Blues". Film: Cinematic Satchmo Friday, October 12 at 8:00 PM As a part of the Library's Friends Friday Film Series, rare footage of Satchmo will be screened. These films, from the Louis Armstrong Archives at Queens College, New York, will be presented with commentary by archivist and Armstrong biographer Ricky Riccardi. Concert: The Music of Louis Armstrong Saturday, October 13 at 4 PM BackCountry Jazz presents an all-star orchestra featuring vocalist Catherine Russell, drummer Herlin Riley and trumpeter Wendell Brunious performing the music of Louis Armstrong under the direction of saxophonist, Bennie Wallace. Panel Discussion: Remembering Satchmo Thursday, October 18 at 7 PM Great stories about Louis Armstrong by four people who know him best. BackCountry Jazz presents an evening with biographers, Terry Teachout and Ricky Riccardi, legendary record producer, George Avakian and Dan Morgenstern, jazz's most respected journalist. Panel moderator, Bennie Wallace. Young People's Concert Sunday, October 28 at 2 PM Louis Armstrong was adored by children the world over. Trumpet player Bria Skonberg presents a children's program and concert for kids of all ages. Doors will open at 1:45. Approximately 45 minutes long. Louis Armstrong Month is made possible through the support of the Dalio Foundation, Inc., Greenwich Library Board of Trustees and contributions by generous donors. This series is free and open to all, but seating in the Cole Auditorium is limited and will be available on a first come, first served basis. Doors will open at 30 minutes prior to each event. For a complete description of events and more information, please click here.

The Keystone box arrived today. Beautiful presentation, befitting the music within.

No. BN released it in (I think) 1997; tapes from a radio broadcast. Back cover:

Great pix! Thanks for posting.

Re the poll: Don't forget this one (which I haven't heard):

Costco has been carrying some wonderful nut snacks from Sahale Snacks. You should check them out: Sahale Snacks

I ordered it from Blues Images, and got an email stating the release date's been pushed back to around October 4.

Wasn't the peach pit the source of the medicine that Mingus thought would cure his Lou Gehrig's disease? Was it called Laetril? Admittedly he was desparate at that point, but I think it was a fad that was disproven to have any real effect.

The sound quality on Our Man might have something to do with it, too. It's not a Rudy date. It sounds rawer, and feels more electric.

1. Our Man In Paris 2. Doin' Alright 3. Clubhouse 4. Go 5. Landslide 6. A Swingin' Affair 7. Dexter Calling 8. Gettin' Around 9. One Flight Up Jim S. had a great description of Our Man In Paris - that date rocks! Also, props for the sadly underrated Clubhouse - it's much much better than the one Alfred decided to release (Gettin' Around).

Love the cover too - Drew Friedman.

Bethlehem titles are starting to appear: Bethlehem - eMusic

Just noticed this on Amazon - release date October 16: Amazon

Brian Wilson's favorite Beatles song is "Across the Universe." Smokey Robinson's is "Yesterday." John Lennon said he would have voted for Ronald Reagan in 1980 if he could. And Paul McCartney's mop-top headshake was lifted from Ringo, who tossed his hair first to stand out. We know this and much more because Seth Swirsky—a songwriter, musician and author—spent seven years with two video cameras asking people to share their interactions with John, Paul, George and Ringo. The fruits of Mr. Swirsky's fevered odyssey appear in "Beatles Stories: A Fab Four Fan's Ultimate Road Trip," a fast-paced film debuting Tuesday on DVD. Mr. Swirsky chose 52 stories from his 80 interviews—each lasting only a minute and a half. There are on-camera tales from stars including Ben Kingsley, George Martin, Jon Voigt, Graham Nash, Donovan, Henry Winkler and others as well as from producers, musicians, engineers, athletes, business executives, personal assistants and groupies. More here: WSJ

Enjoying Tjader's work on this: