Dave James

Word. If Colon ever makes it to the big (pardon the pun) club, they'll have to put him and CC on a separate plane. Here's a brighter spot of "news" (quotes because it's not really news, it's a report of increased optimism): Yankees more optimistic about possible return of Pettitte As I've said before, although I'd certainly welcome the improvement to a worrisome and shaky rotation, I'd mostly just be happy to have an official last hurrah for Andy. If he does come back, I'm making a date with MLB radio for every Pettitte start this coming year. The Pettitte possibility is good news, but unless Hughes and, especially, Burnett pitch up to and beyond their capabilities, it's still going to be a long year. ((A Yankees starter allowed six or more runs 25 times last year, a total exceeded only by six non-playoff teams -- the Pirates, Diamondbacks, White Sox, Orioles, Brewers, Royals.)

All is well in my pin-striped world. Word this morning has the Yankees signing Bartolo Colon to a minor league deal. What could I possibly have been worried about? Between him and Mark Prior, #28 is just around the corner. Can you spell d-e-s-p-e-r-a-t-i-o-n?

I am not, nor do I intend to become familiar with The Singers Unlimited. After sampling some of their music on iTunes, I thought for sure I was listening to the group that backed up Shelley Fabares on Johnny Angel. Different strokes for different folks, but I'm not sure how anyone can think these are better than the Beatles' originals.

http://www.horsepresence.com/shop/media/Sounds/22Loudsqueakwhinny2000.aif

"For those of you who don't know (including, apparently, the narrator) Mosaic was founded in 1983 by Michael Cuscano". You gotta love that.

To me, when you're just starting to scratch the surface of jazz singing, it about building bridges. You mention listening to and enjoying Katie Malua and Corinne Bailey Rae, two artists with whom I'm somewhat familiar, but who you rightfully recognize aren't jazz singers. Nonetheless, you like what they're doing. So, instead of making what I would consider to be a quantum leap into the space occupied by an Anita O'Day or a Nina Simone or even a Shirley Horn, you need to listen to artists who are more transitional, i.e. those who have some jazz sensibilities but who you can still relate to given where you are right now. While I think Diana Krall is a workable suggestion, you might also want to consider checking out someone like Jacqui Naylor or Rickie Lee Jones. Welcome aboard. Just curious. How did you locate this collection of miscreants?

We have an excellent stereo repair facility here in Portland called Inner Sound. I've used them extensively. They nick you $50.00 for just putting your head in the door. They apply this fee to offset the cost of diagnostics. You can ask them to call you with a final estimate or authorize them to go no higher than a specified amount without contacting you first. Obviously, if you can replace your unit for less than $50, that's the way to go. Getting stereo equipment repaired is probably not cost effective, but I've found over the course of time that you tend to develop something of a relationship with your gear that makes the cost secondary to keeping it in good health.

I don't believe the reasons for Gray's death were ever determined. Lots of speculation with respect to drugs and/or the mob, but nothing definitive. There is a fictionalized treatment of his death in one of Bill Moody's Evan Horne jazz mysteries. It's called, Death Of A Tenor Man. Worth reading.

The fact that it has begun smoking almost ensures that this is the case.

Let's see. Red Sox add Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez. Yanks add Andruw Jones. This has all the makings of a pretty long year.

I love Wild Bill's hair. It looks like a Jurassic prototype of Kid 'n Play's hi-top fade.

Sorry to see this. Ozzie & Harriet was a touchstone for me. I loved Ozzie's goofiness and the fact that he never had to go to work. The crazy friends and neighbors, Thorny, Joe, Darby and Doc. Did you know Ozzie was an Eagle Scout, a lawyer and the quarterback on the football team at Duke? Harriet Hilliard was the singer in the sweet band he ran in the '40's. The whole thing was so quintessentially '50's. I always wondered if David thought he got the short end of the stick considering how famous his brother became. Hopefully not. Every time another one of these folks passes, you just feel like everything is slip slidin' away.

To correct a common misconception, watts need only be a concern if your speakers are inefficient. You can drive a highly efficient speaker system with low wattage and it will sound just fine.

From Monday's Los Angeles Times: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2011/01/universal-music-library-of-congress-bing-crosby-ella-fitzgerald.html

Check this out: http://www.sportsgrid.com/ncaa-football/auburn-rb-michael-dyer-barely-avoids-going-down-on-key-37-yard-run-video/

Pretty disappointing. If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, then the Duck's offensive co-ordinator is certifiable. One of the most repetitious and unimaginative game plans I've ever seen. Not only that, but when all the crack-pot gadget plays failed to work, there appeared to be no Plan B. It's not like the Ducks haven't played teams with decent defensive lines, but I guess nothing like they were up against last night. Auburn got into the backfield so quickly, half the time it looked like they'd lined up on the offensive side of the ball. Oregon's answer? No adjustments appear to be necessary. One other thing. Whoever was responsible for the preparation of the turf last night ought to be gagged, bagged and tagged. Players from both teams were slipping and sliding all night long. What an embarrassment. The only upside is that bad turf is an equal opportunity employer. I still say if someone before the game had told me Auburn would score 22 points and win, I would have bet the farm they were wrong. A good season that could have been great. Duck nation mourns the lost opportunity.

Interesting article. Thanks for sharing it. Too bad they can't work something out along these lines to accommodate the Savory collection.

The vocal on Breezin' is 'This Masquerade'. You need to re-acquaint yourelf with your vinyl! Yea, and that vocal is far from dreadful, a beautiful performance if you ask me. "On Broadway" was indeed pretty dreadful. I sold that live album as soon as I bought and heard it. Guilty as charged. While Masquerade has never been one of my favorite tunes, it's fine on Breezin'.

Even if you can rationalize a 7-9 team making the playoffs, there's no way that team should be playing at home. I'm no fan of the Saints or Seattle, but if you play this game at the Superdome, the Seahawks are pretty much making tee times right now. The NFL is going to review their playoff system before next year. Hopefully, they'll come to their senses and let the teams with the best regular season W-L records into the post-season. That's the only fair way to do it.

NOTH is the only film ever directed by Charles Laughton. When you talk about all-time creepy movie villains, Harry Powell has to be in the conversation. Take your iPod and play it during the opening and closing credits. Problem solved. This is worth seeing.

Had to have been around the same time as Lon. My first was the OJC; Stan Getz Quartets.

Without a doubt, one of the strangest college sports mascots has to be Scrotie, the unofficial mascot of the Rhode Island School of Design. The costume is unique and at the same time horrific, looking exactly like a giant penis wearing a red cape with the scrotum hanging beneath. The school’s basketball team is known as the Balls, and their slogan is, “When the heat is on, the Balls stick together.” The hockey team is called the Nads, and their cheer is “Go Nads!” The cheerleaders for the Nads are commonly known as the “Jockstraps” (since they support the Nads). The yearly hockey game with rival college Cooper Union is known as the “Supportive Cup.” Scrotie was created to cheer on the Nads in 2001. Despite his status as an unofficial mascot, he’s present at all the games and widely accepted by the student body. Of course, no self-respecting administration could actually approve such silliness.

Loved Gleason. Let's not forget he could act a bit as well as play the fool. His performace in The Hustler as Minnesota Fats is not to be missed.

I enjoyed this very much. If for no other reason, it would be worth seeing for the performance of 14-year old Hallie Stienfeld. She goes toe to toe with seasoned vets like Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and Josh Brolin and more than holds her own. A terrific performance made more remarkable by the fact that this is the first movie she's ever done.