Hi, Derek. I thought I'd say 'hi,' just in the hopes of drawing eyeballs away from the donnybrook in the 'rosy' post and getting some reluctant writers to volunteer for your open slot, by virtue of the "Oh no! Not THAT djll guy!" factor. :)

You kidding?!? I'd kill for djill!

I'm illin' for some djllin'.

You guys just want to watch me sink beneath the waves as the boiler blows up in my face... seriously (for a moment), I'm not in a position to do this.

Tom, those water wings of yours aren’t vestigial & I’ve no doubt you’d be swimming like a guppy once your keister hit the drink. But I can fully understand schedule precluding your participation. Bags deadlines are among the most rigorous & unforgiving in the biz ;-)

So far, just one conscript (a reliable familiar) who will hopefully be strutting his stuff in the coming week. No statute of limitations on the invitation, so scribes wizened, cherubic or in-between are still welcome. I’ve actually been eyeing an open slot over at Not Coming to a Theater Near You so my contributions may drop off a bit as well.

Bags would actually be a good place for Djll, he is a good writer, and any of the drawbacks of his work can be solved in the comments! I vote for Djll.
I will miss Brian's writing, though.

Word, but it looks like he’s running on the “If Nominated, I Will Not Run; If Elected, I Will Not Serve” ticket.

We have a mayor like that in Oakland right now, unfortunately.

I made a resolution (New Year's 2007) to work more on my own music and less on other people's. Over xmas I did some reviews for S2N that helped to remind me why I made that resolution.

Derek, Narew and Damon and all, thanks, but I'd much rather contribute the occasional [more personal] piece, along the lines of the Bill Evans article. I'm getting fed up with the "eai" world, anyway -- what little I hear of it. I think it was that release where nobody heard the sounds until after it was completely pressed and mass-produced that pushed me over the edge.

And I'm an incorrigible curmudgeon, to be altogether modest about it.

That would be sight, right? I haven’t heard it, but based on what I’ve read it doesn’t sound like my jar of moonshine either. I enjoyed Brian’s write-up though [cue renewed onset of Olewnick separation anxiety pangs].

As noted above, new coverage need not be limited to eai/Malmud or whatever. I’ve actually been hoping someone steps onto the Bags poopdeck with a passion for contemporary Tejano sounds. Tom, how about a review of the new Lionel Hampton Mosaic set? I could even call in a few favors and try to score you a promo copy.

sight... sigh. Yeah. Makes one fantasize about the fun to be had if reviewers made an extended technique out of that idea, and simply reviewed it without listening to it either. Think of it: an entire critical community generates a collective review based entirely on hearsay. ...come to think of it, that's not so different than what happens now, is it? ;)

Derek, call in the favors. Sure I'd review that Hampton set, even though I've got all the music on five Classics CDs, save the alternate takes. And take a few margins to discuss Hampton's profligate (as in "recklessly extravagant) melodicism.

"Sight" is a beautiful album, you guys should both do yourselves a favor and check it out.

Tom, I’m on it. If it’s any incentive, the sound on the Mosaic is said to easily trump the Classics series. And as to groupthink amongst critics, Bags is usually a reliable wedge when it comes to that. Hence the occasional fracases that Walt finds so fun.

Damon, you’ll have to do better than that. :-) Tell you what, you check out the Stephen Riley/John Brown platter I recommended & I’ll find a way to give sight a spin, deal?

There's already a thread on this album; might make more sense to post sight-related comments there:

http://www.bagatellen.com/archives/reviews/001728.html

You should give it a spin, Derek. For all its inevitable flaws I find it more rewarding and exciting listen than many a free jazz disc that's come my way recently (Damon's Ayler covers disc excepted, haha)

Eyes wide shut?... sorry, just goosing you, Dan.

"There's already a thread on this album; might make more sense to post sight-related comments there:

I am not sure about that. I doubt anybody will be able to fill his shoes:

"I like it a whole helluva lot and find it forms a fitting companion piece to the almost simultaneously released “The Room”. Concentrated mental introspection on the one hand and intra-continental telepathy on the other, enormous amount of food for thought in each."

I thought telepathic communication was also explicitly prohibited!

Better do it again with some kind of triple-blind methodology (and, if necessary, lead-lined containers).

Actually, I have been looking out for that Stephen Riley based on your review, I have not seen it yet.
Speaking of interesting mainstream jazz albums, I got Johnny Griffin's "Change of Pace" from emusic last night, that is good one.
Tenor, french horn, two double basses (Larry Gales, and Bill Lee, Spike's dad) and drums.

Cool. Easy to Remember is a more memorable disc overall IMO (not the least for Neal Caine & Jason Marsalis), but I’m curious to get your take on Brown’s bass work.

I’m with you on Griff’s Change of Pace. I reviewed it when the reissue came out and was really taken by the instrumentation. Some sweet arrangements & great to hear Julius Watkins in that context too. What’s your impression of Bill Lee? I’ve only heard him sporadically (MJT+3, Frank Strozier, Harold Mabern, etc.), but have enjoyed what I’ve heard.

Dan, Ihave a friend who has sight so I'm going to see about borrowing it. Have you heard the recent Brötz/Alan Wilkinson disc on Bo'Weavil? Sure, it's from '96, but w/ Fell & Kellers on board it's quite a doozy & pulls Herr Gasketblower in some galvanizing directions despite being a bit long-winded in spots.

Bill Lee seems to be a great player, I think it is mostly him on arco.
That new Brötz quartet is awesome.