if you were me.... and

[eamesonly]

I ordered the Tal Farow from caiman on 2/8 it still shows it as processing? When should i become concerned with it shipping? It's been a couple of days. Was hoping by today.

Will see if it ships by monday. If not may need to look at cancelling my order.

[Ron S]

I ordered the Tal Farow from caiman on 2/8 it still shows it as processing? When should i become concerned with it shipping? It's been a couple of days. Was hoping by today.

Will see if it ships by monday. If not may need to look at cancelling my order.

They usually ship within 2-3 business days if they have an item in stock. Several people on this Board--including me--ordered that set from them within the past week, and have either already received it or have been notified it shipped. If you don't see that it shipped by Monday, you can send them an email from the same page of their site that shows the status, and ask when it will ship. Sometimes it takes a couple of tries to get a response out of them. If you can wait, I'd give it a bit longer before cancelling, because it seems that they do have these sets (or access to them) and are shipping them, and you can't beat the price. FWIW.

Edit: I just checked and they're showing that they have 8 or 9 in stock, so I bet yours will ship soon.

Edited February 11, 2005 by Ron S

[eamesonly]

very cool thanks for the quick reply. will wait.

thinking of Johnny Hodges or JJ Johnson next.

Any preference in order?

Thanks!

Also anyone have any luck in finding the other verve's on other sites

[Ron S]

I received my Tal Farlow European Mosaic set from Caiman today.

Some interesting details I noticed:

1. Unlike the sets you get from Mosaic, the entire box was shrink-wrapped, while the jewel cases inside were not. This makes sense because, unlike the US Mosaic sets, this set has a page containing Mosaic's description from the catalog rubber cemented to the back of the box.

2. Although the outside box doesn't have the name "Mosaic" on it, the CD's themselves do, and state that they're made in the U.S.

3. The spine of the box says "The Complete Verve Tal Farlow Concert Band Sessions." I'm wondering if that mistake is only on the European sets, or is that also on the American Mosaic sets? I know that the American Mosaic Mulligan CJB box says "Concert Band" on the spine as opposed to "Concert JAZZ Band." Somehow this got carried over to the Farlow box, or at least the European edition.

Are the above 3 items consistent with the European Farlow sets that others have gotten?

[eamesonly]

wouldn't know my order is still processing from caiman?

[tranemonk]

I received my Tal Farlow European Mosaic set from Caiman today.

Some interesting details I noticed:

1. Unlike the sets you get from Mosaic, the entire box was shrink-wrapped, while the jewel cases inside were not. This makes sense because, unlike the US Mosaic sets, this set has a page containing Mosaic's description from the catalog rubber cemented to the back of the box.

2. Although the outside box doesn't have the name "Mosaic" on it, the CD's themselves do, and state that they're made in the U.S.

3. The spine of the box says "The Complete Verve Tal Farlow Concert Band Sessions." I'm wondering if that mistake is only on the European sets, or is that also on the American Mosaic sets? I know that the American Mosaic Mulligan CJB box says "Concert Band" on the spine as opposed to "Concert JAZZ Band." Somehow this got carried over to the Farlow box, or at least the European edition.

Are the above 3 items consistent with the European Farlow sets that others have gotten?

hmm.... this is making me nervous....

I assume all else (particularly the music/tracks/band) is the same....?

[Ron S]

I received my Tal Farlow European Mosaic set from Caiman today.  

Some interesting details I noticed:

1. Unlike the sets you get from Mosaic, the entire box was shrink-wrapped, while the jewel cases inside were not.  This makes sense because, unlike the US Mosaic sets, this set has a page containing Mosaic's description from the catalog rubber cemented to the back of the box.

2.  Although the outside box doesn't have the name "Mosaic" on it, the CD's themselves do, and state that they're made in the U.S.

3.  The spine of the box says "The Complete Verve Tal Farlow Concert Band Sessions."  I'm wondering if that mistake is only on the European sets, or is that also on the American Mosaic sets?  I know that the American Mosaic Mulligan CJB box says "Concert Band" on the spine as opposed to "Concert JAZZ Band."  Somehow this got carried over to the Farlow box, or at least the European edition.

Are the above 3 items consistent with the European Farlow sets that others have gotten?

hmm.... this is making me nervous....

I assume all else (particularly the music/tracks/band) is the same....?

Oh yes. Don't misunderstand me--this is definitely the genuine Farlow Mosaic designed for sale by Unviersal/Verve in Europe. I was just curious if others had these same details as mine, given that these are distributed by Universal and not Mosaic. But once you have it, you'll see (and hear) that it is definitely a genuine Mosaic box set.

EDIT: I should have looked at these posts in a previous Farlow European Mosaic thread, which confirm that my European Farlow Mosaic from Caiman is exactly like those purchased elsewhere, right down to the goofy "Concert Band" reference on the spine. And this thread discusses the European Mosaics in general, including the removable information sheet attached to the back of the box.

Edited February 15, 2005 by Ron S

[Ron S]

Now that I've finished listening to all 7 discs of the Tal Farlow Mosaic, I just wanted to reiterate what a terrific deal is to be had by purchasing this set from Caiman through Amazon. Of course, the music is phenomenal, as is the Malcolm Addey-mastered sound. And the Universal/Verve European edition is identical in every way to the US edition, and is in fact manufactured in the U.S. The ONLY differences are:

1. the set doesn't have the Mosaic 224-MD-CD number;

2. the booklet isn't individually numbered, but just says that it's one of a limited edition of 10,000 (Mosaic actually numbers each of the US booklets at the time it's shipped to the purchaser, which can't be done with the European edition since it's sold by a variety of retailers);

3. the spine of the box says "Concert Band" as discussed above (and I haven't heard from anyone whether the US version also has this error);

4. rubber-cemented to the back of the box (presumably so it can be easily removed) is a copy of Mosaic's description of the set from its catalog and web site (since people considering buying the set in a store otherwise may not see it).

The best part is that Caiman now has this set--brand-new and factory-sealed--for $50.45 plus $2.49 shipping. Here is their listing. And believe me, this IS the genuine article--a Mosaic through and through with slight numbering modifications to allow Verve/Universal to distribute it abroad.

But, if you just MUST have that "224" on the spine of your box, and the individual number scrawled on the inside of your booklet by someone in Mosaic's shipping department, then you should spend the extra $76.06 and order direct from Mosaic. Personally, I'd rather do as tranemonk did, and put that extra money into another Mosaic.

[AfricaBrass]

But, if you just MUST have that "224" on the spine of your box, and the individual number scrawled on the inside of your booklet by someone in Mosaic's shipping department, then you should spend the extra $76.06 and order direct from Mosaic. Personally, I'd rather do as tranemonk did, and put that extra money into another Mosaic.

My wife was going to buy me a Mosaic Select for Valentine's Day, so I ended up ordering this instead on Monday.

Thanks for the heads-up Ron!

[Ron S]

But, if you just MUST have that "224" on the spine of your box, and the individual number scrawled on the inside of your booklet by someone in Mosaic's shipping department, then you should spend the extra $76.06 and order direct from Mosaic.   Personally, I'd rather do as tranemonk did, and put that extra money into another Mosaic.

My wife was going to buy me a Mosaic Select for Valentine's Day, so I ended up ordering this instead on Monday.

Thanks for the heads-up Ron!

Your welcome, Jeff. Let us know what you think of it.

[AfricaBrass]

I'll do that. I DIG Tal Farlow.

[Ron S]

I'll do that. I DIG Tal Farlow. 

Then let's see you start Photoshopping THIS:

[AfricaBrass]

I'll wait until I get my set, maybe Cat Shatner will be on a new avatar.

[Ron S]

I'll wait until I get my set, maybe Cat Shatner will be on a new avatar.

Looks like a perfect set-up.

[TedR]

I just received the Tal Farlow box today. I never ordered through Amazon so I selected MusicMedia since they had a slightly higher customer service ranking then caiman. And I didn't regret it.

Last week when I noticed their Amazon site no longer had the Farlow (after I ordered) I e-mailed MusicMedia. They answered two hours later saying the item would be back in stock and shipping on Tuesday. They confirmed via e-mail when it shipped and it arrived just when they said. Excellent customer service...excellent communications...and they took the set off their list on Amazon when they were temporarily out.

Thanks again RonS for the heads up to this import on Amazon at a great price.

Only minor quibble.....those slim line 2 cd cases sure hold those cd's tight. If I ever start getting arthritis I'll have to repackage 'em in regular jewel cases.

(Since I live in Florida where MM ships from, it arrived the very next day.)

Edited February 16, 2005 by TedR

[Ron S]

Thanks for the scoop on MusicMedia. I'll have to check them out. Speaking of Florida, I know that in addition to MusicMedia and Caiman, there is at least one other substantial Amazon merchant--CDQuest, maybe?--that is there. Also, I know that Tower.com has a lot of imports drop-shipped from a 3rd-party warehouse in south Florida. I wonder if maybe at least some of these storefronts are using the same distribution facility in Miami (a major import/export center) for their CD distribution, especially imports.

[tranemonk]

hey ron...

got my tal farlow set yesterday...

thanks again for the tip...

It arrived almost exactly as you described.... (One major smudgeprint on one of the CDs though...)

thanks...

[Ron S]

hey ron...

got my tal farlow set yesterday...

thanks again for the tip...

It arrived almost exactly as you described.... (One major smudgeprint on one of the CDs though...)

thanks...

Could it be wiped off? I think those sometimes get on the CD's when the sets are assembled, especially small issues like Mosaics.

You said "almost" exactly--were there any other differences?

[tranemonk]

no I couldn't get the smudgeprint off..... It's on the label side of the CD so I'm assuming the actual music/track info is untouched....

otherwise it was exactly as you described...

thanks

[Ron S]

no I couldn't get the smudgeprint off..... It's on the label side of the CD so I'm assuming the actual music/track info is untouched....

otherwise it was exactly as you described...

thanks

Sounds like it happened in manufacturing. If it's a problem for you, Caiman does take defective stuff back, and even pays for return shipping. I returned something to them once at their expense, and they sent me a brand-new replacement.

[tranemonk]

hmmm... that's very good to know...

I've just emailed them to ask about their return policy.... (and replacement...)

Will keep you informed...

thanks for quelling my queaziness about these guys....

(I think I deserve a point for have 2 Q's in one sentence... !!

[Ron S]

hmmm... that's very good to know...

I've just emailed them to ask about their return policy.... (and replacement...)

Will keep you informed...

thanks for quelling my queaziness about these guys....

(I think I deserve a point for have 2 Q's in one sentence... !!

It's pretty simple--if you send them an email stating the order number and the problem, they'll send you a return email with a link to a COD USPS return label. You just send the set back with a copy of your email stating the problem. I didn't hear from them for a couple of weeks after I sent the CD back, so I bugged them again and they immediately sent me a new CD. At that point, I received it quite quickly.

[ianfaith]

Got my Farlow set from Caiman today, in perfect condition. Listening to it right now and digging it immensely. I probably would have ended up getting this set anyway at some point, but getting it for $50 is an absolute steal. I would encourage anyone to jump on this deal while they can. Thanks for the tip!

[Quincy]

My Farlow from Caiman came into today too. I ordered it a day later than others here, and it had 3000 miles to travel.

Thank you much for the tip. I had this set in my sights but it got bumped down when the Farmer/Golson and the past 2 batches of Selects, and well you know, other things. Now I'll use the savings differnence and spend it at Mosaic!

Just starting on disc one. My oh my, this is a steal!

7 discs of Farlow, and the latest RVGs & Moran expected to arrive in 3 hours or less. Yahoo!