stephenrr

Amazing to watch septuagenarians rock and roll for two hours. The Rolling Stones show was basically a greatest hits extravaganza, but that's probably what we want anyway. Surprised by the loudness, but loved it. Mick has so much energy. Ron Wood is a terror. Keith without makeup or dreads shows his age but still shreds the old lines. Charlie at 80+ is a drumming marvel and if i did see Keith offer a hand to help him descend from the kit I'll never say.

The Rolling Stones at Soldier Field. Another "bucket-list" item.

The Tolliver set is smoking....my favorite Mosaic Select. And thats a great price for a relatively rare set.

Pre-sale starts today...1000 spots available...$230 for six vinyl albums, access to social media Facebook site, access to three podcasts and..."some extra surprises along the way." Sounds expensive, elitist, and overly curated.

Seen Van 3 times in the past 3 years...and tickets to see him in Chicago in April. He never really engages with the audience...no stories...no jokes...no banter. But the band is tight and largely jazz/blues/R&B oriented. He remains, IMO, a total original vocal interpreter of whatever he choses to sing. Goosebumps, tears, and loud cheers are my physical response. The man somehow manages to weave some magic sort of soul that speaks to me at a deep, subconscious level. For me, the experience is worth 10 times the price of a ticket.

It warmed up to -16 this morning but the wind has calmed significantly. 30 MPH gusts Wednesday brought wind chill to -50 during the day. Cabin fever is rising...looking forward to Monday when high is anticipated to be 51.

2008 Dom Perignon, 2008 Roederer Cristal, Jacques Selosse NV Substance, 2013 Cedric Bouchard "Roses de Jeanne" Borloree, NV Cedric Bouchard "Roses de Jeanne" Vilaine for New Years Day. Five great bottles of champagne, five pounds of king crab legs, rare beef tenderloin sliders and six very good friends. A very happy new year 'y'all.

I like Van's latest "The Prophet Speaks"...but I'm still loving his double blues album "Roll With the Punches" a bit more. And my birthday present to myself in late April is tickets to see Van at The Chicago Theatre. Van in April, Stones in June...looks like a geriatric summer for me.

I also have only a marginal interest at the moment for the music. But if I have learned anything over the past 10 years of my odyssey into jazz, I will in all likelihood move in that direction and kick myself in the butt for buying on the secondary market after Mosaic sells though their limited run. Basically a no-brainer. "Sold!"

PM sent on the Lee Morgan and Wayne Shorter set.

Donation sent. Thanks once again, Jim for all you do to keep this place operating.

Lucky enough to have seen Paul and company last month in Chicago on his self-admitted "retirement tour". He is traveling with the six-piece "neo-chamber" ensemble consisting of string-trio, flute, clarinet, and trumpet. An interesting crossover from classical and pop on a couple of lessor-known Paul Simon songs. And he always has a kick-ass small brass trio to assist in those lively salsa accented tunes from the 70's. The voice? A bit weak and wavery on the first tune. But he settled in and seemed to grow stronger as the night progressed. A living legend who still seems able to bring it and enjoy doing it. The solo acoustic version of Song of Silence was worth the price of admission and managed to bring a tear to my jaded eyes. Dylan and Paul Simon are America's greatest living songwriters. See him while you can.

Thanks...celebrated by spinning all four LPs of the Mosaic Bud Powell (better than I recalled) and a couple of Pappy Van Winkle rye Manhattans (doesn't get any better). Finally capable of filing for full Social Security. An "old-fart trifecta", I guess.

Jim, a huge "thank you" for your behind the scenes contributions to keep this place up and running. Your time and money are appreciated more than you know. Of course we need to pitch in for the upgrade. Count on my contributions to continue on a more frequent basis. Happy New Year to you and yours.

Thanks for the input...In for second show of George Coleman Friday night. Checked out the other options...between Fred Hersch Trio at the Vangard and Coleman. Happy to see a couple living legends. Both the Saturday shows look amazing, but I think Saturday's given over to Broadway. But you're entirely right about the abundance of current options.

Tagging along on wife's conference in Manhattan. Any hidden gems this coming weekend: Friday Nov 3 or Saturday Nov 4?

Mosaic has been selling sets on eBay for the past couple years. I've purchased ten or so but I'm buying mostly the LP sets. I did pick up the Chico Hamilton Quintet cd set for around $135 shipped. It arrived today in your basic Mosaic box with all the bubble wrap. Welcome to the board.

Thanks for the heads up. Loved the sound clips and ordered both on LP.

Demo for new kitchen and extensive renovation of adjoining bath begins May 15. All new Subzero-Wolf appliances; all new custom oak cabinets; new tile floor; new lighting; all new granite. Turning half bath into full with deep soaker tub, glass walled shower with body jets. Estimated 6 week project with estimated budget of well over six figures. Yes. Construction projects are extremely expensive. My advice, find a contracter who speaks spanish--I'll wager he knows a master craftsman tile person. All three of our bathrooms are works of art due to floor, wall, and ceiling tile.

I agree with your choices, Lon. The reason Sgt. Pepper tops my list is my individual history. Being a huge fan from 63 on, I vividly recall racing home from the store on my bike with the record on the first day it arrived in the wilds of Eastern Washington State. I remember placing the vinyl on the tiny record player AND hearing something totally fucking new; something that changed my life forever. I pre-ordered the 6-disc set.

Paypal on it's way. Thanks again Jim; love the new CD.

Date night. We saw Ricardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony in a program featuring Rossini's Overture to Semiramide, Yefim Bronfman as soloist in Beethoven's Piano Concerto #4, and Mendelssohn's Reformation Symphony. The Beethoven was wonderful, the Rossini was totally new to me, and the Mendelssohn was inspiring. We are indeed fortunate in Chicago to have such an Orchestra and Maestro Muti at this stage of his career.

The wines were just about in the sweet spot, the strawberries a bit too early. But even underripe berries are good with enough dark chocolate. I admit to being a wine geek.

My wife is CFO of a successful Private Equity firm; thus Valentine's Day becomes extremely competitive among her office-mates. I've learned to go big or go home with the flower delivery. However it's amateur night on the restaurant scene, so it's two inch filets at home with 2002 Taittinger Comptes de Champagne, 1994 Dominus that I just poured into a decanter, and chocolate covered strawberries.

Jim...absolutely bowled over by the cover art! Kudos...I feel like a kid at Christmas.