Big Al

Anyone remember this show that ran on Nickelodeon back in the 80's? Man, I LOVED that show! Fast-paced, non-stop, bad gags at every turn; green slime and water; torture chambers where kids dreamed of the day of seeing "blue skies, Barfy Burgers, GIRLS!" Executions where the "executioner" always seemed to live to see another execution despite being gunned down only five minutes earlier. I think my mom summed it up best when she said that it was like "Laugh-In" for a new and younger generation. There were so many good scenes, but one I always remember was when Alasdair (sp?) walked into the arcade and was stopped by Blip, the gameroom operator, for carrying food. "No food allowed in the arcade!" "This isn't food," explained Alasdair; "it's a Barfy Burger." "No pets, either" was Blip's response. Cut to Barfy playing a video game who turns around and says, "Hey! I hearrrrrrd that!" This series is BEGGING for some kind of DVD reissue!

There's a place around the corner from where I work that serves soul food. I need to get over there and try some of this stuff, just to see if it's as good (or bad, or baaaaaaad) as everyone says it is!

I bought this for my daughter for Christmas; she likes it enough, but doesn’t listen to it as much as she used to. She still likes “Don’t Know Why” when it comes on the radio, but I can’t remember the last time she went out of her way to listen to it. Truth be told, I liked this at first. The sound was soothing, her voice gentle. I even enjoyed her piano-playing. Then she won the Grammy, the BN Board became the Norah Jones BN Bored, and it’s been non-stop Norah ever since. Now, every time I hear “Don’t Know Why” on the radio, my reaction is the same as that to any overplayed song: resigned revulsion. (And what’s with the line about feeling as “empty as a drum?” A drum?!?!? Okaaaaaaaay. Did she fail Remedial Poetry or something? )

I've seen it referred to in various places, most recently in the liners to Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy when Avakian describes going out for "ham and greens" with Louis. And of course, there's Mo' Greens, Please (which should be reissued domestically for the cover alone). Anyone know?

To quote the great Isaac Hayes, DAAAAAAAAAMN RIGHT!!!!! That sucker could start a greeeeaze fire!!!

As a sidebar to the Plays W.C. Handy thread, what do you all think of this album?

Ooooops! NATURAL SOUL!!!!

A couple of comments in the "Overrated BN CDs" inspired this, partly because I've never been able to get into COOL STRUTTIN'. I say that with some reverence, though, as I do acknowledge that it is one of those albums that defines the Blue Note Sound. Same with BLUE TRAIN. Another classic that deserves every accolade heaped upon it. Outside of "Moments Notice," though, it doesn't do much for me. And (I know Brad's gonna add me to his death list for this), no matter how many times I listen to GO, it too does nothing for me. But my personal preference doesn't keep me from acknowledging it as a classic Blue Note, and in fact were someone to ask me for a good starting point for Dexter, this is the album I would suggest. But enough negativity. These albums (including those mentioned above), IMHO, define the Blue Note Sound for me: Somethin' Else Soul Station Maiden Voyage Speak No Evil Finger Poppin' Blue Lights For starters, anyway!

Was listening to it again last night, and I s'pose if I have any gripe with it, it's that there's more singing than there is playing. Would've liked to have heard these guys really stretch out on these tunes. (Y'know, did they have to sing on every song?) But, what playing there is--and there's still a generous helping nonetheless--is still brilliant and exciting!

More heresy..... I never could get into Cool Struttin'. As much as I dig Horace Silver, Song for My Father is another that does nothing for me. I like Andrew Hill, even his more "out" dates, but Point of Departure just bores me to tears. Ah well, to each his own.

Yeah Jim, thanks for choosing an album that has inspired (for me, personally) the most enjoyable AOTW since Black Market.

The thread started by Chuck Nessa describing his meeting with Ghost of Miles was nice. Made me wonder who others have met through the various BBS's? Or who you hope to meet someday? Me, I've had the pleasure of spending an evening with Jazzbo (aka Lon) and seeing his mammoth music collection. Also had the pleasure of hanging out with Joe Christmas and Joe a few years back. That was a lot of fun. And I've also had my backbone shattered by the ferocious playing of JSngry and Quartet Out!!! Man, the CD may be awesome, but actually seeing them live is an experience that must be had! Even better than listening to him play is actually rapping with the guy. He is just as engaging in person as he is on the board! Would really like to hear others stories!

5 D (Fifth Dimension), Younger than Yesterday, and The Notorious Byrd Brothers - The Byrds Blues for Lou - The Holy Trinity of Greeeeeeeeaze

INDEED!!!

Got BLUES FOR LOU on right now. DAMN, I wish these guys had recorded more trio stuff together. I like 'em when they got the horns, but DAMN, when it's just the three of them..... well, I'm sure there were a lot of expressions similar to the ones in the picture!

Got some late night greeeeaze goin' with Grant Green's AM I BLUE. "For All We Know" is on right now, and Patton's distorted comping behind Johnny Coles and ESPECIALLY Joe Henderson is so baaaad, I got the extra strength degreaser on the carpet right now! Hey B3-er, is this the photo you're talkin' about? It looks like they just saw Ben Dixon slip on another greeeeaze puddle in the middle of the studio!

THE REAL McCOY. Maybe there's such a thing as listening too hard? I've been trying to figure out how an album with four players I hold in high regard could make an album that didn't move me? I also concur about the Moncurs.

John Manning does some well-pitched and well-placed squeals on Reaben Wilson's BLUE MODE, one of the greeeeeeaziest slabs o' soul I enjoy!

Can anyone recommend a good starting point for Wodehouse? Me, I'll take any of Bob Newhart's monologues, especially "Introducing Tobacco!" "Thank for the turkey, Walt. Yeah. You realize that's an American holiday, right?"

Is it safe to say that the nine minutes of sheer joy that is "St. Louis Blues" speaks volumes about jazz, its past, its present (at the time and even now) and its future? If I ever need to exlpain jazz to someone, I'll just play this one track. From Dixieland to swing, bop to blues, it's all contained in this one tight little package! Honestly, I haven't listened to too much beyond that, because that one track is so GOOD, that I wanna keep playing it over and over and OVER!!! Lon is right on about Pops trumpet: fat and JUICY!!! And as if that wasn't brassy enough, there's Trummy Young playing the dirrrrrrrrrtiest 'bone I've ever heard! So baaaaad I gotta lock up the children! Once again Jim, this was a fantastic choice. Thanks for kickin' my butt to listen this!

Apologies if this offends anyone, but the mention of DC Talk got me to free-associating and... Bassist Unaware Rock Band Christian

Between McGwire's steroid-pumped pecs & Sammy's corked bat.... maybe they should give that record back to Roger Maris after all!

You're kidding, right? It no longer amazes me as much as it sickens me these days. I used to think that nutcases like MB were just the fringe, the extreme, the minority among the faithful. I'm quickly learning it isn't so. I wish I could remember the exact quote I heard on a dc Talk record years ago (a "Christian" band, BTW). Something to the effect of "the leading causes of atheism are Christians." And MB is more proof of that. And it makes me sad.

Good luck, and keep it Greece-y!!!