Dave James

OFF TOPIC WARNING: Is it just me, or does this picture of Liszt look something like Vincent Kartheiser, the actor who played Pete Campbell on "Mad Men?"

"Liar's Poker" by Michael Lewis and "Den Of Thieves" by James B. Stewart are also excellent reads.

That's as well-acted a film as I've seen in awhile. Even Demi Moore is good. Some real heavyweights here, especially Jeremy Irons who perfectly captures the greed and avarice that characterized Wall Street before the fall. The scene where he makes his first appearance is riveting. I'm a fan of The Big Short" as well, but if I had to choose between the two, I'd have to go with "Margin Call." No aesthetic distance here...it's a film that really draws you in and makes you feel like you have seat at the table.

I don't think you're giving it enough credit. Not only from the standpoint of its "one long shot" premise, but from the context of reality. The films you mention, especially, "Paths Of Glory", are all well done, but they don't begin to deal with the ugliness of war. It's like comparing "Sands of Iwo Jima" with the Russian film "Come and See " At its core, "1917" is an openly anti-war film. Because it gives you no breaks over its two unrelenting hours, it forces you to confront the palpable brutality of total war. It's an unpleasant film, but one that is trying to make a point and it does so with room to spare.

Years ago when I was doing my jazz show on KMHD in Gresham, Oregon, I used to use this BD song for my voice over intro:

With all the technology available today, why are catchers still using hand signals to call pitches?

Should be an interesting year. How cool would it be to see the Yankees and the Dodgers in the 2020 World Series? It's been 39 years since they last met.

One of the few Keith Jarrett sessions I can listen to and enjoy was recorded at this venue.

Looks like the Mookie Betts deal is finally back on track. This has to be one of the stranger, more convoluted baseball trades in some time.

I remember Bean mostly as a panelist on shows like "What's My Line". He always came across as the clever, sophisticated, likable man-about-town. Sort of a latter day Oscar Levant.

Long time New Riders of the Purple Sage pedal steel guitarist Buddy Cage passed away earlier this week. He was not as well-known as players like Red Rhodes, Pete Kleinow or Rusty Young, but he was every bit their equal. I was lucky enough to have seen NRPS a couple of times years ago, one of which was as the opening act for the Dead's 1973 concert in Veneta, Oregon that many consider to be the best single show that band ever played.

"Bad and the Beautiful" is the one that stands out for me. I also enjoyed some of his later films including the incredibly campy, "Final Countdown." "Splash the Zeros. I say again, splash the Zeros." Silliness ensues.

Betts reportedly turned down a 10-year $300 million extension prior to this season. When he countered with an offer of $426 million over 12 years, the Red Sox put him on hold. Now he's gone West for what you'd have to think will be close to his asking price. Makes you wonder how deep the Yankees will have to dig to resign Aaron Judge.

Me too. I haven't listened to it for years. If I'm recalling it correctly, 2 1/2 stars is about right. I'll have to locate it in the stacks and give it a spin.

Jim, are you aware of this? Szukalski is now the subject of the critically acclaimed 2018 Netflix documentary Struggle: The Life and Lost Art of Szukalski directed by Irek Dobrowolski

Probably the most infamous "on fire" album cover ever:

I've long been a closet UFO nutter, so this one has been interesting.

It says book in the description, but it appears to be the 36-CD set you're after. Not cheap. https://www.ebay.com/itm/TEAM-OF-RIVALS-POLITICAL-GENIUS-OF-ABRAHAM-LINCOLN-By-Doris-Kearns-Goodwin-VG-/183990454878?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c4#viTabs_0

Interesting album cover:

"Tootie" is still with us, but there aren't many of the originals who are still standing. I just wonder how well they'll be remembered when folks like us who are of a certain age, have all put our cues back in the rack.

One episode from Season 3 called "Lizard's Leg and Owlet's Wing" co-stars Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney, Jr. and Peter Lorre. It's not a particularly strong outing, but it's as kitschy as they come.

The recent Reacher books have been borderline over the top. It's like Child has to keep upping the ante to keep things interesting. If you want to read the best of the bunch, I'd recommend "61 Hours". I've heard if they do another movie, it will be based on this installment.

11-CD, 1-DVD box set from Chris Rea released in 2005.