Dave James

Let's see. Men's tennis or watching paint dry? Sorry, I gotta go with the paint. And this is coming from someone who played pretty seriously for 10 years, so it's not that I don't like the game. Where are the John McEnroes and the Jimmy Connors, guys who acted like they really cared, not just serve and volley automatons? Even if I were willing to settle for someone with just a scintilla of personality, I'd be left seriously wanting. Just ask yourself, what are the chances in men's tennis of ever again seeing anything that even approximates Jimmy Connor's run through the U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows in 1991? Then you'll see what I mean. 'Nuff said. Up over and out.

I think I've also been victimized by "I should have this set even though I'm not sure I really want it" syndrome. Not that I have any intention of offloading any of these, but they don't make it to my CD player all that often: Prima/Manone - no specific critique other than it's older music (sorry Lon) than I tend to like. Illinois Jacquet - too much bar walkin', honkin' R&B for me. Mildred Bailey - 10 CD's of that little girl voice, in spite of some terrific playing, is overkill. Joe Venuti/Eddie Lang - see Prima Manone Stan Kenton - both sets. I just don't "get" Kenton. Kenton Presents - In spite of the great lineups, I find a good deal of it just plain boring. Roy Eldridge - Bring on the flames. One I eagerly anticipated that has not yet measured up. 1957 Jimmy Smith - Even though I have a boatload of Smith in my collection, I've just never warmed up to his music. Bunny Berrigan - If you were stuck in an elevator for any length of time with any of the vocalists on this one, you'd be a raving maniac by the time they pulled you out and cleaned off the drool. Also, for what it's worth, count me among the loony-toons who think highly of the Chico Hamilton. Up over and out.

This is a solid effort, but at best, it has to rank in the bottom third of the Mobley canon. One of Hank's recordings which, IMO, and like "Thinking of Home", profited greatly from its very scarcity. Over the years, it seemed to morph into something of a post-bop Holy Grail, in the manner of Dex's "Landslide" and "Clubhouse" or Marable's "Tenorman". For that reason TF probably suffers from what I call "anticipation beats realization" syndrome in that there was little chance of its measuring up to one's inordinately outsized expectations. Up over and out.

Kevin, From one "old" poster to another. You're the first person I ever "talked" to about jazz when I came across the first iteration of the BNBB many a moon ago. Always have appreciated your insights and your contributions, even if they don't seem to be as frequent as they once were. Also, your direct line to Michael Cuscuna and the "insider" reports that result from those conversations are among the posts I most look forward to reading. Hope you have an excellent day. Up over and out.

My brother and I had more '59's than any other series, but my flat out favorite is 1957. Full body action shots on most cards with the least intrusive "identificationing" of any card I can recall save maybe some early '50's Bowmans. My least favorite was the Topps 1962's, the cards that were framed in brown with a faus peel-back reveal in the bottom right hand corner. Ugly or what? Up over and out.

Had one like this for about seven years. The first American car ever produced that was wider than it was high. Now have one like this: Of the two, I much prefer the Packard. Up over and out.

SS, That would be the one. Wow! $31,500. You should have seen the stuff in that catalog. The absolute creme de la creme of sports memoribilia. Up over and out.

About a month ago, I received a high end baseball memorabilia catalog in the mail. Among the items being auctioned was a PSA 10 of the card you see here, the Topps 1957 Mickey Mantle. It's the only known 10 in the world. Bidding started at $20,000!!! Holy schnikie, Batman. Up over and out.

Thanks Jim. You don't realize how much you miss this board until it's not available. Up over and out.

Dan, I was as surprised as anyone to see Wang in the closer's role yesterday. Farnsworth has pitched himself out of favor for the time being and even though Proctor got the win, he also blew the save, even if not from a statistical standpoint. Not sure what's happened to Villone but I would have expected to see him at the end, not Wang. Wang's future is up in the air. I think the Yankees like him and like his potential...he is as cool as a cucumber in the crucible that is Yankee Stadium, so you have to take that into account. Frankly, I don't see much of anything happening anywhere until we get closer to the trade deadline and teams figure out if they're in hold 'em or fold 'em mode. That will give the Yankees time to see if The Unit is back on track and to make sure Mussina stays in the groove. I think if they get "pitched", so to speak, with the right deal, though, Wang probably moves as he is definitely one of the few bargaining chips they have. As to prospective future pinstripers, that's not exactly what I'd call an open casting call. Willis, Pryor, Wood and Zito are the ones one hears most often mentioned, but Willis' record right now sucks and I'm not sure I'd take a chance on either of the two Bruins unless they really buck up health-wise over the course of the next six weeks. With Zito, given the situation in the wide-open West, I think the A's believe they will be in it all way, so I see him staying in Oakland. Interesting speculation on Clemens. Two things. If that happens, it practically forces the Yankees' hand in terms of having to make their own blockbuster deal. Second, The Rocket is going to cost the Sox the bluest of their blue chip prospects, so they'd better be prepared to dig deeply for his services. Also, if the 'Stros do go South, maybe Pettite winds up back in New York. Up over and out.

Dan, Don't forget, Small went 10-0 last year. I really think the $1.5 million was paid to say thanks for your help then as much as it was paid hoping he would be effective now. Rarely is lightning caught once in a bottle, much less twice. I see Jeter had to leave in the sixth inning of today's game. More hand problems. With so many other guys already out or hurting or sick, this doesn't bode well for the four game set with the Red Sox that begins tomorrow night. Up over and out.

Oh man...amen to that. I've thought for years that the person who can figure out a way to decouple Keith Jarrett from his vocal chords would be doing the jazz world a major favor. Unfortunately, even this wouldn't fix all the music he's already ruined, but it would pave the path to a brighter recording future. Talk about wasting an incredible talent. I love the way he plays, but I haven't been able to listen to him in years. Just think how great his "At the Blue Note" box would have been without the Jerry Lewis vocalizing. The other Jarrett remediation project I could get behind is if someone took a hammer and some nails and attached his pants to his piano bench. Up over and out.

Bol, Coincidently, I've got this one on my turntable right now. If you want to send me a PM and give me a fax number, I can get the discography to you. Up over and out.

If you elect not to opt out but you would still like to send a message to the credit card solicitors, just seal up the self-addressed postage paid envelope that comes with each offer and mail it back to them with nothing inside. Up over and out.

I think if you approach this set in the right frame of mind - let's face it folks, cutting edge Coltrane this ain't, it can be quite rewarding. I'm also guessing that, in general, the older you are the more likely you are to enjoy it. These guys can really sing and there's more than a little jazz accompanying them on their travels. I just randomly pulled one of the three jewel boxes off my shelf and found the following players listed: Georgie Auld, Bud Shank, Dave Pell, Bob Cooper, Ted Nash, Al Hendrickson, Howard Roberts, Shelly Manne, Jimmy Rowles, Herbie Harper, Red Mitchell, Pete Candoli...the list goes on and on. Not one of the great Mosaics for sure, but serviceable nonetheless. Up over and out.

I pinch. Up over and out.

Anything from Richard Twardzik is a godsend. There was an absolute uniqueness to his sound and in the way he put a tune together that puts him, IMO, in the company of artists like Monk and Herbie Nichols. His all too early departure was one of the great losses to the music. Up over and out.

Don Mossi Nickname: The Sphinx Born: 1929 LHP 1954-65 Indians, Tigers, White Sox, Athletics Career Stats Innings Pitched: 1548 Won: 101 Lost: 80 ERA: 3.43 Looks like ol' Don wasn't too bad a hurler, in spite of those ears. Lots of teams today would kill for a guy with those stats. Up over and out.

Noj, Up over and out.

Up over and out.

I had a Dual 1019 for quite a few years. I ran an ADC XLM MARK II cartridge the entire time I had it. You can still get these, but they are way over $100. If you have a higher end stereo shop in your immediate vicinity, preferably one that does repairs, I'd just ask them to make a recommendation. There should be lots of options if you're willing to spend up to $100. At the same time you might have them take a look at your 1219. Those Duals were good quality TT's. If yours is cosmetically sound and there isn't too much wrong with it mechanically, you got yourself a pretty sweet deal even if it didn't have a catrtidge. Up over and out.

I just finished some exhaustive research on Harold Reynold's psychic hotline. It appears I had my earlier statistics reversed. He's really right only 2% of the time. I apologize for posting misleading information. Up over and out.

CJ, Let's just say if he is, this is news to me. Cuttino does have a sweet stroke, but nothing like Hank's. Up over and out.

Lon, With regard to your prize, how about reconsidering and holding out for an LP copy of Ellington's "The Money Jungle"? Up over and out.

Dan, I'll bet you didn't know that Harold runs a business on the side providing psychic advice to the judgementally challenged. From what I understand, he's accurate almost 98% of the time. Up over and out.