sonnymax

I just learned that actor Kenneth Mars passed away Saturday. While he performed in many other film and television roles, I will always treasure his characters Franz Liebkind in The Producers and police inspector Hans Wilhelm Friederich Kemp in Young Frankenstein. RIP. February 15, 2011 Kenneth Mars, Comedic Actor in TV and Film, Dies at 75 By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS GRENADA HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Kenneth Mars, an actor best known for his over-the-top performance as a German playwright in the original movie version of “The Producers,” died on Saturday at his home here. He was 75. The cause was pancreatic cancer, his family said. In “The Producers” (1968), written and directed by Mel Brooks, Mr. Mars played Franz Liebkind, a Nazi enthusiast whose play “Springtime for Hitler” is the basis for a scheme by two conniving showmen (Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder) to bilk investors by putting on a sure-fire Broadway flop. Mr. Brooks also cast Mr. Mars in “Young Frankenstein” (1974) as a police inspector with a malfunctioning artificial arm who is on the trail of the monster (Peter Boyle) created by a descendant of the original Dr. Frankenstein (Mr. Wilder). Mr. Mars was born in Chicago and appeared on Broadway in “The Affair” in 1962 and on television in “Get Smart,” “Gunsmoke” and other series before being cast in “The Producers,” his first movie. He went on to divide his time between the big and small screens. NYT

I tend not to use these $2 credits to buy the lowest price titles (not there's anything wrong with that, mind you). Instead, I mosey on over to my wish list and pick something from that. It's easier for me to pull the trigger on a $10.99 Steeplechase album when it's only $8.99.

I'd ask what you hang on to, but that's just wrong.

I edited my op to answer #1. I don't know about #2.

Amazon is offering a $2 MP3 credit for Valentines Day. Here’s how to redeem your code: - Head over to Amazon and go to a page offering an MP3 for sale. - Look for this and click on Redeem a gift card or promotion code. - Enter code VDAYMP3S. You’ll now have a $2 credit in your Amazon account. Use it by February 14th or lose it.

one can dream.

In this case, a picture surely is worth a thousand words: Thank you, Mr. Callas.

PM'd you, Brad.

...Than They Do. Hey, as long as we're making ludicrous comparisons, why not? Ain't That A Shame Tutti Frutti Good Rockin' Tonight (and yes, I know GRT is by Roy Brown)

I think you're safe. First off, your name isn't Heather. You're not "just stopping by" to hip us to a "new and exciting artist" that everyone says is the "future of jazz", etc. Those folks we eat with a side of fava beans and a fine Chianti. Welcome.

I am very sad to report of having received word that Fred Anderson's famous and much-beloved Chicago jazz club, the Velvet Lounge, is gone forever. Following Fred's death last summer, the club was run by his two granddaughters. In the absence of a formal will, a family dispute erupted involving Fred's two sons, and the club's staff walked out shortly after Thanksgiving in support of the granddaughters. Although the closing was supposed to be temporary, Neil Tesser reported in yesterday's Chicago Examiner that the Velvet as we knew it is now gone forever. This is a sad and bitter end to a musical experience that was a long-standing labor of love by Fred, the many musicians who performed there, and the countless patrons who witnessed live performances of creative improvised music that often challenged, sometimes enlightened, and almost always entertained. One of my fondest memories of the Velvet is flying to Chicago two years ago to join up with my good friend Mark to share the privilege of attending Fred's 80th birthday celebration, a week-long series of concerts that carried a very positive and loving vibe, a fitting tribute to "Baba Fred". There is some glimmer of hope amidst the terrible sadness: a group of musicians and supporters calling themselves the "Velvet Birdhouse Coalition" is scheduled to present a concert in Chicago this weekend. This is supposed to be the first in a series of performances honoring Anderson's legacy. I hope this proves to be true, and that something more creative and loving will grow from this event. R.I.P. Baba Fred and the Velvet Lounge. Long live the spirit of the man and the club. Read further about the sad details here: Chicago's Velvet Lounge closed in family dispute And here: The Velvet Lounge is dead; long live the Velvet Birdhouse Coalition

Steady With Teddy (1946-1948) Howard McGee (tp), Teddy Edwards (ts), Dodo Marmarosa (p), Arvin Garrison (g), Bob Keterson (b), Roy Porter (d). Hollywood, October, 1946. 1. Up in Dodo's Room 2. Dialated Pupils 3. Midnight at Minton's 4. High Wind in Hollywood Benny Bailey (tp), Teddy Edwards (ts), Duke Brooks (p), Addison Farmer (b), Roy Porter (d). Hollywood, July 1947. 5. Steady with Teddy 6. Bird Legs 7. Roy's Boy 8. Rexology 9. Out of Nowhere 10. Three Bass Hit 11. R.B.'s Wig 12. Body and Soul Teddy Edwards & Dexter Gordon* (ts), Jimmy Rowles (p), Red Callender (b), Roy Porter (d). Hollywood, December 4, 1947. 13. Hornin' In* 14. The Duel* 15. Blues in Teddy's Flat Teddy Edwards (ts), Herbie Harper (tb), Hampton Hawes (p), Iggy Shevack (b), Roy Porter (d). Hollywood, October 1947. 16. Teddy's Tune 17. Wonderful Work 18. Fairy Dance 19. It's The Talk of the Town

People didn't realize Led Zeppelin was "covering" other people's music because they stole credit for the compositions. Willie Dixon and others had to sue them to get the recognition and compensation they deserved. While they weren't alone in this practice, such theft and plagiarism shouldn't be confused with those who publicly acknowledge another artist's talent by covering their tunes. So...they aren't covers because...Zeppelin didn't acknowledge them as such? That's how I view it. Others are free to disagree.

Does this mean you're not particularly interested in hearing new jazz releases like the two I mentioned, or new titles from similar labels?

Like Bing, you're an angry drunk.

Agreed, although I'm confused by your civil tone and thoughtful choice of words.

I just downloaded two recent releases on the Clean Feed label: Matt Brauder's Day In Pictures, and Dulces by Billy Fox's Blackbirds and Bullets. As an aside, I find it difficult to tolerate the obnoxious and disrespectful posts by various customers on eMusic's bulletin board. To be sure, there are legitimate complaints and concerns that deserved to be heard, but the nasty tone that permeates many of the threads is sickening. I've posted a few times myself, expressing my opinion that the prices and selection are usually better at eMusic than at other vendors. At least one disgruntled fellow responded that that's not the point. He and others accuse eMusic of lying, misrepresentation, and generally treating customers like crap. I get the sense that some of these people believe they've suffered some kind of personal injury, as if they've been betrayed by a thoughtless lover. So much drama, so little constructive conversation. Oh well.

That might be true in some cases, but the main force behind these claims are the musician's record company, specifically it's marketing department. I don't know how much input Scott has in his promotional campaigns, but he's got to expect some backlash from serious jazz fans when he's being sold to the masses in such an exaggerated and superficial manner. As I said before, I have checked out his music, and I am unmoved and unimpressed.

People didn't realize Led Zeppelin was "covering" other people's music because they stole credit for the compositions. Willie Dixon and others had to sue them to get the recognition and compensation they deserved. While they weren't alone in this practice, such theft and plagiarism shouldn't be confused with those who publicly acknowledge another artist's talent by covering their tunes.

I'm disinclined to investigate a new artist who's touted as "the next big thing" or "the future of jazz." That's what I often read in people's comments on Scott's recordings. Anyone who disagrees or who finds fault with his music is often attacked by several fans. I found it amusing to see one Amazon customer who objected to Scott's music being labeled as "dispassionate," citing his admiration for Wynton Marsalis to bolster his argument. It all smacks of a popularity contest, rather than a serious consideration of the music. From what I've heard so far, Scott appears to be a young, but capable musician. I just haven't found anything in his music to make me want to join his legion of devoted followers.

mwah ha ha ha!

Oh, but they will. Bend over, please.

Leave the door unlocked. I'll be right there.