Matthew

To buy the Bear Family box set Doris Day:Move Over Darling, and then not buy another cd until May. I counted all my unlistened cds/lps last week, and I have 47 cds/lps I haven't played yet. Need to stop buying and start listening to the music I have again.

I guess that leaves Bono out, eh???

How about this "Buy It Now" offer for the T-Bone Walker Mosaic. It's been a long time since a Mosaic has gone above $1,000.

That's great new GofM, and I'm going to be looking forward to the interview. Hope Anita is still "with it" mentally, as was mentioned before, she did put a lot of interesting substances in her body over the years. Even with that though, O'Day is a survivor and it should be a great interview (keeping my fingers crossed!). Ghost: Did this interview come through? If so, how was it?

I've been listening to the June Christy part of the Christy / Lee Mosaic. Such a wonderful voice, with just a hint of roughness behind it, which adds a sadness to her signing. Ah! June Christy

I bought myself a Mosaic box off ebay this morning as my Christmas present: Sidney Bechet: The Complete Blue Note Recordings. Hope I like the music, it's my first foray into Blue Note's early recordings. Merry Christmas to myself!

Yeah!!! We have a proverb in German: One's owl is the other's nightingale ... "Those German's have a word for everthing!"

Quick recovery for an "elder" of the board!

Here's list of the films J.J. Johnson worked on: 1976 Street Killing [TV] Composer (Music Score) 1973 Willie Dynamite Songwriter / Composer (Music Score) 1973 Cleopatra Jones Composer (Music Score) 1972 Across 110th Street Composer (Music Score) 1972 Top of the Heap Composer (Music Score) 1971 Man and Boy aka Ride a Dark Horse Composer (Music Score) Across 110th Street, I know, is easily available. It's one of my personal favorites, and the movie was great also. You can also get Willie Dynamite, Cleopatra Jones, and Top of the Heap on cd. Don't know about the others.

So it's still a go on calling "Lester Leaps In"?

Speaking of Paul Bryant, just this morning I found his lp Something's Happening, his first record on the Fantasy label. Nice stuff but recorded "hot", there's a lot of organ distortion on this lp. Part of the line up includes Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, and he rips off a couple of good solos. Plas Johnson makes an appearance also, so it's a happening lp to look for. Another obscure L.A. organist whose lp I also pick up is Charles Kynard: Reelin' with the Feelin' that very groovy. Interesting part of the album is Joe Pass plays in the session but he solo's only four times, out of six cuts!!?? He's kind of under utilized here, to say the least. However, Kynard is a powerful organist, and Wilton Felder has some very good moments. These two get a from me, if you find them, don't be afraid to buy 'em. I think I'm getting hooked on these obscure L.A. organ sessions, it makes your day when you find one.

This $2,900.00 Hot Wheel model might have been the one that I dipped in gasoline and then light on fire before I sent it down the track. It was at night and it was SPECTACULAR. Just think how rich we would be if we kept everything in primo shape from our childhood. Less fun=more $$$$

O.K., I admit that from the very first time I heard Astrud Gilberto I fell hopelessly in love with that wonderful, sexy voice. Right now I'm listening to Gilberto with Turrentine, and even as average as this date is, Gilberto's voice is just memerizing. The Shadow of Your Smile is a great cd; there is a beautiful version of Tristeza where is seems she is floating above the world. Also dig in a bigtime way A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness; how can you not like the combination of Gilberto's voice and Walter Wanderley's organ? The whole session has such a great feel and playfulness to the music that I can listen to it time after time after time. So, here's to the great Astrud Gilberto

Andy has issues! Hey! It's a slow night for me!

And people make fun of jazz collectors??? What in the world????

I would rate them, on a practical level: 1. Ellington Reprise: This is OOP, so get a copy while you can. It's a very enjoyable set, and even if you don't like it now, it will grow on you. 2. Gerald Wilson: This is a great set that shows what a great Big Band arranger Wilson truly is. The musicians on the set are outstanding, great solos abound, and Wilson's writting is a wonder to behold. Get this, and you'll never be sorry. 3. Cooper /Holman/Rosolino: I seem to be in the miniorty in enjoying this set immensely -- then again, I'm a sucker for the "West Coast Jazz Vibe" feel this box has. Cooper /Holman/Rosolino all are enjoyable here, with Holman being the tops in my book. Though, Rosolino is very enjoyable, if you don't mind his singing, which I don't. So, final word, anyone you get you will enjoy. Edit for spelling and sense making

Long live THE MOLLY RINGWALDS!

Now redtrumpet tells me thay don't have it. First time that's happened to me with something that RT has listed. Bummer, Santa.

I was able to buy The Complete Verve/Clef Charlie Ventura/Flip Philips Studio Sessions (9 LPS) from Redtrumpet.com, even was able to get a 10% discount. Was surprised to find there are some copies still out there; the minute I saw it, I knew this was my Christmas present to myself.

Thought people might be interested in this offer by Redtrumpet: SPECIAL SALE NOW THROUGH CHRISTMAS Last minute shopping for those on your list –or- errr…. for yourself? TAKE 10% OFF OF EVERYTHING IN-STOCK or “SPECIAL ORDER” Now through Wednesday December 24, 2003 NOTE: Unfortunately, we cannot combine this sale with any other offer or to any outstanding orders. The sale is for items that have been released not pre-orders, and cannot be combined with any other offers. Offer excludes ALL Analogue Productions items (please contact us to inquire on these) To take advantage of this sale, just shop as usual on our Web site and when you check out, type "LAST MINUTE” in the comments section of your order (not the Coupon section -- it won't work). We will apply the appropriate discount while processing your order, so it won't appear on your online invoice but will be deducted when we process and ship your items. CLICK HERE FOR RED TRUMPET Usual disclaimers: Not connected with Red Trumpet etc.

I was looking through the "$1.00 lp Bin" at Amoeba Records this morning and I can across a lp entitled: Plas Johnson with the Grease Patrol: L.A. '55 on the Carell Music label. Well, with a name like that staring me in the face, how could I pass it up? Turns out to be a great session with Plas on Tenor; Art Hillery on B-3, Jimmy Smith, drums; and Billy Rogers on guitar. Really a nice, funky, greazy session, which recaptures the sound of a Los Angeles bar band of the mid fifties. Johnson has a great tenor sound that is smooth, yet soulfull as anything you ever want to hear. Hillery, whom I never heard before, has a style that is light and is able to use the pedal is a creative manner. Rogers and Smith are rock solid. The liner notes even come with a definition of grease! grease (gres). n. that essence which each jazz musician applies to the music, allowing it to slide around and between the notes and rhythms, imparting elements of spontaneity, emotion and personality which defy written notation. So, there ya go! That's what grease is! It's a great lp that I'm sure isn't on cd but look for it if you have a turntable, and groove with it. B)

Great take guys -- love it.

For me, the biggest disappointments have been the Elvin Jones & Jazz Piano Mood Sessions, in fact, I sold both of them. Why, oh why, is there a conga player with Jones ??? Just a major distraction, though I loved the trio sessions. Also, I didn't think too much of some of the slick production for some of the dates. Jazz Piano Mood Sessions is music to go to sleep by, I was just bored by the whole thing. Needless to say, I strongly disagree with those who don't enjoy the Jimmy Smith Mosaic . These are some of the most important, influencial dates ever. They set the course for a whole jazz genre; if Smith had failed in these sessions, organ jazz & the whole "Soul Jazz' thing might have never happened.