Verve J*** Masters cd's

Dear Voltaire,

I don't think so (but I could be wrong).

I would have thought you were better off picking up the highlights anyway. There are some sublime discs (Ben Webster meets Oscar Peterson is very special indeed) however, some are problematic. For example, though there is some excellent music, the Gerry Mulligan meets Ben Webster suffers from having 4 takes of one song, then four takes of the next song and so forth back to back (which can get a little tedious).

regards, Tam

4 takes of one song, then four takes of the next song and so forth back to back (which can get a little tedious).

regards, Tam[/QUOTE]

A Little?!!! I hate that when the record companies decide to reissue cds from their back catalogue with the bonus tracks of alternate takes as a thinly veiled excuse for added value. The only alt. take I need do is hit the replay button and try to process something different from the first time heard. Rant over.

Sorry Voltaire, but I don't have any info as to regards the Verve complete set.

Max

Dear Max,

It's not always bad. Sometimes it can be nice to have alternates (though it is usually pretty clear why there were alternates). A good example where it works is Miles Davis's Ascenseur pour l'echafaud.

regards, Tam

Anyone interested in Verve should have a quick look here

"You Asked For It, You Got It! For The First Time Ever, Verve Music Group Opens The Vaults To Digitally Release Out Of Print Albums! Every month we are bringing back more and more titles to be available in digital download format only!"

Steve

Shame that these are in digital dowload format only. I prefer the disc or vinyl in my library.

Nic

quote:

It's not always bad. Sometimes it can be nice to have alternates (though it is usually pretty clear why there were alternates). A good example where it works is Miles Davis's Ascenseur pour l'echafaud.

Another example of it working is "The Alternate Blues" Dizzy Gillespie/Freddie Hubbard/Clark Terry which has 4 takes but each is unique because the standard of improvisation is high enough that each re-soloing is different. In actual fact Dizzy & Freddie agreed to do an 8 bar blues but Clark wanted to do a 12 bar. He came last and every time they got to him the rythum section consisting of Oscar Peterson/Ray Brown/Joe Pass & Bobby Durham forgot to change to 12 bar and the take had to be stopped partway thru'
Quite enjoyable to listen to. Originally on Verve Pablo but now a rather expensive but very good remastered Vinyl pressing by Analogue Productions.

regards Geoff

After posting to this thread I realized that I had forgot all about my cd order placed last week at cdnow.com.
So what should arrive in todays mail ? . . . non other than the Verve Master EDition of Jimmy Smiths Organ Grinder Swing.
Sounds great! What a killer line up with Kenny Burrell and Graddy Tate. Some great blues on this one. Nice packaging and great photos.

I still disagree with you guys on the alternate takes. I would much rather spend my time moving on and learning another tune then be paying for the same real estate twice. Of course, if one is really trying to learn a specific song, it just might help to hear it played another way. Still, I much prefer to hear it played from a different artist.

Max

quote:

I would much rather spend my time moving on and learning another tune then be paying for the same real estate twice. Of course, if one is really trying to learn a specific song, it just might help to hear it played another way.

Max I don't disagree with you but the operative words here are "song and tune".

There really is no tune as such to an 8 bar or 12 bar blues. The chord progression is a framework on which a blues contruction is built "on the fly" so to speak. There are thousands of jazz recordings out there which are 8 & 12 bar blues and each is completely different. That is why the session I talk about is not repetetive at all.
If it was an arranged tune such as a big band would play that would be indeed very repetetive. In reality even well known tunes when improvised by expert jazz musicians really use the melody for one chorus only before improvising on the chord structure in a unique way each time they play it.

regards
Geoff

quote:

I prefer the disc or vinyl in my library.

I have several original Verve vinyl LPs. Judging from the ones I have the recording quaility is quite high. I don't know if you have vinyl playback with your system but the original vinyl LPs are certainly an attractive option.

I have an original of Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster (from the early 60s I think). I also have Antonio Carlos Jobim, Desfinado and Getz-Gilberto with Jobim which is great music.

I agree with those who can live without alternative takes that are found on some CD re-issues.

Scott

Check out www.dustygroove.com. Search for universal france and have fun. I have several of their titles and the remastering is very well done. Session notes, extra tracks, some pix. My favorites have to be the Belgian reedman, Bobby Jasper's sides. As leader and with Buddy Banks. Great stuff. Also, the Django, much stuff not found elsewhere. Likewise, anyone not having enough Louis Armstrong will be happy with the two sides they offer.

Wow, Sigmund thank you, nice site

You bet, dude. They have some really arcane stuff.