Category Archives: Recordings, new and used

Record reviews, re-evaluations, must-listens, music by my friends….

The new CD is HERE.

Posted on January 11, 2018 by jschott

The new Actual Trio record, recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley and produced by Hans Wendl, is HERE. I’m completely over the moon about this one! Featuring cover art by the legendary Han Bennink, the smokin’ playing of John Hanes … Continue reading →

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Inside the mind of a record collector (it ain’t pretty!)

Posted on December 14, 2015 by jschott

I didn’t realize that the recent Verve release The Complete Charlie Parker with Strings includes newly discovered alternate takes, that were not included in the big 10-CD Complete on Verve box! Why wasn’t I informed? How come when new Charlie … Continue reading →

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A little thought of no importance about Schoenberg’s Second String Quartet

Posted on August 13, 2015 by jschott

(from my listening diary, and not fact-checked) December 31, 1936 (“I was hoping we could finish by 10:00 PM…”) Hollywood, CA; private recording produced by Alfred Newman Kolisch String Quartet: Schoenberg – Second String Quartet in F# minor, Op. 10 … Continue reading →

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What Key Did Erroll Garner Play It In?

Posted on May 17, 2015 by jschott

     When and if science examines my brain, it will show that in the Sonny Rollins area of my brain, there is a considerable wing devoted to bassist Bob Cranshaw. So I DEVOURED Ethan Iverson’s interview with Mr. Cranshaw, … Continue reading →

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emerging from the cave (well, at least there’s a record to show for it)

Posted on February 3, 2015 by jschott

photo:Myles Boisen   It’s been so long since my last record that just now I had to check whether it was five or six years. So I am thrilled, and more than a little relieved, to have just finished the recording … Continue reading →

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Coltrane. Offering’s “Offering”: An Offering

Posted on October 6, 2014 by jschott

     One of the highlights of the new Temple University concert is Coltrane’s late composition Offering. The only other version of this fascinating meditation on harmonic cells is on Coltrane’s final official record Expression. Since the piece so seamlessly weaves … Continue reading →

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Coltrane: November 11, 1966 released on September 23, 2014, his 88th birthday

Posted on September 25, 2014 by jschott

       If it had been recorded properly, this could be one of the greatest recordings in Coltrane’s discography, which is to say one the greatest recordings in Jazz. Taken as it is, Offering: Live at Temple University is a … Continue reading →

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Motherload: Dust to Digital’s Awesome African Compilation

Posted on September 22, 2014 by jschott

Opika Pende (Stand Firm): Africa At 78 RPM Dust To Digital #22, 2011. Four discs Jonathan Ward: co-producer, notes, source material, audio transfers. Debbie Berne: design (Hey! Oakland banjo player!) A PALTRY FORTY BUCKS!      I have been in rapturous … Continue reading →

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Blindfold Test-O-Rama: Plonsey/Schott Blindfold Test #2 (turnaround)

Posted on September 8, 2014 by jschott

It seemed like a good idea at the time, but as usual, I had no idea what I was getting into, or, after all these years, who I was dealing with. Check and mate, game to Mr. Plonsey. (Dan Plonsey … Continue reading →

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Blindfold Test: Second Attempt

Posted on September 4, 2014 by jschott

Following my disastrous attempt to self-proctor a “blindfold test”, I opted to try a more traditional method. I conscripted my friend Dan Plonsey to play the role of interlocutor. Dan is saxophonist and a prolific composer of astonishing breadth and … Continue reading →

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