Joe G

National Geographic is like $19 to 24, depending on what they are offering.

Spittin' image!!

Hey, it meant alot to me at least...

Mind if we all frame that and hang it on our practice room walls?

We should see if we can copy FunkyMonk's review over there!!!

Welcome aboard, FFA!

Right! Let's shift into talking about what's good about the hometown scene...

You bet! Just because we can play like a classic organ trio doesn't mean we have to eat like one!

I feel your pain Rooster. I'm sure a lot of the people who say they don't like jazz aren't thinking of Kenny G, they're thinking of having sat through a lame performance that was billed as jazz music. And many musicians feel the same way. A good friend of mine (an outstanding drummer) moved out to San Francisco, hoping (among other things) to break into the scene out there. Long story short, he ended up being so disgusted with the way jazz is played out there that he ended up not playing it at all. He joined a King Crimson type group and is playing just a couple gigs a month for fun. And so it cuts both ways. There's more than a few jazz musicians, and damn good ones, who are tired of playing those half empty jazz clubs and thus are looking into other avenues of expression. IMO, as long as the music is still good, and the person playing it still believes in it, than it doesn't really matter if it's called jazz or something else. I will say that the overall culture probably plays a significant role in influencing what the average person listens to. Mainstream culture is pretty far from jazz aesthetics, so it takes some strong interest and (self)education for someone to like jazz enough to go see it live.

We could sure use a hand at the Organissimo forum picnic!

Most certainly.

Thank you so much for those encouraging words Mike. That was a great post to get my day started in proper fashion. BTW, I was the one who pushed for Meet Me @ 11 to start the album. Jim and Randy were thinking of Young's Dream. I realize that having an odd meter tune to start might be confusing to some, but there are other qualities that tune has which I felt made it a good opener. It's upbeat, catchy, fairly unique and original, and perhaps most importantly, concise. Of course, all that might make it a good closer too. Programming is probably less important these days, because it's so easy to skip around on a cd. Good ears on the drum sound; our engineer was just talking about that the last time Jim saw him... there's things I want to do differently with the guitar next time too. But overall we are happy with the sound. Thanks again for the kind words.

I was just looking for it as well. All I found was his review.

There's a momentary drug reference, and... that's about it. Maybe a wee bit of colorful language, but nothing more than kids hear in their own homes, I'm sure. Probably much more mild, in most cases. There's no sex at all. I agree with Ebert; there's nothing here I'd be worried about showing to a child.

Instead a lamp, you rub a magic didgeridoo.

I totally understand what you mean, and had to think that one through myself. I finally came to the conclusion that the movie is meant as a fable. But yeah, it was weird having to shift mental gears like that-"Oh, it's this kind of movie..." I'll have to check out Rabbit Proof Fence. I remember seeing the name; is it also a New Zealand produced film?

Hovhaness is cool. Forgot about him.

I like Edgar Meyer's stuff. There's an album of Meyer and Bottesini concertos for double bass that I think is quite good. Also an album under Hillary Hahn's name of Meyer and Barber violin concertos that I've listened to many times. Both are on Sony classical. Edit: Just so you know, Edgar's music is in the Americana vein, but with just enough dissonance to keep things moving.

Chuck Nessa on bass?

I see about one or two movies, at the most, per year. I'm not sure what made me go see this one (I didn't even know it existed until I saw the newspaper ad yesterday), but I'm glad I did. Keisha Castle-Hughes, in the central role, gives an incredible performance. So natural and warm, with great sincerity and depth. This movie had me nearly sobbing, even in the car ride home. The themes are developed with such sublety and nuance, unlike typical Hollywood fare that just beats you over the head. The rest of the cast turns in equally touching and human performances. So to reiterate: Go see The Whale Rider.

Try to look up Arno Marsh; tenor player, board member, and father to organissimo drummer Randy. B)

And Alexander says there's no God! Pu-leaze!

Nope. Actual city in Mich. And if you make it up here, you should also visit

I wish Jim would come back to us; his last post was on 4/11!