Dave James

I can see it now. G-iant Steps. Kenny G Plays the Music of John Coltrane.

It's obvious at this point that if the Yankees don't make a move to shore up their starting pitching, it's tantamount to an admission that they've kissed off the post-season. All this talk about being happy with their current line-up is total B.S. C'mon guys, step up to the plate and get something done. By standing pat, Cashman is all but writing his own obituary. He has to know that. If the Yanks do nothing, I'm officially checking out.

Thanks, Jim. I did a little research and found that the JLO tribute to James Black occurred on May 29, 2003. I've searched high and low for a video documentation of this concert without success. Anyone have any idea if anything like this exists and, if so, how one might go about procuring it? As usual, thanks for the help.

Speaking of the LCO, several years back, they performed a concert dedicated to the music of a jazz composer with the last name of Black. Does anyone recall the full name of this individual? His music was very interesting. I stumbled into this on PBS.

I have a hard time seeing Philly moving Samuel to Dallas. Not only would that be an intra-divisional move that involves the hated Cowboys, but I'm not sure they have anyone the Birds really need. Even from a draft-pick perspective, they'll finish high enough to make that a less attractive option. What I'd really like to see is a play for a top flight RT to protect Michael Vick's backside. Winston Justice is in way over his head (not to mention that he's now on the PUP list) so the need is definitely there. If not, then the aforementioned linebacker or defensive lineman. Or, you could make the deal for picks and use the "extra" cash to help make DeSean Jackson a happier camper. I've been an Eagle fan since 1959. To see them go all in and effectively create their own 2-3 year Super Bowl window is as exciting as it gets. I am wound up tighter than a 10 day clock. Let's get it started. Philly plays in Seattle in December. I'm thinking I may need to get up there and check this out in person. Oh, also, lost in the Asomugha ozone, Philadelphia did confirm earlier this evening that they've added Vince Young. Working with Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg might do wonders for his career.

There's quite a bit of talk about Casey Matthews getting a shot at MLB. Having watched this kid at the University of Oregon for the last four years, I'm all for it. He's not as big as he needs to be, but he's a natural leader and he's got a motor in him that just won't quit. I agree that of the three CB's, Samuel is the one most likely to go. Tackling issues are a real bugaboo. I didn't know he wasn't at camp. That may say as much as anything. Still gotta make DeSean happy though.

Well, to say I'm stunned would be an understatement. If this turns out to be true and, as is being reported, and the Eagles also bring in Vince Young as a back-up to Mike Vick, then this will be the most memorable of off-seasons. Question now is, what are they going to do with three all-pro CB's? Wonder if they plan to deal one for either a linebacker or a D-lineman.

Gotta go with Charlie Mariano. Bop to post-bop to jazz fusion to world music during the five decades that encapsulated his recording career.

I'm pretty sure those sessions part of a Verve 2-fer a number of years ago.

You gotta love this quote: Usually, when artists are left to do what they do best, the results are better than what happens when they’re told what to do,” he says. “That doesn’t mean there can’t or shouldn’t be some sense of collaboration with producers and A&R people, but in the end, the choices and the decisions should be mine. It’s the artist’s job to be true to the integrity of his art. If he is, then things always work out well. Musical hubris? Either that or someone's been left in a room by themselves for way too long.

Just saw this on the ESPN website. Indeed, a sad story. I was surprised he was still living in the U.S. I figured he would have gone back to Japan when his MLB career ended. Guess he had some issues with alcohol, but who knows what drives someone to this. Two things I remember most about him. First, for about a month in his second or third year in the Bronx, he may have been the best pitcher in all of baseball. Second, when his career in New York began to fizzle, George Steinbrenner was fond of calling him "Upperdecki". For whatever reason, I always found that amusing.

Ah yes, Alma Cogan; another singer who died way too young - she was 34 when she died in 1966. She recorded quite a few songs that didn't really suit her in my view, but she was a great singer. Watched the BBC documentary about her several times. Certainly more visually than vocally. In some of the pix that accompany this video, all you'd have to do is overlay the Winehouse eye shadow and you'd have more than a passing similarity. Some of Cogan's dresses also remind me of the outfits AW would wear on occasion. One has to wonder, given the developmental influence her father, Mitch, had on her, if she might not have been familiar with the likes of an Amy Cogan

Big fan of this one from Shapiro. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sluub4nv9Y0 Also, an O.K. cover of Mary Wells' My Guy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRifMjB91Ng&feature=related

Eagle fan here. Hoping the proposed trade of Kevin Kolb to the Cardinals for Dominique Rogers Cromartie and (hopefully) a first round pick, goes through soon. Now that Asomugha looks to be off the board, the deal for Kolb takes on even greater significance. I just hope the Eagles are smart enough not to push too hard on the draft pick piece of this deal. The last thing you want to do is chase away a potential suitor by trying to get blood out of a turnip. Philly desperately needs a cornerback to complement Assante Samuel and DRC seems to be as good a fit as they're likely to find. As to a back-up QB to replace Kolb, I'm thinking Vince Young --- assuming Brett Farve truly is not in the mix. If the Jets have signed Asomugha, it would seem like their ability to retain Holmes, Edwards or Smith or anyone else for that matter will be severely compromised. His asking price was somewhere in the $20 million range. That'll eat up a lot of crucial capital in one fell swoop. I agree, though, having him and Revis on the edges is a very scary thought. Where are folks going to throw?

Came across this interesting somewhat jazz related piece of Amy Winehouse lore this morning. Thought it was worth sharing. This younger Winehouse had been nurtured both artistically and religiously by her family. Her parents and paternal grandmother, Cynthia, who once dated the legendary musician Ronnie Scott, raised her on a steady diet of jazz greats and soul singers from Billie Holiday to Ella Fitzgerald to Dinah Washington. It was also Cynthia who hosted weekly Friday night dinners. Her death in 2006 is said to have precipitated her granddaughter’s downward spiral.

Couldn't agree more. IMO, he took that group to a whole different level. Not to sell any of the other guys in that fantastic band short, or regular pianist Russ Freeman, but there's a reason Manne called in the mobile recording crew from Riverside. His name was Victor Feldman.

Tom, How was the show?

First of all, as many prior posts will reflect, I am an unabashed fan of Victor Feldman, especially as a pianist. I knew he was a child prodigy, but I don't think I'd ever seen any video. Thanks for posting this. A couple of observations. First, that's about the strangest trap set-up I think I've ever seen. Must've been adjusted to accommodate his size. Also, you gotta love the swinging accordion guy...a regular Myron Floren.

Not just her death, but any death in the entertainment community. Part of what makes someone a fan is the anticipation of what's to come. It doesn't matter if it was Bird, Billie, Hendrix, Janis or Amy Winehouse. To be deprived of what might have been and to mourn a death at least in part because of it is, IMO, neither wrong nor inappropriate.

One of the things that initially attracted me to Winehouse was her respect for the past, i.e. great American songbook, a trait attributable to her father. Here's a good example. Let's all put our most advanced thinking caps on and try to imagine Justin Beiber tackling this:

Really? So Bird did too (have it comin')?!? - & many others. Maybe I misunderstand your comment. Seems a little cold. At any rate, I thought she had much potential. I'll miss hearing what might have been. Absolutely agree. I had the same reaction. Hopefully, it was not intended as it came across. Boy, the thing about potential. That's so right on... just a killer. Not only Winehouse, but all the others. What is it about celebrity that pushes people to and beyond the brink?

I believe Ron McKernan, a.k.a., Pigpen, also died at age 27.

Wow, what a tragic waste of talent. I'm extraordinarily saddened to hear this. I thought she was remarkably gifted and actually had some serious respect for the tradition. A far, far cry from the auto-tuned hacks that pass for singers these days. It's hard to believe she could drink herself to death at such a young age, but if she was mixing booze and drugs, she was rolling the dice. It was only a matter of time. R.I.P. girl. Where are your eyes that were so wild, hurroo, hurroo Where are your eyes that were so wild, hurroo, hurroo Where are your eyes that were so wild When our hearts you so beguiled Why did ye run from you and the child Oh Amy, we hardly knew ye.

"Rifling through the trash?"

Hughes outing tonight makes it much more likely that the Yanks will have to do something significant before the deadline. You can't go into the playoffs with one reliable starter.