Help Me Decide My Mosaic Christmas Request

[Dan Gould]

Its been a long-standing tradition that I ask dear old Mom for a Mosaic set each Christmas. She likes it cuz its easy to order, and I like it cuz its usually the only time I get a Mosaic set. The finalists are listed above, in order of current preference, but I'm having a hard time picking. That's where you come in. Keep in mind that I own several of the Crusaders LPs, so that's why they are pulling up the rear. Dizzy would be number one if there was more than one record with Hank on it, though I am sure I'll enjoy the rest ('cept maybe the session with overdubbed vocals). With Buddy, I don't have a problem with his drumming, I'm not sure what I'll think of his vocals, but I am interested in the Sweets, Webster, and Criss dates in particular (I do have the Verve reissue of one of those Sweets records).

So, put yourself in my shoes. Which would you go for?

Edit: Yes, I know I butchered "small" in the Rich title

Edited December 3, 2006 by Dan Gould

[John Tapscott]

I voted Dizzy for you; I think I would take the Crusaders myself, since I own none of that music in any form.

[danasgoodstuff]

None of these would be finalists for me, but I hope you love whatever you get, Merry Xmas!

[GA Russell]

Dan, I can't vote for any of them either. Since you are not aiming for the usual Blue Note sound, I suggest that you go for West Coast sound that you probably wouldn't get for yourself: either the Gerald Wilson box, or the Art Pepper and Johnny Richards Selects.

[Van Basten II]

She should send to you the Buddy Rich set, and the two other ones to me. I'll PM you my address, thank your mom for me

[Dan Gould]

Dan, I can't vote for any of them either. Since you are not aiming for the usual Blue Note sound, I suggest that you go for West Coast sound that you probably wouldn't get for yourself: either the Gerald Wilson box, or the Art Pepper and Johnny Richards Selects.

What makes you suggest this if I say that these are the finalists? I've got the "usual Blue Note sound" covered, and I got the Wilson Mosaic a couple of years ago.

[GA Russell]

What makes you suggest this if I say that these are the finalists? I've got the "usual Blue Note sound" covered, and I got the Wilson Mosaic a couple of years ago.

Well, I don't feel that the Rich and Dizzy boxes reflect the artists' best work. Mosaic has been in business for about 25 years, and I think that nowadays their boxes reflect what they can get ahold of (that hasn't already been released on CD) rather than what Cuscuna really had enthusiasm for when he started the company.

You say that you have much of the Jazz Crusaders on LP, so I eliminated that one from consideration.

Since you already have the Gerald Wilson (I'm jealous!), perhaps the Woody Herman box would add a sound to your collection that you don't already have.

[Dan Gould]

OK. Thanks for putting so much thought into it.

[Big Al]

I voted for the Rich cuz it's on my Christmas list as well!

[jazzbo]

I almost voted for the Rich because I really am intrigued by it and like the albums within I've hears.

I've both the Dizzy and the Jazz Crusader sets. . . I voted for the Jazz Crusaders. It's just so fun from start to finish, has a "Christmas gift" feel to it.

Edited December 4, 2006 by jazzbo

[Soul Stream]

I voted for the Dizzy just 'cause I like small group stuff and it has Hank Mobley on some of it. Something I thought about getting myself.... Have a good XMAS Dan!!!!

[medjuck]

I didn't vote because I don't want to say anyone has crappy taste. Taste is a personal thing. But I do believe that none of these is as essential as the new Ellington that's being shipped (they claim) on December 13th so we can all get it for Xmas.

[mikelz777]

Dizzy is on my list and will likely be my next Mosaic box set but I voted for the Jazz Crusaders. The set is uniformly solid and such a joy to listen to. My first and one of my favorite Mosaics.

Edited December 4, 2006 by mikelz777

[shaft]

Crusaders would be what I would like to get if I did not have it already!

It is a great set!

/Shaft

[sidewinder]

Another vote for the Jazz Crusaders box. That's the only one of these I have, therefore the only one I can recommend at this time !

[felser]

Crusaders would be what I would like to get if I did not have it already!

It is a great set!

/Shaft

What he said. Don't miss this set. "Young Rabbits" was my answering machine greeting for a lot of years!

[Peter Johnson]

Another vote for the Jazz Crusaders set. As Lon said, it's just fun stuff.

[BruceH]

Out of that list, I'd go for the Dizzy Small Group.

[Big Al]

Having looked at the Dizzy discography on the Mosaic page, I might just have to add that one to my Christmas wishlist! Looks like it would be a good one. My vote is still for the Buddy set!

[mikelz777]

Did you make your decision yet? What did you decide?

I have the Dizzy Gillespie box on order right now but I still have a bias for the Jazz Crusaders box. It'll be interesting to see if I would have changed my mind once I listen to the DG set.

[Dan Gould]

Did you make your decision yet? What did you decide?

Yes, but I wasn't sure how people would react, so I was holding off on the reveal.

I was looking through the Mosaic site again when I decided to click on the True Blue link. As a few folks are aware, blues has begun to take over most of my listening/purchasing for the last several months. So when I realized that Mom could take care of a lot of wants via a phone order, (she's never ordered anything online), I ended up putting together a list that was the monetary equivalent of a Mosaic box:

The three American Folk Blues Festival DVDs

Freddie King Dallas Texas 1973

and these CDs:

Albert King, Live Wire/Blues Power, Wednesday Night in San Francisco, Thursday Night in San Francisco

T-Bone Walker, T-Bone Blues

Little Walter, The Blues World Of

Junior Wells, Hoodoo Man Blues

Sweet Home Chicago

Thanks to everyone who participated in the poll; I honestly intended to request one of those three finalists, but ultimately went another way instead.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Did you make your decision yet? What did you decide?

Yes, but I wasn't sure how people would react, so I was holding off on the reveal.

I was looking through the Mosaic site again when I decided to click on the True Blue link. As a few folks are aware, blues has begun to take over most of my listening/purchasing for the last several months. So when I realized that Mom could take care of a lot of wants via a phone order, (she's never ordered anything online), I ended up putting together a list that was the monetary equivalent of a Mosaic box:

The three American Folk Blues Festival DVDs

Freddie King Dallas Texas 1973

and these CDs:

Albert King, Live Wire/Blues Power, Wednesday Night in San Francisco, Thursday Night in San Francisco

T-Bone Walker, T-Bone Blues

Little Walter, The Blues World Of

Junior Wells, Hoodoo Man Blues

Sweet Home Chicago

Thanks to everyone who participated in the poll; I honestly intended to request one of those three finalists, but ultimately went another way instead.

That is some seriously GREAT stuff.

I was going to ask which of the JCs' albums you already have, because the extra may be worth it. But let us know next year.

Have a very funky Christmas, Dan.

MG

[medjuck]

Don't know about the cds but those DVDs are great. I heard about them when Peter Goralnick (sp?) was here plugging the Scorscese tv series about the Blues but implied that these were better.

[JSngry]

Wow, the poll's over?

Guess my Crusaders vote came in late...

[HolyStitt]

Junior Wells, Hoodoo Man Blues

One of my all-time favorite CDs.