Dave James

Here's a link to the Dragon site itself: www.dragonrecords.se. Because there are other, more accessible sources that carry their catalogue, this is mostly for informational purposes, but be advised, delving into the Dragon inventory can be hazardous to your fiscal well-being. BTW, I heartily endorse your pursuit of the Davis Stockholm recordings. IMO, they are indespensible. Up over and out.

Gotta go with "Red House". This one really showcases Hendrix's considerable blues chops. I like to think that if he hadn't put his cue back in the rack, there might have been a terrific blues album in his (our) future. Up over and out.

How about that gal in Colorado? Up over and out.

Geez, who do the Lakers have that would make this interesting? Odom's stock is way down. George? Draft picks? Not sure I see how this works for the Pacers and Toronto. Of course, in spite of this, it wouldn't surprise me a lick if Los Angeles came out of this much stronger, even if it's at the expense of the other two teams. We all know how desperate the NBA is to have a contender in L.A. Up over and out.

While I have a soft spot for a good jazz ballad, I've studiously avoided purchasing any of the endlessly recycled compilation CD's that seem to have flooded the market. I think the "For Lovers" series is a sign that record companies feel they've figured out how to market jazz (if there is a way) and that's by appealing to the romantic side of their audience. You know, nothing overtly challenging...something that would allow your basic pseudo-hipster to have a little Coltrane or some Miles around to round out their collection of MOR pop. I guess any jazz is better than no jazz at all, but none of these will be insinuating themselves into my stash any time soon. Up over and out.

Everyone looks better in pinstripes. They're just so slimming. I am wound up tighter than a 10 day clock. This is sooooooo coooooool. I can't wait for May 19th when my boys cascade into Fenway. What a scene that'll be. The Red Sox trying to prove you can win in the bigs without an infield against the Bronx Bombers, trying to prove you can win in the bigs without any starting pitching. Up over and out.

Being a fan (short for fanatic) is all about having a favorite team. I've been a Yankee fan since before most of you were born, so the idea of pledging allegiance to another team has never crossed my mind for even a single second. These are my guys and they have been through thick and thin. And, believe me, over the years, there's been plenty of "thin". The other part of being a fan is rooting against other teams. While I can't say I hate the Red Sox, I certainly don't root for them, but the biggest reason I don't is only because every time they win, I have to worry about the Yanks keeping up. In other sports, there are teams I truly hate, especially the Dallas Cowboys, but in baseball, not really. I just love the friggin' game. Up over and out.

Both are essential. If I had to choose between the two, I would probably take the Brown set in a photo finish, but that could change by tomorrow. Let us know what you think after you've had a chance to digest these. Up over and out.

Holy jumpin' up and down, Martha: YANKS SIGN JOHNNY DAMON Four years, $54 million. I'll be available for consultation tomorrow. Right now, I'm gonna crack me an Old Milwaukee. Up over and out.

I did forward this to the spoof@paypal.com. They responded very quickly and confirmed that this was, indeed, a hoax, or what they call phishing. They also indicated that they are working diligently to shut down the site that you're directed to in the fake message. In spite of this, and because I'd rather be safe than sorry, I went ahead and changed my password. All things considered, this is the most sophisticated scam I've run into. A word to the wise (from PayPal) should be sufficient. They remind everyone that any communication with PayPal should be initiated by you entering their URL in your browser, i.e. under no circumstances should you link to any site suggested by anyone else. Sine Die. Up over and out.

Just confirms the old adage that even a stopped clock is right two times a day. Up over and out.

The scary part is that they had my e-mail address and my name, i.e. it was personalized, not just someone throwing a net in the ocean and seeing how many fish would swim in. I've notified PayPal about this, but I'm thinking I'd better, as Valerie suggests, change my password. Up over and out.

This morning when I got to work, I opened up Outlook and there was a message from PayPal confirming my purchase of a 60GB i-Pod from "dadvdguy" for $355.00. Problem is, I didn't buy a 60GB i-Pod from anyone. This message, as most do nowdays, looks completely legit. It says your address is unconfirmed and links you to another legitimate looking site that provides you, among other things, with an opportunity to contest the payment using PayPal's resolution center. Of course, that requires you to log on using your password. Believe me when I say this all looks on the up and up. So, just to be sure someone hadn't hacked into my PayPal account, I went into their website and confirmed that there have been no withdrawls from my account or payments made as indicated in the e-mail. One other piece of information. The guy who is supposably shipping the i-Pod to me is Omar Hadji who lives in Timpson, Texas. Ya'll may have seen this one before. I haven't. Forewarned is forearmed...and we're not talking Tookie Williams here. Up over and out.

Jack Fuller's "The Best of Jackson Payne." That's one I really enjoyed. Here's a short, descriptive blurb I pulled off the internet: Now we can add to the list Jack Fuller's recently published novel The Best of Jackson Payne. Fuller is the author of several novels and the president and former jazz critic of the Tribune Company in Chicago. He knows his stuff about jazz and he knows how to write. Jackson Payne is a tenor sax player whose biography is being researched and written by the novel's first-person narrator. Payne, like so many real jazz artists, lived a life on the edge: the edge of the music, the edge of the women, the edge of the drugs. The narrator becomes obsessed with the man and his music as he searches the world for acquaintances who can recollect the details of Payne's life. The novel, then, is both the story of Jackson Payne and the story of his biographer. As the novel progresses the facts, the music,the genius of each become intertwined. So many great jazz artists flamed out in the same trajectory of Jackson Payne. If there is meaning to be gleaned from this well- told tale it has to do with the balanced role of boundaries and freedom, harmony and cacophony, genius and ordinariness. Up over and out.

I understand that the Giambino himself called Nomar to whistle a Yankee tune. Up over and out.

SPAM? [ Up over and out.

Good point. I stand corrected. Up over and out.

Dan, Yes, with regard to Ortiz, absolutely. As you know, I thought he should be the AL MVP. Still do. Up over and out.

I'm just fascinated by the possibility that three of the best shortstops of the last 20 or so years may wind up playing in the same infield. Torre thinks Nomar can really help the team. I tend to trust his judgement. With regard to Giambi, he's been platooned over the last couple of years, so it's not like he'd have to get used to something brand new. I'm not surprised at all that his offensive numbers are better when he's playing. I would be willing to bet that almost anyone in his situation would show the same or similar results. It's just a whole lot easier to stay in the game mentally when you're playing all nine innings. I mean DH'ing isn't a whole lot different than pinch hitting 3-4 times a game. Coming off the bench cold is never an easy proposition, especially at the big league level. Up over and out.

Bluerein, Hey, lighten up. I'm not impugning your information or your credibility at all. What I'm saying is that this is very "un-Mosaic- like". And, no, I don't believe they should post information about upcoming sets until and unless those sets are locked and loaded. This is the first time I can ever recall anything like this happening. Up over and out.

Here's an interesting twist. The Yanks are looking at Nomar to play first base. Up over and out.

Not sure I understand how Mosaic could get to the point of promoting this as a future release if there was any question at all about their ability to make it happen. Doesn't make sense. Up over and out.

New York Post: "While GM Brian Cashman and agent Arn Tellem refused to confirm or deny an offer has been made by the Yankees to Garciaparra, several industry sources indicated an offer has been made... Randy Hendricks, the agent for Roger Clemens, shot down a rumor that the Yankees have made an offer to Clemens." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newsday: "In another sign of his increased power, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman flew to Tampa last night so he could be present for organizational meetings... The Yankees continue to negotiate with free-agent centerfielder Johnny Damon and relievers Octavio Dotel, Rudy Seanez, Julian Tavarez and Rick White." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After all the Red Sox have done so far, the Yanks absolutely have to mount some kind of big splash counter attack. Signing both Garciaparra and Damon would go a long ways towards that end. Word also is the Sox have begun to talk to the Mariners about Jeremy Reed as a contingency plan for the potential loss of Damon. Matt Clement's name has surfaced in those discussions. Up over and out.

Phenomenal, incredibly athletic dancers. If you've never seen the 1943 movie "Stormy Weather", check it out. Up over and out.

Well, Dan, I guess that makes some sense. If there's a place in either league next season where a player wouldn't be botherd by fans, it's gonna be Baltimore. Still, even though Manny marches to a drummer none of us have ever heard, even he wants to win. The O's aren't going anywhere for probably as long as Manny has left in the show. 10/5 will absolutely keep this from happening. Up over and out.