BruceH

Seeing the film Master and Commander has inspired me to reread C. S. Forester's novel Beat To Quarters. Why not read one of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin novels rather than a Hornblower? I don't know...just feeling contrary, I guess.

"Blitzkrieg Bop"

I enjoyed it. Sure, it leaves out a lot, but of course it has to. As a movie, it was entertaining on it's own terms, and faithful enough to the books to leave it an unguilty pleasure for fans. Once I got used to Maturin being tall and good looking I found myself enjoying Bettany's performance, particulary the moment when he sees the Acheron all by himself on the other side of the island. Damn! You can just feel his ruefulness, and the momentary temptation not to tell anyone. Also, the first instance I can recall of Bach's first Suite for Cello being used in a movie.

It hurts my head like a hundred dogs.

"Are you ready for thirds yet?"

I'm a big fan of the books, but I think I'll go see this anyway. Been getting a lot of positive reviews. Too bad that from now on the O'Brien books will have Crowe's fat mug on the cover.

I think the first I bought were the Prestige Monk's, plus Brilliant Corners and Monk's Music. Not a bad place to start...

I've got to second this. A fantastic session. (I've got it on LP but couldn't remember the name of the CD issue.) The complete Aladdin sessions is great too, if you care to stretch a point and get a 2-disc set.

Jimmy Heath---The Thumper

I'd recommend a single-disc CD called "Kansas City Sessions," a collection of the tracks Prez recorded for the Commodore label. Despite the name, they were recorded in New York City and many of them feature simpatico players from the ranks of the Count Basie Orshestra, but in a small-group setting. If this doesn't get you into Lester Young, I don't know what will.

I hope the sound is better than the 4-CD Ellington Proper Box. Of course, I'll get it regardless.

I have both of these. In a word: Good! In a symbol:

For years I purchased calenders in April. But I'd be willing to buy the Blue Note calender before 2004, if I see it somewhere and have the money.

I have to say, I've seen both Jazz Immortal and Groovin' At Small's many times at various stores. Now The Prisoner isn't so common, even around here---I can only recall seeing it at the local Tower with the good jazz section.

Wow, I'm getting very glad that I've got the Blue Moon two-fer! Haven't heard the Koch, but now I'm not sure I'd risk buying it.

My mistake, but yes, it's obviously taken from a height, and the light looks like it might be near sunset; the sidewalk and pavement have a delicate orange-pinkish hue. Nice. (Way too nice for 32 Jazz, apparently.)

I wonder how they feel about the term "McMansion"?

NICE! I was just listening to some Stax-Volt recordings this morning. Great stuff.

Japanese imports. Pricey.

$15 sounds good. Yeah, nothing can beat seeing the movie on the big screen but both my kids really loved the Monsters, Inc DVD, so I'll probably get this too. (My 11-yr-old saw Nemo twice in the theater, so I guess he liked it!)

Right on! Leaf-rakers of the world, unite!

WHAT THE HELL?? Just picked up a used copy of The Adventurer, a Clifford Jordan album I've been meaning to get for some time. The music is just fine, and the cover is of course godawful ugly---this is, after all, 32 Jazz we're talking about. Now, I KNOW that there's been a whole thread about how lame, bland, tacky, and downright terrible 32 Jazz covers tended to be, and I don't want to start another one....BUT--- I had never seen the original Muse front cover for The Adventurer, but 32 Jazz thoughtfully included a reproduction in the booklet, and, in case you missed that, there's a photo of it printed on the inside of the CD tray, about one square inch in size. Now, the original Muse cover photo shows Jordan about to cross a street corner---not the most amazing cover of all time by a long shot, but so much more tasteful and attractive than the thing that 32 Jazz slapped on that it's like night and day. The question inevitably arises: Why couldn't they have just used the original cover? Is it against their religion or something?

Say, how does that Proper Box compare with the Mosaic Tristano/Konitz/Marsh?

I think this comes more under the headings of most obnoxious, unnecessary, and wasteful inventions. The damn leaf-blowers not only make a godawful, motorcycle-like racket, they also pollute the air about as much as a gasoline lawn-mower (which is more than you might think). Until they come out with quiet, electric leaf-blowers, I'm also in favor of banning these moronic contraptions.

I too would say CDuniverse if 10 people hadn't beat me to it. They've always done right by me, and if you don't live near a store like Amoeba, they're a good alternative. Never used The Music Resource. Maybe I should start.