Still holding onto the $100 gift card G. Wilson?

[undergroundagent]

I'll put it into perspective for you Paul...

After selling the majority of my collection, the final discs that I kept was this Mosaic to start over. This music is lush, and fantastic. It's amazing how much solo space he provides his band.

You won't regret this purchase!!

[AfricaBrass]

I remember when Gerald Wilson's Portraits CD was re-released as one of the "collector's choice" titles about ten years. I saw that cd everywhere, but I just wasn't interested in picking it up. In fact, I had purchased ALL the CC titles and this was the only one I had skipped.

One day, I found a copy of Portraits on vinyl for a few bucks, so I picked that up. The price was right and I was curious about it.

WOW! I LOVED that album. I found I was playing the LP so much. Within a few days, I had purchased the Portraits CD.

This Mosaic set was one that I was really excited about. I ordered it as soon as it was available to order.

I think you'll really like it. I agree with Rooster, some of the material isn't what I'd usually go for, but Wilson pulls it off nicely.

I also want to recommend Wilson's other work. Even his CDs from the 90's on are good. I really enjoyed Theme For Monterey.

:rsmile:

[Ron S]

Now you guys have MY interest peaked. I didn't have this set on my Mosic radar screen, but it seems to be near the top of a lot of people's lists. The current issues I've been thinking about (but won't necessariy buy) are (in no particular order) Johnson, Eldridge, Stitt, Hodges, Herman Columbia, Roach, and Parlan. I already have Mulligan, Farmer/Golson/Jazztet, Byrd/Adams, Columbia Small Group Swing, and I have on order Mobley and Farlow (as anyone who reads the Mosaic threads knows ). Any input would be welcome.

And tranemonk, I don't mean to hijack one of your threads (again ), but maybe this will be of help to you, also?

Wait, what do I care what helps YOU--we were supposed to have a victory parade here tomorrow, and instead it'll be in BOSTON.

Edited February 7, 2005 by Ron S

[undergroundagent]

Boy, I really want the J.J.!

[tranemonk]

Now you guys have MY interest peaked.  I didn't have this set on my Mosic radar screen, but it seems to be near the top of a lot of people's lists.  The current issues I've been thinking about (but won't necessariy buy) are (in no particular order) Johnson, Eldridge, Stitt, Hodges, Herman Columbia, Roach, and Parlan.  I already have Mulligan, Farmer/Golson/Jazztet, Byrd/Adams, Columbia Small Group Swing, and I have on order Mobley and Farlow (as anyone who reads the Mosaic threads knows ).  Any input would be welcome.

And tranemonk, I don't mean to hijack one of your threads (again ), but maybe this will be of help to you, also?

Wait, what do I care what helps YOU--we were supposed to have a victory parade here tomorrow, and instead it'll be in BOSTON.  

No more gloating about the sports heaven that Boston has become... (Knowing us it will take ten minutes before we start complaining about Randy Johnson and the Yankees...)

[i will say the one thing I LOVE about the Patriots is that there are no "me-first" guys on that team..... ]

Okay on to more pressing issues.... Ron, I have several of the sets in your wish list and here are more thoughts about them...

1. J.J. Johnson - I found it very disappointing. Now this could be me... (I admit I only gave it one full listen through....) Generally I like expanded versions of songs (6-8 minutes) and many of these tracks were 2-3-4 minutes... I just couldn't get into it... (and I generally like J.J.) I can't really explain it but it just didn't grab me.

2. Johnny Hodges... - Just bought that set, haven't listened to it yet...

3. Horace Parlan - LOVED IT! A local DJ here has a show which opens with one of Parlan's tunes... It's just a very solid set...

4. Thought about the Stitt set... As all of you know... I've been debating about this. I listened to some of the Stitt I have and it's good... but not great! And 9 CD's is a lot of Stitt. I also looked at the sidemen... Nothing to write home about (particularly in the quartet dates...) So I think I've backed off about the Stitt. Thanks for the help on that.

I would add one more to your list to think about.... I always was (before he had a Mosaic set) a big fan of Stanley Turrentine. LOVE the boxed set. There's a couple of tracks with he and Lee Morgan (which I think may be one of few times they recorded together) that are slammin.....

As for my purchase... I'm leaning heavily toward the Gerald Wilson and the Andrew Hill select...

Hope that helps...

[Ron S]

Well, it doesn't make up for last night. But it helps in terms of the Mosaic budget. Thanks.

[wesbed]

3. Horace Parlan - LOVED IT! A local DJ here has a show which opens with one of Parlan's tunes... It's just a very solid set...

Since purchasing the Horace Parlan box, several weeks ago, I've found it to be nothing short of excellent.

The most positively surprising Mosaic sets I've purchased are the Horace Parlan box and the Tristano/Konitz/Marsh box. Both sets surpassed my expectations of excellence. Both sets receive much playing time on my stereo.

[AfricaBrass]

I too love the Horace Parlan box.

My question of Tranemonk is, how come you still have your $100 Mosaic gift card?

If someone right now gave me a Mosaic gift card, I'd probably be on the site already making my order.

It's like giving crack to a crackhead and having him hold onto it for a while. It just doesn't seem right.

Edited February 7, 2005 by AfricaBrass

[wesbed]

It's like giving crack to a crackhead and having him hold onto it for a while. It just doesn't seem right.

A highly accurate analogy.