Dennis_M

My wife thinks it's fine. At least I think she does. I'm sure she would prefer that I do this instead of something else. At least that's what I assume.

I'm not sure what the issue is here, but I certainly agree that Ellis' rhythmic innovations were sincere and well worth the effort. At one time, I was an expert at counting out 19/4, and just about any other rhythm he played. I only wish he would have kept up the sincere approach in his later albums. Still, I regard him as one of the most under appreciated and talented musicians of the last several decades.

Sure. It's a highly polished studio album. Of the three I mentioned, it's my least favorite, but anyone who is interested in alternative time signatures and innovative music in the 60's-70's should give it a spin.

Yet another wow. As someone who has spent the vast majority of my time on AAJ, Ricci's PM really makes me wonder. One thing I have noticed about this site, which I like a lot, is that more people seem to be interested in "old" jazz. That's a big plus for me. Two examples would be the Diz/Bird Uptown release, which got major press here, with hardly any attention on AAJ, and the current Don Ellis thread here. I couldn't imagine a Don Ellis thread at AAJ. Still, I have many friends over there.... I suppose I'll just have to try to keep up with both. Don't confuse the guy who runs AAJ with the members-- there are lots of great people over there.

Correction to my previous post: "Indian Lady" is a cut on the album "Electric Bath". Also, "Live in 3 and 3/4 Time" is really "Live in (3 2/3)/4 Time. Not that I could tell the difference....

Anybody interested in the technical aspects of Ellis' work should download the dissertation from Johns Hopkins University, entitled "The Exotic Rhythms Of Don Ellis," by Sean Fenlon. More information than most people would ever want. http://www.donellismusic.com/Dissertation/dissertation.html My personal opinion is that his three early big band recordings, Indian Lady, Live at Monterey and Live in 3 and 3/4 Time were near masterpieces. Unfortunately, he then turned his efforts to attracting the college crowd, and things went down hill. However, as someone pointed out, all of his recordings had something to offer. Too bad he died so early (heart failure). Who knows what he might have achieved.

Exactly. The best was really outstanding, but a lot of it was forgettable. Something to do with making a living, I think.

Number 19? How abut number 1? How many recordings of this significance have been released in the last ten years?

So if everyone who took EPO wins the Tour de France, how come the same guy won it seven times consecutively? Is anybody claming that he won this year by doping? Or last year? Or the year before... or? This is just all sour grapes. If some French guy won seven straight times, do you think we would see the same kind of journalism? I don't think so.

I've ordered a fair amount from them. It's an adventure. With no shipping charge to the US, it's nice to be able to order only one CD and not get ripped off. On the other hand, I recently ordered Zoot Sims and the Gershwin Brothers, which arrived in about 50 pieces. It was unbelievable. They did replace it without any problems. Lot's of stuff gets canceled, but overall I've gotten about 80%, and the prices are not easy to beat. I'll continue to use them.

I think the most overrated drummer of all time is Gene Krupa. His work on Sing, Sing, Sing is IMO pitiful. Chick Webb was in an entirely different league. As to Buddy Rich, he seems to be on the "it's ok to hate him" list, but I have to say he was one of the finest big band drummers ever. He could drive a big band like few others. I wouldn't pick him for small groups, I would go for Shelly Manne or Stan Levey, but there were(are) lots of great small group drummers.

I'm kind of surprised that all you guys have succumbed to mrjazzman's obvious taunting. He will say anything to get under your skin. Just stop responding and he'll go away. His positions are unreasonable and not worth debating.

This is the key, folks. I have over a dozen PC's at work and two at home. Once I turn them on, they are never turned off except for cleaning (another key) and vacations. Turning a PC on and off produces much more stress on the machine than just leaving it on. You do have to reboot now and then to set things straight.

So I would go out with the same song that Dizzy was listening to when he passed on-- Salt Peanuts (the recent Uptown release for me). That song always makes me smile, and it would not be so bad to go out with a smile on your face.

Me too. Just play it again. Sooner or later he will come to his senses.

I too will be in Asia (China and Japan) in August on business/pleasure, and yes the weather will suck. I will also be giving a lecture near Shanghai. I am actually going to spend 10 days in Japan also, where I'm going to attend the Tokyo Jazz Festival (Aug. 20 and 21). Gary Burton, Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, and a bunch of others. I don't think the jazz in Shanghai will be very interesting, but Japan is a great place for jazz. Shanghai is only about 1000 miles from Tokyo. Dennis

I've found Caiman to be a fine source of used/new jazz CD's. The only issue is shipping costs. As soon as you get off the Amazon site, you no longer have the free shipping option. And as somebody mentioned, you do have to be careful who you buy from.

even spyro gyra??!! I said within reason!

I am searching for Marion McPartland's Piano Jazz with Milt Hinton. My wife heard it on the radio a couple of weeks ago and liked it! I'll buy any jazz CD she likes (within reason). Dennis

You can get it here http://www.gemm.com/ddc/search.pl?&a_refno=GML47179586 but it's $23.00 + shipping. I bought this within the last six months at a much more reasonable price, but I cannot remember where. I'll try to look it up tomorrow. Dennis

Buddy Rich- Big Swing Face Both Gorden Goodwin CD's Any big band CD by Toshiko Akyioshi

I have to admit that I haven't listened to anything even remotely recent. I did buy some of his stuff recorded in the '55-'65 time frame (I'm guessing here) but dropped him completely when MacArthur Park, Gonna Fly Now, Rocky, etc. started appearing. I would be happy to be educated. What would you recommend?

Wow, I guess you don't like the guy. Personally, I would rather listen to Faddis than Sandoval, and I can't stand Ferguson. Oh well, if we all liked the same musicians, it would be a pretty dull world.

Timofei Dokschitzer, Maurice Andre, and Rafael Mendez are certainly not jazz/swing/traditional jazz players, so I don’t know why they are included. Certainly Kenny Dorham and Lee Morgan ought to be there. In any case, while I wouldn’t buy this CD, it would be interesting to listen to it—once. I like the idea of Sandoval doing a tribute to Faddis!

Sometimes described as a jazz singer, but in reality she was everything from a social activist to a silent picture star, and starred with with the Revue Negre in Paris and the Folies Bergere, Josephine Baker almost fits your bill. I don't know if she ever sang in the nude, but it was close. And she did pose in the nude. She was way ahead of her time, considering she was born in about 1907. She does have at least one multiple CD set available (I have it, but in might be OOP by now). Dennis