Big Al

Learn something new every day. Did not know the history of the swastika. Thanks guys!

Why didn't I think of that? I coulda saved myself some bucks!

Rangers finish May a game over .500 having gone 19-10 in the month of May. Cautious enthusiasm on my part, because May always seems to be their month. But, I'll enjoy it while it lasts!

That's actually a very good point, especially since I've seen the RVGs on shelves where I never saw an OJC. Yes indeed, a VERY good point, Lon!

This is SUCH a fine episode! Don't miss it if you can help it!

GIMME!!! PM forthcoming!

Thanks! Anyone have the list of Concord RVG's and Keepnews discs?

Been trying to find the complete lists of Fantasy K2's, Prestige RVGs, and Riverside Keepnews CDs. Concord has the list hidden somewhere (assuming they still have the list), and Google searches turn up nothing. Can any of y'all help?

That and the fact that the general consensus is that the Prestige K2's absolutely smoke the RVG's.

Tommy Thayer dressed in the Space Ace costume looks like Herman Munster with stars around his eyes.

Y'know, it's a damn shame that the folks at Concord haven't figured out a way to re-issue the various Contemporary, Fantasy, etc. titles the way they're releasing the Riverside and Prestige titles (Keepnews and RVG Series, respectively). Not that anyone would buy those titles, but then again: how are the sales for these reissues going?

Freedom Suite is also available on the box set: The Freelance Years, Complete Riverside and Contemporary Recordings. 5 CDs for 30 dollars from Newbury. I have the set, good remastering too (though the programming is a little odd). So, too, is the fact that take 1 of "Till There Was You" is not on the box. Where did Keepnews find this take?

It's the closest thing to a classic CTI album Tyner ever made. Title track is pretty great. That's probably the best description of this album, for better and worse. If you're a CTI fan and wondered what a McCoy Tyner CTI album might sound like, this album answers that question. I have the record, though, and I can answer for you: boring.

That whole list is just one big ho-freakin-hum for me. That said, I might get Incredible Jazz Guitar simply because I don't have it in any other form and heard "D-Natural Blues" on the radio tonight. Might also get Freedom Suite for the same reason, but really: if I'd wanted them by now, I would've gotten the OJC's, so why bother? I guess those won't be in print any longer, so...

Heard this on the radio tonight; I suppose it shouldn't be a shock, but he was one of those who seemed like he would always be around. I'm not sure a better "straight man" lived; I always thought he was at his funniest when he was trying to keep from laughing at Tim Conway. Like FFA said, poor guy! Talk about a tough job! How do you NOT laugh at Tim Conway? What a partnership, and you could tell how much they loved and respected one another. This is so sad. RIP, God bless, and thanks for all the laughs, Mr. Korman!

Really? I've not heard the SACD layer, but the Redbook layer of the SACD sure sounds nice to these ears. YMMV.

That's cool.

No clue, but then I'm not sure I want to hear Stanley T playing these tunes anyway.

Glad I waited to get the Turrentine & Parlan boxes!

Well, ya got me there on that one. I have no idea what that must be like. Seriously. Had another chance to go above .500 today. Looks like we'll be waiting for the next chance again.

He's not saying that at all, Dan. What he IS saying is that, as important and inspiring a story as Lester's no-hitter was, let's not overlook the fact that the Red Sox got swept by a small-market team that ESPN doesn't give a shit about. I hope that you aren't saying that their ISN'T a media bias towards the Yankees and the Red Sox. Fact is, if Lester pitched for any other team besides the Red Sox and the Yankees, the story would've been discussed, but not until whatever was brewing in New York and Boston was taken care of first. No media bias, my ass.

That was also very cool when the Rays fans gave him a standing ovation for his first trip to the plate in first game back the other night. Very classy on the part of the Rays fans! I don't think it's unique to the Rays; the same thing is happening to the Rangers right now, who are playing as good as (if not better than) they've ever played before; yet they haven't sold out a game since Opening Day. Some towns are baseball towns, some aren't. Chicago, New York, Boston; those are baseball towns. St. Petersburg (retirement community, mostly), Arlington, TX (the most boring city in the world, located inside a state where football is the 2nd major religion behind Southern Baptists); these aren't baseball cities. Just IMO of course, but it seems that wherever there's a strong sense of community is where you'll find support for that community's baseball team. Of course, winning once in a while helps, too.

Got the Turrentine and the Fuller yesterday. These may be the reissues of the year for me!

Well, if you didn't bitch about your team, we'd think there was something wrong with ya. Anyway, isn't Lester doing well? There's a nice young arm I'd like to have on my team!

I just wish he'd drop in when Chuck offers something from his back catalog and tells us where to find it in blog land.