I bought American Road from Amazon. I also did "tweet for a track" on this, and listened to the bulk of the album via Spotify. I also enjoyed some preliminary tracks on Tierney's Soundcloud account. Just pointing out that giving music away led to a sale in this case.
I bought Apex at Borders, during the early round of store closings. Back when we thought they would stick around. I also got a preview track from the label. So again-free led to sale, although discounted. But at retail, most of a CD's price goes to the store anyway.
In a tough call, American Road is going to advance. Notes on Apex, released 2010.
I love the opening of this record. I love the closing, but the hidden track is misplaced. The hidden track should have been it's own track and sequenced into the middle of the track. A few tracks didn't click for me, notably "Playing With Stones" and "Who?". I'm fine with abstract, but these tracks seem to lack direction. That said, I highly recommend this record on the strength of the remaining tracks.
I'm not familiar with bass player Francois Moutin, but I really dig his work on this side. He's definitely got an individual style, and I need to find more records he is a part of.
Oscar Peterson-At the Stratford Shakespeare Festival (1956) v. Quincy Jones-Birth of a Band (1959)
I bought the Peterson side from a Borders dumpbin, pre-bankruptcy. Birth of A Band I got from the Jazz Record Mart in Chicago.
I'm going with Birth of a Band here. Notes on Stratford...
A great live document of the OP trio, but flawed by a very poor recording. Probably one of the worst fidelity records I have. A great deal of distortion, which apparently can't be cleaned up. The notes and the swing are there, and that must be why so many people recommend it. I only somewhat recommend this, and it does not make a good introduction to OP's music if you aren't already familiar with it.
Ray Brown plays as wonderfully as always, but there are some moments of arco playing that are cringe-worty. It's easy to see why the tracks where Ray plays arco were not part of the original album release.
Here's an odd draw: Oliver Nelson-Blues and the Abstract Truth (1961) v Boston-Boston (1976)
Both of these were bought at Borders, both at full retail.
On paper, I have to pick a record Paul Chambers is on over anything else right? I just love Boston too much, I guess.
Blues... is a great record, there is some great small group writing, but not every track is a classic. I recommend it for everybody who doesn't have it.
Paul has a great arco solo, and plays very well, but he's been part of better records than this too.
Lee Morgan-The Cooker (1957) v. Mel Lewis & The Jazz Orchestra-The Definitive Thad Jones, disc 1 (1989)
The Cooker was a Borders carcass pick, last round I think. Mel Lewis was bought at the Jazz Record mart.
Giving the nod here to Lee Morgan. I had to replace the Mel Lewis side. I bought it not long after I came out, but lost it a couple moves ago. Mel's side is great, but the live recording is a bit wonky. Plus there are moments where the band just isn't that tight. I love Thad's writing, always have. There are better recordings of his music out there.
Dennis Irwin is a great big-band upright bass player. This side has the classic bass anththem "Three and One"- something that has to be in the bag of every big band bassist. Somewhat recommended.
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