Can I Have My Money Back?

The great jazz pianist and composer Horace Silver.
Excellent rock and blues drummer Dallas Taylor.

to you Mikey for the loss of your dear friend Mr. Reina, and to his family. It's sad, its seems that lately we are losing the ones that gave us so much enjoyment way too soon and much too often.

I heard the sad news about Renbourn this morning. He was one of my favorite musicians. Fortunately for me, I saw him play twice, once with Bert Jansch, also now gone. I was a big Pentangle fan in my youth and it's all very sad. I also saw Clark Terry in 2000 at an Ellington Centennial concert, which was magical (Louis Bellson played, too). So it goes...

Mr.Fremer,
I sorry to hear of your personal losses as well as the losses to the audiophile / music community. A wise person once told me you will have two periods of great loss in your life, (if you're lucky enough to not be among them), one will be in your 50's-60's when you will see your mentors, associates, older relatives and buddies pass. The second will be in your 70's-90's when everyone else you knew is gone including your ex wives and old girlfriends. The secret to going on is realizing it's our turn to carry the torch for everything these people have achieved and to pass on the tribal knowledge.....
God be with....

I agree; this tidal wave is far too much. John was a personal hero. Mostly I'm a conductor/arts administrator/trombonist, but I'm also a serious fingerstyle guitar gigger/student (student of Laurence Juber). One of the great things about being in the folk guitar scene is the fantastic approachability/friends among the players. John was always so nice to this relative rookie, and helpful as well. He also showed us the way; solo folk guitarists could tour on our own and make a go of it. John and Kottke were pioneers in that way. I miss him already.
Mike, I met Jon Iverson today. Very swell person for a digital guy. ;-)

Last week saw the passing of Jackie Trent, who wrote songs for the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Petula Clark and, er, Stoke City Football Club.

Long time colleague and friend of Clark Terry, Doc Severinson, is still not only alive but kicking as well at the age of about 86. He is still traveling the country and performing. I heard him a few years ago at 83 and he was sounding at 95% of what he always has been. Remarkable.

Who enjoy the longevity of Severinson or who will survive the pressures of a full time performing career. While Marsalis is a wonderful technician able to play in the classical and jazz idiom, Severinson has done it since about 1947. So for Marsalis that means he will have to be playing until about 2060 to equal that career. Rots a ruck!

I was hoping it was just a rumor but heard that Kirk Bodinet of SOTA passed away a few days ago. A sad day today just got even sadder.

Jack Bruce possibly the greatest of all rock bass players
passed away. The first to play lead bass with one of the
great voices in rock. Jack Bruce will be missed. RIP

Of course always loved Doc Severinsen's playing and banter back and forth with Johnny but never owned any of his recordings. A few years ago while crate digging at a Good Will Store I found a copy of his LP titled Tempestuous Trumpet Doc Severinsen and his Orchestra on Command Records RS 819 SD in NM condition. Cleaned it with my VPI record cleaning machine and WOW what a stereo recording, if you find one buy it. It was released in 1961 and is one of those LPs that make your wonder why can't they all sound
this realistic, this engaging and this Tempestous. Again, it you find this album take it home, you will be happy you did.

Sad to learn of the recent loss of Orin Keepnews who contributed so much to the recording of jazz music with many many great releases on the Riverside and Milestone labels. He will be missed.

We are blessed to have been alive and know so many who are now passing away.
Life is wonderful, but it is always punctuated by death at the end, and nothing sucks with more finality than death.
How cool that we can carry our memories of musicians forward by spinning some of their vinyl.

I must mention the passing of one of my favorite bands keyboardist Jimmy Greenspoon of Three Dog Night.

I vaguely recall a scene in Zorba the Greek where, after a tragic loss, the Zorba and his friend get up and join in the dance. In the face of death, we say "yes" to music.

Blood,Sweat & Tears trumpeter Lew Soloff, Crickets bassist Joe Maulden, & record producer Kim Fowley

as I continue in this life, I'll very much miss Bob Reina's music reviews. He is one of THE reasons why I use to subscribe to Stereophile.

Too much death, and now Percy Sledge has left us too. We're losing the greats in music and audio too soon. It's sad.

That is truly sad. I also will greatly miss his reviews in Stereophile.

Re. John Renbourn, I was a Pentangle fan. I was lucky enough to hear John Renbourn with Jacqui McShee in the Harvard Chapel a bit later on. Magical!

On the positive side, last Fall I heard Dave Grusin (with Lee Ritenour) in Santa Fe. At 80 (and 63) neither one has lost a step. First set with full string section, second set the coats and ties came off for a really good jazz quartet.

Hi Michael.  I am Paul's daughter Genna. Thinking about my dad, I decided to google him and I found your blog post. Thank you for the kind words about my dad, they warm my heart. I wonder if you ever decide to dig up your tapes/CDs of the Mondial Sessions if you would be willing to share them with me?