Big Al

Can't think of a more appropriate way to say goodbye to 2006.

Hey, that's the day I was born! Weren't you considered risky at the time as well?

At least Concord has a sense of humor about their screw-ups. Heck, I'm gonna go out and get the screwed-up version now!

That's the spirit!

Listen to more Bird.

Don't know that one. Always thought the sleeve looked a bit too cleverclogs for me. MG It's a very nice date with what I consider to be the definitive recording of Earl Zindars' "Elsa." Get it for that alone. Coming from you, Al, I think I'd better. MG I'm honored!

Don't know that one. Always thought the sleeve looked a bit too cleverclogs for me. MG It's a very nice date with what I consider to be the definitive recording of Earl Zindars' "Elsa." Get it for that alone.

Stop visiting internet bulleting boards. Solve that one, and everything else pretty much takes care of itself.

Just catchin' up on this thread. Thanks man!!!

You have that on vinyl? I am sooooooo jealous. I'll be completely green with envy if you tell me it's a mono copy.

Oh, come on: you like the Waitresses. Admit it!

I've always liked Riverside's sound. I enjoy so many of the albums on that label, particularly Bill Evans MOON BEAMS and HOW MY HEART SINGS. The 4-CD overview that came out some years back is a very nice starting point, and led me to many other artists on the Riverside roster. Hope to post more later.

What about Styx and the Contemporary Youth Orchestra? You are NOT funny!

Same here!

I basically listen to two types of music, rock & jazz. So since this ain't jazz, here's my list of new releases I bought this year, in no particular order: MORPH THE CAT-Donald Fagen. My favorite of his solo albums (yes, even moreso than NIGHTFLY), and AFAIC the best Steely Dan album never made. This album made me go back and check out the Dan's two most recent albums, and while they had their moments and were overall enjoyable, neither of them had the weary beauty of MORPH. YEAH!-Def Leppard. Their best album ever, which really isn't saying much. Loud, forceful, in-yer-face, unapologetic; this is what covers albums should always sound like. RATHER RIPPED-Sonic Youth. I'll always be biased towards SY (sorry clem). Their last three albums have been consistently solid, getting better with each release, and this album is no exception. What gives this album the edge for me is that Kim Gordon actually sings on ALL of her songs, instead of skronking thru some of them. She's got one helluva sultry voice! LIVING WITH WAR-Neil Young. Totally agree with what Alex said. I think I played this nonstop for about three weeks when it came out. Hopefully, one day we'll be able to look back at this album as nothing more than a souvenir of a dark time in our nation's history. I don't think I'll live long enough to see that day, though. I AM NOT AFRAID OF YOU AND I WILL BEAT YOUR ASS-Yo La Tengo. Okay, I don't have this yet, and I'm just going by clips I heard at Amazon. But it wins title of the year for me anyway, and I will be buying this first chance I get! THESE DAYS-Vince Gill. The White Album of country music. This is REAL country, AFAIC, a big 4-CD "fuck you" to the Big & Rich's, the Brad Paisley's, the Toby Keith's, and all the big-hat idiocy of today's country-pop, where each song sounds like an audition for yet another Ford/Chevy/Dodge pickup commercial. Each disc is about 40-50 minutes, and for my money there isn't one bad song on any of the discs. And it's priced reasonably, too; it can be easily had for about $25-$30. Well, not ten, but I buy more jazz and reissues than anything. This was actually a better year for new rock releases than most years. For me, anyway.

What I wouldn't give to have THAT issued.

Good point.

Get ESSENTIAL. NOW!!! That'll hold you until the remasters come out.

Holy shit, YES!!!!! Picked up the Essential collection, and this track blew me AWAY! If Fresh wasn't where Prince got all his ideas (and I mean every damn one of 'em), it should've been. But those pre-Stand singles..... man oh MAN, makes me wanna pick up the first three albums when they come out as well! Essential? Hell.... it's ALL essential! I put the "Essential" collection on in the car for my son and told him this was one of the funkiest bands to ever walk the planet.... got no argument out of him!

Plus, look at the response around here to the last batch of RVG's. Two threads totalling five pages. Pretty tepid response for what I thought was one of the strongest batches in a year already packed with strong RVG releases.

Sadly, it will never happen. Perhaps not, but that's never stopped me form trying. Sometimes I think I end up shooting myself in the foot by trying too hard. I think that's the case this year. I wouldn't be surprised if it hits me Christmas Eve, after church, driving home in the dark and quiet. Same here with my wide-eyed 10-year-old. Watching him in the holiday spirit makes Christmas that much more enjoyable.

Was listening to some Christmas music on the way home and played Rosemary Clooney's wistful version of "Christmas Time is Here." That perfectly captured my mood: wistful, longing for the wide-eyed joy of Christmas I had when I was a kid.

I enjoy his bass playing; not a fan of his cello playing. What's his attitude like?