Jazz Experts, Lend Me Your Brains

[Noj]

Thanks again to everyone for your suggestions. As I did in the distant past, I am making a Word document to reference on my computer when I go to buy something new. As I recall, in the previous thread way back on BNBB I had more Grover Washington, Jr. than Coltrane. Virtually all the jazz (and plenty of other music) on my current list is a testament to reading these boards and gaining knowledge from all you guys.

Hamp - The Legendary Decca Recordings Of Lionel Hampton (2CD)

Can you post the details of this please, Jon?

MG

MG--it's a 1996 Polygram compilation I bought from the Jazz Heritage Society music club, but it doesn't look like they carry it any more. Here's the track list:

Disc One

1. Flying Home (1942)

2. Hamp's Boogie Woogie (1944)

3. Million Dollar Smile (1944)

4. Red Cross (1945)

5. Hamp's Blues (1945)

6. Evil Gal Blues (1945)

7. Flying Home (1945)

8. Stardust (1947)

9. Ribs & Hot Sauce (1945)

10. Blow Top Blues (1945)

11. Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop (1945)

12. Rockin' In Rhythm Parts 1 & 2 (1946)

13. Limehouse Blues (1946)

14. Tempo's Birthday (1946)

15. Jack The Fox Boogie (1946)

Disc Two

1. How High The Moon (1947)

2. Three Minutes On 52nd Street (1947)

3. Red Top (1947)

4. Mingus Fingers (1947)

5. Midnight Sun (1947)

6. Chicken Shack Boogie (1949)

7. Central Avenue Breakdown (1949)

8. Drinkin' Wine, Spo-Dee-O-Dee (1949)

9. Moonglow (1949)

10. The Hucklebuck (1949)

11. Lavender Coffin (1949)

12. Rag Mop (1949)

13. I Wish I Knew (1950)

14. There Will Never Be Another You (1950)

15. Pink Champagne (1950)

16. Memories Of You (1950)

17. Time On My Hands (1950)

18. Easy To Love (1950)

19. Twentieth Century Boogie (1950)

20. Dancing On The Ceiling (1963)

21. How High The Moon (1963)

[BFrank]

Well I didn't look through all 4,190 albums, but you do have a very well rounded collection. I think you could use a lot of the knowledge you have to find more of what you like on your own.

Having said that ...

Get some more Zappa: "Grand Wazoo", "Roxy & Elsewhere", "One Size Fits All", "We're Only In It For the Money", "Apostrophe". (Good going on some of those George Duke MPS albums)

You don't have The Who "Live at Leeds" (a must-have)

Get U2 "Boy", their first and best album (IMHO)

McCoy Tyner "Supertrios" - easy DL from eMusic

Supertramp "The Autobiography Of Supertramp" - get rid of it. I hate that band.

Only 1 Bad Religion? Get "Stranger than Fiction", "Process of Belief"

If you like CSN&Y (you have "So Far"), get "Deja Vu" and the first CS&N album.

The Cult - "Dreamtime" and "Dreamtime Live" (eMusic)

Jefferson Airplane - "Crown of Creation", "After Bathing at Baxters"

Jefferson Starship - "Blows Against the Empire" (this is MUCH different from the later, commercial version of the band)

Return to Forever - you need the first album, "Return to Forever" (ECM)

One final question: why is the font so BIG on that Excel file?

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Thanks again to everyone for your suggestions. As I did in the distant past, I am making a Word document to reference on my computer when I go to buy something new. As I recall, in the previous thread way back on BNBB I had more Grover Washington, Jr. than Coltrane. Virtually all the jazz (and plenty of other music) on my current list is a testament to reading these boards and gaining knowledge from all you guys.

Hamp - The Legendary Decca Recordings Of Lionel Hampton (2CD)

Can you post the details of this please, Jon?

MG

MG--it's a 1996 Polygram compilation I bought from the Jazz Heritage Society music club, but it doesn't look like they carry it any more. Here's the track list:

Disc One

1. Flying Home (1942)

2. Hamp's Boogie Woogie (1944)

3. Million Dollar Smile (1944)

4. Red Cross (1945)

5. Hamp's Blues (1945)

6. Evil Gal Blues (1945)

7. Flying Home (1945)

8. Stardust (1947)

9. Ribs & Hot Sauce (1945)

10. Blow Top Blues (1945)

11. Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop (1945)

12. Rockin' In Rhythm Parts 1 & 2 (1946)

13. Limehouse Blues (1946)

14. Tempo's Birthday (1946)

15. Jack The Fox Boogie (1946)

Disc Two

1. How High The Moon (1947)

2. Three Minutes On 52nd Street (1947)

3. Red Top (1947)

4. Mingus Fingers (1947)

5. Midnight Sun (1947)

6. Chicken Shack Boogie (1949)

7. Central Avenue Breakdown (1949)

8. Drinkin' Wine, Spo-Dee-O-Dee (1949)

9. Moonglow (1949)

10. The Hucklebuck (1949)

11. Lavender Coffin (1949)

12. Rag Mop (1949)

13. I Wish I Knew (1950)

14. There Will Never Be Another You (1950)

15. Pink Champagne (1950)

16. Memories Of You (1950)

17. Time On My Hands (1950)

18. Easy To Love (1950)

19. Twentieth Century Boogie (1950)

20. Dancing On The Ceiling (1963)

21. How High The Moon (1963)

Thanks Jon - looks as if it's this one

Which I managed to get cheaply on Amazon.com - it's £30 on Amazon UK !!!!

What a fine way to start the day!

You've got a hell of a lot of records that I've got - now there'll be one more

MG

[Noj]

One final question: why is the font so BIG on that Excel file?

When that particular font is small, it is illegible.

I really appreciate the recs, fellas.

MG--I was happy to find that Bembeya Jazz National collection on eMusic, I first heard them on your BFT.

[Andrea Gaggero]

Hi to NOj and anyone here!

This is my first reply here and I'm sorry but, if You're searching for an almost complete and logical jazz collection You're far away from that. But perhaps i'm wrong and You're lookin' only for some good suggestions

I've take a fast look at Your list and at the hints here but for sure if You're lookin' for a collection almost rapresentative of this music, aside from the rock or pop album, You must re-equilibrate the whole list. Just an example: I've counted 18 recordings of Donald Byard and none of the following musicians: Albert Ayler, Art Ensemble of Chicago (missing the foundamental French recordings People in Sorrow first), Anthony Braxton, Count Basie (are missing the foundamental sides with Lester Young), Ornette Coleman is underrated, John Carter, Tadd Dameron, Roy Eldridge, Duke Ellington (missing the Blanton-Webster band!!!), Ella FItzgerald, Benny Goodman and I stop at lette H with one of my favourite of all times Fletchre Henderson.

I think You need a good jazz history moste than some occasional hint here. I don't know where are You from, I hope from USA on England so You can easily read one of the best jazz history ever written: Alyn Shipton, A New History Of Jazz, Continuum Books

See YOU. :-) LYM

[umum_cypher]

Hi to NOj and anyone here!

This is my first reply here and I'm sorry but, if You're searching for an almost complete and logical jazz collection You're far away from that. But perhaps i'm wrong and You're lookin' only for some good suggestions

I've take a fast look at Your list and at the hints here but for sure if You're lookin' for a collection almost rapresentative of this music, aside from the rock or pop album, You must re-equilibrate the whole list. Just an example: I've counted 18 recordings of Donald Byard and none of the following musicians: Albert Ayler, Art Ensemble of Chicago (missing the foundamental French recordings People in Sorrow first), Anthony Braxton, Count Basie (are missing the foundamental sides with Lester Young), Ornette Coleman is underrated, John Carter, Tadd Dameron, Roy Eldridge, Duke Ellington (missing the Blanton-Webster band!!!), Ella FItzgerald, Benny Goodman and I stop at lette H with one of my favourite of all times Fletchre Henderson.

I think You need a good jazz history moste than some occasional hint here. I don't know where are You from, I hope from USA on England so You can easily read one of the best jazz history ever written: Alyn Shipton, A New History Of Jazz, Continuum Books

See YOU. :-) LYM

What a collection.

It's true that there's too much Donald Byard. But there's no Viktor Vaughan and that is a record!

[John L]

Pick up some Lester Young.

[Noj]

Hi to NOj and anyone here!

This is my first reply here and I'm sorry but, if You're searching for an almost complete and logical jazz collection You're far away from that. But perhaps i'm wrong and You're lookin' only for some good suggestions

I've take a fast look at Your list and at the hints here but for sure if You're lookin' for a collection almost rapresentative of this music, aside from the rock or pop album, You must re-equilibrate the whole list. Just an example: I've counted 18 recordings of Donald Byard and none of the following musicians: Albert Ayler, Art Ensemble of Chicago (missing the foundamental French recordings People in Sorrow first), Anthony Braxton, Count Basie (are missing the foundamental sides with Lester Young), Ornette Coleman is underrated, John Carter, Tadd Dameron, Roy Eldridge, Duke Ellington (missing the Blanton-Webster band!!!), Ella FItzgerald, Benny Goodman and I stop at lette H with one of my favourite of all times Fletchre Henderson.

I think You need a good jazz history moste than some occasional hint here. I don't know where are You from, I hope from USA on England so You can easily read one of the best jazz history ever written: Alyn Shipton, A New History Of Jazz, Continuum Books

See YOU. :-) LYM

What a collection.

It's true that there's too much Donald Byard. But there's no Viktor Vaughan and that is a record!

Donald Byrd is one of the first jazz musicians I ever started collecting, so that's why I have so much from him. Plus I think he's great.

Free/Avant garde/out jazz, pre-1950s jazz, and vocalists have not been a focal point for me, although I've started to dig all three recently.

Thanks for the advice, LYM and umum_cypher.

John L--will do with Lester. I've only got the one disc with the Oscar Peterson trio thus far. Thanks!

[Sundog]

Nice list. Consider adding:

- More "Atlantic" era Coltrane

- More "Milestone" and "Impulse" era Tyner

- Seems like you would enjoy some Deep Blue Organ Trio (Deep Blue Bruise, Goin To Town)

- Paul Motian

- Dave Holland (Start with his latest and work backward. It's as good a plan as any, he's been on quite a roll)

- Jonas Kullhammar (Get the trio stuff with Daniel Fredriksson and Torbjorn Zetterberg)

[Chuck Nessa]

Lots of advise here - too much to absorb. I suggest pushing your listening habits forwards and backwards (in time) based on artists you like now.

[Christiern]

An interesting, eclectic list, Jon.

I second the Jelly Roll suggestion and recommend Wynton Kelly's Smokin at the Half Note (unless that material is included on one of the albums you already have). Since you like both comedy and jazz, I also highly recommend Ken Nordine's "Word Jazz"... or did I miss that on your list?

Forgot to mention that I think your art work is superb, but I think I noted that a long time ago.

Edited February 3, 2009 by Christiern

[PHILLYQ]

Lots of advise here - too much to absorb. I suggest pushing your listening habits forwards and backwards (in time) based on artists you like now.

I think Chuck's got a great approach here. When you hear someone good on a disc, investigate that player, etc. I started with Mahavishnu, then Miles, then people who played with Miles, people who played with people who played with Miles, etc.

[papsrus]

Lots of advise here - too much to absorb. I suggest pushing your listening habits forwards and backwards (in time) based on artists you like now.

This is solid advice. Look for sidemen who stand out to you on the stuff you have now. Follow the trail. Seek out those who influenced the musicians you're familiar with and enjoy. One thing I find about exploring unfamiliar music, particularly music of an earlier era, is that it's interesting/fun to connect the dots along the way, both in terms of the musicians and the music itself. Bound to be the occasional disappointment along the way, but plenty of delightful surprises as well.

[Noj]

Thanks Sundog, Chuck, Chris, PhillyQ, and Paps. I have actually followed the approach Chuck describes for a good percentage of my collection, but even more often I've just read a poster here rave about something good and I'll get it. For example, in some random thread Chuck described the Dizzy Reece Blue Note albums as "special" to him. Trusting Chuck's impeccable taste, I bought the Mosaic Select, which I am listening to now.

What I was really hoping for is that the trained eyes here would see the holes better than my own--and I think they have! Great recommendations all around.

[Big Al]

John L--will do with Lester. I've only got the one disc with the Oscar Peterson trio thus far. Thanks!

If you ever happen to stumble upon the Lester Young Verve box and it's a reasonable price ($75-$80), get it. It's not exactly essential, and yes there is far better Lester out there, but it does a terrific job of documenting the last of Lester's life, warts and all.

[Big Al]

Wynton Kelly's Smokin at the Half Note (unless that material is included on one of the albums you already have).

If it's the one I'm thinking of (the one with Wes Montgomery), it's on Montgomery's Verve 2-fer Impressions: The Verve Jazz Sides, which he has.

[umum_cypher]

You've got over 4,000 CDs and you're looking for stuff you DON'T have???? What else is left besides Bulgarian Monk Death Metal?

Meshuggah are the extreme metal band that even jazzers like us can love, their EP 'I' is thoroughly recommended to one and all (really).

Jon (only joking about DB btw) - I wonder if (like me) you blow hot and cool about Ornette. But get Don Cherry's Blue Notes - Symphony for Improvisers, Complete Communion, Where is Brooklyn. Blowing cool is not at all a feasible response to these records.

Coming forward, and in the same vein, try Mostly Other People do the Killing - their record Shamokin' is maybe a bit uneven but a lot of fun, principally because of trumpeter Peter Evans, who is like Lester Bowie, Axel Doerner and Clifford Brown rolled into one, and about as far from the studied/po-faced post Wynton-trumpter as you can get. I haven't heard This is our Moosic yet, but want to very much.

Also maybe try the various Thirsty Ear artists, especially Craig Taborn, especially his 2001 trio record Light Made Lighter but also the jazz electronica effort Junk Magic.

None of the Euro free improv I searched for was there, but I'm not sure you'd be into that.

I'll be taking some recommendations from your spreadsheet too.

[umum_cypher]

And if Donald Byrd, why not Chant, an early 60s BN reject - why? too much product? certainly not on quality grounds - released in the 70s. Fantastic Pepper and Herbie (the latter I think on his first recording session) - it's really great.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

One final question: why is the font so BIG on that Excel file?

When that particular font is small, it is illegible.

I really appreciate the recs, fellas.

MG--I was happy to find that Bembeya Jazz National collection on eMusic, I first heard them on your BFT.

Glad you like that. Try the Balla & ses Balladins set next.

MG