mjzee

We've discussed this many times in various forums...it seems the next inevitable step. Still, it's exciting to see it may finally be occurring: (from 7/27/09 Financial Times) Apple is working with the four largest record labels to stimulate digital sales of albums by bundling a new interactive booklet, sleeve notes and other interactive features with music downloads, in a move it hopes will change buying trends on its online iTunes store.... Apple wants to make bigger purchases more compelling by creating a new type of interactive album material, including photos, lyric sheets and liner notes that allow users to click through to items that they find most interesting. Consumers would be able to play songs directly from the interactive book without clicking back into Apple’s iTunes software, executives said. More here: Financial Times

I imagine it would have to be accompanied with a 3rd-party add-on to iTunes (because where would this data be displayed and indexed?), which Apple probably would not allow. There's probably also a matter of paying extra royalties to liner note writers. Finally, if it adds too much to the cost, it would make buying CDs more attractive (there is a downside to buying mp3's...look at the contretemps surrounding Amazon's taking back the Orwell sales; no such ownership problems exist with CDs). Having said all that, I would love to have this additional data available.

I hope to buy the mono box, and then Yellow Submarine and Abbey Road individually. I have Let It Be...Naked, so have no burning need to spend $15 or so on "Dig It." I can't wait to hear The White Album in mono. Heard it many decades ago, and loved it. (Also good, BTW, is Blonde On Blonde in mono. Wish I could get that...)

Now available for preorder (just using Amazon for convenience, not meant as an endorsement): Beatles Mono Box Beatles Stereo Box

Right on cue... $5.99 at Dusty Groove.

Still waiting... I called them yesterday, and they said they were releasing my order complete. Website still shows it as unshipped.

Willis...With Pat This is probably where you should go next. Compilation of tracks from various albums Willis did for Muse. Fun, gutbucket stuff.

One of the things I had in mind when I originally posted was the Cecil Taylor release "3 Phasis" on New World Records. It was a gatefold cover, with extensive liner notes by someone who attended the recording session. He detailed the session as it transpired, discussed the composition's different sections (which gave me a clue that it was rehearsed and wasn't just chaos), described the interactions among the players, and even quoted Cecil during the playback as saying, "Well, we knew it was good too." While Cecil's not a favorite of mine, it did help give me a better appreciation of the music.

I guess I singled out ECM because I don't think I need much explanation about, say, a hard bop date: I understand the tune structure, what the players are trying to accomplish, and I have a pretty good idea about the individual sound and approach of the players. But I can listen to an ECM track and say, what is really going on here? What are they trying to accomplish? Is the point of the tune the pulse, the mood, the textures, the interplay of the players, the composition, was there really a composition? Since I assume there was an intention there, it would be nice to have some entree into the thinking, since I think it would increase my enjoyment of the music.

I think many ECM releases should come with liner notes, as a way to give listeners a way into the music. I know liner note writers are often maligned, but a good essay can give guidance to what the music is about. For example, John Abercrombie's "Cat 'N' Mouse" album. I was listening to the track "Third Stream Samba," and wondered, what exactly am I listening to? It's not a samba, I wouldn't necessarily associate it with third stream, it sounds like your basic amorphic ECM track (where you know that there's a composition there, but where exactly is it?). If the album had liner notes, with maybe a conversation with Abercrombie, he could discuss his concept about the track, where the title came from, what he thinks of the playing on the track, etc. And other questions, such as how the players got together, what's the meaning of the album title, is the cover a generic blurry ECM photo or does it have a relation to the date, etc. It would really help me, and might also help distinguish one ECM title from another.

I do think the music on the first 2 discs of the box (1924-1928) are exceptionally tinny. If anyone knows of a better version, I'd appreciate the mention.

My post was intended to be humorous.

My point exactly...

Still waiting...

http://www.organissimo.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=53839

OK, then, to put this conversation into perspective: What is the cheapest alternate way to acquire the music on the 40-cd boxed set (in better sound), and how much would that cost?

Well said, Jim. I'm not sure that Miles ever really sold out. It's like his '60's albums stated: "Directions In Music By Miles Davis." Miles was one of those few people who directed the music where it would go. He didn't decide that Kind Of Blue, In A Silent Way, or Bitches Brew would be hugely influential; he simply went into the studio and created the music. I'm thinking of a comparison with Lee Morgan, who was great, had wonderful chops, and made music that I love. But he didn't move the music in any particular direction (maybe once, with "The Sidewinder"). And Lee also did nod to the music of the day, whether it be show tunes (on "Standards"), modal, or Coltrane-esque. It's not just about being a musician and having to make bread; it's also about being in the music that's around at the time, and being happy with it.

"Red" also seemed hurried and unfinished to me when it came out. It seemed put together by a group that was about to split up. Also, it lacked the gorgeous graphics of prior albums. And why was David Cross on the album but not on the cover? Clues, clues...which of course affect perceptions about the music. And I didn't get why there was a song called "Starless"...shouldn't that have been on their last album? I saw them when this came out, at the Schaefer Music Festival in Central Park. The show was excellent (and David Cross was in the band). Was there an album after this one with this band? Or was the next iteration the one with Adrian Belew?

Perhaps it will. It seems that, with other artists, everything gets remastered as part of the process of creating the boxed set. Then they release the individual titles.

I know this article is peripheral to jazz at best, but for those who know Sri Chinmoy as John McLaughlin's guru ("Mahavishnu" and all that), you'll probably find it interesting: Before she was even born in 1970 at Norwalk Hospital, Jayanti Tamm was declared the chosen disciple of Sri Chinmoy, an Indian guru living in Queens, N.Y., who proclaimed he was the last avatar. For 25 years, Tamm served as Chinmoy's "Chosen One," until after years of trying to leave, she was banned from the cult. More here: The Stamford Times

If you put on one of these CDs and you think it sounds mediocre, then you don't love Duke. Yes, true audiophiles can recognize a fraction of a percent of increased pleasure by spending a lifetime and a fortune hunting down alternate issues, but the great, great music is here. Thanks, Randy. I'd also like to put in a good word for those folks for whom price is a consideration (but not the only consideration). I can't imagine how much individual discs of better sound quality would cost. To get 40 discs, with decent sound and good discographical information, for such a low price is an achievement in itself, and is probably good enough for a lot of us.

I'm told this has better sound quality, also on Yazoo: Blind Willie McTell

I don't remember who recommended it, or in which thread, but I want to thank that person for recommending this: Side 3 has an amazing live version of Ornithology that I had years ago on an Everest LP, and have been looking for ever since.

I recently picked up these two JSP collections, both at attractive prices: The Paramount Masters Mississippi Blues

My order was also placed July 4. No change in status. But I included non-Fantasy product; perhaps they're waiting for those titles.