Bette Midler - Cool Yule (Columbia). This is a very well done Christmas CD. Midler's voice is in in great form & the backing musicians, from a string orchestra to a big band, are all very good. As I listen to this, I find myself wondering why it never really got the playtime that a lot of other Christmas CDs made back then (2006) did. Maybe because she was already in her early 60s by then and radio wanted youngsters? I am still shaking my head after reading that she turned 80 this year. I had no idea she was 80.

From his numerous posts over the years, I would not have figured Brownie as someone who always listened to free jazz.