Stefan Wood

It's not just classical music -- it exists in the visual arts as well. I work at a museum that is conservative by nature with the subject matter of its exhibitions and programs. I can't tell you how often when an exhibit featuring a modern or contemporary artist occurs the mixed reactions I can hear from visitors, as opposed to more visually pleasing shows like Hopper, for example. Modern art still has not gained mass acceptance where they can be money makers like the Impressionists.

A metaphysical drama.

Got the Film Noir box from Warner Bros, vol 4. Also, John Richardson's third volume on the bio of Picasso, which just came out, Michael Chabon's latest, a photography book, and a tripod for my digital Nikon camera. Yeah, I also took advantage of some crazy dvd sales in November - like Cecil B Demille's set for $10 on Amazon resellers. The Mr Moto sets are great! I got both sets for my folks last year, and they love it.

I don't think the film was ever about being an adaptation of the book. Clearly from the documentary it was the ideas that the book presented that were more interesting than the content. Though it is true that the direction changed from the original screenplay once they established Scott as the director, and with the inclusion of another screenwriter, which was controversial for those involved in the beginning. I might be alone in this, but every time I see this film, I don't think of it as sci fi nor noir.

Just woke up.......................

Buy the Virex software for Mac. It works, and doesn't interfere with the computer unlike a certain Norton program.

I picked up the 4 dvd set of Blade Runner yesterday at Best Buy. Saw it last night, and had some thoughts. Regardless of which version you prefer, voice over or not, both versions are here, also with a slightly longer international cut. The remastering is superb. The real surprise, and probably the centerpiece of the box set, is the three and a half hour (!!) documentary of the film, from its origins to production to release, and afterwards with the reediting. Anyone interested in film and film making should see it. It shows how one person's idea of taking a book to screen evolves into something that moves away from a personal view to a group view, from words to pictures. There were constant and evolving changes throughout production, and shows the importance of a director having the vision and willpower to see the entire thing through. They interview everyone -- the screenwriters, the financiers, the actors, the special effects guys, etc. It's amazing that a film can be made at all with all the factors involved. Some interesting things you find out are: how much Harrison Ford disliked the working conditions (they worked from 8 at night to 6 in the morning); Sean Young was not the preferred choice for the part of Rachel (Ridley Scott wanted her because she had the look for the part); the amazing set design and the things that they did to create the look of the future Los Angeles; and finally, the voice over narration outtakes which you hear Ford doing and commenting on how crappy it sounds. Fun stuff.

I second the Biondi.

The Sun Ra Transparency monster set. Excellent music!!!!!!!!!

The sound isn't perfect, but clear enough. Everyone is playing in top form, at least on the first three discs.

I've listened to about five more discs. Lots of organ. Sound is okay. Interesting stuff. I love this period of Sun Ra. I got the set as well -- apparently disc 19 is flawed, so I am getting a replacement. Unwrapping a sheet of tin foil, putting it on my head and kicking on the stereo.

This one?

It states in the liner notes that Craft did all the rehearsing with the orchestra, then Stravinsky came in to conduct for the lps. Fine. Still enjoyable. Interesting that Craft also has some influence on Stravinsky's integrating serialism in his later works. Those are what interest me in getting the set. I have heard the Craft Naxos material, and found it stellar in parts, boring in others. Ansermet's box, while not as many cds (8), and for almost twice the price, does rock the house: As for killer budget box sets: Malcolm Arnold Naxos Symphonies cycle Vaughan Williams Symphonies by Boult (1950's mono versions)

I have the best but I picked this up -- because it is dirt cheap and I wanted to hear the material that he did post 1960. Now have you seen that Elgar set..........

How did they arrive at THAT price for the cd?

Well, I haven't been posting as much in the past year, but I still like to read the various threads. This does it for me, no more jazz obsessing. Sorry to see the forum go.

It's their fate this year. But it does expose the awful truth about the team, and that is a lack of leadership in the coaching position. There are too many hands in the decision making process, and it has killed them this year.

What has been coming out from the Washington Post is that Taylor was from a middle class background who went to private school until he went to college. He was never seen as a trouble maker or undisciplined, but a model student. It was possible that when he spent time living with his mother (his parents were separated, she living in a different part of Florida), that he stumbled across "the wrong crowd," but it isn't clear. I wonder if being at the University of Miami, which has a great football program but a dubious history of players getting into trouble, was the bad influence. Any attempts like the Fox article, or what Michael Wilbon has been saying to place Taylor into a larger racial context, doesn't fit.

Sean Taylor died this morning.

Talk about a horrible year, if you are a 'Skins fan like me. After another intolerable loss yesterday, their injured strong safety Sean Taylor gets shot at home in Florida. He is in critical condition. and they are not sure if he will make it.

It is an awesome and well researched series of box sets. Completely opened my eyes to pre WWII music in a way that Ken Burns' Jazz could never do.

Must we also dispose of our valves amplifier??? And our PCs which suck up more power than AC units???? If you are worried about the environment, I'd be more concerned about the cars we drive.

That's great! Hopefully more Strata East to follow......

This is a fantastic prog album, released late in 1978:

ANY Ernest Dawkins or Kahil El' Zabar cds from Delmark are a worthwhile purchase.