Jazz Beat (Part 30)

This one has been on heavy rotation lately.
To other fans out there, what is your favorite Weather Report album?

 

Looks like one of forum member Mazzy's creations.

 

This afternoon I'm listening to some pre-bop jazz; now: The Complete Django Reinhardt and Quintet of the Hot Club of France Swing/HMV Sessions 1936-1940 - 6 CDs, Mosaic; disc 1, or at least part of it - depends on how much I like it after all this time; this set has been gathering dust for ages.

 

Perhaps you are asking for our favorite Weather Report album?

I'd have to say mine is "Live in Tokyo" with "Sweetnighter" right behind nipping at its heels.

 

(LP East Wind EW-7009) - Cedar Walton+Sam Jones+Billy Higgins live @ "Pit Inn" Tokyo, 1974

 

Haven't had this out in years. Original Horo vinyl.

 

I'm not really a fan of this kind of music and I find its "sameness" not very appealing. I know, this music wasn't recorded to be listened to at length, but still... I'm not sure why I got this set from Mosaic at the time, probably to support them.

 

That's a good reason IMO.

 

I agree, but selling the set now won't hurt them I guess

 

Now, another set that has been gathering dust: The Complete Lionel Hampton Victor Sessions 1937-1941 - 5 CDs, Mosaic; disc 1

 

Do you have those on CD? I tried searching the forums for the best sounding discs but couldn't find much.

 

I love Heavy Weather though I still have a hard time listening to Birdland. It was very popular in the day Andy then there was the Manhatan Transfer's hit with it. So I love listening to the album but I usually skip that song. My favorite album today is Sweetnighter. Imo it has aged well and it has an energy I really like.. I Sing The Body Electric was my first WR album so it holds a special place in my heart for blowing my mind in 1972/73 when I bought it. The Ralph Towner cut is still one of the best things I've ever heard on a 12 string guitar.

NP Clare Fischer - Alone Together (Discovery). I had to play a side of this gorgeous album one more time before I file it away.

 

Yeah, compared to some of their previous material this album is a bit more accessible I think, and that might explain why it enjoyed greater popularity.
I haven't heard the two albums you mentioned but I'd like to track down a copy. I saw they are available as part of the red border "Contemporary Masters" series.
Which ones do you own?

 

Yes, now I have both in the Complete Album Collection of Weather Report that Pop Market put out. The European "Live in Tokyo" two cd set sounds pretty good, but the Complete Album Collection version is better by a few hairs imo. The US cd of "Sweetnighter" and the version in the box sound very similar.

I prefer both on lp, but hey, I mostly play cds.

 

Hm, this is not really my kind of music and stopped listening to this set. Another one for the sale pile I'm afraid.

 

Sounds like you're getting ready to sell just about.............everything?

 

Another dust-gathering set: The Classic Columbia and OKeh Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang Sessions - 8 CDs, Mosaic; disc 1

 

WP Paul Desmond featuring Jim Hall - Glad To Be Unhappy (RCA) black mono label w/ Nipper.
NP Paul Desmond - Bridge Over Troubled Water (CTI) WLP
The last one is far from my fav Desmond album as it is typical of CTI at the time with layers of orchestral instruments added on to ahem, enhance the music. Like most breast and booty implants, the additional instrumentation does little to improve the music. It was fine before they added that window dressing. However the music is well played by some of the best in the industry and it can be fun to hear what Paul and Co. do to familiar pop songs.

 

Not really, but I have thousands of CDs and there's a lot of stuff I never listen to, especially pre-bop jazz - though there's also much run-of-the-mill bop in my collection.

 

One of the run of great albums that Shorter produced in the 60s.

 

Well, there's much more "run-of-the-mill" stuff in any genre than most fans would be willing to admit. Congratulations on realizing that and making the necessary adjustments. That's a lot easier said than done.

 

Tell me about it...