Tír Na HiFi

Here's a few recent additions to the shelf.

John Coltrane - Atlantic Mono masters box set. This box is incredible.


Sketches of Spain, Columbia six-eye stereo copy, phenomenal record!


Sonny Rollins, Live at the Village Vanguard - Japanese pressing


The little Giant, Johnny Griffin


Hank Mobley - Roll Call

Those photos always bring a smile to my face :) Keep them coming.....
Are the JC Mono editions the real deal? How do they compare to the stereo editions? I'd say the Mono editions are far more lively, with a fuller sound and better dynamic shading.....but then what would I know ;)

It's a great shame that three of the best Coltrane albums from his Atlantic period, My Favorite Things, Coltrane Jazz and Coltrane's Sound, are missing from this box due to the mono masters being lost in a fire in 1978.  Otherwise, this looks to be an essential purchase which I intend to purchase at some stage.  I have the stereo mixes on The Heavyweight Champion box but I imagine the mono mixes should prove to be a revelation in terms of clarity and sense of presence.

An exceptional year for jazz.  These are the jazz albums that have given me the most satisfaction this year.  

Craig Taborn - Daylight Ghosts
Vijay Iyer Septet - Far From Over
Gary Peacock Trio - Tangents
John Abercrombie - Up and Coming
Tomasz Stanko - December Avenue
Ralph Towner - My Foolish Heart
Chris Potter - The Dream Is The Dream
Avishai Cohen - Cross My Palm With Silver
Ferenc Snetberger - Titok
Aaron Parks - Find The Way

These may all be ECM releases but this is a testament to the very high levels of quality control that are tirelessly maintained by Manfred Eicher.  

Two of the most important jazz releases of last year, Vijay Iyer's Far From Over and Roscoe Mitchell's Bells for the South Side, both featured Tyshawn Sorey on drums and I have been listening intently to his most recent CD, Verisimilitude.

This CD comprises five pieces, each scored for piano, bass and drums.  It is remarkably varied music, constantly fresh and inspired and restlessly inventive.  It is challenging music that demands your close and sustained attention but the time spent is amply rewarded.   The musical palette is wide-ranging and flows easily from modern classical to free jazz with no hint of discomfort.  Textures are varied through Sorey's use of toy piano and electronics.  

Perhaps most of all, I am reminded most of all of the influence of the brilliant Anthony Braxton, one of the most cerebral player-composers within jazz of the past 50 years, with whom Sorey has already studied.  There are also echoes of John Cage, Iannis Xenakis and Morton Feldman here as well.  I look forward greatly to investigating the rest of this man's solo work and to followng his career as it develops.

Branford Marsalis - Random abstract


Charlie Byrd (not from RTE) - Blues for Night People
This is a cracking album. Interesting mix of blues, jazz, and classical guitar styles. Very laid back and enjoyable.



Lee Morgan - Cornbread


Not sure if I posted this before, but here's my Japanese pressing of Miles volume 1. Really brilliant record, and a great sounding copy.

Some of the lads have been on Facebook extolling the virtues of the great Sonny Rollins so I thought I might share this wonderful Arena programme with you. This was made by the BBC back when they knew how to make great Jazz programmes.



If you do watch it I would love to know what you think of it.

I saw Rollins in concert in the Cork Opera House in October 1981 and it was the experience of a lifetime, I'll never forget it.

Thanks for that Sean, I'll get to it later.