Paul Bley

[Late]

I always thought this album had never been reissued on compact disc. On a whim, I did some searching and found that, lo and behold, it was reissued on compact disc — in 1990. What?

Then I discover it's been sitting on iTunes for a while. What?

Listening to it right now for the first time, and really enjoying it. Not only is it the recording debut of Charlie Haden, but also Dave Pike. I have to admit that I've never been a big Pike fan, but, man, he's really swinging on this session. And beautifully recorded? Yup.

Some great unison heads (composed by Carla Borg nee Bley), and Lennie McBrowne is tight on this one.

Whew. It's great to discover hidden gems like this one. If you're a Bley fan, you owe it to yourself to check this one out.

Edited June 16, 2007 by Late

[AndrewHill]

Is the 1990 CD OOP?

[clifford_thornton]

Yeah, I'm fond of that one too. I have a '70s LP edition of it, and my roommate often plays it because she thinks Bley (at that age) is "hot."

Hey, at least she's spinning some good tunes, right?

[alocispepraluger102]

I always thought this album had never been reissued on compact disc. On a whim, I did some searching and found that, lo and behold, it was reissued on compact disc — in 1990. What?

Then I discover it's been sitting on iTunes for a while. What?

Listening to it right now for the first time, and really enjoying it. Not only is it the recording debut of Charlie Haden, but also Dave Pike. I have to admit that I've never been a big Pike fan, but, man, he's really swinging on this session. And beautifully recorded? Yup.

Some great unison heads (composed by Carla Borg nee Bley), and Lennie McBrowne is tight on this one.

Whew. It's great to discover hidden gems like this one. If you're a Bley fan, you owe it to yourself to check this one out.

awesome, seemingly there is no end to bley's stellar recordings.

[Late]

Is the 1990 CD OOP?

I believe so, yes. I've never seen a copy anywhere.

[AndrewHill]

Is the 1990 CD OOP?

I believe so, yes. I've never seen a copy anywhere.

Bummer. I was aware of this album but had no clue it appeared on disk. I have so little Bley in my collection (Closer, Barrage, Ramblin) but what I have is just so good. His sideman appearances are also excellent (Free Fall, Essence). I will keep my eyes peeled for this one.

[Late]

I was aware of this album but had no clue it appeared on disk. I have so little Bley in my collection (Closer, Barrage, Ramblin) but what I have is just so good.

Well, if you do iTunes, that's one way to hear this session. I know it's not the same as having a hard copy, but the transfer actually sounds pretty good, which isn't always the norm for iTunes.

You'll also want to keep your eyes peeled for Bley's Savoy session (Footloose), and the quartet session with John Gilmore. Both are on par with the titles you already have.

[AndrewHill]

I was aware of this album but had no clue it appeared on disk. I have so little Bley in my collection (Closer, Barrage, Ramblin) but what I have is just so good.

Well, if you do iTunes, that's one way to hear this session. I know it's not the same as having a hard copy, but the transfer actually sounds pretty good, which isn't always the norm for iTunes.

You'll also want to keep your eyes peeled for Bley's Savoy session (Footloose), and the quartet session with John Gilmore. Both are on par with the titles you already have.

I'm a little behind the 8 ball when it comes to I-Tunes. I guess I like holding a product in my hand (showing my age here). But I've been trying to hunt down a copy of Footloose for some time now (Its been pretty pricey at Ebay and Amazon Marktetplace). Paul Bley is really a significant participant in the music and I've enjoyed everywhere where else he's appeared. Finding his earlier stuff has become a rather difficult task; A real shame.

FWIW, my absolute favorite is Barrage. That band is just cracklin', esp. with M. Allen in the mix. That has to be Bley's wildest record! A blast from beginning to end! Love the Michael Snow cover (along with NY Ear and Eye Control).

Edited June 18, 2007 by Holy Ghost

[clifford_thornton]

Find Touching next, if you can. It's a great '65 trio with Kent Carter and Barry Altschul, wonderfully recorded. The vinyl is on Fontana, though I believe Black Lion did a CD of it at some point.

[Late]

Find Touching next, if you can. It's a great '65 trio with Kent Carter and Barry Altschul, wonderfully recorded. The vinyl is on Fontana, though I believe Black Lion did a CD of it at some point.

That is a great record. Unfortunately, the Black Lion CD suffers from a pretty bad transfer. The music holds up though, and I'd still say buy it, especially if you can find it used somewhere.

[Chuck Nessa]

Find Touching next, if you can. It's a great '65 trio with Kent Carter and Barry Altschul, wonderfully recorded. The vinyl is on Fontana, though I believe Black Lion did a CD of it at some point.

That is a great record. Unfortunately, the Black Lion CD suffers from a pretty bad transfer. The music holds up though, and I'd still say buy it, especially if you can find it used somewhere.

The Black Lion cd includes a live version of "Blood" (18:47) from the lp "Paul Bley in Haarlem".

The Fontana lp titled "Blood" is also a worthy date.

[clifford_thornton]

Yes, indeed, both Blood LPs are ones I spin often!

Both Touching and the Blood - Paul Bley In Haarlem record were on an Arista/Freedom twofer vinyl that, if you have a turntable, can be had for cheap.