DrJ Posted April 2, 2004 Report Share Posted April 2, 2004 (edited) Posting about the two Vee Jay Mosaics, each of which feature a bunch of alternate takes that I find interesting in terms of solo differences, it got me thinking. What are some of your favorite alternate takes? One that's fresh in my mind right now is the alt of "Arietis" from READY FOR FREDDIE, since I've been revisiting that one since the RVG hit the streets. While I can see why Lion went for the master he did because it's a little more technically polished, the alternate is actually a ton of fun to listen to and I find myself preferring it. The solos are just a little more "out on the edge," with some particularly jaw-dropping acrobatics from Freddie, and just LISTEN - I mean really LISTEN (David Sedaris fans will appreciate that little homage) - to what Elvin Jones is doing behind the first couple soloists, fan-friggin'-tastic and far more adventurous than what he does on the master (I almost wonder if Alfred thought it was too much and somehow disrupted the groove - which IT DON'T). Edited April 2, 2004 by DrJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
couw Posted April 2, 2004 Report Share Posted April 2, 2004 Roland Kirk - Blues for Alice (We Free Kings) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Burke Posted April 2, 2004 Report Share Posted April 2, 2004 The version of "India" on disc 4 of the Complete Village Vanguard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted April 2, 2004 Report Share Posted April 2, 2004 Those alternates from UNITY are freakin' NUTS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Burke Posted April 2, 2004 Report Share Posted April 2, 2004 It seems like a crime to leave out the takes leading up to the master of "Un Poco Loco". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted April 2, 2004 Report Share Posted April 2, 2004 “Right Now” Jackie McLean “Mimosa” Herbie Hancock “Downstairs Blues Upstairs” Sam Rivers (every one of ‘em!) “Pinocchio” Miles Davis “Flamenco Sketches” Miles Davis “Smoke Stack” Johnny Griffin “Know What I Mean” Cannonball Adderley There’s more, I’m sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sundog Posted April 2, 2004 Report Share Posted April 2, 2004 Really like the alternate take of Moanin' on the album of the same name. Benny Golson rules on this particular take. Lee's solo isn't quite as strong, but Benny just kills! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vibes Posted April 2, 2004 Report Share Posted April 2, 2004 “Right Now” Jackie McLean “Mimosa” Herbie Hancock These are two of my favorites, and here's another favorite: Dizzy Gillespie - Con Alma ("Duets" album, with Sonny Stitt on this track) The alternate has a much looser, more natural feel to it than the master take. I don't even listen to the master take any more. Sonny and Dizzy are excellent on this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceH Posted April 4, 2004 Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 Embraceable You---Charlie Parker, Dial Always liked the alternate more than the master on this one. Sheer genius. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted April 4, 2004 Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 Took me a while to flash on one this since it's so new, but the alternate takes of Warne Marsh's "I Have A Good One For You" on the new ALL MUSIC CD are among the most revealing (and interesting) such items I've ever heard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul secor Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Some alternate takes that I found fascinating to listen to (don't know if I can say that they're "better" than the released takes - but I found them, as I say, fascinating listening): The Complete Cecil Taylor/Buell Neidlinger Candid Recordings (Mosaic) The unechoed Miles recordings for Ascenseur pour l'Echafaud The alternate takes on the 3 CD Lee Konitz Motion set The 2 volumes of Ornette's Golden Circle recordings - RVG CDs Wilbur Harden/John Coltrane: The Complete Savoy Sessions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmorin Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 The fast alternate take of Davis' Hand Jive from the Nefertiti sessions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John L Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Billie Holiday with Lester Young: All of Me (Take 3): One of the greatest jazz performances (IMO) that ended up too long for a 78. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Wes Montgomery "Bumpin' On Sunset" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 The fast alternate take of Davis' Hand Jive from the Nefertiti sessions. You KNOW it!!!! All those alternates are sweet, and I especially like the slow take of "Madness!" Noj named another one I like! Also like the alt. take of "Tequila" from the same session! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son-of-a-Weizen Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 “Know What I Mean” Cannonball Adderley Al, funny you mentioned this particular song, as I was thinking the same thing on Sat. night while replaying the two versions several times over on the Evans Riverside box. You're talking about take 7, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king ubu Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Some favourites have been mentioned (Mimosa, Ascenseur pour l'echafaud, the Coltrane Village Vanguard...), one more that comes to mind, rather, a bunch more: all the music from Bill Evans' Vanguard date with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian - I really couldn't say which version I'd prefer of which tune - I got to know it all together. Then Bird's "Cheryl" - couldn't tell which of the two takes I would prefer. ubu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son-of-a-Weizen Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 all the music from Bill Evans' Vanguard date Other than an intermission announcement and some idle chatter here & there...is there any reason to go after that Japanese 3-cd box? .....or is the Riverside box pretty much as good as it gets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 (edited) all the music from Bill Evans' Vanguard date Other than an intermission announcement and some idle chatter here & there...is there any reason to go after that Japanese 3-cd box? .....or is the Riverside box pretty much as good as it gets? I did. I shouldn't! What's on the Riverside box is just fine (I have the LPs one). Edited April 5, 2004 by brownie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son-of-a-Weizen Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Okay, point taken. Thanks. BTW Brownie, mind if I ask you about ULTRA DISC in France....they okay to deal with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 “Know What I Mean” Cannonball Adderley Al, funny you mentioned this particular song, as I was thinking the same thing on Sat. night while replaying the two versions several times over on the Evans Riverside box. You're talking about take 7, right? I guess; whichever is the longer take of the two (don't have the disc in front of me). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Okay, point taken. Thanks. BTW Brownie, mind if I ask you about ULTRA DISC in France....they okay to deal with? Weizen, I had never heard of Ultra Disc until you asked. No idea if they are trustworthy. I very rarely shop online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonym Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 The fast alternate take of Davis' Hand Jive from the Nefertiti sessions. I was just about to say the same. This one is amazing -- that insistant cymbal work. Cheers, tonym. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danasgoodstuff Posted April 6, 2004 Report Share Posted April 6, 2004 I remember quite prefering the alt. take of "Blind Man, Blind Man" on the HH box, it had a little extra bump in the bass... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJ Posted April 8, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 Fascinating, if not quite up to the level of the master, are the three alternate takes of "Upstairs Blues Downstairs" from the Sam Rivers Mosaic box. Very revealing in terms of the development of a piece to the point where the tempo and feel become as close to perfect as you can get, after starting off lacking in both categories somewhat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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