desertblues

I haven't seen those classics lately, but yesterday I DID see a couple (new) copies of "The Blob" at a local Walgreen's for $5.99! No kidding. They have been unloading lots of oop DVDs lately for cheap.

The Johnny Hodges box (I've been putting that one off too long) and one of the selects-the Amy or Brookmeyer. B)

A Mosaic Jazztet set is a dream come true for me too! I will most definitely pre-order this one! $$$

Thanks for the link to this very interesting website!

You said it!!! Dishwasher-what about the labels fer crissakes? Geez...

We're all back-YIPPEE! I agree with Tom and the others that it is very cool that we can communicate on AAJ if this one goes down (or vice-versa).

Looks like it's about two to one in favor of the Mitchell-just make sure your energizers are fresh!

Man, you said it! I finally sprang for a copy of the Japanese Keynote set and was shocked at the quality of most of the music (and quantity!) of this 21 lp box. We're talking over a hundred unreleased takes here. Stuff this great should not be so difficult to hear!

Just want to say it again-THANKS for the disc and for posting such detailed answers! So far each of the tests I've participated in (3,4 and 5) have led me to at least one artist I want to hear more of: first it was Eddie Higgins and this time it is Albert Mangelsdorff. Count me as one of those who really dug this one!

Just a few more comments on a couple of these-what a bootin' version of Straight No Chaser on #7! Sounds to me like it could be the Jones/Lewis big band, but I don't know the album (if it's them). That drum break made me think Mel Lewis. Track #9 is probably the only one on the disc that I don't like-but then I don't like much soprano anyway. To these ears the absolute killer track is #4, which I praised earlier-I'm gonna guess it's a Dave Holland group with Steve Turre blowing so mellow, can't wait to find out 'cause I gotta get this! B)

Ain't it the truth! I am impressed with how well things usually work out with Ebay. As a seller I have always done my level best to accurately describe records but there is so much trust involved, and grading is not an exact science. As a buyer I usually assume it's going to be a slightly lesser grade than stated by the seller. Until you've dealt with an individual seller you don't have much to go on except their feedback-and that can be misleading too! Hope you get this resolved jazzhound.

Got my copy of BT5 and am listening to it (2nd time) now. My first impression is: Great Job! the sound quality is very good on this disc-and this is mostly stuff I like-a lot! Having said that, I have a feeling there are quite a few cats represented here that I haven't heard before so I don't have many guesses yet-but was that Pepper Adams' bari on #3? Also track 4 is a standout, at least in my opinion! I've listened to this one several times-I know I haven't heard this before, but I'd like to hear more! I think I should know who's playing on track 8 - I love this one too. As for a theme, I haven't picked up on it but it seems to me a lot of these could be led by bassists or drummers as the rhythm sections are so out front. All I can add for now is: Thanks for a great disc!

...and yet another email.

....$405 was the winning bid on a cd set - wonder what the vinyl version of this one goes for (in near mint condition)???

Pac Jazz releases are always welcome in my collection! The Brookmeyer is a must-have, IMHO.

Thanks for the translation of track 9 on disc 1-I really thought this could be Bongo Joe whose big "hit" ("I Wish I Could Sing") is on the incredible Arhoolie Records box set. Joe does a drum & rap thing in a primitive manner very much like the Ronald Shannon Jackson cut.

DITTO!!!

Yeah, there really is some wonderful music on the Woody H. set! This would have made a great 3 or 4 disc set. Someone already mentioned Kamuca on the later sessions, and Bill Perkins is a standout also.

It isn't just a question of sound quality to collectors, it's about "rarity". That is what makes them more collectible.

Favorites are: Shorty Rogers Jones/Lewis Miles with Coltrane Buck Clayton Jams Kenton (Holman/Russo charts) Mobley Blue Mitchell Desmond Thad Jones Byrd/Adams Phil Woods Tina Brooks Art Blakey all except Byrd & Mobley are on vinyl, of course!

It's interesting to find out how different the likes/dislikes are. As for me, I LOVE the Shank and Jones/Lewis, and Mobley and LIKE the Jacquet. The Woody Herman has some great tracks-but too many crummy vocals so I burned 4 discs worth & sold mine (for $8 more than I paid!!!). Likewise for the Shaw (only the first lp appealed to me). I definitely won't get the Frosh, Berrigan, and Hackett sets and probably would pass on the Smith. But I'll never part with the Shank (it sounds just as great in Phoenix with a cold brew as it does in Tuscon). B)

After more than 2 years of hoping to find the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Mosaic on vinyl (for a "realistic" price), I GOT IT . From a private seller who never played it-it's truly pristine mint condition! Paid $200, but I consider this a good deal - does anyone know what these bring on ebay? I haven't even seen this for sale for quite a while. Anyway, some other recent finds: Somethin' Else - B.N. orig. w. 63rd mono Ex/Ex $40 H. Mobley Sextet w/Morgan & Byrd B.N. Jap King M/M $15

Jim I still haven't heard all of disc 2 yet, but I want to thank you for this very eclectic collection! Including J.B. & Marvin Gaye was inspired, great tunes and a reminder that it's all about the music-not some notion about what is or isn't "jazz". One more thing re track 9 on disc 1- I said Alan Lomax but should have said "recorded by Chris Strachwitz" (Arhoolie Records), right? If that ain't Bongo Joe he's got a twin! On to disc 2...

Got it today! My impressions of disc 1 follow (though I have only listened to most tracks one time: 1. a Monk tune (don't ask me the title). I thought this was gonna be a piano solo, a lengthy intro and-surprise- whoever this trumpet is has a nice tone. 3 stars 2. is this Bob Wills' piano player on steroids? Hey, that's almost good! 3. Now this I like! This sounds like Dizzy Reece on trumpet, I don't have this but, again, I like it. 4 stars. 4. this is interesting-love the bari solo (but too short), guitar is too distorted for my taste-clarinet is nice touch- this one's ok in my book. 3 stars (bari & clarinet get 4) 5. "That's My Desire" by The Godfather Of Soul & his orchestra! Way cool and is that Bobby Byrd on tenor? Dynamite! 5 stars 6. I just don't know my female vocalists. Lush arrangement, but this one didn't do much for me. 3 stars for musicianship 7. this I didn't like much at all - I couldn't say who it is (and don't need to know). 2 stars 8. "Secret Love" and it sounds a lot like Charlie Rouse to me (not sure). Whoever this is gets 4 stars and I'd like to hear more! 9. Give me a break - sounds like it could be an Alan Lomax field recording. I guess I'm not in a "primitive" mood. 1 star 10. this solo has a sound and style from long ago. I'm not sure who this is, but it's cool! 3 1/2 stars 11. a 78 rpm from WWI era IMHO. Interesting choice, can't say I liked it much. 12. this ties in with #11, right? It has a military vibe, but it's not listenable, (to me that is). I'm just not into this at all. 13. this is more like it! the sax section makes me think this is Woody Herman. I'm not familiar with this live recording-but I liked it. 3 stars 14. "Almost Like Being In Love", is this Johnny Smith (with Quinichette?). Probably not since it's a lengthy track. 3 stars 15. This could be Hamp, that's my guess. Swinging vibe solo gets 3 stars. to be continued...

Christmas came early this year! I am in the midst of a deal with a fellow-Mosaic nut that includes the Buck Clayton, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Art Blakey, Blue Mitchell and the live Basie sets-ALL ON PRISTINE VINYL!!! Of course this is getting a bit expensive and is going to take a while, but how's that for a Xmas gift (from myself)? P.S. Dear Santa, I need the Eldridge too!