Ed S

I'm going to see the Fabulous Thunderbirds tomorrow night. I'm familiar with some of their stuff and have the live album done around 2001 but was wondering what else they've been up to lately. So I went to their website and saw that they released a new disc last year. Based on some review I've read, it's their best since before they hit it big with Tuff Enuff, bla bla bla. So I decided to head out to my nearest brick and mortar for some instant gratification on the way home from work. It's a Borders and it has about the biggest selection of music in the area in spite of the entire music dept having been shrunk in the past year during a major remodeling. Well, their Blues section is abyssmal. I thought jazz was bad. The New Age section was bigger. There's no spot for Fabulous Thunderbirds at all, not even in the alphabetical section. So I tried rock and sure enuff - there's a slot for Fabulous Thunderbirds, but nothing there. I did find a greatest hits collection out of order a couple of slots later. So then I figure I'll pick up something by Jimmie Vaughan. Yes I know he's not in the band. I saw some links and reviews for his latest while cruising around the Thunderbirds allmusic bio. Sounded appealling. Go to the Blues. No Jimmie Vaughan section. No Stevie Ray either - so I head over to rock. Of course Stevie is there but no Jimmie Vaughan section. Nothing. Nada. These guys aren't exactly flying under the radar. Plus, you'd think that some buyer might check out who's coming to town and have at least a couple of these in stock. Am I wrong or are the Fabulous Thunderbirds sort of, um, well known. Plus they are playing in a free concert in a Tuesday in the park sort of thing that routinely draws between 5,000 - 10,000 people. I guess I should not be that surprised, but jeez - I am pretty disappointed.

Saw this one last night. Liked it a lot.

Art Farmer/Benny Golson Jazztet

I've got over 2000 cds. Probably closer to 3000. I've often thought about the same thing. Will my CD collection someday have the value of an equivalent number of wheatback pennies? Or worse, will they appear in a few years to be the equivalent of what a collection of some 3000 8 track tapes looks to us now? I hope they don't rot......

This is one of those casino venues. 450 seats. Never been there. Tickets went on sale at 5 PM. I logged on at 5:05 and grabbed 2 tickets. For shits and giggles I tried two more about an hour later ........Sold out! I feel so priveleged to have obtained two tickets to what appears to be a hot show. I saw Cray this past November in Buffalo and he kicked ass. Really looking forward to this show.

The term that I use for jazz snob is jazzhole. Sort of a play on a-hole. Anyway, I was a jazzhole until about 5 years ago. I was pretty much a hard bop jazzhole and reformed fusionhead. I think I started to change when I started to listen to different styles of jazz - particularly older stuff and the Rare Groove material. The Rare Grooves particularly sent me down a path to more soul and funk. My kids getting older and wanting to listen to rock helped me rediscover some of that stuff plus explore some new acts. I even took my older guy to see U2 for his 11th birthday. Have to say it was one of the best concerts I ever saw. I'm really digging the blues these days as well. I'll tell you one thing, not being a jazzhole really helped with the dating scene as well. My girlfriend likes jazz, but loves blues and popular music - especially the Canadian rock scene. One thing I have to say is that I'm having a lot of fun listening to a wider variety of music. It's all good.

Anyone remember the SNL Martha Stewart's Home for the Holidays topless Christmas Special?

Capitol Jazz

I've been listening to a ton of blues lately. It's funny, but like Chris, my blues listening has increased with my divorce. It's been a nice positive, too. I'm guessing that hardcore blues fans mught snicker at my idea of blues, or at least some of my current favs. I'm really digging Derek Trucks, Robert Cray, Tab Benoit, Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughan,Allman Brothers. I've used my yourmusic.com membership to pick up a stuff by Paul Butterfied, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jimmy Vaughan, John Mayall and a few others. Heard a lot of blues at the Montreal Jazz Festival. August 15th, going to hear the Fabulous Thunderbirds at a free show and tickets for a late September Robert Cray appearance go on sale tomorrow. Saw him last November and he was excellent. Dam right I got the BLues.....

Very disappointing.

Well, I just ordered the Evans and Coltrane boxes. At those prices, I have nothing to lose if they are sold out. Not losing any sleep.

Thanks for the good wishes! I'm about as happy now as I have ever been. Not just because of my relationship mind you. I've found a whole new level and way of relating to my boys. I've become interested in music again, started painting again. Insofar as the relationship is concerned, my ex and my girlfriend are as different as night and day. The ex was a very matter of fact person, to the point of being cold and unapproachable. A my way or the highway type. Very literal. A player. She was also very superficial and materialistic - always needed to show off the best of everything. She valued friendships far, far more than family - and that was a source of discord. My girlfriend Kelly is about as kind, gentle and giving a person as I've ever met. She's laid back, fun, easy going, non judgemental. Understanding. Very sexy. Very open with feelings and emotions. My friends and family never warmed to the ex. They adore my girlfriend, if that matters for anything. Taking time for yourself is a very good thing. I found I was drinking WAY more than usual and had gained some weight. I realized I was doing that and before a problem developed, I made an effort to cut back. I felt that I did not need another problem to deal with, if you know what I mean. When I finally turned the corner, I did a bunch of stuff for myself and continue to do the same. Picked up a bunch of Mosaic sets, started remodeling some rooms in my home - that sort of stuff. I have the "marital residence" but want to put my own decorative touch to things, sort of to make the place mine again - as I owned it before I was married. Don't know where my current relationship is heading. As I said, I had sort of decided to give up the whole dating thing when I ended up meeting her. Right now we're sort of working through the meeting the kids thing. She has none of her own and she is also the first woman I've introduced to my boys - about 18 months after the divorce announcement. She's getting to meet my boys and slowly figuring out what it's like to have a 9 and 11 year old in the picture. We'll see in a few months, I guess.

I have all of these sets. The Capitol set is a treasure, but I don't think there's a bad one in the bunch.

I've followed this thread for the past few days, but did not have a chance to add anything until today. One thing that really helped was knowing that there are more than a few of us going through the same situation. While I don't wish a painful divorce on anyone, it is kind of reassuring to know that you're not the only one that is experiencing the same thing. I think that Jim Sangrey said something tho the effect that you should not let what happened to you define you. For a while I did. I had some very very dark days that were absolutely horrible. I hope to never experience those again nor would I wish them on anyone. My heart goes out to Paul and every one else who has experienced an unwanted divorce. I'm still befuddled with what went wrong. Great kids, great home. Excellent vacations. Great sex. Nice jobs. Politically alike, always laughing. Lots of friends, lots of entertaining in our home. Lots of common interests. I knew that the whole family thing was more than she expected, but always felt that our love would help us weather any storm. She had complete and unquestioned freedom to do whatever she wanted. Turns out the love was one way, she completely betrayed my trust (but not before convincing me that she needed a new car) and it got worse. I don't want to rehash everything here, but will discuss privately if anyone thinks it will help them. For a while, I did let what happened to me define me - became depressed, despondent and worse. One of the things that helped me was the love for my kids and the slowly emerging realization that the family life and feeling I had could continue after the separation. I have my boys every other week and because I help out with the school bus stuff etc, see them almost every weekday. My ex and I (and the divorce is not yet final) have done a nice job of shielding them from the bitterness that can permeate such a situation. She wants to be my friend, while I don't know if I ever can see her as anything more than the boys' mother or a piece of furniture. In the meanwhile, at some point I decided to give match.com a try. I met a lot of nice women, many probably somewhere I was - not sure if they could trust anyone, afraid of re-committing but looking for some companionship, friendship and perhaps some validation that they are in some way attractive. Last October, I decided to take a break from that scene as things weren't working out. The very next day, there was a message on my machine from the guy who cuts my hair. Yes I go to a salon and no he's not gay - not that there's anything wrong with that. Seems he knew someone who wanted to meet someone who had a lot of characteristics that he knew I possessed. It was his sister. We talked on the phone - and clicked instantly. We met a few days later and really hit it off. She has to be the kindest, most wonderful person I've met - not to mention that she's physically attractive, funny, loves blues, like jazz and is the easiest person to talk with I've ever met. We've been together since October and have been really enjoying each other's company. We went to Paris in April and to Montreal for the jazz festival last month. In June, I introduced her to my children and that has been going well - she comes over for dinner and an activity of some type once during the week that I have them. Speaking of my boys, I took them on holiday to Ottawa and Mont Tremblant this past winter and just returned Sunday from a trip to Philadelphia, Gettysburg and Pittsburgh. I guess I'm only writing this crap because I think it's helpful to know - from someone who experienced the very darkest of days - that things can turn out for the best, that life goes on and it's nice to be back as a full participant. Paul or anyone else, feel free to Pm me if you think it will help. Peter - I saw your earlier post and can't find it - so perhaps you deleted it. Feel free to PM.

Just saw Buddy last night ar an outdoor show on the Buffalo waterfront. He played and sounded great!

Well Landis has done it. Great ride. Pereiro did his best to hold on to secod and Kloden's ride was spectacular as well. This year's tour was an interesting one indeed.

Watching the time trial now. Landis has opened a 27 second lead over Pereiro at the 34 K mark. Looks like he's on his way to taking the yellow jersey into tomorrow's final stage.

Taking my boys on vacation staring Monday. Games in Philly and Pittsburgh are on tap. Hope it does not rain!

Is it a bad thing that I don't know who this guy is? Happy birthday anyways!

During a recent trip to Paris I took a side trip to Brussels. Loved it - especialy the beer!

WAY ex post facto, but how can a year go by without at least acknowledging that one of the world's great jazz festivals occurred. I went Had a blast Will be back next year for my 15th Montreal Jazz Festival in the last 17 years.

Hey - I live in Orchard Park! Always looking for a venue to listen. Good luck with your venture!

I'm interested in this as well. I've only got the Hoagy Sings Carmichae disc that came out several years ag but enjoy that enough to be very curious.l

I do enjoy discovering the music in a box when I first get it. But after the first listem. I've never been one to sit and listen to a box exclusively from end to end. I enjoy boxes as they (usually) provide me with an opportunity to pick up a significant prtion of an artist's work at a decent price. After the first listen, I usually throw a disc on from time to time - generally on ramdom play with several other discs on my CD changer. YIKES!

I'm not the type of person who has a lot of friends outside of work. The support of people on this board helped me through a very horrible time in my life - that being a divorce that came right out of left field and that I did not want to happen. I have a lot to be thankful for.