J Larsen

That would have been pretty close to the time he went through electro-shock, wouldn't it? That would explain a lot...

His bandmates introduced him as "Rocky" when I saw him. It's indeed pronounced "rocky", and it came from a contraction of his first and middle names - ROger KYnard Erickson. The first Elevators album's a classic, but the second one, "Easter Everywhere", is their real masterpiece. All of the existing commercially available Elevators CDs suck, not to put too fine a point on it; there are various fan-traded needledrops from original mono and stereo LPs out there that are much better. That's a great record, but I haven't spun it in a long time.

His bandmates introduced him as "Rocky" when I saw him.

That song, Fire Engine and Roller Coaster are the highlights - the rest of the songs you're going to like if you are into 60s underground psych and probably not otherwise. I've gone through various phases of liking it more and less.

Understandable - he is a cult figure in rock. Those 13th Floor Elevator records are slightly campy and horribly recorded, but they are also (IMO) among the best of the aggressive psych records of the 60s. The song "You're Gonna Miss Me" had to have been one of the heaviest things that had been recorded at the time. Also, I am really surprised by how good his new band is. Nothing revolutionary, but very solid "bar rock," for lack of a better term.

I've never watched the American version, because by the time it came out the UK version was already on the short list of my favorite shows of all time and I just couldn't risk "ruining it".

So there is going to be more jazz at this rock festival than there is at most jazz festivals.

I've got that on LP - what does "tubey sounding" mean. Should I get the RVG? MG Sounds analog-y...not digital. Tube electronics vs Solid-State electronics. If you've got the Lp, you've already got an RVG...heh... Just as FYI: Solid state electronics (which is really poor terminology, but that's not your fault) are not synonomous with digital.

Free For All

I thought there was a great EP embedded within Ancient Melodies, but the last one was a real bummer for me. I have high hopes for the upcoming record though - hopefully the ecoterrorism song they were playing on the last tour isn't emblematic of their new direction. I just don't hear anything in The National beyond mainstream corporate alternarock - which is to say I just don't get it. Not for me.

Sorry, my comments were specific to renter's contents insurance. The terms are much less favorable under those policies.

I recall my policy being inflexible in terms of how the units are valued - I think it is at the average price of a new cd times the number of cds. BTW, these policies typically have rather low limits - i.e. if you have a huge collection, only a small percentage will be covered. At least that is the case in New York City.

Can't deal w/ The National. I saw Animal Collective on Friday night. They had some good new songs (almost the entire set was new material), but they are definitely going in a more pop direction. They played none of the spaced-out jams that their shows are famous for, all the songs were very stuctured with repeating choruses, etc, and there was extensive use of techno beats. It still managed to be pretty good, though. I think they are about as good of a truly "modern" band as is out there (as opposed to "modern classic" bands, which have come up repeatedly on this thread).

Byrd/Watkins Transition Sessions, Ike Quebec 45s... I feel like there were one or two others but they don't immediately come to mind.

Oh - and that George Braith 2xCD is real hard for me to deal with - I'll give it another try in a couple years. I used to not be able to stand Jimmy Smith, Larry Young or Ike Quebec (who is now one of my absolute faves). When I listen to their respective records now, I often wonder "wtf was wrong with me?"

Not a fan of Gene Harris, most things described as "boogaloo", Reach Out, or late Grant Green. Also not into Cassandra Wilson, Norah Jones, or (ducking) The Sidewinder. Not dissin, just not diggin.

There are many things about the bay area that I don't miss.

I think somewhere on these boards I posted the story of my bat-infested dorm room at Princeton. If not, I'll retell it. What a nightmare that was...

Packed house for Dr. Smith, who did one of the best covers of Come Together (not my fave Beatles song) that I've ever heard. Cool show.

You have to keep in mind that Lonnie plays quite a lot in the city... and it was Tuesday night. I'm seeing him tomorrow night and will report back.

Just got back from Animal Collective - pretty good, although one of their longer new (unreleased) songs sounds way too close to U2/Arcade Fire for my comfort.

Am I the only one who feels like it is often hard to tell one Stitt record from the next? I mean, he's good and all, but...

Yes it is, and frankly a highly disappointing session in my book, w/ all respect to Late... different strokes and all.

That's a relief to hear. I placed a fairly substantial order right before reading LCM's post.

About damn time. It was embarassing how long the gutless Giants allowed Beneitz to disrespect them... I don't think a single person in the management side of that organization has any self-respect whatsoever. Now if they'd just get rid of the other jerk on the team...