Stereojack

These are a great place to start. Mel's solid musicianship and Paich's ingenious charts are a great match. I was put off by the hipster thing for a long time, but about 30 years ago, a fan turned me on to "Live at the Maisonette", which I really liked. The cat can really sing! Aside from a few 60's albums on which Mel was forced (?) to sing a few inappropriate tunes like "Secret Agent Man", Mel's catalog is quite strong. In his later years, the voice was not quite as supple, but the style is intact. I like all of his Concord records. Recently on YouTube I saw an early 70's TV performance on which Mel sang the Paul Williams song (made famous by the Carpenters) "I Won't Last a Day Without You". I'd never paid much attention to the song, but I gotta say Mel nailed it! He hits and holds a note at the end that took my breath away. BIG fan here!

When I was kid, there was a chain around Boston called Joe & Nemo's. They specialized in hot dogs, and the best way to have it was "all around" - mustard, relish, chopped onions. I still like it that way today. The first time I went to New York, I discovered sauerkraut on a dog - mighty good! In San Francisco a few years ago, I went to a place that offered fresh chopped tomatoes as an option - liked that too!

This news is really heartbreaking, although it's not hard to understand Jim's frustration with the strain on his time and finances. Like others here, I have no problem with a membership fee or dues of some kind to keep this thing going. If it doesn't happen, I'd like to join the group of people who have expressed their gratitude to Jim and the band for providing this forum. I lurk at another forum, but post a lot more here. Chris, my e-mail is stereoj@comcast.net

A lot of hate out there for "The Little Drummer Boy". Have any of you ever heard Kenny Burrell's very hip version? I HATE "Santa Baby", or just about anything else by Eartha Kitt, for that matter. Don't think I've heard Madonna's version - I've been lucky up to now, I guess.

Many years ago I saw Cecil at a club here in Boston. I went up to him between sets to ask him to autograph an LP, and was caught off guard with how friendly he was. He signed it "Love and Be-Bop, Cecil Payne"

I don't think they've ever topped The Who Sell Out - a masterpiece from start to finish! I gave up on them after Who's Next. By this time they had become just another boring arena act. I loved Tommy at the time it came out, but have been thoroughly tired of it for a long time. Never cared for Live at Leeds. I think they were still finding their way on My Generation, and Happy Jack/A Quick One has a few good songs, but they really hit their stride with Sell Out. Another corner heard from... (edited for typo)

Henry Kissinger Frank Balinger The Jazz Messengers

Just got home from seeing it tonight. Thoroughly absorbing - definitely among the Coens' best. At the end I felt there were unanswered questions, but ultimately decided that the details didn't matter. It was the way the journey unfolded, and the unswerving single-mindedness of the Javier Bardem character, that were at the center of the movie.

Chas Chandler Jeff Chandler Joel Chandler Harris

I'd heard that the band had finally gained the rights to their name, but apparently there are still unresolved issues between Katz and CBS. It could be that Katz threatened legal action, and CBS just decided that fighting him wasn't worth the expense.

Interesting - I'm pretty happy with the sound on the LP set. I was referring to the CD set. I would expect that the vinyl set was better.

Kinda like the George Braith Blue Note 2-fer? Looked good on paper, not very happening.

Generally I've got a pretty high opinion of Mosaic, but they have dropped the ball a couple of times. The sound quality on the Art Blakey set was poor, and I can't understand the reasoning behind the Duke Pearson Select, which contains some of his weakest material.

I had a similar reaction. I also felt that Washington's portrayal, despite his statements otherwise in interviews, probably made Lucas seem a little more likeable than he actually was at the time. Washington was far more convincing of a bad guy in "Training Day". I agree with the above opinions, although I will say, that at 2 hours and 40 minutes, it moved right along, and I found it very entertaining. The performance from Russell Crowe was surprisingly low-key. Some fine characters in the secondary roles, especially Ruby Dee. I did find the portrayal of Lucas' well-oiled operation very interesting.

James King King Donovan Donovan Leitch

West Nkosi Cozy Cole Cole Younger

Lady Godiva Chocolate Williams Barbara Hershey

Fiona Apple Allen Orange MIlton Banana

Santo Pecora Peck Kelly Emmett Kelly

Kingman Barstow San Bernardino

Barton Fink Michael Mann Fuzzy Knight

Steve Buscemi Joe Bucci Bucky Pizzarelli

Duncan Hines Fatha Hines Big Mama Thornton

Daniel Day Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis Julie Louis Dreyfus

Zebulon Pike Pick Withers Pookie Hudson