Mike McInnis
@mikemcinnis.bsky.social
Christian, physician, trombonist, painter, movie buff. Enjoyer of dad jokes and Simpsons quotes. I was @DrMcInnisDIT on Twitter.
Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath - Bremen to Bridgewater
⭐️⭐️
A double live album recorded in 1971 and 1975, and released in 2004. It’s overlong, and frankly the playing is frequently quite sloppy.
Favorites: “Kongi’s Theme”
“Sonia”
“Untitled Original” (the first one)
⭐️⭐️
A double live album recorded in 1971 and 1975, and released in 2004. It’s overlong, and frankly the playing is frequently quite sloppy.
Favorites: “Kongi’s Theme”
“Sonia”
“Untitled Original” (the first one)
November 25, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath - Bremen to Bridgewater
⭐️⭐️
A double live album recorded in 1971 and 1975, and released in 2004. It’s overlong, and frankly the playing is frequently quite sloppy.
Favorites: “Kongi’s Theme”
“Sonia”
“Untitled Original” (the first one)
⭐️⭐️
A double live album recorded in 1971 and 1975, and released in 2004. It’s overlong, and frankly the playing is frequently quite sloppy.
Favorites: “Kongi’s Theme”
“Sonia”
“Untitled Original” (the first one)
Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
McGregor was a South African bandleader and pianist who sought to meld traditional African music with modern jazz, often with great results.
Favorites: “Andromeda”
“MRA”
“Union Special”
Least fave: “Night Poem”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
McGregor was a South African bandleader and pianist who sought to meld traditional African music with modern jazz, often with great results.
Favorites: “Andromeda”
“MRA”
“Union Special”
Least fave: “Night Poem”
November 23, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
McGregor was a South African bandleader and pianist who sought to meld traditional African music with modern jazz, often with great results.
Favorites: “Andromeda”
“MRA”
“Union Special”
Least fave: “Night Poem”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
McGregor was a South African bandleader and pianist who sought to meld traditional African music with modern jazz, often with great results.
Favorites: “Andromeda”
“MRA”
“Union Special”
Least fave: “Night Poem”
Roll ‘Em: 103 Rompin’ Boogie Woogie Classics
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have currently misplaced 3 of 4 discs in this boxed set. But 💯 for detailed chronological tracklist, with dates & personnel.
Favorites: Albert Ammons ”Suitcase Blues”
Professor Longhair “Boogie Woogie”
Least fave: Cecil Gant Trio “Screwy Boogie”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have currently misplaced 3 of 4 discs in this boxed set. But 💯 for detailed chronological tracklist, with dates & personnel.
Favorites: Albert Ammons ”Suitcase Blues”
Professor Longhair “Boogie Woogie”
Least fave: Cecil Gant Trio “Screwy Boogie”
November 22, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Roll ‘Em: 103 Rompin’ Boogie Woogie Classics
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have currently misplaced 3 of 4 discs in this boxed set. But 💯 for detailed chronological tracklist, with dates & personnel.
Favorites: Albert Ammons ”Suitcase Blues”
Professor Longhair “Boogie Woogie”
Least fave: Cecil Gant Trio “Screwy Boogie”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have currently misplaced 3 of 4 discs in this boxed set. But 💯 for detailed chronological tracklist, with dates & personnel.
Favorites: Albert Ammons ”Suitcase Blues”
Professor Longhair “Boogie Woogie”
Least fave: Cecil Gant Trio “Screwy Boogie”
The Carla Bley Big Band Goes to Church
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favorites: “Exaltation/Religious Experience/Major”
“Who Will Rescue You?”
Least fave: “One Way” - nice, but repetitive
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favorites: “Exaltation/Religious Experience/Major”
“Who Will Rescue You?”
Least fave: “One Way” - nice, but repetitive
November 22, 2025 at 6:06 AM
The Carla Bley Big Band Goes to Church
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favorites: “Exaltation/Religious Experience/Major”
“Who Will Rescue You?”
Least fave: “One Way” - nice, but repetitive
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favorites: “Exaltation/Religious Experience/Major”
“Who Will Rescue You?”
Least fave: “One Way” - nice, but repetitive
I think my neighbors may be the Griswolds.
November 21, 2025 at 5:01 AM
I think my neighbors may be the Griswolds.
Carla Bley, Andy Sheppard, Steve Swallow - Songs With Legs
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m a sucker for the drumless jazz trio.
Favorites: “Misterioso”
“The Lord Is Listenin’ to Ya, Hallelujah!” - Shephard’s sax tone is much more reverent than Gary Valente’s trombone
Least fave: “Crazy With You” (pretty but bland)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m a sucker for the drumless jazz trio.
Favorites: “Misterioso”
“The Lord Is Listenin’ to Ya, Hallelujah!” - Shephard’s sax tone is much more reverent than Gary Valente’s trombone
Least fave: “Crazy With You” (pretty but bland)
November 21, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Carla Bley, Andy Sheppard, Steve Swallow - Songs With Legs
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m a sucker for the drumless jazz trio.
Favorites: “Misterioso”
“The Lord Is Listenin’ to Ya, Hallelujah!” - Shephard’s sax tone is much more reverent than Gary Valente’s trombone
Least fave: “Crazy With You” (pretty but bland)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m a sucker for the drumless jazz trio.
Favorites: “Misterioso”
“The Lord Is Listenin’ to Ya, Hallelujah!” - Shephard’s sax tone is much more reverent than Gary Valente’s trombone
Least fave: “Crazy With You” (pretty but bland)
The Very Big Carla Bley Band
⭐️⭐️⭐️
A welcome return to form after all that dreadful smooth jazz.
Favorites: “Who Will Rescue You?”
“All Fall Down”
Least Favorite: “United States”—it is good, but meandering
⭐️⭐️⭐️
A welcome return to form after all that dreadful smooth jazz.
Favorites: “Who Will Rescue You?”
“All Fall Down”
Least Favorite: “United States”—it is good, but meandering
November 20, 2025 at 2:55 AM
The Very Big Carla Bley Band
⭐️⭐️⭐️
A welcome return to form after all that dreadful smooth jazz.
Favorites: “Who Will Rescue You?”
“All Fall Down”
Least Favorite: “United States”—it is good, but meandering
⭐️⭐️⭐️
A welcome return to form after all that dreadful smooth jazz.
Favorites: “Who Will Rescue You?”
“All Fall Down”
Least Favorite: “United States”—it is good, but meandering
Carla Bley - Sextet
⭐️
More boring elevator music.
Favorites: “Healing Power”
“Lawns”
Least favorite: pretty much a four-way tie between the rest of the album (although “The Girl Who Cried Champagne” is halfway decent)
⭐️
More boring elevator music.
Favorites: “Healing Power”
“Lawns”
Least favorite: pretty much a four-way tie between the rest of the album (although “The Girl Who Cried Champagne” is halfway decent)
November 19, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Carla Bley - Sextet
⭐️
More boring elevator music.
Favorites: “Healing Power”
“Lawns”
Least favorite: pretty much a four-way tie between the rest of the album (although “The Girl Who Cried Champagne” is halfway decent)
⭐️
More boring elevator music.
Favorites: “Healing Power”
“Lawns”
Least favorite: pretty much a four-way tie between the rest of the album (although “The Girl Who Cried Champagne” is halfway decent)
Carla Bley with Steve Swallow - Night-Glo
⭐️⭐️
The first two tracks are VERY bland smooth jazz, but then the record improves somewhat. She has some big names in the band, though: Randy Brecker, Hiram Bullock, Tom Malone.
Favorites: “Rut”
“Wildlife”
Least favorite: “Pretend You’re In Love”
⭐️⭐️
The first two tracks are VERY bland smooth jazz, but then the record improves somewhat. She has some big names in the band, though: Randy Brecker, Hiram Bullock, Tom Malone.
Favorites: “Rut”
“Wildlife”
Least favorite: “Pretend You’re In Love”
November 16, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Carla Bley with Steve Swallow - Night-Glo
⭐️⭐️
The first two tracks are VERY bland smooth jazz, but then the record improves somewhat. She has some big names in the band, though: Randy Brecker, Hiram Bullock, Tom Malone.
Favorites: “Rut”
“Wildlife”
Least favorite: “Pretend You’re In Love”
⭐️⭐️
The first two tracks are VERY bland smooth jazz, but then the record improves somewhat. She has some big names in the band, though: Randy Brecker, Hiram Bullock, Tom Malone.
Favorites: “Rut”
“Wildlife”
Least favorite: “Pretend You’re In Love”
Carla Bley - Heavy Heart
⭐️⭐️
Sigh. This synth-y sound penetrated EVERYTHING in the 80s, didn’t it? The compositions are strong, but the arrangements and instrumentation leave much to be desired.
Favorites: “Ending It”
Least favorite: “Talking Hearts”
⭐️⭐️
Sigh. This synth-y sound penetrated EVERYTHING in the 80s, didn’t it? The compositions are strong, but the arrangements and instrumentation leave much to be desired.
Favorites: “Ending It”
Least favorite: “Talking Hearts”
November 15, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Carla Bley - Heavy Heart
⭐️⭐️
Sigh. This synth-y sound penetrated EVERYTHING in the 80s, didn’t it? The compositions are strong, but the arrangements and instrumentation leave much to be desired.
Favorites: “Ending It”
Least favorite: “Talking Hearts”
⭐️⭐️
Sigh. This synth-y sound penetrated EVERYTHING in the 80s, didn’t it? The compositions are strong, but the arrangements and instrumentation leave much to be desired.
Favorites: “Ending It”
Least favorite: “Talking Hearts”
The Carla Bley Band - I Hate To Sing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Carla’s offbeat sense of humor shines throughout this excellent album, especially on side 1.
Favorites: “The Piano Lesson”
“Very, Very Simple”
“I Hate to Sing”
Least favorite: “Battleship” is good, but seems out of place on this otherwise funny record.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Carla’s offbeat sense of humor shines throughout this excellent album, especially on side 1.
Favorites: “The Piano Lesson”
“Very, Very Simple”
“I Hate to Sing”
Least favorite: “Battleship” is good, but seems out of place on this otherwise funny record.
November 15, 2025 at 2:08 AM
The Carla Bley Band - I Hate To Sing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Carla’s offbeat sense of humor shines throughout this excellent album, especially on side 1.
Favorites: “The Piano Lesson”
“Very, Very Simple”
“I Hate to Sing”
Least favorite: “Battleship” is good, but seems out of place on this otherwise funny record.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Carla’s offbeat sense of humor shines throughout this excellent album, especially on side 1.
Favorites: “The Piano Lesson”
“Very, Very Simple”
“I Hate to Sing”
Least favorite: “Battleship” is good, but seems out of place on this otherwise funny record.
Carla Bley - Live!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favorite: “The Lord is Listenin’ to Ya, Hallelujah!”
“Song Sung Long” - nice jazz funk tune
Least favorite: “Time and Us” - it sounds like easy listening music (a sound that, sadly, Carla would fully embrace within a couple of years of this recording)
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favorite: “The Lord is Listenin’ to Ya, Hallelujah!”
“Song Sung Long” - nice jazz funk tune
Least favorite: “Time and Us” - it sounds like easy listening music (a sound that, sadly, Carla would fully embrace within a couple of years of this recording)
November 14, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Carla Bley - Live!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favorite: “The Lord is Listenin’ to Ya, Hallelujah!”
“Song Sung Long” - nice jazz funk tune
Least favorite: “Time and Us” - it sounds like easy listening music (a sound that, sadly, Carla would fully embrace within a couple of years of this recording)
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favorite: “The Lord is Listenin’ to Ya, Hallelujah!”
“Song Sung Long” - nice jazz funk tune
Least favorite: “Time and Us” - it sounds like easy listening music (a sound that, sadly, Carla would fully embrace within a couple of years of this recording)
Carla Bley - Social Studies
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I especially love the cover.
Favorite: “Copyright Royalties” - So smooth and beautiful… even Ellingtonesque!
Least favorite: “Valse Sinistre”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I especially love the cover.
Favorite: “Copyright Royalties” - So smooth and beautiful… even Ellingtonesque!
Least favorite: “Valse Sinistre”
November 13, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Carla Bley - Social Studies
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I especially love the cover.
Favorite: “Copyright Royalties” - So smooth and beautiful… even Ellingtonesque!
Least favorite: “Valse Sinistre”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I especially love the cover.
Favorite: “Copyright Royalties” - So smooth and beautiful… even Ellingtonesque!
Least favorite: “Valse Sinistre”
The Carla Bley Band - Musique Mechanique
⭐️⭐️⭐️
When it’s good, it’s VERY good!
Favorites: “Jesus Maria and other Spanish Strains”
“Musique Mechanique III” - I love when the band fakes the sound of a skipping record
Least favorite: “Musique Mechanique II” - dull lyrics and poor singing
⭐️⭐️⭐️
When it’s good, it’s VERY good!
Favorites: “Jesus Maria and other Spanish Strains”
“Musique Mechanique III” - I love when the band fakes the sound of a skipping record
Least favorite: “Musique Mechanique II” - dull lyrics and poor singing
November 12, 2025 at 1:01 AM
The Carla Bley Band - Musique Mechanique
⭐️⭐️⭐️
When it’s good, it’s VERY good!
Favorites: “Jesus Maria and other Spanish Strains”
“Musique Mechanique III” - I love when the band fakes the sound of a skipping record
Least favorite: “Musique Mechanique II” - dull lyrics and poor singing
⭐️⭐️⭐️
When it’s good, it’s VERY good!
Favorites: “Jesus Maria and other Spanish Strains”
“Musique Mechanique III” - I love when the band fakes the sound of a skipping record
Least favorite: “Musique Mechanique II” - dull lyrics and poor singing
The Carla Bley Band - European Tour 1977
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favorite: “Spangled Banner Minor” - chaotic, crazy fun!
Least favorite: “Rose and Sad Song”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favorite: “Spangled Banner Minor” - chaotic, crazy fun!
Least favorite: “Rose and Sad Song”
November 11, 2025 at 4:30 AM
The Carla Bley Band - European Tour 1977
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favorite: “Spangled Banner Minor” - chaotic, crazy fun!
Least favorite: “Rose and Sad Song”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favorite: “Spangled Banner Minor” - chaotic, crazy fun!
Least favorite: “Rose and Sad Song”
Carla Bley - Dinner Music
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Utterly accessible (moreso than a lot of her records)
Favorite: “Sing Me Softly of the Blues” - If you look up ‘banger’ in the dictionary…
“Ad Infinitum”
“Funnybird Song”
Least favorite: “Dining Alone”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Utterly accessible (moreso than a lot of her records)
Favorite: “Sing Me Softly of the Blues” - If you look up ‘banger’ in the dictionary…
“Ad Infinitum”
“Funnybird Song”
Least favorite: “Dining Alone”
November 10, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Carla Bley - Dinner Music
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Utterly accessible (moreso than a lot of her records)
Favorite: “Sing Me Softly of the Blues” - If you look up ‘banger’ in the dictionary…
“Ad Infinitum”
“Funnybird Song”
Least favorite: “Dining Alone”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Utterly accessible (moreso than a lot of her records)
Favorite: “Sing Me Softly of the Blues” - If you look up ‘banger’ in the dictionary…
“Ad Infinitum”
“Funnybird Song”
Least favorite: “Dining Alone”
“Honey, we’re all out vegan water. Will you pick some up at the store?”
November 8, 2025 at 7:51 PM
“Honey, we’re all out vegan water. Will you pick some up at the store?”
Carla Bley - Tropic Appetites
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Deliberately weird. I like it, but it’s not for everyone.
Favorite: “Indonesian Dock Sucking Supreme” - Bizarre, free-jazz cacophony gives way to a blistering, distorted electric bass solo—cool!
Least favorite: “Caucasian Bird Riffles”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Deliberately weird. I like it, but it’s not for everyone.
Favorite: “Indonesian Dock Sucking Supreme” - Bizarre, free-jazz cacophony gives way to a blistering, distorted electric bass solo—cool!
Least favorite: “Caucasian Bird Riffles”
November 8, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Carla Bley - Tropic Appetites
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Deliberately weird. I like it, but it’s not for everyone.
Favorite: “Indonesian Dock Sucking Supreme” - Bizarre, free-jazz cacophony gives way to a blistering, distorted electric bass solo—cool!
Least favorite: “Caucasian Bird Riffles”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Deliberately weird. I like it, but it’s not for everyone.
Favorite: “Indonesian Dock Sucking Supreme” - Bizarre, free-jazz cacophony gives way to a blistering, distorted electric bass solo—cool!
Least favorite: “Caucasian Bird Riffles”
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - Americana Deluxe
⭐️⭐️
I have mixed feelings about most 1990s neo-swing bands. So many of their original tunes have terrible lyrics and are pretty derivative musically. Plus, their overall vibe is often very icky.
Favorite: “Mambo Swing”
Least favorite: “Mr Pinstripe Suit”
⭐️⭐️
I have mixed feelings about most 1990s neo-swing bands. So many of their original tunes have terrible lyrics and are pretty derivative musically. Plus, their overall vibe is often very icky.
Favorite: “Mambo Swing”
Least favorite: “Mr Pinstripe Suit”
November 8, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - Americana Deluxe
⭐️⭐️
I have mixed feelings about most 1990s neo-swing bands. So many of their original tunes have terrible lyrics and are pretty derivative musically. Plus, their overall vibe is often very icky.
Favorite: “Mambo Swing”
Least favorite: “Mr Pinstripe Suit”
⭐️⭐️
I have mixed feelings about most 1990s neo-swing bands. So many of their original tunes have terrible lyrics and are pretty derivative musically. Plus, their overall vibe is often very icky.
Favorite: “Mambo Swing”
Least favorite: “Mr Pinstripe Suit”
Starting to sketch out a couple of new Simpsons album covers to paint
November 7, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Starting to sketch out a couple of new Simpsons album covers to paint
Frank Bennett - Cash Landing
⭐️
Cute concept (Sinatra-esque swing versions of songs about money & power), but the vocals are consistently cheesy. And I don’t really want to hear “Material Girl” sung by a lounge singer.
Favorite: “Money”
Least favorite: “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”
⭐️
Cute concept (Sinatra-esque swing versions of songs about money & power), but the vocals are consistently cheesy. And I don’t really want to hear “Material Girl” sung by a lounge singer.
Favorite: “Money”
Least favorite: “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”
November 7, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Frank Bennett - Cash Landing
⭐️
Cute concept (Sinatra-esque swing versions of songs about money & power), but the vocals are consistently cheesy. And I don’t really want to hear “Material Girl” sung by a lounge singer.
Favorite: “Money”
Least favorite: “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”
⭐️
Cute concept (Sinatra-esque swing versions of songs about money & power), but the vocals are consistently cheesy. And I don’t really want to hear “Material Girl” sung by a lounge singer.
Favorite: “Money”
Least favorite: “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”
Louie Bellson and His Jazz Orchestra
⭐️⭐️⭐️
One of the first jazz records I ever really listened to. My Dad had it on vinyl, and for some reason it grabbed me.
Favorites: “It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing”
“Flyin’ Home”
“Body and Soul”
Least favorite: “Why Do I Love You?”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
One of the first jazz records I ever really listened to. My Dad had it on vinyl, and for some reason it grabbed me.
Favorites: “It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing”
“Flyin’ Home”
“Body and Soul”
Least favorite: “Why Do I Love You?”
November 6, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Louie Bellson and His Jazz Orchestra
⭐️⭐️⭐️
One of the first jazz records I ever really listened to. My Dad had it on vinyl, and for some reason it grabbed me.
Favorites: “It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing”
“Flyin’ Home”
“Body and Soul”
Least favorite: “Why Do I Love You?”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
One of the first jazz records I ever really listened to. My Dad had it on vinyl, and for some reason it grabbed me.
Favorites: “It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing”
“Flyin’ Home”
“Body and Soul”
Least favorite: “Why Do I Love You?”
Bix Biederbecke and the Chicago Cornets
⭐️⭐️⭐️
These recordings are over 100 years old! A compilation of several different 1924 bands, all featuring Biederbecke on cornet.
Favorites: “Lazy Daddy”
“I’m Glad ”
Least favorite: “When My Sugar Walks Down the Street”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
These recordings are over 100 years old! A compilation of several different 1924 bands, all featuring Biederbecke on cornet.
Favorites: “Lazy Daddy”
“I’m Glad ”
Least favorite: “When My Sugar Walks Down the Street”
November 5, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Bix Biederbecke and the Chicago Cornets
⭐️⭐️⭐️
These recordings are over 100 years old! A compilation of several different 1924 bands, all featuring Biederbecke on cornet.
Favorites: “Lazy Daddy”
“I’m Glad ”
Least favorite: “When My Sugar Walks Down the Street”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
These recordings are over 100 years old! A compilation of several different 1924 bands, all featuring Biederbecke on cornet.
Favorites: “Lazy Daddy”
“I’m Glad ”
Least favorite: “When My Sugar Walks Down the Street”
Celebrating the Best of Jazz: Count Basie
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Better than the previous budget compilation, if only because it includes fewer vocalese performances. (Addition by subtraction!)
Favorites: “Jumpin’ at the Woodside”
“All of Me”
“Every Tub”
Least favorites: “Going to Chicago Blues”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Better than the previous budget compilation, if only because it includes fewer vocalese performances. (Addition by subtraction!)
Favorites: “Jumpin’ at the Woodside”
“All of Me”
“Every Tub”
Least favorites: “Going to Chicago Blues”
November 4, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Celebrating the Best of Jazz: Count Basie
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Better than the previous budget compilation, if only because it includes fewer vocalese performances. (Addition by subtraction!)
Favorites: “Jumpin’ at the Woodside”
“All of Me”
“Every Tub”
Least favorites: “Going to Chicago Blues”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Better than the previous budget compilation, if only because it includes fewer vocalese performances. (Addition by subtraction!)
Favorites: “Jumpin’ at the Woodside”
“All of Me”
“Every Tub”
Least favorites: “Going to Chicago Blues”