Leeway

It's kinda simple really: If it was recorded before, let's say, 1975, it should be listened to on vinyl. There are very few (and really I can't think of any offhand) rock albums from that era that do not sound better on vinyl than CD.

Two albums that helped me unwind today: "Stan Getz with Cal Tjader"- with Vince Guaraldi, Scott La Faro, Billy Higgins, and Eddie Duran on guitar. I've been getting into Tjader more. Any suggestions for other titles to try? Grant Green- "Sunday Mornin"- with Kenny Drew on piano. I like Green with piano- gives the album a clean, open sound. Green really SMOKES Miles' "So What" to close out the LP. Duran was pretty good on the Getz-Tjader LP, but then you hear Green, and you realize the guy's in another league altogether. 2 tasty LPs.

This weekend: Sonny Stitt- "I Remember Bird"- typically good Stitt, with Frank Rosolino on trombone and Dolo Coker on piano, some fine playing between them; Charles Lloyd- "Love In"- the Four Men with Beards vinyl version- some great stuff and some cheese there, but I enjoy it. George Shearing Quintet- "I Hear Music"- on an old MGM LP-- a real surprise to me-- some really tasty piano playing, and some excellent piano-vibes interaction. Also Chuck wayne on guitar. I've read that Bud Powell listened to Shearing and I think I can hear some influence there. There is one very boppish-Powell-like cut on the LP (I'm too lazy to run back upstairs to get the title). Jack Wilson- "Songs for My Daughter"-- again, some cheesy violin/strings accompaniment, but I really dig this album anyway. I like Wilson's piano playing, and the string background actually gets a great mood going, even if it is over the top at times. I also went back to my 60s roots over the weekend, listened to a lot of vinyl from Crosby, Still, Nash & Young- in several of their permutations, starting from some of the Croby-Nash collaborations and moving on out to all four. Also some Byrds LPs. Also "Workingman's Dead" by the Grateful Dead (of course). And some Stones, from their double LP "More Hot Rocks"- has some of my favorite "minor" (?) Stones goodies on it. Anyone else feeling the tug of the 60s on them? I'm theorizing that the Iraq war is giving me Vietnam War flashbacks, so I'm going back to the music of a previous war era. Oh yes, one more jazz LP I listened to Friday- Hank Jones- "Relaxin' at Camarillo"- all-star lineup- with Kenny Clarke on drums, Paul Chambers on bass, and, the reason I really picked this LP up-- Bobby Jaspar on flute. Hard to define Jaspar's sound. I've only heard it once, I like it, need to give it more listens to get a better sense of Jaspar's style on flute.

Anyone planning on going to any one of the many jazz festivals this summer? The one that appeals to me the most, for it lineup, and its location, is the Healdsburg, California jazz festival, in early June, in California wine country. Unfortunately, my schedule won't permit it. I've also been thinking of making my first foray to Newport. Anyone have recent experience with the Newport festival? It's odd about all these jazz festivals. Everone talks about the demise of jazz and dwindling album sales, but there seems to be more jazz festivals than one can easily keep track of.

My "honorary LPs" just arrived: Morgan/Shorter, set #1763, and Chambers/Kelly, set #1790. Has anyone received a 2000# set? Or are these sets going to expire under-2000? Oh yeah, I'm keeping the box, bubblewrap, receipt, etc. Could be worth something someday I'm glad I got them

Well, I've been struck-- yet again-- by "Mosaic fever," transmitted through this Board, the most effective "carrier" of feverish excitement yet devised Went out and sold a passel of books I decided I no longer needed-- at least, did not need so much as I needed to get the Morgan/Shorter and Kelly/Chambers Mosaics. Pulled the trigger on both. Couldn't stand the possibility of regretting bitterly not getting them. Even though I'm becoming more of a "vinylphile" than ever, I can't resist the lure of the Mosaics. I just treat them as "honorary LPs" So...one less set of each now available. BTW, when I went to the Mosaic site earlier in the evening, I got some kind of error message. For a while, I thought that the site went down from too many folks rushing in their orders. I got real nervous But the site came back up later in the evening, so I was able to place the order. This reminds me of the Mitchell set; once it hit running low, it ran out fairly quickly. Anyone care to guess how long the V-Jay sets will last? I don't expect them to last into June.

This weekend-- so far : Blakey & Jazz Messengers, "Freedom Rider" Bobby Hutcherson- "Stick Up" Stanley Turrentine- "Mr. Natural" Coleman Hawkins- "Hawk Eyes" I have a lot of CDs, but I am starting to think that the only way to really listen to jazz is on vinyl. It just seems so RIGHT, know what I mean? Even the little staticky parts on the vinyl The vinyl sounds better, more ALIVE. I love that quality, as welll as the larger art work, the record label, and all that glorious vinyl.

I think the set sounds first-rate. I'm surprised to hear criticism of it in that regard. This is a must-have for any Art Pepper fan.

Here's a link for you. Great set BTW. Hollywood Sessions

FWIW, the album got a rave review in the Washington Post. LOVANO review Washington Post

I've never liked "Hey Jude"-- that lyric, "Mother Mary comes to me..." really gets on my nerves. Also don't like most of McCartney's post-Beatles music. I guess I'm a Lennon fan. Favorite albums are BEATLES 65, RUBBER SOUL, and REVOLVER.

I know there was an earlier thread on the Stitt Mosaic back in October 03 Stitt Mosaic What's the latest thoughts on this set? I like Sonny but this is a huge box set with a hefty price tag. Would be interested in hearing what recent buyers have thought of it. Also, has anyone checked out the Stitt Proper Box? Is there overlap with the Mosaic? And how does Proper compare with Mosaic in terms of sound quality?

I've seen a few Ornette LP reissues on the market. Don't know if they are "audiophile." Here's a link to some Ornette reissue LPs at our hyperbolic pals at Dusty Groove: Dusty Groove Ornette LPs

I cannot listen to jazz when I am working. I simply can't concentrate. However, I can listen to classical music. I ususally have the classical station on at a low level, or play classical CDs. I find Bach, Mozart, Couperin, Marais, and various Baroque performances not only relaxing but also help me focus most of the time. When I really have concentrate, I turn off the music. When I get home, I go straight to the jazz collection

Thanks all!

It doesn't appear as if Mosaic still lists its OOP Mosaics-- if it does, then I'm having a "senior moment" and can't find it. So, does anyone know where I can find a current list of OOP Mosaics? Thanks.

Must be tough for Bang or any other artist to have to face such indifference. Apparently, the Smithies are not huge jazz fans. You would think a college town like that would have a more active jazz scene.

Thanks for the different ideas- I will try some of the suggestions. I do bring CDs of music I have played a lot , but I'm really not sure how realistic the sonics are in some cases. Frankly, I'm better at vinyl, but few stores have vinyl rigs ready to go. Of course, I really like Blue Notes, so was wondering if there was a "consensus" pick out there as to a BN CD -- whether it be RVG, TOCJ, JRVG, etc-- that will test a variety of speaker parameters. Additional comments, if any, are welcome.

It would be interesting to compare the sound of this LP and the Mosaic Select CD. Perhaps the release date got pushed back because of the Mosaic?

Interested to know which jazz CDs you use to test or audition audio products. Not so much interested in special "demo" or "audiophile" CDs but just well-mastered CDs with the right combo of instruments and perhaps vocal that will bring out the best and worst of a product's capabilities. Any suggestions?

I agree with you. OP has considerable technical facility, but his playing, or the musical thinking behind it, seems to me utterly conventional. I'm rarely surprised or challenged by OP's playing. Your comment about "cliches" strikes me as spot on. Like you, I do like the way he backed up some of the better horn players of the day. In some ways, he reminds me of Wynton Marsalis-- great technical ability but a fundamental conventionality of musical thought.

Welcome, and thanks for the interesting list. Will have to check out some of your suggestions. I like the sound of "redneck jazz." BTW, there are quite a few posters from Europe on this board, so some might already be your "neighbors. "

He plays a mean Baroque trumpet though. Actually, even his classical recordings, which show considerable technical facility, strike me as ahistorical and rather abstracted.

Quite likely the WORST Blakey album. If Art thought Mangione was "jazz" going in, I doubt he thought so coming out. I do not know Blakey's entire discography, but I bet this is the only album he cut with Mangione. Mangione has my vote as the worst trumpeter (flugelhornist?) to play with Blakey, and there is no second place. Oh yeah, I have the remastered Limelight CD (I will say nicely packaged and produced). If anyone wants to buy this fine, hard-to-find, highly collectible (ignore above commentary) OOP CD, PM me!

John L, where is that picture in your avatar from? Never seen it before. Do you know who is the photographer?