tonym

I'll try mate. Let's stick to flaming our Royals instead of each other. Give me a sec.

What is going on?

I saw it in the store the other day. What were you doing in 'the store'?

When you're ready for a trip to the UK, a friend of mine will get you gigs around the north of England. He's just given up his day job to concentrate on agent work and working with regional musicians.

I wasn't aware of a new Mehldau release but I'll buy it because I find him infinitely listenable. Soul? Well, that's a tough one. I think he has it, others may not. But that doesn't concern me. Swing? Again I think he can swing with the best pianists, and there was a time when people thought Bill Evans didn't swing. I wasn't raised on a diet of hard-bop schooled pianists in that respect; I came to Mehldau quite early in my jazz enjoyment so maybe he isn't quite the Duke Pearson or Wynton but there is sufficient for me to get my feet tapping at times. Obviously you want more out of music that foot tapping though. I do look forward to his now expected 'pop' cover. And up to now they've all been tunes that I thought were fantastic as pop tunes. Come the day he does a 'Clash' or 'Buzzcocks' cover, then I'll reassess I do feel though that he'll be considered a living legend in time. My two bob.

To compare any of Ed Wood's film to this turkey is an insult of the highest order. What, are you going to start on Russ Meyer next?

Good.

Yep, you guessed it....Showgirls. From the same man who brought us Shazza Stone flashing the gash, we now get 'some-other-blond-actress' in contrived sexual drama. That swimming pool scene. Who choreographed that? Flipper? I'm a bit lazy and the remote is out of reach. This is what happens when you keep tuned in after Desperate Housewives.

Now you do realise that you're messing with one of the cornerstones of British culture there..... ...drugs

Dreadful song. That's why we changed the lyric when we were kids: "We had joy, we had fun, flicking bogies at the sun/ But the sun was too hot and they melted into snot" Sorry but that is true. Tells you about my classy upbringing huh?

That is very sad. Bet you wish you had said something.

Shit. Clicked on wrong one. Norah Jones got my vote...

I'm not going to say it was the best tenner I ever spent...... 'cos that hooker downtown was really something

Sorry. Difficulty in scrolling down..... Can't...... not...... look......

I did not know that. May I ask Lon, how you?

Look at those quality hops.

Enjoy! All the best.

FWIW, and it's already been said but MT is a fine album. in fact I'm going to put it on now. Nubian Sundance is a little 'joyous' for my liking but once I'm past that it's a great ride. A good collection of tunes, programmed nicely and of course, the playing is exceptional. Alphonse Johnson is a damn funky player!

Not another one.....

Hey Chrome, is your new avatar a PJ Harvey disc?

Don't get me wrong. The album is a gem. Not my fave Miles by a long stretch; I enjoy Evans' playing more on this date anyhow and Blue In Green (without Adderley) is a peach, but I do think it would've worked better as a quintet date. Just my two bob.

Just a sec while I don my flak-jacket........ Cannonball Adderley spoils this album for me.....

Well Joe, if it helps any, my 2004 was enhanced by hearing your album. If one can achieve releasing an album of any type, then it's not a lost cause by any means. I'm currently in a creative/proficiency nadir at the moment. Haven't touched my sax for a month and that was only for a handful of times. The time before that was July of last year I constantly doubt my ability to achieve anything of worth in this field, and jamming with others does help but it's a constant Catch 22 of 'confidence/practice/motivation/time' with me. I don't need others to say I sound good. I want to hear myself sound good. I feel once my son starts school I may have more time to practice, but the longer I spend not playing at the minute, the further down this slope I slide. All you guys must be talented/proficient enough to actually gig at all; let alone play jazz -- which is, let's face it, not the easiest music to bluff your way through.

Which music? If you don't mind me asking.

aRIC -- YOU'RE A STAR. BEER/KEYBOARD INTERFACE OVER