BruceH

Does anyone (besides me) remember when they were on SNL? They were playing, well, I don't remember what, but in the middle of the performance Elvis stopped the band and launched into a different number, a blazing version of "Radio Radio." I'll never forget it, because it got me totally hooked on his music. The song they were playing on SNL was "Less Than Zero" which dealt with a British politician (Oswald Mosley). Here in the States we would think "Mr. Oswald" was Lee Harvey or something so the song doesn't really mean anything on this side of the pond. That's why EC said something like "I'm sorry - there's no reason for us to play this song" and then jumped into "Radio, Radio". At the time, "Less Than Zero" was their current hit in Britain so that's probably why they chose it in the first place. I remember that; it was so cool. One of those few and far between great television moments. I heard it got him banned from SNL for a while. (Not that he seemed to care at all.)

Yeah, I'll probably see it. I'm still waiting for a movie about The Five Royales, though.

YEAH, baby!!

I was hoping the Sox would win it in 4, and they DID! I'm dumbfounded...and happy!

A pretty amazing finding though. Cool.

So, a Hollywood biopic sentimentalized the life of its subject? I'm shocked, SHOCKED...

This line hits the nail on the head, I believe.

I heard about this on NPR and think it's the best invention since the long-playing record. Now for three more inventions: A remote that will shut off and disable nearby loud car stereos, one that will turn off cell-phones, and a small gizmo that will generate a protective force field in case anyone discovers who is turning off their cell-phones, car stereos, and TV's.

Can't you just ask someone at the church? DTMX---thanks for stealing my line!

I'm hoping the Sox will win, but I'm not betting on it.

Heavy man.

Paul Desmond Mosaic.

Odd, I don't recall----oh, Lundvall. Right. Nevermind.

No laugh track is good.

I missed this when is was shown on BBC America, but it's been getting such raves I'm wondering how it stacks up on DVD?

I'm sure you're right that he's not a particularly distinguished musician, but it's kind of a cool hobby.

I listened to The Turnaround the other day and would like to change my vote. One of the great jazz albums of all time.

Giddins wrote a jazz column for the Voice for around 25 years, but wrapped it up and said goodbye about a year ago, if memory serves. Davis used to write occassional pieces (on jazz, blues, and pop culture generally) for the Atlantic; no doubt when Giddins left, the Voice asked Davis to take up the slack a bit. In general I like Davis's writing; any outlet he can get is all to the good. (I mean, he's no Larry Kart, but hey....)

My thought is it's because big record labels suck. Just a hunch.

Man, I love that album! Could be my favorite Brubeck album right now, certainly in respect to sheer amount of playing time it gets at my house. Dig that lengthy drum solo by Joe Morello---that actually sounds great! There's something magic about this wonderful album! "Haunting" puts it right.

Will EVERYTHING eventually be used to sell consumer goods on TV? The Feelies? Wire? The Minutemen? Killing Joke? Pere Ubu? Flipper? The really nauseating aspect is that stuff that couldn't get a fair hearing on the radio when it came out ("Blitzkrieg Bop" for instance) is suddenly put through the indignity of becoming a commercial jingle. "Hey, we couldn't be bothered to play this song when it would have done the artist some good, but NOW we're going to put it through the television meatgrinder and squeeze all the joy and hipness right out of it! Dance, monkey, dance!!"

I found it at the SF Amoeba. (Sounds dangerous, huh? "Look out everybody, it's the SF Amoeba!! Run for the hills!!!")

I heard that the Beach Boys were influenced by The Lettermen, but I can't say I've ever heard The Lettermen. BTW, a friend whose musical taste I tend to trust, is very into the new Smile. So, call it another positive vote.

I plan to put on the Bud Shank tonight. Does that count??

I recall being rather startled to hear a Buzzcocks song on a car commercial. Then they used a Ramones song for a cell-phone spot. (Though in that case, I remember hoping that they got some good royalties from it. Then Joey died.) And Mingus in a car commercial---that was just weird. And "Blue Rondo A La Turk" was in a recent package delivery commercial. I guess as far as Madison Avenue is concerned, jazz LIVES!