Black Jazz reissues on Snow Dog label (Japan)

[David Ayers]

Curious about these reissues - any recommendations?

http://soundcolourvibration.com/2013/01/01/black-jazz-reissues/

[felser]

The Doug and Jean Carn is classic. That is the only "must have" title. I like the Awakening titles and the Rudolph Johnson, but those are for particular tastes only. Johnson is one of those guys like Von Freeman who you either like or he makes you crazy. The Awakening is very 70's spiritual content, not necessarily technically excellent. The Kellie Patterson is pretty weak, the Bishop pretty late in the game, the Russell pretty conservative.

[David Ayers]

I figured the Doug Carns might be the ones to have - so thanks, that's helpful. Should I get both?

I think Infant Eyes is out and Spirit of the New Land is yet to come (there are more titles than are listed at the link I gave...)

[felser]

Yes, both of those are great, as is 'Revelation' if that gets rereleased. Those three albums are the crown jewels of the Black Jazz catalog.

[romualdo]

Here's what's available through import-cds (16 titles)

http://www.importcds.com/Search/Results?type=200&lbl=snow+dog

some on this list appear to be more contemporary

I've just ordered/received Bishop's "Coral Keys", Carn's "Spirit Of The New Land" & waiting on Franklin's "The Skipper" though havn't had a chance to listen to any of them yet

[Noj]

Franklin's The Skipper features the sublime "Theme For Jojo," a personal favorite.

I'd like to order a number of these. Maybe next month.

[jlhoots]

I like both Awakening CDs.

So there.

[StarThrower]

I have The Skipper, and Infant Eyes. I dig both. Good stuff!

[JSngry]

I particularly like the Chester Thompson side, although the trombonist is Not Up To Standard. But then again, if you're listening to any of this Black Jazz stuff strictly as "objective music", then there's a lot wrong with a lot of it. But hey, I grew up In Jazz hearing the late-night (not yet was it nite) radio give me Doug Carn stuff immediately followed by a deep-voiced commercial asking me have I been to Mister G's Motel?, so it's damn near impossible for me to listen to any of this Black Jazz stuff strictly as "objective music". Of course, mileages WILL vary.

Still, many flaws and all, this whole thing still makes sense to me as a message that beats anything else being offered these days. If it's imperfect and still needs to be fixed up a lot more to get to where it oughtacould be, oh well. How much in life that is worth doing is NOT like that?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9pZoRhRQA4

Edited March 11, 2013 by JSngry

[ValerieB]

The Doug and Jean Carn is classic. That is the only "must have" title. I like the Awakening titles and the Rudolph Johnson, but those are for particular tastes only. Johnson is one of those guys like Von Freeman who you either like or he makes you crazy. The Awakening is very 70's spiritual content, not necessarily technically excellent. The Kellie Patterson is pretty weak, the Bishop pretty late in the game, the Russell pretty conservative.

curious as to what that means. he was still in his 40s and playing his butt off!

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

The Doug and Jean Carn is classic. That is the only "must have" title. I like the Awakening titles and the Rudolph Johnson, but those are for particular tastes only. Johnson is one of those guys like Von Freeman who you either like or he makes you crazy. The Awakening is very 70's spiritual content, not necessarily technically excellent. The Kellie Patterson is pretty weak, the Bishop pretty late in the game, the Russell pretty conservative.

curious as to what that means. he was still in his 40s and playing his butt off!

I was worried about what Felser said. Is this bunch on the up and up, Val?

MG

[felser]

The Doug and Jean Carn is classic. That is the only "must have" title. I like the Awakening titles and the Rudolph Johnson, but those are for particular tastes only. Johnson is one of those guys like Von Freeman who you either like or he makes you crazy. The Awakening is very 70's spiritual content, not necessarily technically excellent. The Kellie Patterson is pretty weak, the Bishop pretty late in the game, the Russell pretty conservative.

curious as to what that means. he was still in his 40s and playing his butt off!

I haven't heard his Black Jazz recordings in a number of years, did revisit the Muse recordings recently, and they were underwhelming. I remember the Black Jazz sides being much better, but I don't remember them giving me any additional insights into Bishop - that's what I mean by late in the game - he was already pretty well-defined by his earlier recordings. By all means, if you really like Bishop's playing, go for the Black Jazz sides (indeed, every record ever released by that label has merit, and I owned every one of them at one point thanks to Third Street Jazz selling many of them as 99 cent cutouts). But they weren't landmarks the way those three Doug & Jean Carn albums were. I go under the assumption that people have a limited amount of $ to spend, and can't own every worthy album, especially at Japanese import prices. I know I can't.

[JETman]

The Doug and Jean Carn is classic. That is the only "must have" title. I like the Awakening titles and the Rudolph Johnson, but those are for particular tastes only. Johnson is one of those guys like Von Freeman who you either like or he makes you crazy. The Awakening is very 70's spiritual content, not necessarily technically excellent. The Kellie Patterson is pretty weak, the Bishop pretty late in the game, the Russell pretty conservative.

curious as to what that means. he was still in his 40s and playing his butt off!

I haven't heard his Black Jazz recordings in a number of years, did revisit the Muse recordings recently, and they were underwhelming. I remember the Black Jazz sides being much better, but I don't remember them giving me any additional insights into Bishop - that's what I mean by late in the game - he was already pretty well-defined by his earlier recordings. By all means, if you really like Bishop's playing, go for the Black Jazz sides (indeed, every record ever released by that label has merit, and I owned every one of them at one point thanks to Third Street Jazz selling many of them as 99 cent cutouts). But they weren't landmarks the way those three Doug & Jean Carn albums were. I go under the assumption that people have a limited amount of $ to spend, and can't own every worthy album, especially at Japanese import prices. I know I can't.

In case you didn't know, she was married to him!

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Amazon UK have the 3 I want most (Bish, Rudy Johnson and Gene RUssell) at pretty reasonable prices (from sellers). If this is an honest company, I'll get them next month.

But I wish they'd reissue Rudy Johnson's 'Spring rain' too.

MG

[JSngry]

All indications are that snowbird is leasing legitimately. There was a thread earlier her, somewhere.

[sidewinder]

he was still in his 40s and playing his butt off!

Second that ! In fact, I'll dig out the vinyl of 'Coral Keys' tonight.

Edited March 11, 2013 by sidewinder