Mal Waldron DVDs

[bertrand]

There seem to be two versions of the Mal Waldron DVD Live at the Vanguard available. One is twice the price of the other. What's the difference?

- Different track listings?

- Regions (I want to get one that plays on U.S. players, obviously)?

- Availability (the cheaper one is on back-order at CD Universe)?

- Quality (the cheaper one has a yucky cover, so maybe the picture is less good too)?

Thanks!

Bertrand.

[Claude]

Here are links to both DVDs:

Immortal:

http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=6716460 ($20, only 2 available)

http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?PID=6654762 (the same disc, Holland import, $28, backordered)

Groundbreaking pianist, composer, and bandleader Mal Waldron plays an exciting concert at New York's jazz mecca the Village Vanguard. Three extended Waldron originals draw peak improvisatory excellence from the veteran sax/flute player (and Monk alumnus) Charlie Rouse, avant-garde percussion genius Ed Blackwell, nodernjazz bass stalwart Reggie Workman, and the late trumpet virtuoso Woody Shaw. NTSC/All Regions, Dolby Digital, approx. 63 mins. Four tracks. Immortal. 2003.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001Y4MPO/ ($23, only 1 in stock)

Unicorn Video:

http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?PID=6661495 ($10.6, backordered)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00019GHJS/ ($13.5, only one in stock)

The first one is region-free, the second one Region 1 (US). Both are in the NTSC picture format.

The first version is also available here:

Qualiton Imports Ltd

MAL WALDRON - LIVE AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD –

Tracks: The Git-Go; All Alone; Fire Waltz; Left Alone

Artists: Mal Waldron, piano; Woody Shaw, trumpet; Charles Rouse, saxophone; Reggie Workman, bass; Ed Blackwell, drums

Groundbreaking pianist, composer, and bandleader Mal Waldron plays an exciting concert at New York’s jazz mecca the Village Vanguard. Three extended Waldron originals draw peak improvisatory excellence from the veteran sax/flute player (and Monk alumnus) Charlie Rouse, avant-garde percussion genius Ed Blackwell, modern-jazz bass stalwart Reggie Workman, and the late trumpet virtuoso Woody Shaw, whose untimely death in 1989 cut short an extraordinary career – making the beautiful playing captured here all the more remarkable. The program is shot with creative techniques 0 mixing stills and a variety of film speeds with straight documentary footage – that lend drama and immediacy to the proceedings. Waldron himself shines at the keyboard. And in a bonus segment shown over the closing credits, we get a chance to hear him play solo on a backstage rehearsal piano. A rare treat!

Edited June 7, 2004 by Claude

[.:.impossible]

I have the latter. I must say the cover art for the former is much much nicer. This is a good DVD. I am a fan of all of the musicians involved and had not ever "seen" them in action. Blackwell has a strange solo early on, but it is still a pleasure.

Recommended.

[bertrand]

Thanks guys.

Impossible,

Does your DVD have the same four tracks: The Git-Go; All ALone; Fire Waltz; Left Alone? Is Left Alone a solo track?

The Woody Shaw discography points out how it is not clear if this concert is from the same date as the two CDs that came out, since the tunes are for the most part different. So, I'm wondering if the two DVDs might have different tunes, or if the more expensive one has more tracks etc. etc.

Thanks,

Bertrand.

[Claude]

So, I'm wondering if the two DVDs might have different tunes, or if the more expensive one has more tracks etc. etc.

I guess that this concert was taped for TV broadcast, and that the DVD producers for both releases simply put that TV programme on the discs.

[Claude]

I just received the Unicorn Video. It has 4 tracks:

1. Git Go 21:05

2. All Alone 17:35

3. Firewaltz 19:18

4. Left Alone 4:55

I´ve only watched the first couple of minutes. The picture quality is very good (as one might expect from a TV production from 1986). The stereo sound is ok, a bit muffled. Packaging is extremely simple, no indication of recording date or year.

But well worth the $12.

[Claude]

I finally had time to watch the entire DVD.

Technically, it is a mixed bag. The sound is in fact mono, although very good. The most important flaw is that during some solos there seem to have been problems with the film or something had to be edited out, because picture stills are shown from the soloist while the sound continous normally.

Musically, this is one of Waldron's greatest groups, and this DVD is an excellent complement to the Seagulls at Christiansund CD.

The last track is a Waldron solo filmed in black and white in his appartment (it seems).

I have also ordered the Konitz and David Murray DVDs from the same series. I bet these discs will be OOP soon.

[connoisseur series500]

I have the second DVD as well and highly recommend it.

Woody Shaw is brilliant, particularly on the second track...is it "All alone?"

Each musician is given a lot of space on their solos. Great music for sure.