As good as The Water is Wide is, and it is, Hyperion For Higgins refuses to take a back seat, particularly after repeated listenings. This is a fabulous CD, especially given the songs are ostensibly outtakes from the "Water" sessions. An oldie that's new to me and ranks as my best purchase for 2001 is Leroy Vinnegar "Walking The Basses". The thing smokes. Danke JT. The title escapes me, but the new Eric Reed is frighteningly good, right out of the gate. Biggest surprise of the year.
Best jazz either purchased or released in 2001
As the year ends, I was reviewing the jazz CDs and LPs I've acquired this year and deciding on my favorites. I realized that I could widely expand this list by asking other Audiogoners to contribute their listings too! What is (are) the best recordings you've bought this year? They can be old recordings you just discovered this year or recordings released in '01. For myself, for starters, Bill Frisell's Blues Dream; Shelley Manne at the Manne Hole vols. 1-5; and Paul Desmond, Best of, bought used at a used CD shop. Thanks for any and all contributions, and Happy New Year!