This site, powered by Gracenotes (the company that provides lookups for CDs via computers), shows a map and a list of what people are listening to. Though, you have to take it with a grain of salt. It is a stats map of CDs people put into programs such as iTunes, and then iTunes looks [Continue]

Two related items I finished recently. The first is a very interesting CD, Marcel Tabuteau’s Lessons, which Tabuteau himself explains his phrasing system. Well, it is more than that, it is lessons on music from a great master. It was started in August of 1965, using a tape recorder in Tabuteau’s apartment, and abruptly finished [Continue]

iBrecker.com has a link to a video teaser of an upcoming new album from Michael Brecker. Pilgrimage can also be pre-ordered via Amazon.com as well. Herbie Hancock, Brad Mehldau, Pat Metheny, Jack DeJohnette, and John Patitucci. 30 second clips of all the tracks are available on the Amazon link. Album is scheduled to be released [Continue]

If you haven’t heard this album, Ray Sings, Basie Swings, you need to. A live performance of Ray Charles and the Count Basie band, archived and forgotten, then rediscovered, and re-recorded. It’s a great CD, maybe not as good as Sinatra at the Sands, but it’s up there. [Continue]

You’ve probably seen this album advertised on TV. I did. Rod Stewart – It Had To Be You – The Great American Songbook and Rod Stewart – As Times Goes By – The Great American Songbook Volume II. I generally like the albums, though some people (*cough* Tom “T” Moran) say they don’t swing. I [Continue]

Gordon Goodwin’s last album, Swingin’ For The Fences was really good. No, not good, excellent. Charts like Count Bubba and Samba Del Gringo was hot. Could he top himself with this release? Yes. There are some awesome songs his latest album Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band – XXL. My favorites so far are The Jazz [Continue]

I received Michael Brecker’s latest release, The Michael Brecker Quindectet – Wide Angles, last night after a long day of teaching and then a rehearsal. I put on the first track, Broadband, and was hooked. Awesome stuff. Michael has assembled quite an interesting array of performers for his Quindectet. A String section (2 Violins, a [Continue]

After posting this story about how I had it on LP but have never seen it on CD, I FINALLY found it and bought it. It showed up on my Ebay search last week, and I bought it. Amazing, it had been in the search for about 2 years and NEVER had any hits with [Continue]

I can’t tell you how long I spent searching for this album. It’s vintage 70s Jazz. I heard it once in College, and had a tape copy of it for a while. It’s been on my Ebay watch list for almost 2 years. I’ve never seen it. Now, I found the LP thanks to fellow [Continue]

Jim Snidero latest album, “Strings” is a must have. All I have to say is wow! All the compositions are originals by Snidero, for 10 piece String Orchestra and Jazz Quartet. Sound quality is superb. Musicality outstanding. I’m keeping this review short. It’s something to listen to. The lyricism, the musicality, [Continue]

grainman writes ” I am not a sax player. I play some jazz guitar . I have , in my possession, two cassette tapes of Dexter Gordon playing in a jazz club in Toronto back in the 80′s. I have only listened to them once . I am sure these would be of value to [Continue]

Justin Weaver writes “I have been using recording software at home for about a year now. I’ve been using it off and on and only know a little bit more than the basics. I was wondering if anyone knew how to take a song and specifically take out on instrument. E.g. A song that has [Continue]

The History Channel has a program on December 26th about Saving Our Recorded History. The Library of Congress has thousands of recordings that are endanger of being lost these include: "Lead Belly's last sessions recorded in 1949; radio broadcasts from the bombing of Pearl Harbor; and one of the most precious American recordings - Woody [Continue]

Rory Synder gave me a copy of Mike Vax’s latest CD, entitled BIGBANDJAZZ.NET. Yes, that is the title. There is some good playing on the CD, however, one thing that I thought while listening to it was that something seemed off. It’s not the playing. In fact, the playing is excellent. Scott Peterson is an [Continue]

I am always interested in different microphone and technologies for capturing sound. That could be some of the reason for the growing inventory of mics I have. AKG has released a FREE enhanced CD that lets you hear the differences between it’s microphones. "The main goal of this enhanced audio CD is to provide the [Continue]