Big Al

How close is that to the Yankee Springs Golf Course? My wife worked there when she was a teenager!

Alright!!! If we're back from the Island by then, I'll be there!

AFAIK, there's supposed to be a family reunion going on on the 17th at Gun Lake. I have no idea how long that's gonna last. The plan right now is that I'm gonna fly in Saturday morning (everyone else in my family is flying up in shifts on Thursday and Friday) and go straight to the reunion. Hopefully I can get outta there and swing up to GR to catch you guys. I'll keep you guys posted. If nothing else, a cold one in GR during the week would be groovy, too! Think Chuck'll drive that far?

We're makin' our annual trek to Michigan July 17-24 (Hastings, with a few days up in Mackinac Island). You guys gonna be playing anywhere that week? Sure would like to catch you guys live while we're there!

The Sal Salvador Conn is almost up to $80!!!!! Ah, to have that kind of money......

Shoulda seen the front page of the Ft. Worth Star Telegram this morning: a HUGE color picture of Charles, with the words VOICE OF A LIFETIME in big letters. It dwarfed any coverage of Reagan's passing. He was the definitive American musician. If the ONLY thing he'd done was his supreme version of "America the Beautiful," he would've assured his legendary status. (As a sidenote, I always liked that scene in the movie The Sandlot where the kids are playing a game on the 4th of July and all the kids start watching the fireworks goin' off, while Ray's "America" plays in the background. Chokes me up every time) Thankfully, he gave us so much more. Thank you, Ray Charles. I'd say RIP, but a soul like his didn't ever give the impression that he'd want to rest: he's likely swingin' the cherubim right now! So play on, Brother Ray; play on!

Can anyone comment on the difference in sound between the Conn and the JRVG of the Jenkins/Burrell? And this may be a dumb question, but aren't Japanese RVGs and TOCJs two different things?

There’s definitely a Daydream Nation vibe on this album; in fact, put in the context of where SY was when DN came out, I’d venture to say that Sonic Nurse is a DN for the new millennium. I’ve only listened to it once, but this is one that will likely grow on me (like DN, which took a long time for me to get; now it’s a desert island pick for me). This isn’t to say I don’t like the album; far from it. In fact, I find it a better, much more consistent album than Murray Street. But I loved that album more for the individual moments that reached out and grabbed me on first listen (particularly the first three songs and half of “Karen Revisited”). Nurse doesn’t appear to have many (if any) of those moments; on the other hand, the songs--individually and as a whole--are far stronger than anything on Murray. And I don’t know about you guys, but I much prefer Kim Gordon when she’s singing in that low breathy style than when she’s snarling (contrast “Hand Crème” with the song about the nurse (don’t have my CD in front of me, so titles are escaping me); I like ‘em both, and the avant-noise of the former is great for cleaning out sinuses!). Or, put in a less pretentious long-winded way, THIS ALBUM RAWKS!!!!

In the case of the Tower in Austin, I think it was a number of factors, not the least of which is that it was practically inaccessible to anyone who didn’t already live on campus. There was little, if no room to park, so that pretty much eliminates anyone outside of the campus proper (and what parking there was cost about $5!). The suburbanization of Austin hasn’t helped Tower’s cause, either; Borders, Barnes & Nobles, and Best Buys are sprouting up like weeds in the outer reaches from downtown. Plus, with college kids becoming more internet savvy, downloading becoming more rampant, and just finding better prices online, it’s a wonder Tower even lasted this long down there. (I’m just guessing here, but I’m willing to bet that UT-Austin isn’t nearly as liberal as it was ten or fifteen years ago; as such, conservative college students are too busy trying to take over the world that buying CDs isn’t even in the top ten priorities). With all this and the general crappiness of the music business, I have a notion that this is clearly the way the brick-n-mortar stores are heading. I hope I’m wrong, though.

I apologize for starting the poll/thread that asked the question, which city would have the bigger riot once the NBA playoffs end. It was a bad idea, and a badly failed attempt at some cynical humor. I should’ve known better, and have taken the liberty of deleting the thread. To all offended, and to any residents/former residents of the cities mentioned in that poll/thread, my humblest apologies.

YIKES! I better get that wishlist down to my sister PRONTO!

I know others have answered this. For me, the flute intro gives it away. I used to have the album in Daniel A's avatar, and I seem to remember that version being a bit faster. Of course, it's been years since I've heard that version, so my assessment of it could be completely off-the-mark!

It does sound like audio valium, doesn't it?

Y'know, having listened to this a few times, it's actually kinda grown on me. Truth be told, my first thought was Astrud Gilberto! Really!

Not to be nitpicky, but is the 13th the last day of the sale, or the last day of business?

The combination of your question and your avatar is absolutely priceless. Would you believe me if I say it was completely unplanned? Yeah, I don't believe it either! Me, too. I remember when we moved my sister down there in the summer of '90, seeing that it was going to be opening soon. I also remember taking my then-girlfriend (now-wife) there so I could buy Trane's Soultrane and Traneing In, and then slow-dancing with her back at my sister's apartment to "You Say You Care." I also remember being excited to find XTC CDs down there, cuz you sure couldn't get imports anywhere in Arlington! Lots of fond memories. Sure hate to see it go. First Sound Exchange, now this; Waterloo is pretty much all that's left now, I guess. You, sir, are too kind. I don't even have anything priceless to come back with, except to say that I wish I could move my avatar down to this line!

What kind of idiot would confuse the Jazztet with these guys???? Poor Trane's gotta be spinnin' in his grave right now. Again, what kind of idiot.... I concur with what the idiot said!

Yeah, I've never particularly cared for this album (probably why I didn't recognize it). Oddly enough, it was this man's playing that helped me when I was still new to jazz. Somewhere along the way, my interest in him fell off, and I'm pretty sure it was because of this album, or rather the fact that it was coupled with another trio album on one CD. Too much sameness for me. Just my opinion, of course.

Never cared for "Mind Gardens," but after Bev put it in that context, it makes sense now. As I said before, I'm glad the reissue has (as a hidden track) the instrumental track of "Mind Gardens." Now THAT'S some nice pickin'!

ROAD TRIP!!!!!

Anyone know when the final day is?

Well, GET AFTER IT, MY MAN!!!! 'Smatta witcha??!?

I loved Murray Street and have been listening to clips for Nurse all day. I'm gonna go get it tonight! Been lookin' forward to this; sure do enjoy their sound now that they're a quintet!

You don't have to bid... Oh sure, easy for you to say! Placed three bids already, and it will have been worth my time to get the TOCJ of Got a Good Thing Goin'. If I win that one, the neighbors better hope their homes are insulated properly! ss1 and scottb, always glad to help out a coupla fellow greeeeaze-heads!

Dammit dammit dammit DAMMIT!!!! Why oh WHY did I open that link?