1ThoughtKnown said:

brianlux said:

Question for Sun Ra fans familiar with the highly rated Atlantis record:  Thoughts on this one?  It's highly rated on a few sites (not that I necessarily pay too much heed to reviewers), and widely enough so as to make me wonder what it is I'm missing.  I have several Sun Ra records and have been a fan for a long time, but Atlantis, though certainly not "bad", is one of my least favorites.  I guess part of it is that the screeching keyboards on the long side B cut are hard on my damaged ears, but I try to listen beyond that to the music itself and I just can't seem to dig out what it is that makes this a highly regarded Sun Ra LP.  Thoughts?

Atlantis is a hard pass for me as well. For many of the same reasons you mentioned. I believe it gets as much praise as it does because there really isn’t anything else like it (before or since).  

It definitely is unique! 
But it's odd to me that AllMusic, for example, gives Atlantis 5 stars yet only gives Nothing is... 3 stars.  John Gilmore's solo on "Dancing Shadows" from Nothing Is..., that alone make the album 5 star worthy, and the whole album is excellent!

Grabbed some jazz records while in Ann Arbor on Friday.  Here's a couple that came home with me. Both are fantastic, Pharaoh Sanders still going strong!

BIGDaddyWil said:

Grabbed some jazz records while in Ann Arbor on Friday.  Here's a couple that came home with me. Both are fantastic, Pharaoh Sanders still going strong!

I have a different version of "Someday".  I got the AP one, mastered by Ryan Smith, stereo.  Sounds great as well.  Sometimes I prefer mono though, because early stereo was hard panned and a little too directional for me. 

Hank Mobley, Jimmy Chambers, Jimmy Cobb, John Coltrane, Wynton Kelly.  Is there a better set of musicians (besides the Offspring of course). 

mrussel1 said:

BIGDaddyWil said:

Grabbed some jazz records while in Ann Arbor on Friday.  Here's a couple that came home with me. Both are fantastic, Pharaoh Sanders still going strong!

I have a different version of "Someday".  I got the AP one, mastered by Ryan Smith, stereo.  Sounds great as well.  Sometimes I prefer mono though, because early stereo was hard panned and a little too directional for me. 

Hank Mobley, Jimmy Chambers, Jimmy Cobb, John Coltrane, Wynton Kelly.  Is there a better set of musicians (besides the Offspring of course). 

Great album for $24, yes mono and pressed at RTI.  I couldn't agree more on the musicians!

JeBurkhardt said:

I recently worked the lighting controls for our Art's Council presentation of the play Harvey. The guy who was doing the sound had some 1940's-50's era jazz playing during intermission and scene changes. I was really enjoying some of it. Do you have any suggestions on artists or compilations to check out? The only jazz from that era that I am familiar with is the soundtracks of the Peanuts holiday specials for the 60's.   

First.. NEVER discount A Charlie Brown Christmas.  That is a brilliant work of art.  It's absolutely gorgeous.

The entry point would be Miles Davis "Kind of Blue".  It's kind of Dark Side of the Moon.  Everyone has it, everyone loves it.  There are versions that will run well over $100 (like the new AP), but that might be too steep a hill to climb if you're not into jazz yet.  I'd suggest this version.  I'ts all analog, mono and excellent.  Also pretty cheap.  https://www.discogs.com/release/5142904-Miles-Davis-Kind-Of-Blue

Then figure out if you like sax, trumpet, or piano jazz.  Meaning, which do you like as the lead instrument.  For example if you like the Peanuts, then Bill Evans, Thelonnius Monk and Dave Brubeck are excellent, accessible artists.  Sax will be John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon.  

But check back here for versions to get.  Jazz is all about the recording and the vinyl.  It's so, so beautiful on vinyl, much better than any rock albums you have.  Good luck and welcome to a whole new world of music. 

mickeyrat said:

mrussel1 said:

JeBurkhardt said:

I recently worked the lighting controls for our Art's Council presentation of the play Harvey. The guy who was doing the sound had some 1940's-50's era jazz playing during intermission and scene changes. I was really enjoying some of it. Do you have any suggestions on artists or compilations to check out? The only jazz from that era that I am familiar with is the soundtracks of the Peanuts holiday specials for the 60's.   

First.. NEVER discount A Charlie Brown Christmas.  That is a brilliant work of art.  It's absolutely gorgeous.

The entry point would be Miles Davis "Kind of Blue".  It's kind of Dark Side of the Moon.  Everyone has it, everyone loves it.  There are versions that will run well over $100 (like the new AP), but that might be too steep a hill to climb if you're not into jazz yet.  I'd suggest this version.  I'ts all analog, mono and excellent.  Also pretty cheap.  https://www.discogs.com/release/5142904-Miles-Davis-Kind-Of-Blue

Then figure out if you like sax, trumpet, or piano jazz.  Meaning, which do you like as the lead instrument.  For example if you like the Peanuts, then Bill Evans, Thelonnius Monk and Dave Brubeck are excellent, accessible artists.  Sax will be John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon.  

But check back here for versions to get.  Jazz is all about the recording and the vinyl.  It's so, so beautiful on vinyl, much better than any rock albums you have.  Good luck and welcome to a whole new world of music. 

and go digging for early pressings at your local record shops.

you can find some absolute gems. most I have picked up used were well cared for.  gotten quiye a few 1st or 2nd pressings in mono..... good shit  

I'd argue to go back earlier with Miles and build to KoB. branch out from there.

look at the players on various albums. explore those guys.

the variety of combos was incredible. and they seemed to be in studio or recording live ALL THE TIME.

I just think KOB is every accessible for new Jazz people.  

mickeyrat said:

mrussel1 said:

mickeyrat said:

mrussel1 said:

JeBurkhardt said:

I recently worked the lighting controls for our Art's Council presentation of the play Harvey. The guy who was doing the sound had some 1940's-50's era jazz playing during intermission and scene changes. I was really enjoying some of it. Do you have any suggestions on artists or compilations to check out? The only jazz from that era that I am familiar with is the soundtracks of the Peanuts holiday specials for the 60's.   

First.. NEVER discount A Charlie Brown Christmas.  That is a brilliant work of art.  It's absolutely gorgeous.

The entry point would be Miles Davis "Kind of Blue".  It's kind of Dark Side of the Moon.  Everyone has it, everyone loves it.  There are versions that will run well over $100 (like the new AP), but that might be too steep a hill to climb if you're not into jazz yet.  I'd suggest this version.  I'ts all analog, mono and excellent.  Also pretty cheap.  https://www.discogs.com/release/5142904-Miles-Davis-Kind-Of-Blue

Then figure out if you like sax, trumpet, or piano jazz.  Meaning, which do you like as the lead instrument.  For example if you like the Peanuts, then Bill Evans, Thelonnius Monk and Dave Brubeck are excellent, accessible artists.  Sax will be John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon.  

But check back here for versions to get.  Jazz is all about the recording and the vinyl.  It's so, so beautiful on vinyl, much better than any rock albums you have.  Good luck and welcome to a whole new world of music. 

and go digging for early pressings at your local record shops.

you can find some absolute gems. most I have picked up used were well cared for.  gotten quiye a few 1st or 2nd pressings in mono..... good shit  

I'd argue to go back earlier with Miles and build to KoB. branch out from there.

look at the players on various albums. explore those guys.

the variety of combos was incredible. and they seemed to be in studio or recording live ALL THE TIME.

I just think KOB is every accessible for new Jazz people.  

agree but I also think some of the earlier stuff from the 50's is as well....

and given streaming   that might be the place to start. see what appeals then get the vinyl....

Good idea. I walk outside at lunch time and listen to Spotify. The last few days I have been listening to a classic jazz station. Today I heard songs from Blue Train by John Coltrane and Straight, no Chaser by Thelonious Monk. I really liked both of them. 

JeBurkhardt said:

I recently worked the lighting controls for our Art's Council presentation of the play Harvey. The guy who was doing the sound had some 1940's-50's era jazz playing during intermission and scene changes. I was really enjoying some of it. Do you have any suggestions on artists or compilations to check out? The only jazz from that era that I am familiar with is the soundtracks of the Peanuts holiday specials for the 60's.