Dave James

Uh... yes, I can. Nobody was doing what Wayne Krantz, to pull the first name out of my hat, is doing now 60 years ago. I listen to lots of current jazz. Joe, I'll have to check to the power on this one, as all I know about Wayne Krantz is that he plays guitar and that he was born right here in Orygone. However, I'm sticking to my original statement. Regardless of how talented Mr. Krantz may be, I still can't imagine that I would prefer him to Grant Green, Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Raney or Rene Thomas if given the choice. Up over and out.

As I die hard Yankee fan, it's almost impossible to say anything nice about the Red Sox. Nonetheless, I feel bad about what's happening to Big Papi. The fact that he's toyed with the Mendoza Line most of the year is bad enough, but when you add to this his budding PED problems, it's pretty safe to say that 2009 is not going to go down as his all-time favorite year. Anyhow, I can't help myself, I just like the guy. I sincerely hope that he gets things squared away (as long as it doesn't negatively effect what's going on in the Bronx.) Another thought. The addition of Nick Swisher may be the single most important move the Yanks have made in some time. You can just see how loose this group is and how much fun they're having. A good portion of this is attributable to the free spirit that is Mr. Swisher. Even A-Rod, who, statistically, is having a serious off-year, is visibly happier. You simply can't say too much about the effect of good chemistry. Up over and out.

There's no doubt in my mind that the popularity of music is tied directly to its "danceability". Just follow the tracks. It's easy because they go back hundreds of years. Some music is meant to be danced to and some isn't. The idea of dancing to bebop is absurd on its face unless your goal is to wind up looking like Elaine Benes at the J. Peterman company Christmas party. That's why jazz was America's music in the '30's. The less danceable it became, the fewer people were interested. Further evidence of the fact that most people aren't really interested in the music itself, but the outlet it provides. One other thought about the state of the music. Can anyone name me a contemporary jazz artist who you would prefer to listen to over someone from the halcyon days of yesteryear. I can't. Up over and out.

I've had the Artie Shaw Mosaic catalog for several days and I finally had a chance to look it over this weekend. Because I have some interest in the Johnny Smith set, I was curious to see if there was any mention of the fact that this set (and a number of others) are on backorder and not currently available. As it turns out, there isn't. Seems to me that's not quite right. Agree? Disagree? Up over and out.

I agree with Dan and T the K . Jazz as performance music peaked in the '50's and '60's and, as popular entertainment, in the '30's and '40's. To dispute this is to ignore reality. That being the case, the fact that the "base" is withering should surprise no one. Further, it's foolish to believe that jazz can exist anyplace but on the periphery in the age of throwaway pop, video gaming and short attention spans. As always, a handful of folks will find their way to the music for one reason or another, but, in the great scheme of things, the number of those who embrace jazz will remain microscopic. I don't think the music will ever die, but it's going to spend most of its time on life support. Does that make things any different than they have been for the last 20 to 30 years? I don't think so. Up over and out.

All smiles. How cool is that? There's almost a wryness in her grin...like she already knows something you don't. Congratulations. Up over and out.

Looks like Billy lived the high life in more ways than one. I thought he was sort of likable in a way. Didn't care much for Pitchmen though. A little Billy went a long way. With regard to Ron Popeil, the worst product he ever sold was the spray on hair. I saw the infomercial a couple of times and it was laughable. He even let them use it on him. The fun part was the cuts to the audience, all oohing and ahhing about what a difference it made. I'd rather resort to the worst comb over in the history of mankind than use that gunk. Up over and out.

Some left over grease to keep everyone lubricated until Jim can get that dynamite video reinstated. Up over and out.

In his last 100 innings pitched, Buchholz has allowed 180 base runners. Up over and out.

Anyone want to do an over/under on how long Dan can remain decoupled from this thread if the Red Sux keep winning and the Yankees keep losing? Up over and out.

Enjoying a blended red right now called Menage a Trois (Zin, Merlot and Cab). It's from Folie a Deux in St. Helena, California. I visited this winery in the early '80's when it was just starting. I remember talking at length with the owner, who, as you might gather from the name, is/was a psychiatrist. I just happened to spot a bottle the other day at the place I shop for wine. I guess I'm surprised, but pleased that they remain in business. In honor of their success, I may drink the whole bottle. Up over and out.

Wow! Better than Miles, Coltrane, Kelly, Chambers and Cobb? Not sure I can go along with that. My favorite Shorter is with Art Blakey, but that's probably a function of the type of music The Messengers played, as I'm much more partial to that style. Up over and out.

Up over and out.

Whether he did or didn't juice isn't the issue. The press will treat this as they usually do, i.e. guilty until proven innocent, although because of Papi's previous protestations, there may be more ankle biting than usual. The upside of this for a Yankee fan is that it will seriously disrupt the bean town clubhouse. Up over and out.

Wasn't Alan a member either here or on the old BNBB? Even though I'm not buying any CD's these days, I miss the information he shared on that website. Perusing it every now and then was a kick. Up over and out.

Quadraphonic four channel sound. Also, does anyone else remember 4 track tapes? They switched twice as often as an 8 track. Brutal. Or, the vibrasonic, a car attachment that routed the music through an echo device. In my cruisin' days I ran my 8 track tape player through two of these (one for each channel). Up over and out.

If I understand correctly, it was a tumor on his spine that did him in. I had not heard about this before, only the melanoma. Johnson may have been the best defensive coach that the league has seen. Not only was he a good coach but a good man. For that reason, more so than his coaching ability, you mourn his passing. As an Eagles fan, you have to be concerned about the new DC, Sean McDermott. Although he says he'll continue to run the current defensive system, without Johnson at the helm, it can't possibly be the same. Up over and out.

Chewy, Although I'm not sure I'd call them garage bands, I sure do I remember some of those groups. The Sonics had a small regional hit with The Witch b/w Psycho and The Wailers with Tall Cool One. We had our own set of local bands here in PDX. The Epics, Don & The Goodtimes, Tikis & The Fabulons, The Redcoats, The Kingsmen of Louie Louie fame and, of course, Paul Revere & The Raiders who got their start right here. They used to drive to gigs in a hearse that they needed to haul around Revere's organ. No Farfisa at that early juncture. Some memorable venues as well that are long gone; Springer's Ballroom, The Headless Horseman, D-Street Corral. Man, those were the days. Up over and out.

They played some of this Dating Game video on a PBS comedy special that aired last week. No ifs ands or buts, Andy Kaufman was a friggin' genius. They said if he thought something was funny, he didn't care a lick if he was the only person in the world who thought it was. I don't know if anyone remembers the very first Saturday Night Live when Kaufman did his Mighty Mouse skit. Only he could pull that off. Interestingly enough, Billy Crystal was supposed to be on that first show too, but he was essentially bumped by Kaufman because in order for both of them to be on, Crystal was asked to shorten his bit from five to two minutes. Rather than do that, he walked off the set. BTW, Crystal and Kaufman were great friends. Thanks for sharing this. Anyone who hasn't scrummed around this website is missing out on a lot of interesting and entertaining stuff. Up over and out.

Yves, Responded today. We can work something out when I get back from Hawaii at the end of July. Up over and out.

Tomorrow morning I'm heading out for five days at a place called Pine Hollow, Oregon. Going with seven other guys. Male bonding stuff. Then, a week from Thursday, I'm leaving for three weeks on Molokai in the Hawaiian Islands with my significant other, Deb. This has the makings of a pretty decent July. Just wish there was some way to take the dogs with us. Up over and out.

I'm getting more and more into this gal. There's a lot to like. She's talented and attractive and there's something about her voice that grows on you over time. iTunes has a five song live set available that replicates some of the tunes from her new album but with small group backing and no strings attached. Up over and out.

If you grew up in the '60's, you'd have to have been locked in a closet to not know the opening few bars of "Walk Don't Run". R.I.P. Mr. Bob. Up over and out.

You may have noticed that several of the Hal Woodeshick cards Jim posted show him without a hat. In case you're wondering why, most often it's a reflection of the issuing card company's uncertainty as to what team a player might wind up with during the upcoming season. That's why you very rarely see stars shown hatless unless it's very late in their careers. Up over and out.

That has to be about a number five burr kept ruly with maybe a dollop or two of Lucky Tiger Butch Hair Wax. Wonder if there's any chance that Mr. Woodeshick spent time in the Marines. He kind of has that look. As to the card. Crisp corners. Centering, North South 50/50, but the 20/80 East West kills it. PSA 6. Up over and out.