DrJ Posted April 2, 2004 Report 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
couw Posted April 2, 2004 Report Posted April 2, 2004 Roland Kirk - Blues for Alice (We Free Kings) Quote
Brandon Burke Posted April 2, 2004 Report Posted April 2, 2004 The version of "India" on disc 4 of the Complete Village Vanguard. Quote
JSngry Posted April 2, 2004 Report Posted April 2, 2004 Those alternates from UNITY are freakin' NUTS! Quote
Brandon Burke Posted April 2, 2004 Report Posted April 2, 2004 It seems like a crime to leave out the takes leading up to the master of "Un Poco Loco". Quote
Big Al Posted April 2, 2004 Report 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
Sundog Posted April 2, 2004 Report 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
vibes Posted April 2, 2004 Report Posted April 2, 2004 Big Al said: “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
BruceH Posted April 4, 2004 Report Posted April 4, 2004 Embraceable You---Charlie Parker, Dial Always liked the alternate more than the master on this one. Sheer genius. Quote
JSngry Posted April 4, 2004 Report 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
paul secor Posted April 5, 2004 Report 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
nmorin Posted April 5, 2004 Report Posted April 5, 2004 The fast alternate take of Davis' Hand Jive from the Nefertiti sessions. Quote
John L Posted April 5, 2004 Report 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
Big Al Posted April 5, 2004 Report Posted April 5, 2004 nmorin said: 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
Son-of-a-Weizen Posted April 5, 2004 Report Posted April 5, 2004 Big Al said: “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
king ubu Posted April 5, 2004 Report 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
Son-of-a-Weizen Posted April 5, 2004 Report Posted April 5, 2004 king ubu said: 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
brownie Posted April 5, 2004 Report Posted April 5, 2004 (edited) Son-of-a-Weizen said: king ubu said: 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
Son-of-a-Weizen Posted April 5, 2004 Report 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
Big Al Posted April 5, 2004 Report Posted April 5, 2004 Son-of-a-Weizen said: Big Al said: “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
brownie Posted April 5, 2004 Report Posted April 5, 2004 Son-of-a-Weizen said: 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
tonym Posted April 5, 2004 Report Posted April 5, 2004 nmorin said: 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
danasgoodstuff Posted April 6, 2004 Report 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
DrJ Posted April 8, 2004 Author Report 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
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