Jazzdog Posted September 16, 2003 Report Posted September 16, 2003 akanalog said: i do not know what this research shows...except i got really sick of the more hard boppish side of blue note. I hope you got at least a fucking good trade in for these!! Quote
king ubu Posted September 16, 2003 Report Posted September 16, 2003 I have as many as I could find - came to know the series only as late as 1997 or 1998. Those I don't have: Whistle Stop, The Connection, Heavy Soul, A Slice of the Top, the Dodo Greene one Those I have in Mosaics or as TOCJs or RVGs (and therefore did not pick up as Conns even if I could have): Basra, the Hills, the Parlans, The All Seeing Eye, Leeway, True Blue, The Connection Conn LPs I have: Symphony for Improvisers, Congregation, Davis Cup, Ready for Freddie, Empty Foxhole Then I have only picked up the Byrd/Watkins from the last batch (for 10$!) so far. I'm actually no completist of this particular series, but this is the easiest way to get those sessions for me. Japanese stuff hardly ever shows up here, and if, it's horrendously priced (up to 30$ per CD). ubu Quote
RDK Posted September 17, 2003 Report Posted September 17, 2003 ghost of miles said: jacknife said: I'm not a completist since I do plan on getting rid of that god awful Dodo Greene disc! Glad to take it off your hands! I passed this one up years ago, but I'm such an Ike fan (and Grant Green) that I want it anyway--neither one will be putting out new records again. Just curious--why do you guys regard this as one of the worst Conns? Are her vocals really that bad? Not that I listen to her disc that often, but I don't think Dodo's album is bad at all. She's no Ella, but her vocals are okay and the disc has some tasty playing by Ike Quebec and (iirc) Grant Green. Quote
Ed S Posted September 17, 2003 Report Posted September 17, 2003 I'm with Ray on the Dodo disc. It's grown on me over the years, so I'm glad I didn't dump it after the first time I heard it! My reaction on first listen was something along the lines of "What the hell is this?" Of course, I was way more hard bop oriented when I first picked it up and It certainly does not fit the hard bop Blue Note mold by any means. I'll put it on every once in a while and do enjoy both the singing and music. Dodo lives and sings weekly in the Buffalo, NY area where I live. I have not seen her in years, but I picked up a copy of her CD for my parents for Christmas. They took it to one of her shows and got it autographed. Dodo was thrilled that they took the time and interest in tracking down the recording. Quote
connoisseur series500 Posted September 17, 2003 Author Report Posted September 17, 2003 jacknife said: I'm not a completist since I do plan on getting rid of that god awful Dodo Greene disc! Don't do it, JK!!! Quote
connoisseur series500 Posted September 17, 2003 Author Report Posted September 17, 2003 Jazzmoose said: (But Paul, you got rid of Sonny's Imperial Sessions? ) How come I'm the only one fessing up to dumping certain Conns? Yeah, I just got sick of the songs awful quickly. They were short and seemed to lack meat. And that alto sounded screetchy after awhile. Quote
Brad Posted September 17, 2003 Report Posted September 17, 2003 (edited) connoisseur series500 said: Jazzmoose said: (But Paul, you got rid of Sonny's Imperial Sessions? ) How come I'm the only one fessing up to dumping certain Conns? Yeah, I just got sick of the songs awful quickly. They were short and seemed to lack meat. And that alto sounded screetchy after awhile. I think that could be an initial impression because the more I listened to it, the more I loved that disc (how you cannot love Sonny Clark) and started really to appreciate what and how he was playing. They're recordings that really grew on me and by the time I had finished listening and I must listened for about a week, I couldn't believe how good they were. BTW, I have 35. I think I may have gotten rid of one. I know I didn't buy some that I had as japanese versions, such as the Wilkerson. Edited September 17, 2003 by Brad Quote
connoisseur series500 Posted September 17, 2003 Author Report Posted September 17, 2003 Well just mark it up as another one I shouldn't have dumped. It wouldn't be the first time. Quote
Soulstation1 Posted September 17, 2003 Report Posted September 17, 2003 is it possible to pin/stickey the complete conn list at the beginning of this thread? it would seem easier to count them up... i have never gotten rid of a conn disc and never will. i still haven't heard those 2 bonus tina brooks tracks. ss1 Quote
Al in NYC Posted September 17, 2003 Report Posted September 17, 2003 I have 56, not including "Lift Every Voice," which I dumped (and I'm a huge Hill fan...). Can't believe the stuff some of you have dumped! I would guess (hope) that you burned 'em before you let some of these go. "Some Other Stuff, " for instance, is one of my favorite sessions of its time, and quite rare even for a Conn. And I'll gladly take any copies of "Blues in Trinity" or "Basra" that someone doesn't want... Quote
Late Posted September 17, 2003 Report Posted September 17, 2003 (edited) Here's an updated list of the Connoisseur Series. It's slightly different than Couw's list as it adds in the West Coast Classics Series. Feel free to post any corrections! Series I (1994) Ornette Coleman – The Empty Foxhole Don Cherry – Symphony for Imrovisers Cliff Jordan and John Gilmore – Blowing in from Chicago Kenny Dorham – Whistle Stop Freddie Redd – “The Connection” Andrew Hill - Judgment J.R. Monterose – J.R. Monterose Bobby Hutcherson – Components Wayne Shorter – The All-Seeing Eye Johnny Griffin – The Congregation Tina Brooks – True Blue Baby Face Willette – Stop and Listen Series II (1995) Jackie McLean – Destination Out! Grant Geen – Green Street Grachan Moncur III – Some Other Stuff Wayne Shorter - Schizophrenia Andrew Hill – Smokestack Lee Morgan - Leeway Ike Quebec – Heavy Soul Pete La Roca - Basra Dizzy Reece – Blues in Trinity Freddie Hubbard – Ready for Freddie Lou Donaldson – Sunny Side Up Walter Davis Jr. – Davis Cup Series III (1995) Lee Morgan – The Procrastinator Grant Green - Solid Wayne Shorter – Etcetera Bobby Hutcherson - Patterns Hank Mobley – A Slice of the Top Series IV (1996) Grant Green – Sunday Mornin’ Donald Byrd – Byrd in Flight Here Comes Louis Smith Johnny Coles – Little Johnny C Jack Wilson – Something Personal Paul Chambers – Paul Chambers Quintet Ike Quebec – Soul Samba Harold Vick – Steppin’ Out John Jenkins – John Jenkins with Kenny Burrell Jutta Hipp – Jutta Hipp with Zoot Sims Sonny Red – Out of the Blue Dodo Greene – My Hour of Need Series V- (1997) Jackie McLean – Swing, Swang, Swingin’ Art Blakey – Orgy in Rhythm Vols. 1 & 2 Clifford Jordan – Cliff Craft Sonny Clark – Dial S for Sonny Horace Parlan – Us Three Horace Silver – Further Explorations Series VI (1997) Freddie Hubbard – Goin’ Up Bobby Hutcherson – Stick-up! Booker Ervin – The In Between Bennie Green – Soul Stirrin’ Jackie McLean – ‘Bout Soul Baby Face Willette – Face to Face Series VII (1998) Freddie Redd – Shades of Redd Horace Parlan – On the Spur of the Moment Larry Young – Into Somethin’ Ike Quebec – It Might As Well Be Spring Tina Brooks – Back to the Tracks Fred Jackson – Hootin’ and Tootin’ Series VIII (1998) Sonny Clark – Sonny’s Crib Hank Mobley – Third Season Lee Morgan - Infinity Art Blakey - Africaine Jimmy Smith – Softly as a Summer Breeze Bobby Hutcherson - Medina/Spiral Series IX (1998) Julius Watkins – Julius Watkins Sextet Vols. 1 & 2 Sal Salvador Quintet / Kenton Presents... Howard McGhee Vol. 1 / Introducing Kenny Drew Howard McGhee Vol. 2 / Tal Farlow Quartet Frank Foster/George Wallington - Showcase Gil Mellé - The Complete Fifties Sessions Series X (1998) Chet Baker & Russ Freeman - Quartet with Russ Freeman Cy Touff - His Octet & Quintet Bill Perkins - On Stage Jack Montrose - Sextet Jack Sheldon - The Quartet & The Quintet Bud Shank/Bill Perkins Curtis Amy & Dupree Bolton - Katanga Earl Anderza - Outa Sight Bob Brookmeyer - Traditionalism Revisited Teddy Edwards - Sunset Eyes Gerry Mulligan Quartet - Original Quartet with Chet Baker Bud Shank & Bob Cooper - Blowin’ Country Series XI (1999) Grant Green – Blues for Lou Bobby Hutcherson – The Kicker Jimmy Smith – Six Views of the Blues Art Blakey – Drums Around The Corner Lou Donaldson – A Man with a Horn Dizzy Reece – Comin’ On Various Artists – The Lost Sessions Series XII (2000) Andrew Hill – Grass Roots Don Cherry – Complete Communion Tina Brooks – Minor Move Lee Morgan – Taru Sonny Clark – My Conception Jackie McLean – Vertigo Kenny Burrell - Introducing Kenny Burrell Stanley Turrentine with the 3 Sounds - The Complete Blue Hour Sesions Sonny Criss - The Complete Imperial Sessions Series XIII (2001) Hank Mobley – Straight No Filter Andrew Hill – Lift Every Voice Booker Ervin – Structurally Sound Grant Green – First Session Don Wilkerson – The Complete Blue Note Sessions George Braith – The Complete Blue Note Sessions Series XIV (2002) Tina Brooks – The Waiting Game Freddie Redd – Redd’s Blues Hank Mobley – Thinking of Home Jackie McLean – Jacknife Chick Corea – The Complete Is Donald Byrd/Doug Watkins – The Complete Transition Sessions Series XV (2003) Andrew Hill: Passing Ships Larry Young: Mothership Charlie Rouse: Bossa Nova Bacchanal Lee Morgan: Sonic Boom Hank Mobley: The Flip Sam Rivers: Fuchsia Swing Song Edited September 17, 2003 by Late Quote
jacknife Posted September 17, 2003 Report Posted September 17, 2003 Quote I'm not a completist since I do plan on getting rid of that god awful Dodo Greene disc! Don't do it, JK!!! Done deal, I am now 100% Dodo free. Whew...I feel like a new man! Quote
connoisseur series500 Posted September 18, 2003 Author Report Posted September 18, 2003 ghost of miles said: His "loss" will be my "gain"! Thanks, jacknife! You haven't heard it yet. Quote
connoisseur series500 Posted September 18, 2003 Author Report Posted September 18, 2003 Nah, it's more like passing the old maid. Quote
connoisseur series500 Posted September 18, 2003 Author Report Posted September 18, 2003 Seriously David: you've probably got more generous ears than Steve and I have. You might find something of value there. I like Ike Quebec and Grant Green, but we don't hear much of either; or at least, neither of them stretch out at all. It's a sad commentary that Steve has to break up his complete Conn collection simply because he cannot stand Dodo. This, by the way, from a guy who bought them in bulk from a local store and palmed one off on me! I know that Mark Sheldon also has a complete Conn collection. Apparently, he was willing to put up with Dodo, which was one of his last acquisitions. Why so hard to find this disc? People must be clinging to them. Quote
vibes Posted September 18, 2003 Report Posted September 18, 2003 I have 54 of these, not including the West Coast Classics or CD's in other formats. I guess I hadn't really thought about how many of these I'd purchased. I had the same reaction when I counted up all the RVG's I have in the other thread and found that I had 70 or so. Blue Note's got me by the left testicle. Quote
DrJ Posted September 18, 2003 Report Posted September 18, 2003 Quote vibes Posted on Sep 18 2003, 06:31 AM Blue Note's got me by the left testicle. So, who's got the right...Verve? Quote
Alec Posted September 18, 2003 Report Posted September 18, 2003 I bought 'em all, due to the raves from you guys (and gals) on that "other" board. I admit there are a few I could do without (I never got into "Some Other Stuff" or Ornette) but I'm reluctant to part with any. The Conn and the Rare Goove series are two that I dearly love and wouldn't hesitate to buy whatever comes out. On the Verve side I have found the LPR series to be very uneven but I loved the "elite" series. (I say loved, but is the series really dead? Will they be coming out with more?) --Claypone Quote
Ed S Posted September 19, 2003 Report Posted September 19, 2003 Claypone said: ...... The Conn and the Rare Goove series are two that I dearly love and wouldn't hesitate to buy whatever comes out. ..... -Claypone Ah - the Rare Groove Series. Another near and dear to my heart. Do I sense another thread starting? Quote
DrJ Posted September 19, 2003 Report Posted September 19, 2003 I agree with claypone, that Verve Elite series was heavenly - better liners for sure, and all focused on stuff that is really unjustly obscure. I really hated to see it folded in to the LPR series, which hasn't fully floated my boat. Quote
vibes Posted September 19, 2003 Report Posted September 19, 2003 Another thumbs up for the Verve Elites. I really wish they'd bring this series back. I bought most of them because I liked the packaging and the sound of the first one I bought (Alan Shorter). I had never heard of most of the artists, so it was a great way for me to discover new music. The RVG, Conn and LPR series serve the same purpose for me now. I like the LPR series a lot - tons of new music that I've never heard before, that I'd probably never have paid attention to otherwise. Quote
Jazzdog Posted September 19, 2003 Report Posted September 19, 2003 Pardon my ignorance, but what is the Verve Elite series? I have seen that Alan Shorter disk, but otherwise, I dont think I have any of them. Quote
Jazzdog Posted September 19, 2003 Report Posted September 19, 2003 Pardon my ignorance, but what is the Verve Elite series? I have seen that Alan Shorter disk, but otherwise, I dont think I have any of them. Quote
DrJ Posted September 19, 2003 Report Posted September 19, 2003 (edited) The Elite series was sort of like Verve's version of the Connoisseur series - more obscure titles from the catalog. Like the Conns, there were several runs, but then they ended up folding the more obscure titles into their LP sleeve and other reissue series, which has meant that they do less and less obscure stuff, just a few mixed in here and there with the Getz, Gillespie, etc "mainstays" of their catalog (not that those aren't often excellent, but still...). For example, it's probable the recent Billy Mitchell reissue would have been an Elite. Also like the Conns, often they'd throw in as a bonus other obscure/unreleased stuff. The sound quality was uniformly excellent, and the packaging (well, except for the first few which came in a bizarre peek-a-boo slipcase that was totally unnecessary) was quite nice, with repros of the original artwork and labels as well as new graphics. The liners were often quite good too; original notes were always included, but they invariably added new stuff, often including things like interviews with the leader or a key player from the session in addition to the usual historical material. If it sounds like I was really fond of this series, it's because I was. I BELIEVE this is a full listing (in no particular order) - the first run were issued in September 1997 and the last in August 2000: Billy Bauer - PLECTRIST INTRODUCING JIMMY CLEVELAND AND HIS ALL STARS LISTEN TO ART FARMER AND THE ORCHESTRA Dizzy Gillespie - PERCEPTIONS (great J.J. Johnson here) Illinois Jacquet - THE KID AND THE BRUTE (w/ Ben Webster) Hank Jones - URBANITY Yusef Lateef - BEFORE DAWN (stands nicely with his roughly contemporary Savoys) Meade Lux Lewis - CAT HOUSE PIANO Paul Quinichette - THE VICE PRES Alan Shorter - ORGASM Jack Teagarden - THINK WELL OF ME CLARK TERRY Dinah Washington - THE BEST IN BLUES THIS IS TAL FARLOW Sonny Stitt - ONLY THE BLUES Harry Edison - THE SWINGER/MR. SWING (2 CD set)(Jimmy Forrest is basically co-leader) Lee Konitz - MOTION (3 CD version - as opposed to the replication of the original LP only for the more recent edition) JOHNNY SMITH The Jazztet - HERE AND NOW Lawrence Brown - SLIDE TROMBONE Art Blakey - BLAKEY (w/a bonus date led by Joe Gordon) Ray Brown - BASS HIT! Roy Eldridge - SWINGIN' ON THE TOWN The Jones Brothers - KEEPIN' UP WITH THE JONESES (originally on MGM) Walt Dickerson - IMPRESSIONS ON A PATCH OF BLUE (ditto) Buddy DeFranco/Oscar Peterson - THE GEORGE GERSHWIN SONGBOOK Modern Jazz Society - A CONCERT OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC (John Lewis, Getz, Lucky Thompson, and others) HERB ELLIS MEETS JIMMY GIUFFRE (some nice Art Pepper on this one too) George Russell Sextet - AT THE FIVE SPOT Wynton Kelly - IT'S ALL RIGHT! Stan Getz and the Clarke-Boland Big Band - CHANGE OF SCENES Louie Bellson - SKIN DEEP Lalo Schifrin - DISSECTION AND RECONSTRUCTION OF MUSIC FROM THE PAST AS PERFORMED BY THE INMATES...(and it just keeps on going, you have to see the title to believe it, this is not a joke!) Ed Thigpen - OUT OF THE STORM (w/Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Kenny Burrell) Various - ELITE EDITION COLLECTORS' DISC One last thing to mention is that, unlike the Conns, it seems these were often given a very spotty distribution...often unless you snagged them in the first few months after issue, they disappeared, and in fact a few (the Lalo Schifrin and Johnny Smith come to mind) were some of the harder CDs I've ever tried to track down. As all are out of print now, you may have a task ahead of you to locate some of these if you're interested. Edited September 19, 2003 by DrJ Quote
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