Stereojack

I think one needs to put things in perspective. Neil Diamond is overrated. Rod Stewart is overrated. Celine Dion is overrated. Jennifer Lopez is overrated. The public knows these people, even though their talents are marginal. Miles may be one of the few jazz musicians whose name is known to the general public, but why begrudge him his fame? He backed it up with world class music. Would you rather that the pubic associate jazz with the likes of Kenny G, Michael Buble, et al? I think it's a good thing that Miles was able to achieve fame and success at least partly through the cult of his personality. I saw Miles many times and the music was never less than thrilling & exceptional. The fact that he has been dead for nearly fifteen years but still commands respectable sales is nothing to be critical about. We'd all like to live in a world where every deserving musician becomes rich and famous, but we don't live in that world. The public's ignorance is not Miles' fault. He was one of the lucky ones, and we should be thankful for that, instead of carping because there may be other artists we like better.

Interesting article - thanks for posting it. As much as I hate the Grammies, I'm curious as hell about Sly, one of the more fascinating self-destruction stories in music. I can't help but think that he's way past ever making any worthwhile music again, but then again, Brian Wilson did come back.

Mr. Whipple Aunt Bluebell Cora

Thankfully!

Killer trombone player! First discovered him on a great Matty Matlock album on Tops, and later on the Rampart Street Paraders albums (which are included on the Condon Mob set). Bobby Hackett's "Coast Concert" features Abe and Jack Teagarden side by side, and it smokes!

I usually have trouble with biopics like this - too much fictionalization. I saw this, however, in spite of my reservations, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was especially impressed with Reese Witherspoon, who in the past seems to have wasted her talents on light fare, but she really nails the June Carter character.

Phil's been a regular customer of mine for years. Nice guy.

How can "one of the greatest ever" be "vastly overrated"? As for the Starbucks customer, he may know the name, but he certainly doesn't know "all about Miles". I've been a jazz fan for over 40 years and this business about Miles' "lack of" technique is older than that. There may be trumpeters who can execute passages faster and cleaner, but nobody made music as compelling as Miles. I would liken Miles to a great actor, a dramatist, who can move audiences not by technical bravura, but with a great sense of drama and pacing. Every time I hear his version of "Stella By Starlight" on "My Funny Valentine", I am reminded of what a brilliant musician he was!

Amanda Bearse Amanda Blake Miss Kitty

Clifford Jordan Clifford Brown Brownian Motian

John Edwards John Kerry Kerry Mills

Ed Wynn Keenan Wynn Kenan Thompson

My understanding is that he was screwed rather badly when he got into bed with the fine folks at Motown.

Marcel Proust Jon Provost Lassie

This occurred to me as well. Being the younger brother of one of the most celebrated actors of recent years had to be a problem for Chris. A lot of people here seem to want to place Chris above Sean in the acting department. Can't buy it, sorry. Sean is at the very least a complicated figure, perhaps even an asshole, but he has moved me in more than one film, and I'll give him his props.

Blossom Dearie Bobby Jaspar Jesper Thilo

He did - in 2004.

Yeah, right, the greatest of all time!

Snowing like hell right now, and I'm getting ready to head out into it! "Blue Monday, how I hate Blue Monday....."

Alice Babs Leon Bibb Bubber Miley

Ming the Merciless Dr. Zarkov Dale Arden

Reed Diamond Jack Ruby Jewel Akens

Don Van Vliet Sleepy La Beef Porky Cohen

Gene Ammons Johnny Almond Peanuts Hucko

P Diddy Daddy Warbucks Duddy Kravitz Howdy Doody