BeBop

Fallico's Website is here, but it looks like the interview is gone.

Nearly all of my time in Poznan has been working. If you're looking for work, perhaps I could help As I recall, it was just three hours by train to Berlin, and about the same to Warsaw. Berlin's definitely the choice here. (Kind of sad that the only real thing I can tell you is how to get out of Poznan.) Most of what I remember of Poznan was churches, cathedrals and museums, none of which interest me much. I'm much more interested in living culture. A few of my coworkers did brewery tours. I took an old fashioned, steam-powered (?) train to a big park (started with a "W") There were a bunch of clubs, and it seems like a disproportionate number featured music that aspired to be jazz.

With Borders gone, I figured I'd start a new thread for Amoeba coupons and discounts. Of course the really good ones are for in-store purchases, so I'll post those (or someone else can) as they come along. But for those of you who don't live in the Bay Area or the California Southland... TAKE 15% OFF ONLINE PURCHASES ENTER PROMO CODE DEAL15 AT CHECKOUT (Discount valid through 9/23)

I'm going to fight the temptation to make a remark about use of the paper when you're done reading it...oops. I will give a bit of credit one other thing USA Today does that's of some value: they do offer up a bit of useful information to the business traveler - new airline routes, airport changes, hotel stuff. Since it's the business traveler that finds the USA Today on his/her doorstep every day, gratis, it's a service to the audience. I'm happy when my hotel substitutes the Wall Street Journal, though that's no more than a mockery of its former self. Heck, I'm happy to see the Fresno Bee or Des Moines Register.

Happy, happy, Dan! Have a great one.

Wow. Check out that graphic of the angry woman. Let's see what my favorite celeb is up to. Says here that Recovery Will Take Time After Northeast Flooding. Boy, that's thought-provoking. Jolly Green Giant in the running to be added to "advertising walk of fame". Today's headline: "1 in 7 Drivers Are Not Insured".

Another interesting phenomenon: "Who's your favorite drummer?" For many, this seems like a cue to pick the most obscure guy they can think of. (Even though the answer is obvious: Ike Day). In a few cases, the answer has opened my ears to someone new, but usally, it's just an exercise. "My favorite drummer is so-and-so, but he never recorded because he was just too hip."

Among the musicians I've met and worked with, it's been pretty rare that I've heard a disparaging remark about another jazz musician. In general, people tend to follow my mother's philosophy and "if you can say anything nice..." Which isn't to say you don't still pick up the vibe. On some level that's good. We all have different tastes and potshots at music that may have appeal to someone else (asssuming here someone with some reasonably developed musical taste, even if different from my own) doesn't do much to keep the good in jazz alive. Call my music lousy, and I may get defensive or I may resent it or I may carry a light grudge that festers until I can question YOUR taste. Then again, if I find some sort of affinity for Poster X in terms of musical taste, I'm interested in his/her unvarnished opinion, as long as it comes with some thought. (Don't tell me "so-and-so is lousy" or "...doesn't play jazz" without telling me why you feel that way. On the other hand, if you're going to say "so-and-so is the cat's pajamas", back it up, at least with a recommended cut that can be sampled on line. When I read Down Beat or Jazz Times or whatever, I know whose tastes most closely reflect my own. I "weight" accordingly. For the most part, people here have the listening and writing skills to articulate why they react the way they do. So take the extra sentence and let me know why you're thinking what you're thinking. Digressing a bit, it's interesting to witness another phenomenon. "I'm thinking about buying such-and-such a recording. Is it good? It's going to strain my budget." "Oh yeah, gotta have that one!" "Essential" "One of my favorites. Buy it immediately." " :tup " It seems like a rare exception to the rule that someone will say, "nah, save your bread." Maybe just my impression.

At first, I was guessing it was an anti-money laundering thing (currency transactions reporting, which is also a Treasury function). But IRS? Tax evasion potential here?

Free for All - Thanks for giving the listings a more careful "read" than I (confessed non-buyer/shopper) did. A couple more: Jazz Celebration: Carl Jefferson Tribute for $9 (4-CDs) ...if anyone's into the Concord Jazz thing. Sonny Rollins Blue Note for $22 (5 CDs) Andrew Hill - Solo Select $35.47 Amazon new with free shipping (minor deal)

Allen, Email sent to this addressed just bounced back. Sorry, we were unable to deliver your message to the following address. <allenlow5@gmail.com>: Remote host said: 550 5.1.1 http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=6596 da8si1065646vdc.0 [RCPT_TO] --- Below this line is a copy of the message.

Very sad news. I grew up watching and listening to Eddie in the Bay Area. A kind and generous guy, and the foundation of my understanding (such as it is) of jazz drumming, including the work of his grandfather. Rest peacefully.

Not really a show that appeals to my tastes, but posted as a public service - and it's free. Poncho Sanchez and Terence Blanchard (Live Stream) - 9/13 at 7PM - LA Their collaboration pays tribute to the legendary relationship between Cuban percussionist Chano Pozo and Dizzy Gillespie. This in-store performance will stream live on Amoeba.com if you can't make it to the show!

I don't shop much, but these seem like bargains: Bill Evans Complete Riverside for $60 Joe Henderson Milestone for $45 Mingus 1959 Columbia for $15 Miles Columbia '55-'85for $11. Verve Story '44-'94 for $7 (4-CDs)

For me, I guess this is the third element of my jazz life: I play, I listen and I discuss and learn. If it doesn't enhance one of these, I've no interest in making it part of my Organissimo experience. If it interests me - really interests me - I probably have a better place for it in my life. That said, I find it possible to tune most of the "off topic" stuff out during my visits here, and I assume - with some difficulty - that these are improving someone's experience.

Happy Birthday, Sidewinder~~~!

Stompy Jones' birthday!

Happy to have left Senegal (110 degrees and humid) and The Gambia (110 and raining) and Brussels (65 and a bit rainy) for the sunny climes of Los Angeles. Wish I could stay more than a day. Oh well.

I got meloned-up in West Africa. Canteloupes were just one if the local melon delights. Though I'm more accustomed to melons at breakfast or lunch, they also made a nice evening/iftar food to end a long, hot day.

Not sure which free shipping code you used, and I don't care to place an order to test codes, but you might try TECHEXPO11 (suppposed to work thru August 30th).

No Moody?!

Double heartbreak. I'd surmised this was coming when I couldn't renew.

Just got an invitation. Not sure I'll do anything with it. (I never did do the Facebook thing, though I had used My Space and...Friendster).

I can't say whether I play better at home (comfort, peace, love) or in a public venue (novel, exciting, full of feedback), but I can tell you I sing a lot better in the shower.

Wandered into the local FNAC today. They were just loaded with these temptations.