Dave James

The Susan Boyle story was picked up by the CBS Evening News tonight and she'll be on their morning show tomorrow. This is the kind of story (and talent) that might actually have legs. I've probably watched this video 15 times in the last couple of days. The judge in the middle is right, before Ms. Boyle sang, you could have cut through the audience's eye-rolling cynicism with a knife. Then, in about five seconds, 3,000 people do a complete 180. Nice. Speaking of surprises, here's another one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y703tPc4PRk Up over and out.

I'm sorry to see Chris go. The depth and breadth of his knowledge would be a welcome addition to any music related board. But, it's his decision to depart, as it is anyone else's, so if he wants to leave, no one can stop him. Chris is doing this for reasons that are important to him, and that's all that really matters. Personally, I'll miss his contributions and his insights. I wish him all the best. Up over and out.

I read a couple of obits for Ms. Chambers and in one of them, Ron Jeremy lamented the fact that they were about to sign to do a movie together later this year. No offense to the departed, but maybe there is someone up there looking out for us after all. Up over and out.

Nice pun. Up over and out.

It was so bad for the Yanks tonight that they pitched Nick Swisher for an inning at the end of the game. Given his line, maybe he should have started. R.I.P. Bird. I was 18 when he had his big year in 1976. Although I've always been a Yankee fan, you couldn't help but follow this guy. Manicuring the mound with his bare hands...talking to the baseball. Boy, that was fun. The Tigers used to have another guy by the name of Kevin Saucier around that same time. He was a relief pitcher who used to strut off the mound after a good inning like Groucho Marx. He was also a flash in the pan. Lost his control completely ala Rick Ankiel. Up over and out.

Al, I don't want to knock any of the gilt off your early season lilly, but Texeira is a notoriously slow starter. If this goes on into May, we'll need to talk again. I still think this guy is a solid as they come. He's 29, has the right attitude to be successful in New York and I think is poised to have a kick ass run in pinstripes. Up over and out.

Not so sure. Can you imagine what Ben Webster would sound like in a subway? Up over and out.

Nice stuff. Stevie Wonder has performed some gorgeous ballads. My personal favorite is Ribbon In The Sky. Under no circumstances should you tune this out until you hear the solo at the end of the tune. One of my favorite moments in pop music. Up over and out.

Here's a lengthly piece I came across on a website called Jazz Studies On Line. lt can get a bit technical at times but, overall, I found it interesting and informative. http://jazzstudiesonline.org/files/RudyVanGelder.pdf Up over and out.

I'm sure by now most of you have seen the video, "David After the Dentist". Here's a pretty good follow up that riffs on the original. It's now making the rounds on YouTube. Up over and out.

I think what Cash said is on the money, but the point he's making resonates in areas of entertainment other than just C&W. There's simply a lot of posing going on when it comes to music in general. By posing, I mean creating an image that has way more to do with what an artist perceives his or her audience to want the performer to be rather than a reflection of who or what that artist is really about. For example, does anyone really believe that Toby Keith is some kind of hard ass who'd just as soon hit you as look at you? Does anyone think that 50 Cent is really a gangster? All Mr. Keith and Mr. Cent are trying to do is sustain an image because that image has sustained them. It's as phony as a three dollar bill, but their constituents lap it up. That translates to money in the bank and that, after all, is what this is all about. So, when Johnny Cash says that the music is creating a lifestyle, I don't think he could be more right. Up over and out.

Has anyone in these parts partaken of the Bruce box set, Can You Follow? It's a 6 CD retrospective that covers his entire career. Some of the tracks are from the iteration of his band Spirit which included Carla Bley and Mick Taylor. That alone makes it kind of intriguing. Up over and out.

Strikes me as creepy too. Put yourself in this guy's shoes when he's trying to put his A-game moves on this gal and she won't stop singing. Up over and out.

Well for one thing, Farrell passed away in 1986, so he's recording very little new music these days. Add to this the fact that he checked out at only 49 years of age, so you have to figure he lost 20 years or more of potential recording activity as a result of his early death. With regard to Vim and Vigor and Sonic Text, and depending on how beholden you are to owning the physical CD, both are available on eMusic. BTW, Skateboard Park is another recording worth checking out. Good luck with your search. Up over and out.

OMG. Hide the children! Up over and out.

Larry, Saw your posts. I'm indebted to you for the I Say A Little Prayer in pink video which I cribbed for one of my posts. That stuff on Doug's blog about Paul Desmond and the Kessler Twins video at the bar in the Hilton Hotel right here in PDX is a hoot. He must've have been quite a character. Up over and out.

Hey, I won a couple of these CD's today and I'm going after another one tomorrow. Is there some way to do combined shipping? Thanks. Up over and out.

Dan, There's only one way to authenticate your sincerity. You must become a Yankee fan. Welcome aboard! Up over and out.

I heard it wasn't a Plano cop who was the asshole, but one from Dallas. We also have a bad cop story going on here in Portland. About a week ago, in the dead of night, two officers in an unmarked patrol car followed a woman with the unfortunate name of Freedom Child to her house and, without identifying themselves, rousted her out for not have a light on her bicycle. The shakedown allegedly included some use of force, specifically hair pulling, and resulted in her being charged with resisting arrest. With all the crime problems in cities, is it too much to ask the police make better use of their time? If law enforcement wonders why it has such a marginal reputation in many communities, look no further this incident and the one in Texas. Up over and out.

Yes, my sentiments exactly. For those of you who are still unwilling to commit your mind, heart, body and soul to the Kessler Twins, here's another video that may make you recognize the error of your ways. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcysec6Jc6g Up over and out.

Over on Doug Ramsey's Rifftides blog, there's a discussion about the Scopitone, something of a video jukebox that was around for a very brief time in the '60's. One of the videos that was made for this machine was of two German sisters, Alice and Ellen, better known as the Kessler Twins. I couldn't let this go without sharing the video from, where else, YouTube. Please take note of the sly looks the sister on the left keeps flashing during this all too short video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWD5w9tVTr0...feature=related Up over and out.

Don't overlook the Sony Play Station as a Blu-Ray option. I got the 80 gig. When I was doing my pre-purchase research, everything I read said it was the best player available. Plus, you get the gaming option, so on the off chance I ever get into video games, I'd be good to go. Just so I don't stray too far off topic, I'm watching Niagra with Joseph Cotton, Jean Peters and a very young and quite attractive Marilyn Monroe. Up over and out.

Holy shit!!! GUILLEN ENDORSES GETZ FOR 2B JOB. Up over and out.

Not unless someone in her band was playing a Farfisa. Up over and out.

Jim - Thanks for posting that link. I'd heard of the MW rants, but I'd never actually listened to them. Now that I have, I recall they did a reasonable job of capturing this on the Beach Boy made for TV biopic from several years back. Interestingly enough, the picture that's included on the site is of Murray and his Beach Boy wannabes, The Sunrays. They were the one hit wonders who penned and performed the tune I Live For The Sun which Murray produced. As surf tunes go, it's not that bad. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1faaM8fRUSQ Up over and out.