More rain. . . but gentler, and it has eased up even more. Nice and cool!

Starting off the morning with another Duke Ellington, "At the Hollywood Empire, 1949" on Storyville cd. Very good sound and what a band this was!

Yet another soggy morning. The plants love it!

I'm listening to a lot of Dead recently, in part because I am seeking recommendations of good ones for my best friend who has just recntly, in his sixties, become a Dead appreciant.

This is the latest from the subscription series, Grateful Dead "Dave's Picks Volume 59" 3 disc set, disc 3

Boston Garden, September 26, 1991

This disc finishes the very long "Dark Star" sandwich from this night--a 71 minute journey from Dark Star verse 1 to Saint of Circumstance to Eyes of the World to Drums to Space to The Other One to Dark Star verse 2. Too bad they split that over two discs.

Sahib Shihab "Sahib's Jazz Party" Muzak lp facsimile cd



Great music, and this cd sounds wonderful.

Listening to this one again. . . it's so good.

Bobby Gordon with Dave McKenna "Clarinet Blue" Arbors cd

Eliane Elias "Ao Vivo" Candid cd



A really good one. Elias has it still.

On to Dexter Gordon "Dexter Gordon at the Subway Club 1973" Elemental 2 cd set, disc 1

Bass – Henk Haverhoek
Drums – Tony Inzalaco
Piano – Irv Rochlin
Tenor Saxophone – Dexter Gordon

Recorded in Koln.

Nice sound, long drawn out tunes.

"The Art Farmer Quintet Plays the Great Jazz Hits" Columbia/Sony cd

This one captures you with the first bars. When I first got this I didn't expect it to be this.

Art Farmer - flugelhorn, trumpet
Jimmy Heath - tenor saxophone
Cedar Walton - piano
Walter Booker - bass
Mickey Roker - drums

A little drama last night. . .we have a bat in the house. Or had, I may have chased it out, not sure. We'll see I guess. FREAKED Lucinda out. Wasn't little, either. . . .

More rain over night, but stopped an hour or so ago. Starting the day off with a Charles Lloyd I had neglected, "8--Kindred Spirits Live from the Lobero" on Blue Note cd (there's also a DVD).

Charles Lloyd with guitarist Julian Lage, pianist Gerald Clayton, bassist Reuben Rogers, and drummer Eric Harland, with special guests organist Booker T. Jones and bassist Don Was joining the ensemble midway.

Time to up the ante.

Flying Lotus "Cosmogramma" Warp Records cd

I did not realize til lately that Flying Lotus was a great-nephew of Alice Coltrane. This was his third release and does show some cosmic spiritual influence. And there's that harp. . . .

I'm listening to a compilation that "Dr. Orchid" made for me of Grateful Dead tracks featuring Pigpen from 1966. Followed by "The Apartment Tapes." Talk about "primal Dead!"

Stan Getz "Focus" Verve Master Edition cd

No bat yesterday or today, I think he let himself out a window. Whew! I couldn't take the panic Lucinda felt.

No rain overnight for the first night in a week, that's welcome. I'm re-listening to this disc as it sounds so good. Two guitars but not "Django-like" to my ears.

Stephane Grappelli "So Easy To Remember"

On to some excellent Duke Ellington, "1942-1944' Chronogical Classics cd

About half Victor sessions, and half V-Disk sessions.

A late start to listening this morning. A beautiful morning, Tobi and I had a nice walk to start the day off.

To get the system going I'm listening to Stephane Grappelli and Barney Kessel, "I Remember Django" Muzak Japan 2 cd paper sleeve set, disc 1

Reissues Black Lion material in glorious mastering.



Reissues "I Remember Django" (disc 1) and "Limehouse Blues" (disc 2). Recorded at the Studio Davout, Paris, France June 23 & 24, 1969.

Stan Kenton "Adventures in Blues" Capitol cd

The music is very nice, but on top of that there is the excellent engineering by Capitol's pros, there is a rich tapestry of sound so sweetly balanced and layered. . . great stereo presentation.

A warm morning, Tobi and I had a walk in the dark that was nice.

I'm starting the day off with Charles Lloyd "Figure in Blue" Blue Note 2 cd set, disc 2. I really like this set . . . and it's perfect for this early morning stillness.

Melissa Aldana "Filin" Blue Note cd

This beautiful disc really shows off how riveting the sound of my system has become. This is music that captures my attention completely.

Thelonious Monk "Live in Rotterdam 1967" The Lost Recordings 2 cd set, disc 1 and 2

Bass – Larry Gales
Drums – Ben Riley
Alto Saxophone – Phil Woods
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin
Trombone – Jimmy Cleveland
Trumpet – Clark Terry, Ray Copeland
Piano – Thelonious Monk
Tenor Saxophone – Charlie Rouse

"Healing Power: The Music of Carla Bley" Steve Cardenas/Ben Allison/Ted Nash Sunnyside cd

I have been looking in my shelves for this disc for some time and finally found it. This is perhaps "corny" stuff for many (my wife can't stand to hear this type of early jazz/dance music for example) but it captures a certain spirit I find uplifting and calming to hear in these times. My maternal grandfather and paternal grandmother had music like this in their holdings and so it has sentimental value for me as well.

Bill Challis had a rich association with Bix Beiderbecke and wrote arrangements for the Goldkette Orchestra when Bix was on board and them oved with Bix to the Whiteman Orchestra. Later he wrote for many other swing bands.

Bill Challis And His Orchestra "1936" Circle cd

Joe Farnsworth Quintet "In What Direction are You Headed?" Smoke Sessions cd



Bought this for Immanuel Wilkins' appearance and he doesn't dissappoint.

Another dry morning, rain yesterday but not overnight. Cool and quiet. Just how I like it.

Decided to hear some Joe Henderson and he's really "on" for this one and its companion cd.

Joe Henderson "Four" Verve cd.

Joe Henderson – tenor saxophone
Wynton Kelly – piano
Paul Chambers – bass
Jimmy Cobb – drums

Recorded at Left Bank Jazz Society, Baltimore, MD on April 21, 1968

Chet Baker "Live at Nick's" Anagram 2 LP set, LP 1