Big Al

Always been partial to Ugetsu myself, which doesn't seem to get much attention. Maybe because it's not on the level of A Night At Birdland or Cafe Bohemia, nor does it have any drum solos. But the title track is eleven minutes of sheer beauty.

I have, or actually my wife has. In a span of just over three weeks, she has read all eight books in the series. I've never seen anything like it. I'm gonna start reading them myself, especially since I've been seeing her giggle so much. (She told me about the dog who ate the prunes, who was subsequently dog-napped. This I gotta read!)

Bringing this back up to say that, while I love Mysterious Traveller and Tale Spinnin', Black Market is still may favorite of the three, and I'm glad that BM was chosen as the AOW; mainly because had one of the other two been nominated, I might not have been so inclined to get all three, whereas BM was so good it made me want to hear the other two. Still, great stuff and good grooves all around.

Well, I also have enjoyed the heck outta this session, ever since it was re-released last year. I remember when it was announced, I thought, "OH BOY! More greeeeaze a la Down Home Style!!!" (Not to take the thread off in a different direction, but DHS is, in my book, THE greeeeaziest album on the planet; so greeazy, even the cover clogs yer arteries!!!) Imagine my surprise when the disc I put in the player was some of the most far-out spaciest GROOOOOOVE I've ever heard!!! What Soul Stream said about that bass-drum intro: is RIGHT ON!!! That bass line is so cool, I tried to learn to play it. Now that I know it, I LOOOOVE to play along with it. Then when I found out it was Richard Davis, my jaw about hit the floor! RICHARD DAVIS, man!!! What's he doin' gettin' all slathered in the greeeeaze like this? Also heartily agreein' on all the good said about "Oblighetto." I dig that McDuff is all over the place on this track, and DuShon's vocals are all sorts of eerie (cryptic and greeeazy too, if Jim R is reading), but that "tight, right and full of might" rhythm of Davis and Dukes keeps things movin' with a most KICK-ASS groove! Now, up until this album I wasn't too familiar with McDuff the piano player. With the title track, I am now! He's got a touch as light as Count Basie, and just as sharp too! And I loooove the groove on this. This was perfect for coastin' down the highway to the airport late at night last week. Just settle into a nice backbeat and groooooooove all the way! "Made in Sweden." This is a good place to bring up the sound of the drums on this album. How did they get that sound? It sounds eerily tinny, yet good and spacy, so that it fits right in on the record. But I mean, there's no bottom to it. It just sounds like it's being transmitted from..... space!!! Oddly enough, the last track is probably my least favorite, but I think it has more to do with the fact that it's not in the same groove as the others. Make no mistake, it's a killer track. But I find myself going back to "Flat Backin'" once this track starts up. HELLUVA pick for AOW, Soul Stream!!! This is one I never get tired of!

Miles Davis - Nefertiti (click here to buy) Not to disappoint fans of the greeeeeeaze, but I've been plannin' this since the whole AOW concept started. Besides, we haven't had any Miles yet, and this is my favorite era of his. I did a poll a few weeks back, and while I still want to discuss both albums discusses in the poll, I figured it would be easier and keep things consistent by just naming one album. So Nefertiti is the official Album of the Week (Because it actually got votes), but I also plan on discussing Sorcerer and the tracks from Water Babies that were recorded during this time. Looking forward to this one. Thanks again, Ed!

The Way I Feel is gonna be part of the Patton Mosaic Select this fall. It's a HECKUVA session!!! Jackson burns throughout. The track listing for the Select indicates that this session will be paired with ALONG CAME JOHN, which also features Jackson. In anticipation, I put my two copies onto one disc and listened to it all the way through. One thing you can say about Jackson is he's consistent: he never lets up, never lets down. Just good solid greeeeaze all the way through. His solo on "The Silver Meter" is extremely funky!

I routinely have dreams that I've flown to New York. Strange, since I've never been there and, outside of wanting to meet Bored members who live in and around there, have never had any real desire to go there. Had one last night, in fact.

I've got a collection of Jack Benny tapes, and Hope was the guest on one show. Bear in mind, Benny is probably my favorite radio comedian, and Hope absolutely stole the show. At one point, an exasperated (but clearly enjoying himself) Benny pleads, "See? It's funny when you use the script, too!" I see that AMC and Turner Movie Classics are doing a tribute to Hope by showing some of his pictures. Unfortunately, the bulk of those pictures are from his last 10-20 years of moviemaking, which are routinely judged as some of the weakest pictures made. Go figure. Finally, I absolutely LOVE the "Road" pictures. Hope and Crosby had such incredible comedic timing and chemistry. What made it even funnier was when they carried the gag into their own pictures. For example, in "My Favorite Brunette," Hope is tuning a radio and comes across a station playing a Crosby song. To which Hope deadpans, "Why can't that guy stay in his own pictures?" Great memories, indeed.

An era has passed. Whether or not you agree with his politics, like Dave James said, what he did for the armed services is reason enough to think of him as legendary. A lot of military vets, past and present, lost a friend and hero. Thanks for the memories indeed.

The extra session is worth the price of admission alone. But then, I'm always biased towards Sam Jones! Tight. Cookin'. And, of course, GREEEEEEEEAZY as the pan I cooked the bacon in today! And I really dig the sanctified feel of it. The gospel roots are in full proud display. It is a pity this album isn't discussed more often. But I'm tellin' ya right now, whenever I need a good dose of some greeeeeazy blues, this is my first choice!

I'm glad you guys are diggin' it; Lord knows I've been trying to. Maybe I'm just not a fan of lightning-quick runs (of which Sonny is one of the undisputed masters). Or maybe it's the stuff-as-many-notes-into-a-line runs on a ballad like "If I Had You." OTOH, I love the duet between his own tenor and alto on "Norman's Blues." Not giving up on it yet; but I'm still waiting for it to grab me!

Man oh man oh MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN I wish I coulda seen them! I was hoping to see them earlier this summer, but that trip fell through. My employer keeps talking about opening a warehouse up in Flint; hopefully, they'll send ME as the company rep!! Needless to say conn500, I am SOOOOOOO jealous!!! Keepin' the greeeeeaze alive: THANKS GUYS!!! :tup

Just tell her it's "necessities!" You won't be lyin'! Besides, I thought you got this from BMG awhile back! Another suggested listening environment: cruisin' down the highway!!! In fact, I gotta hit the highway in a little bit to pick up the family from the airport. Thanks for reminding me of this one. This is perhaps the MOST FUN album that's been selected!

Sonny Meets Hawk Ellington's Far East Suite Complete Artie Shaw Gramercy 5 Desmond's Take Ten AND Bossa Antigua Diminuendo, Crescendo, and Blues (by a conglomerate of jazz greats callin' themselves the C-Jam All-Stars!) THANK YOU, VIBES!!!

I'm pretty sure Freberg was satirizing the Chords version; even his satire has a whale of a tenor solo on it! And while I'm at it: BOMP-B-B-BOMP-B-BOMP-B-BOMP-BOMP-DINGA-DONG-DANG BLUE MOOOOOOOON!!!

Re: I Only Have Eyes For You What the heck are they saying?!?!? "Sludge-mop?" "Do whatcha want?" "Drudge Fop" Anyone ever hear Stan Freberg's version of "Sh'boom?" Dis a rhythmnblooz record, you gotta be careful somebody liable ta unnerstand what yer talkin about, you want that to happen? You guys wanna sell a few records? Well then stick some old rags in yer mouth and lets take it again from the top. Oh and one another thing: YOU NEVER GIVE ME A CHA-HA-HANCE!!!

Another vote for Chicken Shack & Midnight Special. JAzzmoose hit it right on the head on why I haven't purchased these in their current form.

SHADDA-DA-DA SHADDA-DA-DA-DA BABY!!!!

Ed, you are my best friend in all the world, you have impeccable taste, and you are also the most generous man I've ever had the pleasure of conversing with online. And I'm not just saying that in yet another desperate attempt to be chosen to lead the next AOW!!!

Whattya doin' just sittin' here reading this?!?!? Didn't you just hear what I said?!??! Or read what I just wrote?!?!? Or somethin'?!?!!? GO GET IT!!! NOW!!! "Will 'n Jug" just set my house on fire, and I can't even blame it on the greeeeeeaze!!!!

Not to brag about my son, but he can play a killer set of drums (by that, I mean he can keep a steady beat and do some things on the toms that most guys in actual bands seem to have trouble doing). The chess set we got is a great learners set: it has all the possible moves that a particular piece can make, imprinted on the piece itself. This was VERY helpful for me. I still lose a lot, but that's only because my son learns this stuff quicker than me. He'll either be an accountant or a bass player (or both, like me!). Or (shudder!) an engineer like his Grampa! You got THAT right!!! As every good father should! I just wish I could use that excuse!

Y'know, I used to have both Mulligan Meets Monk AND Songbook; the former I traded away because programming the CD player was getting bothersome (I know, I know; I'm ridiculously anal when it comes to that, but dammit, Keepnews shoulda had his head examined for doing that!); the latter because..... well, come to think of it, I don't remember. Probably the same brain-fart that made me trade away Endgame Brilliance. When will I ever learn? Hell, for that matter, will I ever learn?!?!? Maybe if a 20-bit remaster of the Monk album ever comes around, perhaps I'll get that. I'd thought about searching out Songbook again (it can usually be found quite easily around here); but if what was said earlier about a stereo version is true, well then, THAT will be worth the wait!!! Thanks for all the advice! Keep the great recs & stories coming!

I see that I'm one of only two people who voted for Rouse. Is it that unremarkable of a session? I'm only asking because I have the Rivers Mosaic, and the other titles don't hold too much interest for me. Plus, I just dig Rouse's thick juicy tone!

I gotta admit, I am completely lost in this thread. I've only been playing chess for a little over a year (and that's only because my son got interested in it after watching Harry Potter about a zillion times), and am so much of an amateur that I still lose regularly to my son (and I'm not just letting him win, either. He's got me cold!) Maybe if I watch this thread a while longer, do some studying on the various moves & strategies..... well, maybe I'll only lose half the time!

SWEET selection! Can't wait to discuss this one!