Walt Richmond

Does anyone have any advice for the best collections of Miles Davis' work in the '50s? I see individual albums available, but is there a good box set that contains all the titles like Relaxin' and the other early quintet albums?

I bought my Stage 73 all the way back in '76, and by '83 the tines were breaking once a week. In '86 I decided to do the Kung Fu thing and wander the earth and so I sold it for some absurdly low price (along with a perfectly operating Moog Prodigy, another idiotic move). So when I first saw the ads for the new one I was excited. But they've stalled for so long, and released so much press about how great this unavailable keyboard is, my enthusiasm is fading.

You and me both. Stupidest thing I ever did. The site won't say, Jim. This has been going on for nearly two years. The original release date was Spring '08. And like CEB says, there has been this enormous amount of propaganda, definitely promising a great instrument, but so far no product. I realize it's going to be expensive, but just release it for heaven's sake.

Well that definitely answer my question--nobody knows what the hell's going on with those folks!

Ravel's three-movement "Sonatine" is approachable for piano players with a certain level of skill, but most of his other stuff is very challenging from a technical standpoint. I enjoyed listening to the "Sonatine" very much, and it's definitely within my skill level. It's now on my list of things to do. Thanks!

I do know Debussy, but not that well. I haven't listened to much Ravel, and if he's more difficult than Chopin listening is all I'll be doing!

I've been waiting and waiting and waiting, and the Rhodes Piano site keeps promising, but still no prices listed and only vague references: "they're here!" followed by "sign up to be informed when the store launches." Anyone know what's going on there?

One evening a long time ago I put on an album of Chopin's nocturnes, and shortly thereafter realized that this was the composer who spoke most directly to me as a musician. Since then I've worked on the music of many classical and jazz composers, but Chopin's works comprise about 75% of my repertoire. My favorites are his nocturnes (and not exclusively because those are the ones I can actually play!), but I also love his scherzos and polonaises like no other composer. I really think he's the greatest piano composer in the history of the instrument. I'm not terribly familiar with classical music after Liszt, though. If anyone knows of any composers who seem to carry on Chopin's legacy I'd appreciate hearing about them.

The Yellow Shark was really great. Zappa seemed to have finally found the musicians who could interpret his work fully. Before that I have to admit, although I am a huge Zappa fan, there always seemed to be something missing in most of the classical performances for me, although I appreciated their sophistication. Unfortunately, he died shortly after The Yellow Shark. Has anyone seen Zappa's first television appearance, where he plays a bicycle on the Steve Allen show? Definitely hints of where his music was going to go even then.

I've only been here a few days and already I've been turned on to at least four great albums I want to buy. You guys are gonna make me go broke!

I like to display my music in cases in my living room, so I opt for the CDs, but it's good that different formats are available for people who have different preferences. I've only heard pieces of one Empirical album, but it rocks! I'm looking forward to the new release.

A very classy look to the front page! I'm a little busy this morning but I'll look around and have a listen soon.

Kinsmen is a great album for meditation!

I posted this in the wrong thread! I'm not listening right now, but my girlfriend has discovered KKJZ 88.1. I'm so proud of her--when I met her she was listening to the most awful pop music, but four years of bombarding her with good tunes has finally rubbed off!

Art Pepper, The Complete Galaxy Recordings. Should keep me occupied for a while!

That is one cool looking guitar!

Jim Alfredson was kind enough to add me as a friend on Facebook, and he mentioned this site in his profile. As I'm working on some jazz tunes with with a few friends right now, I thought this might be a nice place to see what other musicians are doing!