tranemonk Posted February 5, 2005 Report Posted February 5, 2005 okay thanks to Ron S... I (hopefully) will have the Farlow set.... I was checking out the Gerald Wilson set.. songs online are smoking.... Does anyone have the set???? And/or a review??? Hmmmmmm B-) I must admit this has become quite the dilemma.... Quote
Ron S Posted February 5, 2005 Report Posted February 5, 2005 okay thanks to Ron S... I (hopefully) will have the Farlow set.... Hopefully? Quote
wesbed Posted February 5, 2005 Report Posted February 5, 2005 Be aware that many of the songs on one of the disks in the Gerald Wilson set are remakes of 1960s popular/rock tunes. Tunes such as Light My Fire. I didn't like these songs at first... later, started enjoying them. Quote
AfricaBrass Posted February 5, 2005 Report Posted February 5, 2005 I LOVE this set. It's one of the few I pre-ordered. I still think the Roach set is worth investigating. Quote
Ron S Posted February 5, 2005 Report Posted February 5, 2005 I LOVE this set. It's one of the few I pre-ordered. I still think the Roach set is worth investigating. (And the Nabors! Don't forget the NABORS!!!) Quote
Rooster_Ties Posted February 5, 2005 Report Posted February 5, 2005 Be aware that many of the songs on one of the disks in the Gerald Wilson set are remakes of 1960s popular/rock tunes. Tunes such as Light My Fire. I didn't like these songs at first... later, started enjoying them. The pop/rock covers make up but one out of a total of 10 LP's worth of material. Yeah, they're a little corny, but they've grown on me a bit as well. Fully 80% of the Gerald Wilson set is absolutely top-drawer ( !!!!!), with 10% that's maybe a little less than top-drawer (but still very good), and then that last 10% made up the "pop/rock covers" material. I love the set, and would buy it again in a heartbeat. Quote
tranemonk Posted February 6, 2005 Author Report Posted February 6, 2005 okay thanks to Ron S... I (hopefully) will have the Farlow set.... Hopefully? I just never ordered from them before... I've done other Amazon merchants and its' always been fine... so I'm sure this will be great... thanks for the tip!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote
Ron S Posted February 6, 2005 Report Posted February 6, 2005 okay thanks to Ron S... I (hopefully) will have the Farlow set.... Hopefully? I just never ordered from them before... I've done other Amazon merchants and its' always been fine... so I'm sure this will be great... thanks for the tip!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll take care of you--I know where the federal courthouse is in Miami and if Caiman doesn't come through, we'll sue 'em! Quote
Dennis_M Posted February 6, 2005 Report Posted February 6, 2005 Fully 80% of the Gerald Wilson set is absolutely top-drawer ( Â Â !!!!!), with 10% that's maybe a little less than top-drawer (but still very good), and then that last 10% made up the "pop/rock covers" material. This assessment is right on target. This is a "must buy" set for anybody even remotely interested in big bands. Dennis Quote
Brad Posted February 6, 2005 Report Posted February 6, 2005 I'll probably get this eventually but have been put off by some of the pop cover tunes. It's not a set that's grabbed me to go get it. Can't give a good reason other than that. Quote
Quincy Posted February 6, 2005 Report Posted February 6, 2005 Another piling on and recommending the Gerald Wilson. I too waited a long time to buy it, as my only post '40s big band experience was Basie and Ellington and I was too busy adding to the Ellington. I was for some silly reason suspicious of more modern West Coast big band music. Why I don't know. I also looked at "Yesterday" and "Aquarius" and "Light My Fire" and turned up my nose for awhile. But luckily I decided that at worst if one disc was unplayable, then I was paying $20 a disc. I'd just pretend that I was buying Japanese discs, and given the Malcom Addey mastering why not pay extra? There is so much to like about the set, but Harold Land & Teddy Edwards are just 2 great reasons to pick it up. I ended up getting the Carmell Jones Select not long after getting this, just to get more of him and Harold Land. And Gerald Wilson. It's great music. It's fun music too. And it's beautifully mastered. Maybe you'll even end up liking some of the pop songs, but that doesn't matter. The rest makes up for it (and then some.) Quote
wesbed Posted February 6, 2005 Report Posted February 6, 2005 (edited) I ended up getting the Carmell Jones Select not long after getting this, just to get more of him and Harold Land. And Gerald Wilson. I purchased the Mosaic titles in just the opposite direction. I ordered the Carmell Jones Select first, then ordered the Gerald Wilson Complete. I wanted to get more of the Gerald Wilson I'd heard via the Carmell Select. I posted earlier in this thread that one of the disks is comprised of 1960s rock tunes. What I wrote is true. However, to agree with other posters in this thread, the one disk should not be a reason to skip the set. The rest of the tunes in the Wilson box are very good. Wilson has the ability to create a very warm & cozy environment for the instruments to dance within. To my ears, Gerald Wilson's take on 'Milestones' is one of the best interpretions I've had the pleasure of experiencing. Even the disk of 1960s popular tunes has become a friend. Edited February 6, 2005 by wesbed Quote
Free For All Posted February 6, 2005 Report Posted February 6, 2005 Even the disk of 1960s popular tunes has become a friend. I agree- I've always liked that one. Perhaps it's not for everyone, but by no means does it *ruin* the set. Quote
Free For All Posted February 6, 2005 Report Posted February 6, 2005 FWIW, Gerald does some fine arranging throughout Johnny Hartman's "Unforgettable" album on Impulse. Yes he does!! Quote
connoisseur series500 Posted February 6, 2005 Report Posted February 6, 2005 Oh, yeah.....it's SMOKIN' alright! I've just ordered this set on cd. Quote
tranemonk Posted February 7, 2005 Author Report Posted February 7, 2005 I'm about to hijack my own thread.... Hey Ron S.... Sorry about your Eagles man.... I live in Boston and I kinda knew what was going to happen... but jeez do the Eagles know how to run a 2 minute drill???? Great game though.... You guys played us a lot tougher than they EXTREMELY OverBLOWN AND OVERHYPED Peyton Manning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Going for a three-peat!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote
Ron S Posted February 7, 2005 Report Posted February 7, 2005 I'm about to hijack my own thread.... Hey Ron S.... Sorry about your Eagles man.... I live in Boston and I kinda knew what was going to happen... but jeez do the Eagles know how to run a 2 minute drill???? Great game though.... You guys played us a lot tougher than they EXTREMELY OverBLOWN AND OVERHYPED Peyton Manning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Going for a three-peat!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats to you and your Beantown buds, tranemonk. Wow, what a year for you guys, between the Pats and the Sox. Yeah, like every other Eagles fan, I was screaming at the TV when they kept breaking for huddles towards the end. Maybe Andy Reid didn't want things moving too quickly in light of McNabb's 2 previous interceptions. It obviously didn't help, since he then threw interception number 3. The Eagles have brought us sooooooooo close for the last four years--one step closer this year--but still no Promised Land. Oh well. As they're saying around here now, NEXT YEAR IN DETROIT! [We now return you to the Gerald Wilson thread already in progress] Quote
Rooster_Ties Posted February 7, 2005 Report Posted February 7, 2005 Oh, yeah.....it's SMOKIN' alright! Â I've just ordered this set on cd. I'm sure you'll love it. I know one of your nits about Mosaic is that they don't present stuff in LP order, but I think they do on this set. Plus, none of the albums/sessions are split across multiple discs(!!!). 10 LP's on 5 discs, 2-LP's-per-disc in every case. Suspect you'll probably like the "pop" material too. Quote
undergroundagent Posted February 7, 2005 Report Posted February 7, 2005 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!! Quote
AfricaBrass Posted February 7, 2005 Report Posted February 7, 2005 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: Quote
Ron S Posted February 7, 2005 Report Posted February 7, 2005 (edited) 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 Quote
undergroundagent Posted February 7, 2005 Report Posted February 7, 2005 Boy, I really want the J.J.! Quote
tranemonk Posted February 7, 2005 Author Report Posted February 7, 2005 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... Quote
Ron S Posted February 7, 2005 Report Posted February 7, 2005 Well, it doesn't make up for last night. But it helps in terms of the Mosaic budget. Thanks. Quote
wesbed Posted February 7, 2005 Report Posted February 7, 2005 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. Quote
_forumlogo.png.a607ef20a6e0c299ab2aa6443aa1f32e.png)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.