Responses to the 2017 survey of what our readers around the world are listening to are piling into Rifftides world headquarters at a breathtaking rate. The staff complain that trying to put internet links to all the submissions, is all but taking their breath. The mangement says, “Tough, think of all the overtime hours.†They say, “Overtime pay would be better.†Well, the original idea was to provide the readers with links to all of the recordings mentioned. We may have to lighten up on that plan in order to fend off a rebellion of the sleepless peons. “Links?†they say in their terrible attempt at an Alfonso Bedoya accent, “We don’t need no stinking links.†Management is taking their complaints under advisement. In the meantime, with links galore, here are four more reports from Rifftides readers who do a lot of listening.
John Fielding, Canberra, New South Wales, Australia
Catching up on my historicals. Recently bought Hoagy Carmichael (Key cuts 1924-46) and Johnny Mercer, The Man from Georgia. Both interesting but not, I think, essential. However, Sarah Vaughan’s Jazz Sides from Verve and associated labels is an absolute all time classic. Acquired after many years: the CD of the Oscar Peterson Canadiana Suite (replacing ancient worn vinyl), and discovered with great joy Oliver Jones, an Oscar-type Canadian pianist. Also, New Zealander—now New Yorker—Alan Broadbent. So, I’m focusing on piano at present. But I still listen whenever possible to the Mosaic Eddie Condon and any Sidney Bechet that comes my way. And, always, Bill Evans. So, classic jazz of a sort is alive and well in Australia,  at least where I reside. I know that these people, except young Broadbent, are mostly deceased. But then, I’m getting on myself.
Michael Stephans, The Poconos, Pennsylvania, USA. All over the space/time continuum:
Michael Formanek & Ensemble Kolossus, The Distance (ECM)
Ornette Coleman, Sound Grammar (Harmolodic)
Stan Getz-Bob Brookmeyer, Recorded Fall 1961 (Verve)
Bob Brookmeyer, 7 X Wilder (Verve
Willie Nelson, God’s Problem Child (Legacy)
John Abercrombie, 39 Steps (ECM)
Benny Goodman, The 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert (Columbia Legacy)
Michael Harris, Easton, Connecticut, USA
Scriabin’s Etudes for piano, particularly those of Opus 8 and Opus 42, as played by Sviatoslav Richter.
Pat Goodhope, University of Delaware Public Radio, 91.3 FM, WVUD.org
Dave Pell, Jazz For Dancing and Listening (Fresh Sound)
Ten late 1930’s Woody Herman Decca 78’s recently acquired on E-Bay
Joe Castro, Lush Life, A Musical Journey (Sunnyside)
Ernestine Anderson Four Classic Albums (AVID Jazz)
The Hot Club Of San Francisco, John, Paul, George & Django (Hot Club Records)
The Complete Blue Note 45 Sessions of Ike Quebec (Mosaic)
2Cellos Score (Sony Masterworks)
The Beatles/1962-1966 (The Red Album) (EMI Records)
Stuff Smith, Late Woman Blues (Storyville)
Mandy Patinkin Sings Sondheim (Nonesuch)
Aaron Copland, Appalachian Spring – Hear Ye! Hear Ye! (Naxos)
Frank Sinatra, In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning (Capitol Records)
Ferit Odman, Dameronia With Strings (Equinox Music And Entertainment)
Eddie Condon & Bud Freeman, Complete Commodore and Decca Sessions (Mosaic)
Classic 1936-1947 Count Basie & Lester Young Studio Sessions (Mosaic)
Watch this space. We will all take a deep breath and soon post more readers’ listening choices.