Listened to samples of this on iTunes and enjoyed them, so ordered the CD and now waiting for it to arrive.
Sonny Rollins – What's New [CDs 1b/2a on The Complete RCA Victor Recordings box] (RCA Victor) — With Jim Hall (guitar), Bob Cranshaw (bass), Ben Riley (drums) plus Candido or Dennis Charles, Frank Charles & Willie Rodrguez (percussion) & background singers; "Don't Stop The Carnival" originally issued only on the French release.
Wasn't on my radar at all until I got that Resonance comp Jazz Haunts & Magic Vaults (comp with a Bill Evans pre-order). Same with the live Hubbard. Those tunes they included on that sold me big time.
Can anyone who has experience with the set comment on it please? Fred Kaplan's rview in Stereophile when it was originally release is very positive and states that the sound, recorded direct to 2-track, is "stunning". This was recorded 3 years after those great VV live sides and I don;t belive I've herad any of this material. Last copies seem to be around, and Pure Pleasure has it for 150# or about $200 USD, Elusive has it for $250. Seems reasonable considering that individual PP titles are $35. Features: • Limited Edition • Pressed at Pallas in Germany • Audiophile Re-Mastering • 7 180 Gram Vinyl Box Set • 16 Page Booklet with new notes by Alun Morgan and four interviews with Art Pepper by Les Tomkins from 1979, 1980 & 1981. • 17 Performances Previously Unavailable • Includes all the tracks released on the two Mole Jazz LPs: Blues For The Fisherman and True Blues Edit: Even those who do not have this particular set, how was the music being played by this band at the time?
That comp sounds cool. Let me know on the sound of that Hub, the samples sound a bit didgy but the setlist looks tasty.
Yeah man, he's been pretty active on the music scene here in Orygun and Greg Goebel plays locally quite often, nice to see him pop up here
Oh it's dodgy sound-wise that's for sure - at least the track on that comp is and I have to think the rest is the same...but the groove is there. I've certainly heard worse, but it's not bad enough that I wouldn't give it repeated listens (Coltrane's Inner Man is one like this, great music and playing but SQ effects how many time I return to it).
Read this excellent interview with Sonny Rollins. In case you missed this . . . Jazz Legend Sonny Rollins on Retiring His Sax, His Legacy, and the Secret to Life
First off, you need to really like Art Pepper since this set is a lot of Art Pepper! And it's pretty expensive although not for an 'audiophile' reissue. I've not listened thoroughly to the entire set but generally it is good and enjoyable if you like late Pepper. In terms of comparison, though, I prefer the later (1981) live performances at Maiden Voyage with a different band (issued as several albums on Galaxy). I also prefer the earlier (1977) live sets at the Village Vanguard with the great band of George Cables, George Mraz and Elvin Jones. These were released as several albums on Contemporary and also in a complete CD box set. To me, these other performances seem to have greater emotional urgency than the Ronnie Scott ones, good as they are. Sonic-wise, I think they are about par with the Maiden Voyage sets. On vinyl, anyway, the VV ones are superior IMO. The Mole Jazz vinyl records sound very good, possibly better than this box although I've not done a side-by-side comparison. (Bear in mind, though, I generally do not like the sound of most audiophile reissues). These used to be very rare but may be more easily available now that this Pure Pleasure box has been released. They are a good alternative if you don't need/want to spend so much or have so much Art Pepper. Or, just acquire the CD version of the box which is much cheaper (I've no idea what it sounds like). BTW my Ronnie Scott box had one record that was badly damaged thru' poor manufacturing. Pure Pleasure very kindly mailed me a replacement at no charge. It's a pleasure to deal with them.
Such a great album. So jealous of those new to this music and having great sounding options to discover it for the first time.
Now playing: Wes Montgomery Have been in a major Wes mood since the recent and outstanding RSD Paris 65 vinyl release came out. My OJC vinyl of Full House is going nicely with a Deschutes Jubleale
that'd be me. I'm just barely getting through my Miles phase thru KOB, plus Silent Way. I've played most of it through once, but not enough to have absorbed it by any stretch. So I'm kind of saving the second quintet for a while. Its like Dylan. He moved so fast, its taking my whole life to be ready for this phase or that phase.
Don't have the vinyl but have the 4 CD release on Laurie Pepper's Widow's Taste label, and it sounds great, and the music is fabulous (cover art, well that's another story...) Can be had for less than $40 - though I would love to hear that all-analog vinyl pressing and you're right $200-250 isn't too shabby a price.
Well, I get to cross seeing Mahavishnu John live off of my list of things to do... Very good show; final night of the tour...
