My modus operandi prior to traveling to the States for the summer and Christmas is to replenish my garrison with books and music that I cannot otherwise readily find in Europe. Thus, a week or so before leaving, I always go on Amazon or Ebay and make a large purchase (to be shipped State side). The supply — supplemented throughout the year with local purchases — generally lasts me until the subsequent trip. As a matter of fact, I have only two books left on deck that should last me from now until the time I travel. That’s some pretty good timing! In any event, here is what I have ordered.
Books:
- Netherland: A Novel by Joseph O’Neill;
- De Niro’s Game: A Novel by Rawi Hage;
- Morocco since 1830: A History by C.R. Pennell;
- When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris; and
- Arabia Felix: The Danish Expedition of 1761-1767 by Thorkild Hansen.
Music:
- Max Roach: The Max Roach Trio, Featuring the Legendary Hasaan/Drums Unlimited
- Eric Dolphy: Conversations
- Sam Jones: The Soul Society
- Doug Watkins and Yusef Lateef: Soulnik
- Ernie Henry: Last Chorus
- Jaki Byard: The Jaki Byard Experience.
As a side note, I find myself pretty enthralled these days by reed instruments in freer Jazz, especially the bass clarinet, soprano sax, oboe, bassoon, and flute. Yesterday and today, I have been loading up on
- Yusef Lateef (on flute and tenor sax) from Eastern Sounds;
- Ken McIntyre (on flute, alto sax, bass clarinet, and bassoon) from Hindsight and Home;
- Steve Lacy (soprano sax) from Cecil Taylor’s Jazz Advance;
- Prince Lasha (clarinet and flute) and Sonny Simmons (alto sax and English horn) from their own The Cry and Elvin Jones’ Illumination;
- Sam Rivers (flute, soprano and tenor sax) from The Dave Holland Quartet’s Conference of the Birds; and of course
- Eric Dolphy (flute, alto sax, and bass clarinet) from Iron Man (with Simmons on alto, Prince Lasha on flute, and Clifford Jordan on soprano), Out There and Last Date.
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