JETman

Could've guessed that based on your avatar.

Right. It was the WHOLE bullpen.

Why not? Do you know any bank managers? Do you judge them solely by their abilities as bank managers? Or any other line of work? MG Consider the source of the original statement. And knowing someone is a little different than what's behind statements like these. Do you know any musicians, or any people for that matter, who are beyond reproach? No, I don't. But you have to take people as they are. Which means not ignoring things about them. I think this is a very difficult issue and started a thread about it about a year ago or so. In the end, I think one can't REJECT the music of someone who was insane and murdered his girl friend, or bands whose long-standing tradition was to use their music as propaganda and did so for a repressive and later a murderous political regime. But one can't forget that there is this or that about these people, either. MG You're equating following Scientology to being insane? Listen, I'm as guilty as the next guy when it comes to being judgmental. However, when I did meet Chick at an in-store he was a truly nice guy, and amazingly humble (Boston accent and all, DAN!!!). All of the stuff about his beliefs went out the window for me. There's no arguing that he is a very gifted musician/composer who has alot to offer. In my mind, that's all that matters.

The Mets, IMHO, had a better team than the Rays, AND were picked to win it all. Yes, the injuries are a large part of their failures this year, but they also served to expose Minaya's inability to put together a well-constructed team (ie., the back ups suck big-time). After two straight September collapses and no significant improvements last off-season (well, they did sign K-Rod but its not like the bullpen was to blame for two straight collapses, plus they ended up re-signing that godawful lefty to a ridiculous deal), exactly who picked the Mets to win it all? I know of no one online or in the mainstream media who thought that the Mets would win the pennant, let alone the World Series, and I'd say the vast majority of prognosticators had the Phillies repeating in the division. The Rays, on the other hand, returned the same young and talented starters and everyday players who reached the World Series and added what was expected to be a strong bat at DH in Burrell. In fact, Burrell being awful had something to do with the Rays collapse. "but its not like the bullpen was to blame for two straight collapses" Huh? Does the name Heilman ring a bell? Can't blame you for only following NY baseball from the Bronx, I guess.

The Mets, IMHO, had a better team than the Rays, AND were picked to win it all. Yes, the injuries are a large part of their failures this year, but they also served to expose Minaya's inability to put together a well-constructed team (ie., the back ups suck big-time).

Why not? Do you know any bank managers? Do you judge them solely by their abilities as bank managers? Or any other line of work? MG Consider the source of the original statement. And knowing someone is a little different than what's behind statements like these. Do you know any musicians, or any people for that matter, who are beyond reproach? Some musicians are in fact doing just that!

Wasn't referring to you, Allen ---- my non-"happy bottom quarter" Ivy League status notwithstanding.

Alexander, imo, you're going a little overboard with these Beatles lectures. To each his own. You certainly don't have to read them. Someone else on this thread has said that they are "more confident of their rock knowledge than their jazz knowledge", or words to that effect. Well, that's kind of how I feel about the Beatles. I've literally been listening to them my whole life. Not passively listening either. This is music I know as well as I know myself. They are probably the one artist that I REALLY feel qualified to discuss. Now the flip side of this is that I can come off as a bit of a know-it-all. A few years ago, my wife and I were in the car when a Peter and Gordon single came on the radio (one of the songs Lennon/McCartney had written for them. Possibly "World Without Love," I'm not exactly sure). She asked me, "Is this the Beatles?" I said no, it's Peter and Gordon, but it's a song the Beatles wrote for them. She asked me, "Are you sure?" To which I replied, "Look who you're talking to. Of course I'm sure." I will put my Beatles knowledge (lyrics, trivia, etc.) on the line against anyone else's. Watch out, A. People around here do not like bravado.

I think you'd better reconsider. The Mets have been the most disappointing team in baseball this year, beautiful new stadium and all.

If he were only a Moonie instead of nutjob Scientologist. He may be a "nutjob" as you say (are we still judging musicians on things other than their music?), but the man can still play. He may still be one of the better pianists out there.

I just found this in the upcoming releases section: Henry Threadgill: The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Release Date: Early 2010) Henry Threadgill was among the first wave of distinctive and utterly original artists to emerge from Chicago’s Association for The Advancement of Creative Music along with Muhal Richard Abrams, Anthony Braxton and the member of the Art Ensemble Of Chicago. As a saxophonist, he delivers his unique style with a big, dry sound and precise articulation. As a composer, he was an American original, influenced by the entire spectrum of music. He creates distinctive sonic canvasses for a variety of ensemble. And his work is infused with a wonderfully dry, almost absurdist sense of humor. This set covers three important eras in Threadgill’s career, beginning with the three albums that Air made in 1978-79 for Arista Novus including the celebrated “Air Lore” with unique reinterpretations of the music of Scott Joplin and Jelly Roll Morton. Air was a remarkable co-operative trio formed by Threadgill, bassist Fred Hopkins and drummer Steve McCall in 1975. In 1979, Threadgill made his first album as a leader for Arista Novus. “X-75. Volume 1” featured the unique ensemble of four reeds, four basses and the voice of Amina Claudine Myers. A volume 2 was made and never issued. It is released for the first time in this set. In 1986, Henry formed his Sextett, which consisted of seven musicians! This unique ensemble consisted of trumpet, trombone, cello, bass and two sets of drums as well as Threadgill. Over the next two years, the group recorded three albums, all for RCA Novus and all included here. Threadgill closed out the century with three albums on Columbia (“Carry The Day,” “Makin’ A Move” and “Where’s Your Cup”) recorded between 1994 and ’96 with varying ensembles of unusual instrumentation. This set cover three distinct and fertile peak periods in Threadgill’s long and ever creative career. THIS IS A SET WORTH GETTING EXCITED ABOUT!!!

I may possibly have better grammar, based on the clumsy construction of your second-to-last sentence: On the subjects of the Beatles, Kinks, and using one's alleged credentials to bully others, how about we agree to disagree and move on? Highly doubtful on the grammar front. I was typing while at work with 2 kids nipping at my heels. Enough with the pissing contest. It's easy to make bold, blanket statements while hiding behind your anonymity.

That's because Paul handled most of them when John or George couldn't cut it. And Ray couldn't handle them when Dave couldn't. Let's face it, there was no "Kinksmania" because they just weren't in the same league as the Beatles, or Zep, or whoever. They had a slight resurgence thanks to Eddie VH and David LR, but that's about it. I enjoy 'em as much as the next guy, but there's just not that much there. And btw, Paul's guitar playing was NOT as good as John's or George's. The reason he took over the bass for Stu Sutcliffe was because HE was the least of the three. Still waiting to hear about you. And no, I was not part of the "happy bottom quarter". I happened to have attended one of, if not THE best public high school in America. Whatchugot?

Wasn't talking smack.......just reacting to Spanking the Monkey's "unclear" point. Yet, I don't recall Jimmy Page having to play John or George's guitar parts in the studio!

My friend told me that Beatles fans tend to be UPS drivers with beer guts who wear leather jackets and concert t-shirts on the weekends. Is it the same friend? I do not think that such people would even know the word "micron". Me? I'm an Ivy League graduate! How about you?

Quote from a friend: "If the Beatles are an inch, the Kinks are a micron".

There are many on the Hoffman board who believe that the original cd releases (ie., the Diament masterings) are the best. There are just too many choices and too little time. Me -- I have the original vinyl (which I never play), the 4 cd crop circle box, the 2 cd gap filler box, the 10 cd box, the new 12 cd Japanese box, the BBC stuff, How the West was Won, and the 2 DVD's. Enough? I think so!

And Martha Glaser allowed that?

Thanks for your explanation, Allen. I agree about Shearing, and think that Garner sounds very "loungy" sometimes. As a matter of fact, he's one of the reasons why I just can't listen to many solo piano records anymore.

If Peterson was so "jive-ass", why did so many top-notch musicians play with him? I mean, Ray Brown, for instance, certainly had the stature to call his own shots and get whatever gigs he wanted, whenever he wanted. So why to did he (apparently) choose to back OP up so often? Could it have only been for the mula? FWIW, while I enjoy MANY of OP's records, I do see your points, and am not his biggest fan. But c'mon, he was certainly a top-notch act himself. Btw, I can see many people feeling the same way about Jamal, or Garner for that matter, as they do about Peterson.

What's with the "musician"-speak? Lay it out for us laymen.

Yes, that may be... I'm only into his earlier music, roughly 52-64, after that I don't have that much (well, most of his MPS albums, but he recorded a huge pile of albums I don't feel like getting more of those later ones...) For me, the connection was that the playing of both Tatum and Peterson was largely BOMBASTIC. To these ears, Cole was not.

I tried to enjoy side 2 once again, but it still sounds like cheesy classical to me. Oh well. I think the bigger issue (for me anyway) is how did Yellow Submarine become part of the Beatles' core catalogue?

Guilty as charged --- but I didn't start to like the first five again until I heard them on these remasters!