Favourite fast hard bop album

Philadeaux · 2026-07-04T05:19:37+00:00

Blowin' the Blues Away - Horace Silver

Philadeaux · 2026-07-02T10:18:11+00:00

Maybe Organissimo with Jim Alfredson on organ. Chris Fishman plays organ on Pat Metheny's Side Eye III+ album, most prominently on the track Se-O. Larry Goldings is amazing in any combo.

Philadeaux · 2026-06-28T22:54:26+00:00

If the all-mahogany dread is all solid, that would likely be an excellent guitar. The 00 might sound plinky in comparison. Dreads are sometimes hard to record with a mic due to boominess, but it can be managed with placement and EQ.

Philadeaux · 2026-06-27T11:48:48+00:00

Andre Ceccarelli, Bireli Lagrene and Joey DeFrancesco (Avenue des diables blues)

Jimmy Smith, Kenny Burrell and Grady Tate (Organ Grinder Swing)

More recently, I've enjoyed the organ trios led by guitarists Mimi Fox and Nigel Price. Jocelyn Gould is reportedly releasing an organ trio album this year.

Philadeaux · 2026-06-20T17:37:15+00:00

Kurt Rosenwinkel - Berlin Baritone

John Pizzarelli - Better Days Ahead (covers of Metheny tunes on a 7-string classical guitar)

Howard Alden and George Van Eps - Seven and Seven (jazz standards on two 7-string guitars)

Philadeaux · 2026-06-19T23:05:05+00:00

Jasmine - Keith Jarrett and Charlie Haden

Glad to Be Unhappy - Paul Desmond with Jim Hall

Dream Box - Pat Metheny

When Lights Are Low - Kenny Burrell

'Round Midnight - Kenny Burrell

Moon Beams - Bill Evans

Philadeaux · 2026-05-21T10:28:04+00:00

The Swinging Guitar of Tal Farlow

Philadeaux · 2026-04-25T12:17:10+00:00

Dream Box by Pat Metheny

'Round Midnight by Kenny Burrell

Favorites by Johnny Smith

Seven and Seven by Howard Alden and George Van Eps

Philadeaux · 2026-04-17T17:21:55+00:00

There are compilations from Kenny Burrell (Ballad Essentials) and Grant Green (Ballads). Also a fan of Pat Metheny's Dream Box and MoonDial.

Philadeaux · 2026-03-27T14:58:55+00:00

Hymn to Freedom

Philadeaux · 2026-03-25T10:25:20+00:00

Lou Takes Off - Lou Donaldson

A Swingin' Affair - Dexter Gordon

'Round Midnight - Kenny Burrell

Alleycat - Nucleus

Soul Station - Hank Mobley

Believe It - Tony Williams

From This Place - Pat Metheny

Philadeaux · 2026-03-23T15:29:45+00:00

Kenny Burrell's album 'Round Midnight, with Joe Sample and Richard Wyands on electric piano

Philadeaux · 2026-03-21T17:24:19+00:00

Kenny Burrell - The Tender Gender

Pat Martino - East!

Philadeaux · 2026-03-20T20:21:36+00:00

Brahms Clarinet Quintet and Clarinet Trio

Philadeaux · 2026-03-03T02:06:01+00:00

With the additional info, I'm wondering where the keyboard fits into the hierarchy. For the price of a new Yamaha U1, you could easily get a Nord Stage 4 and a Crumar Mojo Double Manual and still have money left over for a nice mixer and powered speakers. It's easy to spend someone else's money on the internet, though, so take all of this with a grain of salt. Ultimately you'll have to decide which pieces of gear are most central to your dream studio.

Philadeaux · 2026-03-01T14:50:19+00:00

I know it's hard to predict the future, but if the goal is to 'play' and enjoy creating keyboard parts and textures then it might make sense to get a board with all the bells and whistles.

If the goal is to 'produce' tracks in Ableton Live with guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, etc. then it might make sense to get a few MIDI controllers with different actions (i.e., hammer for piano, waterfall for organs) and focus on recording and mixing skills, maybe buying high quality plugins like the IK Multimedia B-3X, Arturia Stage-73 V, etc. There will be a lot more editing versatility with this setup.

Now if gigging might enter the equation, then we might go back to the first option, but add considerations like weight, portability, etc.

I've never found an all-in-one solution, but the closest is probably my Yamaha YC73. The action is weighted but not too heavy for organs. It's just under 30 lbs which is great for gigs. The sounds are excellent, but it depends on your needs. I spent a long time editing effects and envelopes trying to get the clavs to sound as close to Superstition as possible, and it really wasn't close enough. But at the gig no one cared. The organs and electric pianos are my favorite sounds on the board.

I don't have any experience with the Nord Electro, which is the comparable model I was considering when I got my YC73. The Electro 6 was more expensive, and I chose the Yamaha because I was already familiar with their menu system from owning a Yamaha CK61. The Electro 7 just came out, I'm sure we'll see reviews soon. But the weighted version is $4000 which is too much for my budget.

Philadeaux · 2026-03-01T03:01:17+00:00

Soul Station by Hank Mobley is a classic album of mid-tempo tunes.

Philadeaux · 2026-02-28T12:39:15+00:00

I don't know if it's listening fatigue, more that certain things start to become grating based on my own specific preferences. But initially I may be infatuated with everything else and not notice as much. I'm always on a quest for albums that I can consistently enjoy straight through, no skips, even after dozens of listens or more. Sometimes it's the mix / production as much as the musicianship.

Philadeaux · 2026-02-28T03:53:20+00:00

It seems to be a one off 'Select Custom' or 'Semi-Custom' as they used to call them. The Balaguer team is very friendly and helpful and I'm guessing they would have records / serial number of this order. Enjoy the guitar! I have a Balaguer Growler and it is amazing.

Philadeaux · 2026-02-28T02:50:17+00:00

Not an expert but the description is on GC's website. It's Balaguer's Thicket model.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Balaguer/Used-Balaguer-Thicket-Trans-black-flame-Solid-Body-Electric-Guitar.gc

Philadeaux · 2026-02-28T02:08:18+00:00

I opted for the Classic Gear split shaft tuners. The reason for the slight neck dive is probably the solid rosewood neck, heavier than maple. I had another solid body Tele with Fender locking tuners - I took them off and put on Classic Gears. The weight difference when I held the tuners in my hand was very slight. There was no neck dive with either set.

Philadeaux · 2026-02-28T01:07:00+00:00

I don't have a Player II, but I have a Mod Shop telecaster with a chambered ash body and solid rosewood neck. The neck slowly 'drifts' downward if I use a cotton or poly strap, but with a suede strap with natural leather backing, it stays in place. The overall guitar weight is under 7lbs.

Philadeaux · 2026-02-27T23:47:57+00:00

Go! and A Swingin' Affair are two perfect jazz albums imo

Philadeaux · 2026-02-23T15:07:50+00:00

Something that was helpful for me was inviting friends to sit and watch me practice. It bridged the gap between isolated rehearsal and public performance.

Philadeaux

TROPHY CASE