street singer

Just picked up the RVG version of Horace Silver's 'Song For My Father'. Have never owned this before, so ofcourse, the music was quite revelatory. I completely understand why this one is so raved about. However... I have an issue with the sound quality on this one and am wondering if it's in the master or if I just got a bad disc. Can someone help me determine which it is? On the first track, "Song For My Father", there is very audible static throughout the entirety of the song. Especially in the quite parts. Almost sounds like surface noise on an LP. I haven't noticed this one any other songs. On the third song, "Calcutta Cutie", when Blue Mitchell hits a high note it results in a sharp, crackling sound. This can't be on the master, can it?

Yeah, that 'Boss Tenors From Orbit' Master Edition has one UGLY album cover! Another one is the 'Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Carmen McRae at Newport' album. BLECH!!! I don't see why they feel the need to jack with these things the way they do. I mean, it's bad enough that the original LP artwork has to be reduced so much to fit a standard CD case - but they reduce it even further to put a silly border around it! Hell, why even bother putting the original cover art on it at all at that point?! Admittedly, some of these don't look half bad...the cover for 'Clifford Brown and Max Roach at Basin Street' looks decent. But the whole concept, to me, is ridiculous. Africa Brass, where did you get those resealable plastic sleeves you mentioned? I've got a buncha good lookin' Coltrane Impulse releases that could use some protectin'!

Hello Leeway, Yes, MusicCollector does offer both of the features you asked about. 1) You can add any type of format, be it CD, LP, MiniDisc, SACD, etc, etc. CDs, ofcourse, are the easiest to add. You simply put the disc in the drive and, if you're connected to the Internet, the program automatically searches for information. The other formats can be searched for by barcode or by Artist/Title. They can also be added manually, if you so choose. 2) Your database can be downloaded to a PDA - however, I am not familiar with the process involved. It does require integration with another application (ListPro). Here is the information from the MusicCollector manual regarding this: ----------------------------------------------------------------- "This feature lets you export album lists in a format directly compatible with the Music Collector template for ListPro. ListPro is a list manager for use on your Palm or Pocket PC device. You can use the Music Collector template for ListPro to view your Music Collector data on your mobile device. More info about this, including a discount for buying ListPro, can be found here: http://www.collectorz.com/music/listpro.php" ------------------------------------------------------------------ Hope this info is helpful!

Hey Jazzshrink, Did you ever download that trial version of MusicCollector? Just curious about what you thought of it...

If anyone's interested, this box is available from Columbia House for $84.99 + shipping/handling. Just over $92 w/ s/h.

Anyone have a problem with static on the first track of this CD? I've received two copies of this disc recently, both with static on the first track. Only noticeable during the organ solos. What the...?!

Complete Mobley 50's Sessions. Can't believe this is still available, actually. Now I'll just keep my fingers crossed until Christmas...

Yeah, definitely. I'd been meaning to pick this one up for some time now. Have been working my way through it over the past few days. Wonderful music... It's interesting to hear how far they went with some of those standards.

Ha... Thanks Tony!

Anyone know how to pronounce this guy's name? ...or care to make an attempt?

That is correct. MusicCollector allows you to search those three databases along w/ a few others which I don't use. As was stated in the previous email, a lot of the info you get from CDDB is either incorrect or sloppy. However, you can set the MusicCollector software up to dowload information for numerous CDs at once and then automatically go into "edit" mode (to fine tune the information to your liking) before adding them to your database. Very convenient. I would highly suggest downloading the trial version of MusicCollector from their website. It's fully-functional and will allow you a maximum of 100 CDs. If you decide you like it, you can buy it and spend weeks and weeks...probably months... entering the rest of your CDs. It can become a near obsession if not kept in check!

Haven't noticed inferior sound on the ones I've purchased. Haven't done a side-by-side comparison, either. However, I purchase CDs from numerous sources other than BMG and, in general, to my ears and on my system, these do not sound any better/worse than the ones I get from BMG. You said the discs you got sound "lousy" - which discs did you have a problem with, and what exactly was the problem with the sound? Just curious...

Exactly. The box sets that have been on sale for a while (ie: Clifford Brown, Grant Green, etc) haven't been reduced further. However, the shipping charges on both of those boxes would be just over $11 each. So, I saved $22 on these two boxes alone. Not too bad... I have no idea how they determine which sales to give to which members, either. Have often wondered about that... The sale that you currently are getting is the one I got before the "2/3 Off, No Shipping" one. So, who knows... It might be worth an email asking about it.

I have been using, for the past few months, a program called MusicCollector with much success. I'm very happy with it. Ofcourse, I have no prior experience w/ a music database such as this, so I have nothing to compare it to. What features are important to you? Here's a link to the MusicCollector site: Music Collector You can download a trial version and try it out for yourself!

Here's what I picked up in the Big Sale... Grant Green 'Retrospective' (4CD) $25.59 Clifford Brown 'Complete Blue Note & Pacific Jazz Recordings' (4CD) $15.99 Billie Holiday 'Complete Decca Recordings' (2CD) $9.99 Miles Davis 'Friday Night At The Blackhawk' (2CD) $8.33 Total, including tax, was just over $60. Today is a gooooooood day...

No, this is my current offer on the website. How long have you been a member? That appears to be a factor with some of these sales...

Alright, folks... This looks to be the sale of the year from BMG. "2/3" Off w/ No Shipping & Handling (w/ a purchase over $30)". This sale allows for some absolute steals on box sets! Take advantage while it lasts...

Thanks for the link and the suggestion! I could've sworn I ran across a Philip K. Dick thread on here recently... However, when I did a search, I found nothing. Strange... Completely off topic, but... You post as "Lon" on the Decware site, right? I'm a lurker over there. Just bought a used SE84C Select a little over a month ago - got a good deal on it, around $500. Enjoying it very much!

It's really not that big a deal. You can decline your Selection Of The Month through their website, which is much easier than having to remember to drop that card back in the mail.

Picked up Philip K. Dick's "Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?" on Saturday. Had finished it by Sunday. Couldn't put it down. Thoroughly enjoyed it. This was my first book by the author - seeing as how I've always enjoyed Blade Runner, I figured this was as good a place as any to start. Where should I go from here? Anyone have a favorite by this author?

'Street Scenes' is on sale for $1.99 at BMG right now...

"View New Posts" for me as well. Sometimes "Today's Active Topics" to make sure I haven't missed anything.

How does one go about doing this on their website? I've looked and looked but still have been unable to find this option...

Hey DrJ, Actually, you might do yourself a favor by keeping your membership open. I've been a member of BMG (and Columbia House) for over 2 years. In that time, I've purchased over 200 CDs from them and have kept a running list of them, along w/ their costs, which allows me to keep track of my average cost paid for CDs. Since joining, it has been between the $5-$6 range. How can you beat that?! You can't...even buying used, you wouldn't usually be able to get the prices that low. Membership in these clubs DEFINITELY has its benefits. However, to get your average price this low, you should only buy a CD at full price when they're offering one of their "Buy 1, Get 3 Free" sales. Otherwise, wait until they have their "60% off with No Shipping" sales. They run both of these sales on a very regular basis, 3 to 4 times a year at least, and they usually last for a couple of weeks. The important thing is to look at the bottom line. When they say "free", ofcourse they're not free - you still have to pay a shipping charge of $2.79 per CD. But just look at the bottom line to see what you're really saving. Also, don't forget to take advantage of their Outlet Store. I've gotten some ridiculously good deals here over the years, especially from Columbia House. Verve Master Editions, RVG's, double CDs for around $7 a piece...loads of good stuff. Also, check their box sets. My best deals have been the Miles '65-68 Quintet' box set for around $38 (from BMG) and, most recently, the Miles 'Complete Plugged Nickel' box for $33 (from Columbia House). Keep your membership open - don't cancel. You can always "sign up a friend" (IE: yourself). That way you'll get 5 for yourself plus the 12 for 1 deal for your "friend" (IE: yourself). Your "friend" can cancel after getting his free stuff and buying one at full price. The deals are there to be had...

Do you prefer even "The Avantgarde"? 'The Avant Garde' is probably my favorite Coltrane Atlantic recording. Along with...'Ole' and 'Coltrane's Sound'.