BruceH

You mean Kathie Moffat. I happened to see The Big Steal on TV recently. That film sure moves fast!

Well, let's see... They interview everyone who's ever been in the Ramones, as well as managers, roadies, relatives and so on. The bulk of the interview time goes, quite rightly, to Tommy, Johnny, Joey, and Dee Dee (obviously most of it was filmed before Joey passed away.) It starts with descriptions of gowing up in Forest Hills, Queens, which looks mainly like a forest of Soviet-style apartment buildings from what we see. Then through the formation of the band, the career, the breakup, and finally the induction into the rock'n'roll hall of fame in 2002. Along the way there's lots of cool (to a fan) concert footage, and I learned a lot of things I didn't know, like that Joey grew up with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. The succession of drummers gets to be very reminiscent of Spinal Tap, and Dee Dee trying to become a rap artist is flat out hilarious. From a filmaking standpoint it's nothing remarkable; the interest is all in the subject matter. It reminded me of just why I liked them so much all those years ago. I STILL like their first few albums, actually, but don't play them as often as I used to. Another thing. Everyone always used to say how simple and easy their music was. Just two or three chords, right? Then why hasn't ANYONE, not even any of their imitators, ever sounded like them?

If you are or were a fan of the group, you should find this documentary quite interesting. It's also quite funny at times; there are parts that play like The Rutles or Spinal Tap---except that it's for real. Towards the end it's quite sad, though, for obvious reasons. And Tommy, Johnny, and Joey come off as quite sharp. Dee Dee, well...let's just say you should see him trying to rap. Also, I had no idea they were so big in South America. Anybody else see it?

Have not seen it, but a friend tells me there's a scene where he makes fun of bad jazz flute. Got to give him some points for that.

Maybe, but they do nothin' for me.

I thought of this thread and this question a few moments ago when I was goofing around running artist names through the KCSM playlist search feature. Here's a link to the Coleman tracks they've played since March... Coleman Or is this just going to take you to the playlist page? I'm not sure... Hey, that's a fair amount of Coleman! Not for the first time, I regret that KCSM is not powerful enought to be heard in my house.

"Watch me pull a rabbit outta my hat! ...Ooo, don't know my own strenth." "Now, here's something we hope you'll REALLY like."

I believe it's a seventeen-year cycle. The mid-atlantic states get them big-time. I guess New England doesn't get them that much though, because none of my friends have complained this year, and I don't remember them.

Too bad he didn't stick to album covers.

Too bad Warhol didn't stick to album covers.

No, but your spam sure is. Heh!

Is jazz dead? Yep.

Broadsides: The Age of Fighting Sail, 1775-1815, by Nathan Miller.

Sunny and breezy. Fog in the city but breaking up during the day.

Right on!

I just can't stop listening to the VeeJay stuff. My favorite Shorter, for some reason.

Why didn't the guy just drown the puppies in a sack like a NORMAL person would?

Yep, that pretty well covers it.

Has anyone mentioned that Lynyrd Skynyrd box from the early 90's? I don't have it myself, but I borrowed it from a library about 12 or 13 years ago, and seem to recall that it was very good.

Apropos of that: How about Creation and the song "Making Time." (They had a couple other decent songs, but that one really gets me.)

Hey, get Flight To Jordan! You'll be glad you did!!

What's the problem with Keepnews, anyway? Isn't it in his interest to do a GOOD job?

The cheapest haircut you can find around here is $15. I tip 3-5 dollars, depending on how long it's been since my last haircut. ($10 haircuts...what a concept.)

HELL yeah! That was a great series! Thing is, I don't feel the slightest bit guilty about liking it. In fact, that's the thing---most or all the pleasures of mine that some might think SHOULD be guilty I don't have the slightest guilt or embarrassment about. Life is short; if you like something, wallow in it and other peoples' standards can go hang. Just my take.