Unfortunately I haven't gotten hooked on a single album, jazz or otherwise, in quite sometime. It's not that I don't find new and interesting things to listen to but rather I find so much great new music that I don't often find myself listening to anything over and over. That said it doesn't mean that that aren't any albums which I should give more of listen to but simply that I don't.

I do concur with your opinion on the Moran album. Moran is among a handful of younger jazz musicians that must be followed. He rarely makes a misstep. You might want to check out the duet album that Bill Charlap recorded with his wife Renee Rosnes called "Double Portrait".

Currently I'm listening to this compilation of live Tom Waits bootlegs - six CDs and 99 tracks. Not entires shows but just a collection of the best songs from many different shows spanning over twenty years. The sound quality varies from barely okay to first rate but all the performances are top notch, especially if one is a Tom Waits fan. I've always liked Waits and to this day he remains, along with Bjork, among the most adventurous of "rock" performers.

On the jazz front I just downloaded from trumpeter Dave Douglas web site a copy of his latest download only release: Orange Afternoons: Greenleaf Portable Series, Volume 2. It's very good and features several new Douglas compositions which, as always, are filled with lovely melodies and lots of tone colors, shading and textures. Well worth the $7 price (for flac).

By the way, have you figured out where my avatar comes from?

I don't have any that I listen to constantly, however, I have listened to the following several times recently:

Harry James & his big band- The King James Version on Sheffield Lab. It's the CD made from the 2-track reference tape recorded along with the direct to disc. 1 MIC, no additives! I really like this album especially the opening track Corner Pocket by Count Basie. Also, a sampler from Reference Recordings called Jazz Kaleidoscope.  Wide ranging Jazz styles. I like all the tracks, but favor the Swing ones! You're Driving me Crazy/ Moten Swing & I Hope Gabriel likes my music both by Dick Hyman Swing All Stars. I'm not familiar with Bill Charlap Trio "Live at The Village Vanguard", I may have to check it out! Thanks!

Hi Mr. Poor,

I couldn't but notice that you mentioned two what be commonly referred to as "audiophile" recordings. While I'm not a fan of audiophile recordings I'll refrain from passing judgment on the two you listed. Instead I'd like to point out that the fact that, unlike many popular recordings, many, many jazz recordings are very well produced and recorded and would easily pass as "audiophile" quality. In other words, don't just limit your listening to jazz recordings on audiophile labels and go ahead and explore jazz recordings on almost any label.

For example, the Bill Evans Trio recordings made at the Village Vanguard back in the early 1960s are often regarded as among the best sounding live recordings ever made (and the music not bad either) although the stereo soundstage is not up to present day standards. Many jazz recordings are recorded live in the studio with minimal use of overdubbing and post-recording processing, something which cannot be said of most popular recordings. In addition for the most part jazz recordings have not yet become a casualty of the loudness wars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudness_war).

Check out these threads from this forum:

http://forum.stereophile.com/content/jazz-cdslps-you-should-have-may-not-1

http://forum.stereophile.com/content/whats-jazz-pawnshop-1 

this thread you give you some idea of how I really feel about audiophile recordings.

Well Mr. Jazzfan,

I really like the music & sound quality of each I listed. I will tell you that I also like Mapleshade recordings as well! Music & sound quality are important to me!

Can you tell me what you don't like about JATPS? I have read about it being an Audiophile fav & all, but I haven't listened to it. What variety of Jazz is it?

I have seen Bill Evans for sale & must get  some; thanks for the recommendation!

I've been listening alot to , Melody Gardot , Worrisome Heart . Madeleine Peyroux , Standing on the Roof Top . Eva Cassidy , Simple Eva . Grace Jones , Night Clubin . Holy Cole , Volume 2 .

                                Regards  Tim

tmsorosk wrote:

I've been listening alot to , Melody Gardot , Worrisome Heart . Madeleine Peyroux , Standing on the Roof Top . Eva Cassidy , Simple Eva . Grace Jones , Night Clubin . Holy Cole , Volume 2 .

                                Regards  Tim

I guess you enjoy vocals

Right now I listening to Coleman Hawkins - Body & Soul, a collection on RCA Bluebird taken from some classic recordings the Hawk made back in 1939. Quality, grade A, choice classic swing jazz. It doesn't get much better than this.

Currently hooked on this album. I can't seem to leave it in the CD case for too long. :-)

Pat Metheny - What's It All About - 2011

I have almost everything Cannonball Adderley has ever done. I love all his stuff. GREAT musician of the highest caliber.

BTW: Jazzfan is your complete hook-up on all things Jazz. He knows It!

mrpink44 wrote:

Thanks to everyone so far for putting in their .02 cents!!! I've got a nice list started of a bunch of new albums to checkout...so thank you!!!

You're more than welcome! Glad to be of service.

mrpink44 wrote:

Jazzfan - thanks for the 2 links! Some more good jazz to add to my list and an interesting discussion to boot! This past weekend was our annual Jazzfest - not a major draw for big acts, but some outstanding...and international jazz!! I'm guessing since you are a NY guy you've heard of Lew Tabackin?? He was the headliner on Saturday night and was outstanding! It was my first experience listening to him, but boy did I leave impressed!

I know Lew Tabackin from the big band he colead with his wife Toshiko Akiyoshi in the 1970s. The band put out several albums and they are all worth seeking out. I also had the pleasure of seeing this very good west coast based big band at a free outdoor concert in San Francisco sometime back in the 1970s (my memory is only of the great music, the other details escape me).

mrpink44 wrote:

And no, honestly - I don't recognize your avatar, but I really dig the design. Care to enlighten me?

It's the cover of the great Dave Holland Quartet album "Conference of the Birds" from 1972, perhaps one of the greatest free jazz recordings ever made.

mrpink44 wrote:

And since one of the other threads that Jazzfan mentioned was talking live recordings, I must mention one live recording that I'm hooked on - Cannonball Adderley "Money in the Pocket - Live at the Chicago Club" It's one of those recordings that I forget about for 6 months or a year and then when I listen to it again, I'm hooked and it goes right back into my normal rotation.

Here are two great live albums which should fit in well with your taste in jazz:

Jaki Byard - The Jaki Byard Quartet Live! and The Last from Lennie's

Both of these CDs where recorded back in 1965 at Lennie's-on-the-Turnpike in Massachusetts and both are excellent examples of great jazz being played live in a small club. In addition you'll get a taste of the Mr. Byard's piano playing and once you hear him you will be hooked. Byard also played with Charles Mingus back in the early 1960s and is one of jazz's many unsung heroes.

Dexter Gordon - One Flight Up

Billie Holiday - Live at Carnegie Hall

Weather Report - Heavy Weather  1977

Wadada Leo Smith's Organic - Heart's Reflections (2011)

The album features Wadada Leo Smith: trumpet, electric trumpet; Casey Anderson: alto sax; Casey Butler: tenor sax; Stephanie Smith: violin; Angelica Sanchez: piano, electric piano; Michael Gregory: guitars; Brandon Ross: guitar; Lamar Smith: guitar; Josh Gerowitz: guitar; Skuli Sverisson: bass, 6-string bass; John Lindberg: basses; Pheeroan Ak Laff: drums; Mark Trayle: laptop; Charlie Burgin: laptop.

Track Listing: CD1: Don Cherry's Electric Sonic Garden; Heart's Reflections: Splendors of Light and Purification (for Shaykh Abu al-Hasan al-Shadhili): The Dhikr of Radiant Hearts, Part I; The Dihkr of Radiant Hearts, Part II; The Majestic Way; The Shaykh, as far as Humaythira; Spiritual Wayfarers; Certainty; Ritual Purity and Love, Part I; Ritual Purity and Love, Part II. CD2: Heart's Reflections: Splendors of Light and Purification (for Shaykh Abu al-Hasan al-Shadhili): Silsila; The Well: From Bitter to Fresh Sweet Water, Part I; From Bitter to Fresh Sweet Water, Part II; Toni Morrison: The Black Hole (Sagittarius A*), Conscience and Epic Memory (for Toni Morrison); Leroy Jenkins's Air Steps (for Leroy Jenkins).

All killer with no filler!

By far the most listened to disc in our household is Melody Gardot's Worrisome Heart . She has that sultry , warm , smooth sound that I just can't get enough of .The owner of my local high end shop was over last night , he had not heard of Melody but though she was great , he was also impressed with the sound of my setup and thought it was without fault , said he could listen all day , he would not change anything , now I was impressed . Second up would be a little harder to say , likely Madeleine Peyroux's Dreamland .

                                                                                                                                         JAZZ ON   Tim

i'll be giving it a little write up in the February R2D4 -- easily my favorite new acquired album this year

Reviewed last month- Miles Davis, Live in Europe 1967. Get the full 3 cd and dvd set!

ChrisS wrote:

Reviewed last month- Miles Davis, Live in Europe 1967. Get the full 3 cd and dvd set!

COOL!  I will be getting this one. Thanks for the heads up!

Miles' Bitches Brew is one Cd I just cannot get enough of.

Okay it's not strictly jazz but it is a lot of fun and is very, very funky! Highly recommended!

Trombone Shorty - For True (2011)

Okay here's one from way out in left field, in fact so far out that it can't be anything but a home run.

Barney Wilen & Mal Waldron Trio - Movie Themes From France
TIMELESS CDSJP 335

Barney Wilen, tenor & soprano saxophone
Mal Waldron, piano
Stafford James, bass
Eddie Moore, drums

1. Un Homme Et Une Femme 06:20
2. Julien Dans L'Ascenseur - Florence Sue Les Champs-Elysées  07:28
3. Les Parapluies De Cherbourg 09:53
4. No Problem 08:42
5. Manha De Carnaval 10:29
6. Générique 06:53
7. Les Feuilles Mortes 07:41
8. Quiet Temple 09:36

Recorded on 2nd October, 1989 at Studio 44, Monster, Holland.

Barney Wilen is a French tenor saxophonist who's biggest claim to fame is having played with Miles Davis. On this recording he backed by the Mal Waldron trio and Waldron's piano is the real star of this date. Waldron's ability to take the most unlikeliest of material and somehow turn them into jazz gems is uncanny. I only stumbled upon this recording because I give anything that has Waldron on it a shot and every so often I come across a real winner. This is one of those times.

Two covers:

@mrpink44:

If you have trouble locating a copy of the Barney Wilen & Mal Waldron Trio - Movie Themes From France CD and are unfamiliar with the work of Mal Waldron (which is the real reason I recommended this CD) and by all means let me know (via a post on this thread) and I'll make a list of some "must have" Mal Waldron recordings. I really think that you will like Waldron's playing, if you don't already.

I did a little research in Neil Cowley and found that he is the piano player for this Grammy darling, Adele.

Wes Montgomery - Smokin' At The Half Note - 1965

 Pat Metheny calls this Wes album, "The Best Jazz album ever recorded" and the album that taught him how to play guitar. Now thats some major kudo's!

Singer/pianist Kate Reid knocks it out of the park with her second outing.  Shades of Shirley Horn and Diana Krall, along with a steller band.  Highly recommended.

RG

Just released: Pat Metheny - Unity Band - 2012

Steve Khan and Rob Mounsey - Local Color -  1987

Steve Khan is a world reknowned session guitarist. The majority of his work was done with Donald Fagen and Walter Becker's Steely Dan projects.

I'm hooked on an oldie! Mingus Ah Um - Charles Mingus

And a new one The Face of Mount Molehill - Neil Cowley Trio

-Seven

Wayne Shorter Quartet -  Without A Net (Blue Note 2013) Absolutely amazing! They could very well be the best working jazz band around.

Bill fissell - All we are Saying.

New Terrance Blanchard.

Keith Jarret - Somewhere

Dave Brubeck - White House Sessions (1962).

Anne Bisson.

Bill Evans - remastered-

Explorations.

Moonbeams.

How my heart Sings.

Another vote for Wayne Shorter 'Without a Net', Joe Lovano and Us 5, and Pat Metheny 'Unity' 'Kin'.

Ellington & Hodges - Back to Back

My vinyl version is ripped to FLAC at 24/192

LINK

Bobby McFerrin- Spirityouall- (2013).

Fred Hersh- Floating (2014).

Adam Ben Ezra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjhZhI2Zthg&list=PLD04EF0F7470E2DEF

--

Rudy Royston "303"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILhCNcYIUTY

if you are a jazz fan you *must* get it. i also love Gregory Porter's last. and Nathan East's "East".

I listen 24/7, no really it's what I do for a living. So I'm not sure I ever really get hooked on a recording, like I see others do, where they are at work thinking about getting home to throw the recording on, but I do remember that feeling from way back and how nothing else is on the brain but that piece of music. Well than, now that I think about it, maybe I never quit getting out of that feeling. It's really cool when going from the casual listening of wow to the study of every note as even the slightest cues become a reference in the brain. That something that we carry with us to each listen.

Because I'm always referencing recordings, I think I view them in two ways. One is for the cues so I can hear how systems are responding, and the second way is like what happened today when I put on Michael Franks "barefoot on the beach". The emotion that came off of this group of songs, reminded me of how special Michael is as a jazz artist. He borders right on that pop jazz line, and this recording I saw the jazz flavor coming through in a 360 type of feel and movement. Beautiful instrument placement and perfect tone. Everything fit into this layered picture of smooth jazz.

"a dolphin joins me for a swim"

michael green
MGA/RoomTune

Joshua Redman- Trios Live!

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kowHSx8CXgg[/youtube]
[quote]Review by Scott Yanow
Tenor saxophonist Stan Getz found a perfect accompanist in pianist Kenny Barron, who would regularly play in his group for his last five years. This out-of-print Black Hawk LP finds the pair, along with bassist George Mraz and drummer Victor Lewis, performing two standards and four more recent pieces, including two ("Dreams" and "Voyage") by Barron. The music is difficult to classify (modern bop?) but relatively easy to understand; Getz never coasts.[/qoute]

jazzfan wrote:

Wayne Shorter Quartet -  Without A Net (Blue Note 2013) Absolutely amazing! They could very well be the best working jazz band around.

Absolutely !
ps; how do you get the image to show in a post?

Ray Brown- Super Bass / Super Bass2.

Jim Hall / Charlie Haden (2014).

Patricia Barber- Cafe Blue.