Rooster_Ties

I’ll have to do some digging to see what my earlier CD of Out To Lunch was (not even 100% sure I still have it) — but I have a hunch it was the 1987 McMaster. In any case, I do know that the SHM (UCCU) edition with the bonus tracks sounds dramatically better than whatever I had before. And I say ‘dramatically’ because normally I rarely notice sonic upgrades unless they are pretty significant (and I rarely repurchase titles just for potential and purported sonic upgrades). Not ‘never’ — but rarely. BUT, I was really taken aback by the improvement in the sound quality of most of the 4 (or maybe 5?) SHM Blue Note reissues a few years ago — all of which I bought because of the bonus material (Out to Lunch, Unity, Mode for Joe, and a Wayne Shorter title I’m forgetting specifically — and maybe one more, can’t remember). But… I’m not sure yet if my earlier copy of Out to Lunch was the McMaster, or maybe the US RVG.

Addendum: …and by “crazy money” I just meant over $50 — which always seemed crazy for a ‘Leo’ CD — a label where (at least at one time) it wasn’t all that hard to find various Sun Ra titles, and a lot more reasonably priced too (at least 10-15+ years ago, anyway). Was Lito just sold in a lot more limited quantities for some reason?

After almost 20 years of looking, I finally just found a copy of this on CD. I'm sure I've never seen one out in the wild -- and I'm not sure I've ever seen one online even (or not for anything less than crazy money, and even then, only after it sold). Dusty Groove had one (just arrived yesterday), for $25 used. More than I wanted to pay, but I've been wanting one of these for going on a quarter century(!) -- as I think I first heard it in the late 90's, maybe around '98 or '99.

https://www.dustygroove.com/item/122190 Dusty hype: A fantastic lost link in the jazz legacy of Hammond hero Brother Jack McDuff – and a set that shows that he was still really kicking it strongly in the clubs during his later years, even if some of his records didn't always have the right groove! As on his 60s live recordings for Prestige Records, the vibe here is wonderful – in part thanks to drummer Garrett King, who was a regular partner in McDuff's group – and who always had the same sort of sharp, sometimes-playful sense of rhythm as the great Joe Dukes – Jack's famous drummer from the 60s. Together, the pair alone are a real treat here – really setting each other off as they groove back and forth – while Henry Johnson brings in some great work on guitar, and Danny Wollinski completes the group on tenor. We saw some killer late McDuff sets like this in small clubs, and can definitely promise that the vibe here is the real deal – wonderful work from our favorite Hammond player ever. Titles include "Fly Away", "Deja Vu", "Untitled D Minor", "Blues 1 & 8", "Walkin The Dog", "Another Real Goodun", "Greensleeves", "Killer Joe", and "Make It Good".

The YouTube description is… 私がBassを弾いた＜面白シリーズ＞その② 音も画像もよくないですが・・(笑)、こういう企画は現存するもので他にはありません。 ま、笑って頂ければ。 Perhaps the words we’re looking for are there. Google translate to the rescue!! Watashi ga Bass o hiita < omoshiro shirīzu > sono ②-on mo gazō mo yokunaidesuga(Emi), kōiu kikaku wa genson suru monode hoka ni wa arimasen. Ma, waratte itadakereba. Or maybe not.

Definitely!! To my way of thinking, it’s one of the very best Elvin BN leader-dates out of them all — or at least most ‘valuable’ because Lee’s on it.

I’ve never owned or heard the date — and to be honest, I’m only vaguely aware of the cover, which makes me think I’ve scarcely ever been aware of the date at all. Have to confess that the BN Mosaic is the only Elvin leader dates I’ve ever had, or heard.

Here's quite a bit of footage (30 minutes, 3-4 tunes) of Gary Thomas way back in 1982 (in someone else's band) -- a full 5 years before his first major-label sideman appearance (with Wallace Roney, for Muse) -- and his own first leader-date too (both in 1987).

I won’t claim to have understood OTC immediately (or even quickly) — but I did take to it more quickly than Bitches Brew (I first heard both my senior year in college, 1990-91). And I seem to remember being more actively intrigued by OTC initially too, and never found it off-putting. Bitches Brew was always more of mystery to me at first, until I started getting some of the ‘Lost Quintet’ Euro-boots around 1992, which strangely helped me get into the studio Bitches Brew material more.

I've only spun the whole thing (the burns I have) about 3-4 times -- and I had a similar experience with the bonus CD's the first time I put them on. But then the next time through, I was a lot more positive about them (very specifically remember that). 3rd and 4th times I'm not sure if I remember anything specific about them (pro or con). So I guess the jury's still a little bit out for me, and I would likely give the entire thing a few more spins before I dropped more than $35 on one. That said, I still am on the lookout for one.

I only know this one track (from a VA comp), but really love it -- a remake of Johnny Dyani's "Kalahari" (aka "Lonely flower in the village", as it's titled on the 20+ minute long, CD-only bonus track from Dyani's Song For Biko) This track is really wonderful, and I wish they'd reissue the entire album on CD. RIP

A friend hooked me up with burns of this set about 6 months ago, until I could find a real one that wouldn’t break the bank. Not in a huge rush, but if anyone has any more leads for something under $40, that’d be awesome. Thx!

Tried to add it to my cart, and it says it’s already gone — despite the main page saying 1 copy is available. Alas, I tried to be that someone — but some someone done already grabbed it (maybe eons ago, for all we know?).

That session with Lee is as good as any session from the entire Elvin Jones BN Mosaic. Maybe every track isn’t a 10/10 — but on balance, it’s some very strong playing and material — and one of the few piano-less dates Lee ever recorded.

Maybe some sort of Spinal Tap tribute?

Nothing but respect for Bruce Springsteen — but I think the only full-length songs of his I’ve ever heard (except back in high school on the radio, mid 80’s)… …is when I’ve happened to catch him on the late night talk shows. We’ve been DVR’ing Seth ❤️ (incl. the last 15 minutes of Fallon), and sometimes Colbert — for a decade. And we usually watch the musical guests (but barely half the regular guests). Springsteen just isn’t in my wheelhouse (neither is Dylan, though I do like Oh Mercy).

Whew! So glad to hear such a positive report, Dan, even if it took a bunch of headache and worry to get there.

Dan - sure hoping everything works out ok for you, your family, and those horses.

I was sampling/streaming the first few minutes of every track last night off Pandora, and I too wondered if it was a live recording. Pandora doesn’t let you FF within a track, so I never heard the ends of any of the tunes (to hear if there was applause) — but I intended to follow up and see if it was all on YouTube later, to see if that was the case. Definitely has that “recorded in a club” sort of acoustic to it — (which, in and of itself, is NOT a dealbreaker or anything).

Peter Losin’s database has these recordings for the tune (fewer than I expected, only 10)… October 26, 1956 Rudy van Gelder Studio, Hackensack My Funny Valentine 5:56 September 9, 1958 Persian Room, Plaza Hotel, New York My Funny Valentine 10:25 July 26, 1963 La Pinède, Juan-les-Pins My Funny Valentine 9:54 February 12, 1964 Lincoln Center, New York My Funny Valentine 14:54 July 14, 1964 Shinjuku Kohseinenkin Hall, Tokyo My Funny Valentine 12:41 October 1, 1964 Salle Pleyel, Paris My Funny Valentine 12:24 October 11, 1964 Teatro dell' Arte, Milan My Funny Valentine 11:47 December 22, 1965 Plugged Nickel Club, Chicago My Funny Valentine 16:40 December 23, 1965 Plugged Nickel Club, Chicago My Funny Valentine 13:59 May 21, 1966 Oriental Theatre, Portland My Funny Valentine 11:33

I’ve been on a fence about getting this one (I’m always looking for reasons not to get things, so I don’t end up getting everything)… …but if it had had included Tina’s "Street Singer" I’m not sure if I could resist. Still mulling it over.

Fabulous telling. Thanks for sharing that!

Yes, please do -- Dan, when you can. Will be thinkin' about you for the next 3 days at least, and hoping for better news than otherwise.

Spinning Code Violations as I'm typing this, and Gary is indeed on fire, though in his own sort of restrained way. I've said it before, but his flute playing is as masterful as it comes -- and he's the only wind doubler who's flute-playing and approach specifically reminds me of their approach on saxophone. Easily my all-time favorite jazz flute-player, and one of my top-5 tenor-players.

Dan, and everyone/anyone else, take the very best care. Stay safe!