Ron S

More on the OP box here, and the Ella box here.

Amazon US now has the following statement on the page for this set: Don't know what's up with that--my preorder is still pending, and shows a shipping estimate of October 13th. Could be that the product listing is in error, and that the set will be available through Amazon US but has been delayed. Or, it could be that it will NEVER be available through Amazon US. In any event, I just ordered one from Amazon UK for roughly the same delivered price as offered by Amazon US, and the UK site has them IN STOCK. EDIT: About 40 minutes later, and the Amazon UK order is already designated as "shipping soon."

So what's the bottom line on the sound of these newer Coltrane Prestige boxes compared to the old 16-disc box? Anyone do any A-B comparisons? I'm generally a big fan of late-'80s/early-90's Fantasy transfers/mastering, and I'd be curious to know if--and in what way(s)--the sound of these newer boxes has been noticeably improved.

Nope, not Memran (thank God). If you read around here once again, you'll see that we are talking about two different sets. Yep, and this is definitely a Sony issue--look carefully at the photo of the back of the set on the various Amazon sites, and note that on the Amazon UK site, the label is listed as Columbia.

Because it's apparently being released by a European division of Sony/BMG, similarly to the 1930s Ellington, etc. boxes released last year: http://www.amazon.com/Best-Duke-Ellington-...311&sr=1-31

Ditto what everyone else has said. Many thanks, Cindy!

Lee/Christy is now in "Last Chance."

Weston Select is now in "Last Chance."

They DO sell the big boxes in sequential order--i.e., with your box, they HAVE sold close to 2,000.

Also, the photo of the back cover reveals the Sony, Columbia, and Legacy logos. Thanks for the heads-up!

I've discerned that.

Kinda surprised that this one hasn't already been mentioned:

As if that ever stopped you before.

Mosaic cofirmed a few years ago that the Selects are NOT distributed in numerical order (in fact, the newer Selects aren't even numbered, and the older ones were mechanically numbered during manufacture). The individually numbered big boxes, however, ARE generally sold in numerical order (they are assigned the next sequential number by computer--and that number is hand-written in the booklet--at the time of sale).

Allen, I would try to explain it to you, but it involves quantum mechanics, existentialism, and a working knowledge of ancient Sumerian gerunds. I don't think you're quite up to it.

The Complete H.R.S. Sessions--discs 5 and 6

The Complete H.R.S. Sessions--discs 3 and 4

Glad I bought that one when it came out. Good luck - will keep my eyes peeled for a copy and let you know if I see 'an opening'. Thanks!

Still no luck here on the Johnny Richards front.

I suspect that many of those are actually not in stock--I called about the Richards, and it's not. I'd recommend contacting them regarding stock status before--or even after--placing an order. The good news is that they don't charge your credit card until they ship, if I recall correctly.

Great! Just sent an email inquiry. I have a copy of the Richards Select on order with Borders using a 25%-off coupon, but the web site says it's on 2-week backorder, so I'm doubtful it will ever come. I'd gladly cancel that order if Ron (how can you go wrong with someone named Ron? ) comes through. EDIT: Just noticed that the Borders site now says 4-8 weeks! I guess they're just transitioning to "no longer available."

Perhaps not? http://jazzman4133.stores.yahoo.net/johricsel.html Thanks! Actually, I came across that in my Googling, but was a bit wary given the no-credit-card/no-PayPal policy (only cash or checks), and lack of location/address info. Any experience with this seller?

Meanwhile, the cheapest Johnny Richards is $85.22.

I keep striking out on the Richards. Maybe I should email Cindy?

I just called Keenzo myself. I had ordered the Bud Shank and John Patton sets yesterday. Apparently the Shank is also a no-go, but the woman said she could send me the Patton. At least that's something! Since I jumped into ordering from this site much quicker than I usually do with an online site, hopefully my partial refund won't prove to be an issue... I don't think they actually charge your card until they ship. Only preauthorization occurs at time of order.