Christiern

Not only that, but they have just revealed that he is alive—in fact, he is the "suspect" they are holding.

Need I say it? :0

You bet!

I remember a time when one had to go to Copenhagen for that.

Just goes to show the folly of pre-judging.

AllenLowe: "Personally I'd rather live life than read about it." Personally, there are parts of my life that I wish I had only read about.

In that era, strictly speaking, a session (as the union saw it) was no more than 15 minutes of usable material. Ergo, a session was half of a chintzy album—it really took 3 sessions to make an album with reasonable running time. BTW, I produced a two-album session (Lonnie Johnson/Elmer Snowden) for Prestige in 1960; the following year, I produced 2 albums by Billie and Dede Pierce for Riverside. As for spreading it around, I put together a double LP to introduce Riverside's "New Orleans: The Living Legends" series. With one exception, the material on this intro album did not duplicate what was on the subsequently issued albums. I actually planned it this way when I was doing my session marathon in N.O. I did not think of it as a concept beyond the norm, because it really wasn't. Rare, perhaps, but not rebelliously so.

Back in the unenlightened age when I arrived here as an immigrant, Danish Blue was often the cheese I heard elitists discuss with a glint in their eyes. Imagine my surprise when I learned that it was plain old Roquefort (as we called it in Denmark)! Actually, my absolute favorite cheese is not available here, not even in gourmand hangouts, but that may be due to its potent presence. It's called Gamle Ole (Old Ole) and it packs a most delightful punch. I daresay that mold finds old Ole unfit for residency. I find that cheese sold in the U.S. (at least in NYC) tends to be bland. Any recommendations?

I think we all have known people who cut mold from their cheese and are no longer with us. I have known even more people who didn't cut cigarettes from their daily habits and skipped out early. Why did you start this thread, Weizy? Did you encounter a ghastly Gouda?

There is a bench across the street from my building and I have been looking at it for 46 years, but never before have I seen that burst of red that this year appears behind it. So, I aimed my camera down and snapped:

"Exactly. I'd add that compositions are often the direct result of specific life experiences, and I think that knowing what Monk was doing at a given moment he wrote a given piece can enrich even further one's enjoyment of that piece." Isn't that what a biography should do by default?

When I wrote my Bessie Smith biography, the publisher wanted me to do it in six months. I took a year and, with all the research that had to be done, that was inadequate. I decided that—other than gathering recollections of people who heard Bessie sing—I would let her recordings take care of the music. I had, after all, spent over 2 years on a complete reissue project. Did I really need to include an analysis of Bessie's singing? I don't think so. When I prepared the 2003 revised edition, I did not have the pressure of a deadline, so I did include more words about the content of the recordings, but no analysis. I haven't had any complaints over the omission. If a carefully-researched biography and the subject's complete recorded output leaves the reader wanting, I think the only solution may be Madam Nora in the candlelit basement down the street. As for Gourse, Jim, just read a few pages of any of her many books (she spewed them out like chocolates in a Lucy skit) and you will see just what a cut 'n' paste hack she was.

:tup Jim

Allen: "And Chris, saying that my repeated voicing of my disagreement with Fitzgerald's policy only proves him right is like saying that your repeated objections to Israel policies only prove Israel is right - it makes no sense." You can do better than that.

Frankly, Allen, the more you go on about this, repeating the list name over and over again, the more validity Mike's action gets.

I must say that my long-time experience with Mike Fitzgerald has always been positive. I admire the work he does and understand why he may sometimes have to put his foot down. The corner woman and all that jazz is quite another matter. Does anyone remember a New York jazz spot called Michael's Pub? It was managed (owned) by a rude s.o.b. who tainted the club's atmosphere to the point where it became a chore having to go there, even if a favorite was appearing. The bastard deserved to go out of business and I don't think a single tear was shed in the jazz community. Anyone remember that place?

I have not accessed AAJ in a few years, not since I ran into a resident stormtrooper from Canada there—a most unpleasant guy with serious problems. Ditto Jazz Corner, but there the problem is the silly proprietress.

Wonderful pictures, Bev. Here's what I saw as I looked out my window at 7:24 this morning. Central Park is becoming colorful again.

The Hoffman forum seems to have degenerated as far as thread themes are concerned. Many of its members practice and seem obsessed by what they call "needle dropping", and the so-called "Gorts" get their jollies by practicing PP (Pre-emptive Padlocking) to a point somewhere beyond ludicrous.

It is also a small, barely perceptible speck of something that is often found at the base of an Alapaha Blue Blood bulldog's left ear. I say "something," because analyses by leading biosciences labs have not borne fruit. There is, however, a possibility (unsubstantiated) that the speck is accumulated goober dust. Anyone get that memo?

I reviewed that book for The Saturday Review — it was riddled with inexcusable factual mistakes, spelling mistakes, etc.

Nica