Thad Jones/ Mel Lewis Mosaic

[ASNL77]

I have been trying to buy this set on ebay for a while but it always ends up being bought for $300 - $400!! This is a lot for a 5 CD set. Is it that good? Was it deleted unexpectedly? What makes it so popular?

Edited May 31, 2005 by ASNL77

[robviti]

two of the individual recordings from this set are currently available:

a third - Live at the Village Vanguard - will be reissued june 7th. it's prime big band material, but i wouldn't pay $300-400 for the mosaic set.

Edited May 31, 2005 by jazzshrink

[Alfred]

For me this set is overrated. I sold mine on eBay two years ago. With the two single discs the best material of this set is available.

Hands off!

[sidewinder]

I must admit that this is a set that I bring out again and again. The track sequencing works well for me, the sound is pleasing and the booklet is a gem.

[king ubu]

Love this one! Definitely some of my favourite big band recordings!

[Tony Pusey]

Perhaps I should post this in regrets I had a few, but this is the one that got away!

Sure would like a copy....How many original albums is it anyway?

[Free For All]

I think the remastering of the Mosaic set was nothing short of spectacular. Remember the awful reverb on the LPs? The improvement is remarkable.

How many original albums is it anyway?

SS-18003 Presenting: Thad Jones-Mel Lewis& the Jazz Orchestra

SS-18016 Live at the Village Vanguard

SS- 18048 Monday Night!

SS- 18058 Central Park North

BST-84346 Consummation

BNLA-392-2 Thad Jones/Mel Lewis

[jazzbo]

The remastering really does transform the material; so much better on the Mosaic.

But in a way I agree with Alfred in that I listen to the first half of the set and hardly ever the second half.

[Brad]

Missed out on it so I'm forced to rely on the single issue cd. Same story with the Basie Roulette Studio

[Dave James]

I bought the Jones/Lewis when it first came out, but it's not one I return to with great regularity. Not that there isn't some truly outstanding music within it's confines, but it would be wrong to say it's without clinkers. In this respect, somewhat reminiscent of the Gerald Wilson box.

This set, along with the Larry Young, Andrew Hill and Maynard Ferguson, is one of the four Mosaics that seem to have escalated most wildly in value since they went dark. Highly coveted to the point of borderline absurdity. Nothing, at least IMO, is worth $60 - $70 per disc, this set included. Absence does, indeed, make the heart grow fonder...not to mention what it does to the wallet.

Up over and out.

[sidewinder]

It's certainly true about the sound quality. I have some of the original LPs and they are full of re-verb courtesy of Sonny Lester. Mosaic did wonders in clearing up the fidelity and clarity of the music.

[GA Russell]

Is the Mosaic production without the reverb used for the single CD reissues?

[Tony Pusey]

Many thanks Free for All, for the information, much appreciated!

[EKE BBB]

Current auction for this set, going for $256.00:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...4733445363&rd=1

(no connection with seller, of course)

[ASNL77]

It went for $407.01! .

[jazzbo]

Whoah! Didn't know I had such valuable stuff in my room!

[Tony Pusey]

Just missed it!

[king ubu]

Whoah!  Didn't know I had such valuable stuff in my room!

←

Same here! I mean, it's indeed mainly the first two or three discs that are fine, and yes, the booklet's great, too, but 400 bucks

[JSngry]

Could somebody be so kind as to post a list of what selections were on the Mosaic that were not on the original LPs? Don't need full discographical info, just titles and if they were 45s, unreleased titles, alternate takes, etc.

'Preciate cha'!

[king ubu]

been there before: click here

[sidewinder]

From the back of the Mosaic booklet, from what I can see the following look as if they were previously unissued on the Solid State LPs:

'Kids are Pretty People' (unissued on LP, the 'Presenting...' session)

'Sophisticated Lady' (45 rpm release only)

'Willow Tree (unissued on LP, from same session as the 45)

'Hawaii' (45 rpm release only)

'Lover Man' (unissued on LP, first Vanguard session)

'Mornin' Reverend (unissued on LP, first Vanguard session)

Willow Tree, alternate (unissued on LP, first Vanguard session)

The Second Race' (unissued on LP, first Vanguard session)

'Quietude' (unissued on LP, first Vanguard session)

[JSngry]

I thank you!

[Kalo]

GA Russell  Jun 1 2005, 12:07 AM Post #13 

Is the Mosaic production without the reverb used for the single CD reissues?

Well, is it?

[sidewinder]

Well....... the reverb certainly isn't there on my single CD of 'Consummation'. I don't have the rest in single CD format so can't comment for sure but would be amazed if the reverb was left in.

[DrJ]

I can't really comment on whether the set is "worth" what it sells for, money wise, but musically it is one of my top 3-5 favorite Mosaics. It just really strikes a chord with me. It's true the first half is strongest but with a standard that high that is hardly a slight of the rest of the material. To me, it's all essential music.

To address someone's earlier question about reverb: by my recollection, there is a note somewhere in the booklet about reverb having been largely removed for the Mosaic remastering but I can't say 100% for sure until checking when I get home.