Big Al

You have no excuse for that one. Just as I have no excuse for not getting the Eldridge set.

Amen to that, and I'm not sorry if it offends, it was just "Friends" set in a hospital. You're not far off. They even admitted as much in a roundabout way in one episode when either the janitor or Dr. Cox was giving JD & Elliot grief about them being like Ross & Rachel. "From Friends?" "No, Ross the doctor and Rachel the nurse. Now THAT'S a cute couple." (Going from memory here) I mentioned earlier about Zach Braff not having much range, and at this point, the same can also be said of Sarah Chalke. Shame, too, because her character was cute without being cloying, alluring without being slutty, and just the right bit of nuttiness to become endearing. Unfortunately, her character ended up being cloying, slutty, and anything BUT endearing. Okay, so the writers ruined her character; that's not an indication of anything else, right? Not to those of us who watch "How I Met Your Mother" and saw Chalke basically reprise her Elliott character as one of Ted's love interests. (And she worked in the medical field on THIS show as well! Talk about type-casting!) Imagine our shock when she came back for the last two episodes of this season. Hopefully, it's just a two-episode deal. But it looks as though she's only capable of playing whiny, sex-obsessed neurotics. Either that or she needs to get a better agent who can get her better parts, because I think she's still quite attractive.

Drat, I must not've been paying attention the first time these were listed, otherwise I'da tried to scoop up some of those Sweets and the Basie-ites.

A buddy of mine is a huge Cavs fan, and I'm happy for him! I'm glad the Mavs won tonight, guarateeing them a little dignity from this series. I mean, it's over Wednesday night, but so far the Mavs have played their asses off this series, so cheers for them!

Not my first, but definitely my favorite. Today, anyway! PS: Love the signature, BTW! :lol

I like Scrubs, but can't stand Cecil Taylor's playing.

Are we sure it's over for good? The last I heard was Zach Braff was leaving but that the show was continuing. Frankly, Matthew, I hope you're right. This was easily the worst season ever. It should've ended a few seasons ago, but at least the subsequent seasons had their bright spots. This season introduced annoying characters, Eliot Reid became even more insufferably annoying than ever before, and the Janitor's character was so poorly written he became a charicature. I don't completely agree with Cliff about Zach Braff, but I will say this: I have yet to see him in a film where he didn't play an extension of his JD character from Scrubs. You'd think with as much press this guy gets he'd have a bit more range.

I'm too pissed to look it up, but I believe it was Sangrey who said that as long as Dirk Nowitzki was a Mav, the Mavs would never go all the way. At the time, I pooh-poohed that, because I believed (and still believe) that hardly anyone puts their ass out on the line like Dirk does. Unfortunately, he is also DUMB AS A FUCKING STUMP! The Mavs are up 105-103 with 21 seconds to go, 17 seconds on the shot-clock. Even someone as dense as me lets the shot-clock run out. Not Dirk. He airs a clunker with SIX seconds to go. That's right, Dirk: give the Nuggets more time to beat you. You took that into consideration before airing that shot, right? RIGHT???? As soon as that shot missed the bucket, I said out loud "That shot just cost the Mavs the game. Thanks, Dirk." Sure enough, with that extra two seconds, Carmelo Anthony drops a beautiful three-pointer (and don't even get me started on the Mavs pathetic attempt to try and foul Anthony before he made that shot. I don't blame the refs for not being stupid) to seal the fate of the Mavs. Nellie-ball rears its ugly head and bites the Mavs in the ass once again. Y'know, you'd think the Mavs would've figured out by now there's a reason why Nellie's team isn't in the playoffs this year! Look, I knew coming in the Mavs were going to lose this series. The sad part is they've been playing some of the toughest basketball they've ever played. But their collective brains have been in another galaxy entirely, and THAT has been the single-most frustrating aspect of this series. OH well, one more game and this season comes to a merciful end. Hopefully, priority number one will be getting rid of Dirk. I don't care how good he is, he is not mentally tough enough to put the nail in the coffin. Not that anyone else is challenging him for that crown, but the expectation with Dirk is so much higher. And then get rid of Jason Kidd. And then we sit back and wait another 20 years for the Mavs to get good enough again.

Man, I wish I could hear what it is that you guys like so much about Soul Box. I tried to listen to it again and once again couldn't make it past the the third track. It's not boring; it just rubs me the wrong way for some reason.

Me too! Even the cover is greeeazy!

Spike Lee was sitting by himself with a ton of empty seats around him ....I thought it was because no one liked him. You might still be correct....

Man, the Mavs are clawing and scratching and playing harder than I've ever seen 'em play, but I don't think it's gonna be enough, especially since Josh Howard is out.

The Crusaders disc is from 1978. Take that for whatever it's worth. Not heard the Washington, but I kinda agree with CJ in that it's probably not as good as Soul Box; but then, I'm not a big fan of that sound to begin with, so YMMV.

Thanks for posting your comments, Al, but I have to ask, WTF? How do you equate a piano trio (on an original titled "The Way Gene Would Groove It") to a "Doc Severinsen outfit"? I HAFC™!!! I'm listening to it right now and wondering just how out-of-it I was when I typed this up??? That comment was meant for track 2, but somewhere along the way of listening to track 2, the Red Garland thought popped into my head. But how I ended up moving that comment back to track 1 is one I'll never figure out!

Posted after the answers were posted, which I haven't read. Not that it would make any difference. I actually started these a few weeks ago before life got insane, finished 'em up this morning. Happy reading! Track 1: no clue. Nice groove, sounds kinda like a Doc Severinson outfit? Track 2: Red Garland with a big band? Really dig these charts! Is it “I Get a Kick out of You?” Track 3: Sounds of recent vintage. ARRRGGH!!! I should know the name of this gospel tune. Oh, this is shameful! Maybe Gene Harris on one of his gospel records? If so, may have to seek that out! Track 4 sounds like it was a fun place to be that night! If I hadn’t already guessed Gene Harris on the last track.... ah well, this is Dan after all, so I’ll guess Gene Harris on this, too! Track 5: Why do I want to guess Barry Harris on this? I don’t know either! Track 6: Sonny Rollins & Bob Cranshaw doing Jobim’s “Meditation?” Sounds like it wouldn’t be out of place on the Sonny RCA box. Track 7 is definitely “Sidewinder,” no clue who it is, though. Guitarist reminds me of Grant Green. Track 8 is definitely “Autumn Leaves,” (hey, I like it that I can finally identify standards!), no clue on any of the players. This tenor player sounds like Sonny, if it ain’t him to begin with. Track 9: If it wasn’t for that electric bass, I was gonna guess Bobby Timmons. Track 10: No clue, no interest sorry to say. Solo sax (or any wind instrument for that matter) NMCOT™. Track 11: Mmmmmm nice! The theme makes me wanna guess a Tony Williams quintet from the 80’s, although the sound doesn’t suggest it was recorded then. That and the fact that the drummer is clearly NOT Tony Williams! Nice way to finish your final BFT, Dan. Sad that it is your final BFT, too.

Well, it looks like I REALLY messed up!!! This was supposed to be for track 15! I wonder if, while listening, 13 & 14 segued into each other and I just missed it? Don't know, but FWIW, the above comment actually applies to track 15!

Happy to oblige!

Track 1 sounds like Ella to these ears. Nice Tracks 2 thru 4 sound like some kinda early R&B revue. Maybe there’s a common thread behind these songs? They all sound the same. Maybe it’s all one song? (For you Neil Young fans out there) Track 5 is a singer I should recognize, and I’m gonna kick myself once I read who this is. Hopefully, I’ll have it figured out before I’m done typing all this. Rabbit on alto of course, or a reasonable facsimile. Track 6 sounds like Poppa Lou in a band with a vocalist. Lou’s got the cleanest alto sound I’ve ever heard. Hey, isn’t this Johnny Hartman? I bet if I do some Googlin’, I’ll get this figured out. Maybe later. Track 7 is OH so greeeeeazy! Haven’t typed that word in FAR too long! Have no idea who this is, buut sure can’t wait to find out! Track 8 sounds like it could’ve fit perfectly with tracks 2 thru 4. In fact, I got lost and had to go back to track 7 to see if I’d missed something in between. Track 9 is another groovy version of “Watermelon Man.” I guess you can’t have too many versions of this tune! Kinda puts me in mind of Eddie Harris & his Varitone, judiciously used though. Track 10: gotta love that funky tuba! Track 11: Oh, I should SO know this, and am SO gonna kick myself when it’s revealed. Track 12 has a nice slinky groove to it. Wish I could identify at least someone! Piano player reminds me of... oh, who did that version of “Englishman in New York” on a BFT waaaaaay back when? Has that kinda feel to it, which I really dig! Track 13: see comments to track 11! I can’t believe I’m blanking out on this stuff! Maybe I really have reached that point where I have more music than my brain can hold! Track 14 sounds familiar as well, or at least the opening does. Has kind of an “Idle Moments” vibe goin. The alto sounds like Jackie McLean, maybe this is from one of those Mal Waldron/Jackie McLean Prestige dates? Art Farmer on the trumpet? Boy did I strike out on this one! Hopefully disc two will be more merciful!

It's official: I now have more CDs/LPs than I remember listening to. Sorry I never posted my guesses; I really did have guesses typed up for this disc, but never posted them. I recall writing that this one sounded vaguely familiar for some reason. Now I know why!

Vince Guaraldi's "Rain Rain Go Away." Not a comment on today's weather, but just because it always makes me feel wistful, especially as I watch my son and his friends grow older. Also, Al Green's "Love and Happiness," which has a backbeat so thick, nasty, greeeazy, and funky, it oughta be against the law!

I'm sure there will be at some point. I'm not hustling for it (nor did I for this one), but things happen on their own it seems, just not rapidly, which right now is ok by me. OTOH - DID YOU SEE THE NEWS ABOUT THE FREE RED HOLLOWAY GIG? CARPE DIEM!!! You bet! In fact, I was at the downtown Ft. Worth library where I saw the fliers! I'm gonna carpe the shit outta that diem!

Oh, I guess it's confirmed then. I was beginning to wonder... SWEET!!!! Thanks for the heads-up, guys! FWIW, I'm going to be in Ft. Worth Tuesday night on another appointment, but that may not end until around 9:00, if not later. I'm still gonna stop by the SCL when I'm done, hopefully be able to catch some of the set. Stupid me went to the SCJ last Tuesday (the 21st), thinking the gig was that night. And now I can't go tomorrow night, the actual night of the gig! ARRRRGGHHHH!!!! We missed you, Al. It was a fun gig. I've not been playing much the last 4-5 years, and that's hard to get around, but Lyles & Jaelun gave such good support that it was impossible not to dig down and play anyway. Not a bad house for a Tuesday night either, a few singles at the bar, and some couples coming in and staying for more than one set, always a good thing in these parts, especially on a weeknight, and especially when there was a Mavs game on. All told, it was a fun night. Man, I am SO bummed I missed it! I hope there's a next time. I'm interested--please keep posting. I wish you could bring the group to Dallas. Yeah, me too! Keep on pimpin'!

Ain't technology grand?

Oh, I guess it's confirmed then. I was beginning to wonder... SWEET!!!! Thanks for the heads-up, guys! FWIW, I'm going to be in Ft. Worth Tuesday night on another appointment, but that may not end until around 9:00, if not later. I'm still gonna stop by the SCL when I'm done, hopefully be able to catch some of the set. Stupid me went to the SCJ last Tuesday (the 21st), thinking the gig was that night. And now I can't go tomorrow night, the actual night of the gig! ARRRRGGHHHH!!!!

It's two things: 1) This is Dallas/Fort Worth. The only time there is ever a sellout down here is if: a) The Cowboys are in the playoffs (not likely anytime soon) b) The Rangers are playing either the Red Sox or the Yankees. Hell, even when the Rangers were in the playoffs back in the 90's, THOSE games weren't sellouts! 2) Bitter memories of playoffs past for Mavs fans. Our collective feeling is, "What's the point? I'm not getting my hopes up again this year." However, after game 2, I would never have foreseen the annihilation of the Spurs that came in game 3. The most points scored by the Spurs in any one quarter was 20, and they only hit that once! They only scored 12 in the 4th quarter! I hope this game sets the tone for the rest of the series. I wonder what kind of reaction Pop got in the SA press for pulling his starters in the 3rd like that?