HutchFan

Thank you, Pim! Holy cow is right! They're massive! And the RED color makes them even more imposing! How did they sound??? I've never heard a Hegel amp, but I've always heard good things about them.

I have the Jazz Odyssey Series version of this LP: Original cover:

Just curious: What renders it "fake"??? (I know nothing about this album or band.) Excellent.

Now spinning: Jimmie Rowles - Grandpaws (Choice, 1976) with Buster Williams and Billy Hart

My favorite Buster recordings as a leader or co-leader: **************************************************************** Pinnacle (Muse, 1975) Very much in the spirit of Herbie's Mwandishi band. In other words, stinkin' brilliant! Features Woody Shaw, Sonny Fortune, and Onaje Allan Gumbs. Sphere - Flight Path (Elektra Musician, 1983) with Charlie Rouse, Kenny Barron, and Ben Riley. Unlike the first album, this one features compositions by the band including several by Buster. Timeless All Stars - Timeless Heart (Timeless, 1983) with Harold Land, Curtis Fuller, Bobby Hutcherson, Cedar Walton, and Billy Higgins. Effortless beauty. 2 as One: Live at Umbria Jazz - with Kenny Barron (Red, 1987) Recently reissued in an expanded two-disc set. A great opportunity to hear Buster "up front," on equal footing with the piano. Lost in a Memory (TCB, 1999) with the late, great Geri Allen. Also features Stefon Harris and Lenny White. Houdini (Sirocco, 2001) trio setting with Geri Allen and Lenny White. Might be tough to find since Sirocco went belly-up. But it's well worth the effort. Griot Liberté (Highnote, 2004) with George Colligan, Stefon Harris, and Lenny White. Tremendous. Also available in SACD format that sort of thing floats your boat. Audacity (Smoke Sessions, 2018) with Buster's working band, which he calls Something More: George Colligan, Steve Wilson, and Lenny White.

Agreed. Haitink's Debussy set is outstanding.

Yep. Buster plays on the GJT's Love for Sale (East Wind, 1976). I don't think I've ever heard it. Anyone who has: What do you think?

I was pleased to see that Pinnacle is being reissued in April as part of Record Store Day. 😃

This again: Enrico Pieranunzi - Live in Paris (Challenge, 2005) with Hein Van de Geyn & André "Dédé" Ceccarelli Excellent!

They're sitting on the drum cases.

Buster Williams Quartet - Lost in a Memory (TCB Records, 1999)

Some photos of Buster: with Herbie Hancock & Billy Hart I'm sure that many of you have already seen it, but I'd be remiss if I didn't recommend Buster's documentary: Buster Williams Bass to Infinity.

Chico Freeman - Peaceful Heart, Gentle Spirit (Contemporary, 1980) I recently bought some new speakers, and this is one of the LPs that I brought to the hi-fi shop to the try out various models. I know this LP inside-out, and the AQ is outstanding.

There doesn't appear to be a thread dedicated to the great bassist Buster Williams, so I've decided to start one. Over the last month or two, I've been on a big Buster kick, listening to his recordings both as a leader and sideman. He's got such an immaculate swing feeling. And that totally distinctive tone! Whenever Buster appears on a record, he elevates those around him. Just for kicks, I compiled a list of some of my favorite records that feature Buster in a sideman role. Here it is, in no particular order: Chet Baker - Peace (Enja) Herbie Hancock - Mwandishi (Warner Brothers) Kenny Barron - Golden Lotus (Muse) Norman Connors - Love from the Sun (Buddah) Sonny Fortune - Waves of Dreams (A&M/Horizon) Buck Hill - Scope (SteepleChase) Shirley Horn - A Lazy Afternoon (SteepleChase) Bobby Hutcherson - Farewell Keystone (Theresa/Evidence) Buddy Terry - Pure Dynamite (Mainstream) McCoy Tyner - Sama Layuca (Milestone) Bill Barron - Jazz Caper (Muse) Franco Ambrosetti - Wings (Enja) Stanley Cowell - We Three (DIW) Joe Farrell - Outback (CTI) Chico Freeman - Peaceful Heart, Gentle Spirit (Contemporary) Carlos Garnett - Black Love (Muse) Freddie Hubbard - Outpost (Enja) Eric Kloss - Essence (Muse) Charles Sullivan - Re-Entry (WhyNot) James Williams - The Arioso Touch (Concord) Larry Willis - The Big Push (HighNote) Denny Zeitlin - Slick Rock (MAXJAZZ) Sonny Simmons & Prince Lasha - Firebirds (Contemporary) Harold Land - The Peace-Maker (Cadet) Woody Shaw - Woody III (Columbia) Jimmie Rowles - Grandpaws (Choice) Bennie Maupin - The Jewel in the Lotus (ECM) Hilton Ruiz - Piano Man (SteepleChase) Mary Lou Williams - Free Spirits (SteepleChase) Ron Carter - Piccolo (Milestone) Black Renaissance - Body, Mind and Spirit (Baystate/Luv N' Haight) Cedar Walton - Among Friends (Theresa/Evidence) Abdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya - African River (Enja) Donald Brown - Sources of Inspiration (Muse) Gary Bartz - Episode 1: Children Of Harlem (Challenge) Geri Allen - The Gathering (Verve) Steve Kuhn - Love Walked In (Venus/Sunnyside) Steve Turre - Lotus Flower (Verve) Jeff Lederer - Sunwatcher (Jazzheads) Also, this morning, Ethan Iverson posted a message about Buster on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/iverson/p/buster-williams-in-the-news?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email Iverson extensively quotes drummer Billy Hart's take on Buster. Fascinating reading! So do you enjoy Buster's playing? If so, what are your favorite recordings -- either as a leader or sideman? Concerts? Interactions? Let's discuss Buster!

with Roland Hanna, George Mraz & Richie Pratt

Melvin Sparks - Sparkling (Muse, 1982)