By Captain Question. Wednesday, 23. July 2008, 01:55:35
I told you I'd do it! I bought the Roy Eldridge Mosaic set when I noticed recently that it was on the last chance list, and, as usual with the label, I'm glad I did. I haven't had a chance to listen to it all yet, but the first three or four discs are rock solid. Included in the set is a famous session with Roy and Dizzy Gillespie that is just screaming good jazz. As I've previously posted, I was never a big Miles fan, his horn always sounded a little too anaemic, but Roy has a rich clear tone and can hit every note. It's a very good set and a nice break in my nearly exclusively saxophone music spree I've been on lately. The accompanying book has wonderful photos (though I'm not so keen on Mosaic's policy of just inserting photos of the musicians on the set from various settings rather than at least limiting them in some way, say as of the recording date or something). The included essay is also somewhat weak. Just as in the Sonny Stitt set, I felt like the essaying (here Dan Morgenstern) spends the length of the article justifying Eldridge rather than celebrating him. Frankly, I'd rather have the essay discuss the life and effect of the musician on others, maybe even get perspective from other musicians. Anyway, as always, your comments are welcome.
By Captain Question. Thursday, 17. April 2008, 00:53:02
Just recently picked up some Lester Young: Complete Aladdin Recordings, Meets Oscar Peterson Trio, and (best of all) Mosaic's set of Lester's Count Basie Years. All sound great, but, of course, Count Basie is the best. Seminal jazz recordings from the height of his career. Swinging and very cool. For saxophonists, you were either a lester guy or a charlie guy and, despite all the parker wannabes, Lester's devotees all seem have an individual sound with lester's swing.
On my horizon? Roy Eldridge.
Any thoughts or comments?
By Captain Question. Monday, 7. January 2008, 00:32:58
Looking back over the posts, this blog has come along pretty well. Although, in my mind, the posts had been disjointed and sporadic, they seem to flow pretty seamlessly on review. I am still disappointed that more people haven't posted and renew my call for all of the members to post at least once, if only to list a couple of favorite albums.
As with anyone, my musical tastes have changed dramatically over the years, leading me from classic rock to classic country to jazz among other pitstops over the years. Even since beginning this blog, I note that I have refined my views. My original post lauded the concept of discussing favorite jazz music/musicians and getting advice from others on where to go. I still embrace this concept, yet as stated above, await the collaboration of the blog members. Among other things, I see that my original post was a little unenthusiastic about Davis and Coltrane. Since that post, I have come to really appreciate Trane much more, led there by the somewhat recently released Monk/Trane at Carnegie album, which has the best sound of any live album I've heard in the last couple of years. That album led me back to my own Coltrane collection and from there to A Love Supreme. I am happy to reevaluate my opinion on Coltrane and am happy to revisit others. At this point, I'm still not a Miles fan, but feel free to attempt to persuade me.
Last, I'd like to mention a great disc I've owned for a few years but never really given a lot of credit to: Ben Webster meets the Oscar Peterson trio. I usually have my iPod on jazz shuffle at work and became aware that I was consistently looking over to see who was playing when one of the songs on this album came up. Webster is smooth and haunting and the Peterson Trio is great, as usual. Anyway, I highly recommend it.
By Captain Question. Friday, 4. January 2008, 03:19:58
Ok, I know I'm a bit obsessed with Art Pepper these days, but I just can't get enough! This holiday season was good to me and to Laurie Pepper who is making some bank off of me. As previously mentioned, I shopped victoriously for Art's Complete Galaxy Recordings, and then I received his Complete Village Vanguard Sessions for Christmas. Yes, that's 25 CDs of Pepper, and no, it's not enough. But, it's a start.
Let me say that I was slow to accept Art's later period. I bought Winter Moon, his acclaimed "with strings" album for the Galaxy label, and felt that it was somewhat cheesy and too screechy for lack of a better word. I was accustomed to Art's tight, crisp sound; perfectly phrased. As I listened to and read more about him, I decided to give his 70's comeback another try. The samples online sounded good, so I went for it. I'm glad I did, of course. Although I didn't give in immediately to the bruhaha about the more emotional Art (I read that as less techinically proficient and reaching Art), this period is marked by a more expressive Art. I'm still getting used to the hoots and squaks to a degree, but when you listen to them as intentional and emotional statements rather than technical blunders, I think it marks a new world of Pepper. Both of the sets offer outstanding sets, from the raw Pepper of Vanguard to the refined duets with George Cables which close out the Galaxy set, I highly recommend them.
By Captain Question. Saturday, 17. November 2007, 17:44:23
Hey Gang,
Just wanted to drop a quick line since there's little action on the blog. I just "shopped victoriously" for Art Pepper's Complete Galaxy recordings and am very excited for those 16 discs that are Art Pepper's swan song. I'll let you know how they are. I also saw an article of the Keith Jarrett trio. I've heard a lot about Keith Jarrett but never really listened to him. I'm a big Bill Evans fan, with whom the author compared Keith, so I am intriqued. Anyone have an opinion/recommendations? Let me know.
By Captain Question. Monday, 8. October 2007, 00:35:31
Hey Everyone,
Sorry for the long hiatus, as usual. Have y'all checked out the new updated Mosaic site (www.mosaicrecords.com)? It looks very good. I am still mucho impressedo with my two sets from Mosaic (sonny stitt and art pepper).
the Savannah Jazz festival just wrapped up last week, and I really enjoyed it again. My favorite performances were by Ben Tucker's trio and a group called One Leg Up out of Asheville, NC. Ben Tucker is a savannah jazz institution. He was a founder of the Coastal Jazz Association that puts on the festival every year. The trio's performance was top-notch and featured a wonderful vocalist whose name totally eludes me at this point. They focused on the great american songbook and did not disappoint with their renditions. It was like throwing on a great old record.
One Leg Up was my surprise pick of the festival. Although I went to the concert series that night for Ben Tucker, I was certainly interested in a "Django-esque gypsy jazz band," as they billed it. I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed their set. The group consisted of two guitars, a mandolin, a clarinet/tenor sax, fiddle, and standing bass. It made for a rich tapestry of sound, and you could just tell they were having fun playing. I bought one of their cds and regret that I didn't get the other that they had out, but I just didn't have the money on me. If you get a chance, and you like the Django sound, I really encourage you to check it out. As always, post some messages and keep the blog alive!
By thesituatist. Sunday, 30. September 2007, 07:55:30
all dressed and nowhere to go? call up few friends and you are all set up to ride for the night. oh by the way , anything in your left breast pocket? or do u have any at all? check out
http://www.mp3.com/sttd 
By thesituatist. Friday, 17. August 2007, 07:18:30
introducing myself , hi everyone... i have been listening to jazz since i can remember.. nowadays lately i have been composing jazz piano... have and got free time to waste check out my website..
hope u enjoy the music...
By Leftist Jazz Cat. Sunday, 12. August 2007, 06:45:50
"TRANE!!!!!"
By Captain Question. Thursday, 9. August 2007, 12:59:12
Hooray! It seems that other people can post now, so we don't have to go from a post entitled "New Year's Jazz" to one entitled "Summer Jazz"! This means that all of the members need to post at least once, if only to name a couple of favorite artists/albums. Now, granted, I didn't do anything different to the site to allow people to post so maybe everyone can't do it. Frankly, I don't know. But that is another reason to have everyone give posting a go so that we can make sure the site is now member-friendly. Happy posting!
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