Norman Granz presents Improvisation DVD

[medjuck]

When I ordered the Jazz Icon box from Amazon they did one of those "you might enjoy.... or whatever" and showed this 2 DVD set selling for $11.97! It just came and it 's terrific. Has "Jammin' the Blue" plus interviews, plus never seen elsewhere photos of Bird, Prez etc. on the bonus disc.

The first disc is a film (sort of) narrated by Granz which consists of the Gjon Mili footage of Bird, Bean, Prez, Ella etc playing

Ballade, Celebrity, Pennie from Heaven etc. This footage was included in the "Greatest Jazz Films" DVD that was discussed earlier on this board, but it's much better looking and sounding here. The Bird plays Celebrity section even has alternate angles-- a a feature I'd never seen on any other DVD and which I'm not sure how to use.

That's followed by Ellington with a trio playing for Joan Miro at the Gallery Maight, Count Basie at Montreux 1977, Joe Pass playing solo in 1979, Ella from '79 and Oscar Peterson with Dizzy, Clark Terry and Eddie Lockjaw Davis at Montreux in '77. Each section is introudced by Granz.

I just I looked at Amazon and the price is now $17.97 but it's worth it.

[bichos]

yes, the second dvd is amazing with all the photos by paul nodler including this unique charlie parker sleeping on a table!!!

only one sequence is missing (or i don´t see it) compare with the original "improvisation" issue that i have on a japanese vhs from 1996: coleman hawkins dismounting his sax and smoking during this incident.

and something only for bird aficionados: jacques muyal mentioned in the liner notes that only 52 second of bird appeard on film during the famous metronome session where they played "groovin´ high". that must be of course "hot house".

nevertheless it´s a great dvd with all the material together in great quality. (you can get the whole japt film on youtube and other video portales but in what quality...?)

keep boppin´

marcel

[Quincy]

The Bird plays Celebrity section even has alternate angles-- a a feature I'd never seen on any other DVD and which I'm not sure how to use.

Look on your remote and see if there is an "Angle" button. It might be near "Subtitle" or "Audio." If there is, then during that part of the DVD you can press the angle button and see the alternates. There may a hesitation of a couple of seconds (or maybe not) as it switches to the different angle.

Thanks for the heads up!

[RDK]

The Bird plays Celebrity section even has alternate angles-- a a feature I'd never seen on any other DVD and which I'm not sure how to use.

Look on your remote and see if there is an "Angle" button. It might be near "Subtitle" or "Audio." If there is, then during that part of the DVD you can press the angle button and see the alternates. There may a hesitation of a couple of seconds (or maybe not) as it switches to the different angle.

Thanks for the heads up!

The "angles" feature has always been an option with DVDs but it's rarely used. I think i have it on a few discs in the "bonus" material: making-of special effects scenes or something like that. IIRC, (and don't ask me how i know this) I think the angles feature is most commonly used these days in porno DVDs.

[medjuck]

The Bird plays Celebrity section even has alternate angles-- a a feature I'd never seen on any other DVD and which I'm not sure how to use.

Look on your remote and see if there is an "Angle" button. It might be near "Subtitle" or "Audio." If there is, then during that part of the DVD you can press the angle button and see the alternates. There may a hesitation of a couple of seconds (or maybe not) as it switches to the different angle.

Thanks for the heads up!

I did do that and was able to get a diffrent agle but I had to keep pressing it and every so an differnt agle would appear (sometimes in a picture withni a picture format.)

[medjuck]

yes, the second dvd is amazing with all the photos by paul nodler including this unique charlie parker sleeping on a table!!!

only one sequence is missing (or i don´t see it) compare with the original "improvisation" issue that i have on a japanese vhs from 1996: coleman hawkins dismounting his sax and smoking during this incident.

keep boppin´

marcel

The Hawk footage does show up-- I think at the very end of the first disc.

[medjuck]

yes, the second dvd is amazing with all the photos by paul nodler including this unique charlie parker sleeping on a table!!!

only one sequence is missing (or i don´t see it) compare with the original "improvisation" issue that i have on a japanese vhs from 1996: coleman hawkins dismounting his sax and smoking during this incident.

keep boppin´

marcel

The Hawk footage does show up-- I think at the very end of the first disc.

[Quincy]

IIRC, (and don't ask me how i know this) I think the angles feature is most commonly used these days in porno DVDs.

Also King Crimson. Which is guitar porn I suppose.

[bichos]

yes, the second dvd is amazing with all the photos by paul nodler including this unique charlie parker sleeping on a table!!!

only one sequence is missing (or i don´t see it) compare with the original "improvisation" issue that i have on a japanese vhs from 1996: coleman hawkins dismounting his sax and smoking during this incident.

keep boppin´

marcel

The Hawk footage does show up-- I think at the very end of the first disc.

ah, yes thank you - there it is, but also from back to forward!

here is a link where you can see the sequence in right direction. (hawkins put his cigarette on the floor at the end)

click on the "NEW - Extra Scenes from the Mili/Grantz session - 1950" (it takes a little time ´till the film starts)

http://www.birdlives.co.uk/content/view/49/126/

keep boppin´

marcel

[MartyJazz]

It is a great DVD, primarily for the Bird & Hawk footage, their facial expressions - Bird's particularly - while the other "plays". The last word is in quotes because no doubt most, if not all, viewers realize that the musicians are synchronizing the motions to the previously recorded Clef material. Nevertheless, highly enjoyable.