connoisseur series500

Wow Pistons get the number two pick in the draft. That's not fair! (I'm a Sixers fan.) Well looks like they could use the help as the Nets are handling them without any difficulty. If I were them, I would go for a scorer with the pick. Big Ben can handle the middle himself.

I voted for "Blue Interlude" as I couldn't stand that cd. I will admit however some ignorance regarding how good/bad many of the others may be. I, er, haven't felt an overwhelming motivation to check out the full recording portfolio of Wynton Marsalis.

No vote from me as I don't have (or no longer have) any of these cds. My favorite Wynton stuff is on the sessions where he was a sideman, such as Charles Fambrough, PROPER ANGLE.

Gosh, Rooster, Think about it, once you get back to a new job you will no longer be able to be posting on all these boards. Of course, your postings over here are consistently excellent and well appreciated.

Wow, I never realized that this is how AMG rates cds. Silly me; I guess I should have read the introduction or something. I find it amusing how AMG does wax on about a terrific cd then in the end give it 2-3 stars. There is a lot of inconsistency between the write up and the rating.

I remember this discussion was made at the BNBB. I would like everyone's opinions regarding the merits and faults of these two commonly used guides. Here are my thoughts: There is no question that the Penguin guide is better written. The text is informative and humorous. However, there are lots of problems. For one, I can't stand the four stars grading system. I think it makes things easier for the reviewers. If the cd sounds fine then just give it 3 stars. I prefer AMG's use of the 5-star system. It is more accurate. Come to think of it, just about everything in Penguin is 3 stars! Another thing which renders the Penguin guide virtually useless to me is the fact that it lists only in-print cds. This makes things very difficult for the Blue Note collectors, where so much is out of print. I don't collect all the back editions, so I have no idea how Penguin would rate, say, Andrew Hill, "Black Fire." AMG is great for listing just about everything in- or out-of print. I am perturbed by the fact that their ratings can dramatically change from one edition to another. Makes you wonder whether they even listen to the cds. Most of the Conn Series seems to rate 5 stars and earns a black dot listing it as essential to the artist. One notable exception would be Andrew Hill, "Smokestack," which is given only three stars. The reviewers must have been drunk that day and got the cd confused with Don Wilkerson or something. Still, I personally find AMG's judgment on ratings to be superior to Penguin's. I personally prefer AMG to the Penguin guide. Another bias is that AMG seems to rate hard bop BN stuff higher than Penguin; while Penguin rates any free jazz session as "essential" and gives them top rating. It seems that the editiors of Penguin are definitely into experimental and free jazz, while the AMG people lean toward BN hard bop. What do you all think?

ADD 6 INCHES TO YOUR.... Or something like that. That would make mine an even 7 inches long! Would be unable to resist the temptation to open that one.

My buying hasn't slowed down at all, though I desperately want it to. In my case, I buy most stuff used; in fact the only new cds I buy are the RVGs and Conn Series whenever they are reissued. I might stop upgrading all my RVGs as it gets so costly, but I am often able to trade in my older versions in the local stores.

Great show, Chris! Jimmy, see the man you're dealing with? I suggest you get to know him and communicate with him in a mature fashion. BTW, the fact that Chris and Dan Gould have mended fences tells you a lot about these people. Man, it's a pleasure to be here!

Christ, this brings back a forgotten memory. I became quite active in the so-called Ethnic Studies department my final year in school. I think that I was rebelling against Academia in general and wanted to hang out with outcasts. These departments have since become very accepted and indeed de rigeur. Anyway, the thing that I just remembered is that I asked the Head fo the Ethnic Studies Department to serve on my thesis committee; and my thesis dealt with the racism and imperialist themes in Joseph Conrad's books. I am now very much ashamed of the hogwash I put in to that thesis I had a pure sense of ideology and my heart was in the right place, and I even made some good points, but the basic flaw of the thing was that I was judging a 19th century author from a 20th century zeitgeist. It was not fair. Wish I could burn that thing Still, those last few years had their fun moments. I even attended a lecture held by James Baldwin who was friendly with the Ethnic Studies' chairman. Both have since died.

I will dissent here, and hope that Jimmy does stick around. Jimmy, your campaign to reinstate your post, however, is a foolhardy one. I personally found the post somewhat humourous, but then I wasn't the one being lampooned either. Chris is a broadminded individual and he admitted that he didn't take any particular offense. It is unreasonable to expect him to begin a campaign to reinstate your thread. Chris has already stated that the whole incident has been forgotten as far as he's concerned. This should prove to you the man is not petty. He may be an "ultra-liberal" but he's got a right to his opinion and a right to express it. I have found him to be very honest and full of integrity though we have often argued over topics. Get to know him: he's a good guy. As for our moderators and their right to delete the post: who can say or think bad of them after their stalwart defence of our freedom of speech during this whole Musicboy episode? We couldn't have better moderators. There are a lot of good people here, Jimmy, if you stick around and communicate with them.

I had a lot of interaction with students of all races during my college years. My best friends, however, were white and my roommate was Jewish. I don't really remember much worth relating, but I did chase the "foreign" girls a bit in college. I had a Thai girlfriend and there was a very nice looking rich Lebanese girl during my undergraduate years...Oh, yeah, but this thread is about race relations; better get back on track... I do remember one episode probably worth relating. One of my friends invited me and offered to drive me to a Toughman Competition in Toledo. I thought, "what the hell," why not? We sat in a smoke-filled arena and had to sit through some rather dull bouts as these unschooled toughmen would windmill punch each other. Most ended in knockouts but there were a few which went to the judges to decide. I found the whole thing to be a bit redneck and the crowd cheered these redneck types. We got down to either the semifinals or finals (I can't remember,) when a black fighter with some skills was paired against a big tough white guy who didn't. Round after round the white guy circled after the black guy who skillfully parried the clumsy attacks. He made the white guy look like a clumsy amateur, which is what he was. The bout went down to a decision. Unbelieveably the decision went to the white guy. The racist crowd roared their approval. I sat back into the bleachers horrified over the injustice and disgusted with the whole exhibition. All these fighters were for the most part unpolished and I didn't care for the rednecked and racist atmosphere. I sat there with growing indignation as I watched the black fighter return to his seat a few rows from ringside to join his wife and kids. I jumped off my chair and worked my way over to his seat. He was still standing there with his gloves on. I grabbed one of his gloves as if to shake it and told him that he had won that fight, and anyone with any sense in his head knew of that fact. I do not recall his response as this was 24 years ago, but he probably nodded or something. I seem to recall that his wife or girlfriend seemed to appreciate my comments more. He was just tired. I then ran back into my seat and told my friend that I had had enough and wanted to leave. I've never been back to one of those competitions again and never will go back. Once was enough! Don't know if those events have changed since, but that one was a very unpleasant commentary about race.

Happy Birthday, Chuck! Who's older, you or Catesta?

Been away from this thread for a couple of pages. Hey Mnytime, good luck buddy with the fight. We're all pulling for you. :rsmile: :rsmile: Big Ben says, GET BETTER!!

I think about this from time to time. I went to college for six straight years from B.A. to M.A. By the time the six years were up I was FED UP with school and couldn't tear out of there fast enough. I packed up my bags and took off for Asia. I returned 11 years later. If I didn't have a wife and family to support I would definitely consider going back to school. I would also like to teach at a college, but M.As don't go very far these days. Oh well, the road not travelled....

Wow, it's neck and neck between Charlie and Django. I personally like em both, but also wish that I had heard more than just the single cd I've heard.

The competition is tough.

But, of course, the overwhelming question remains: how can Musicboy with all his marvelous connections in the music business be dumped as a moderator for a Norah Jones board? I mean, doesn't he have BIG CONNECTIONS, and isn't he THE ULTIMATE ARBITRATOR OF MORALITY?, and isn't he the HOLIEST BEING ON THE PLANET? and isn't he the NUMBER ONE CAT IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?

Thanks for being reasonable, Rob. I stick to only one BB but it's nice to know we've got good decent people running other boards as well. In the end, sanity and good sense prevails. Hope you stick around here, Neon. :rsmile:

If anybody's computer gets a virus we know who sent it. This guy is just the type of narrowminded bigot to attempt to do something like that. Anybody know about that sort of thing? Anything we should do to protect ourselves?

Wanted to see what would happen if I voted for Don Patterson.

I've got nothing against Norah Jones; it's her shoeshine boy that's got me steamed (see other poll thread.)

I voted that Johnny's got the better chance to join Bush's cabinet on his second term in 2004.

Translation: I'd certainly never nail some guy in the head with a tire iron in order to score a Conn or two for my collection.....but if he happened to be leaning out the window and my foot suddenly.....oh well ! Cripes, Weizy!! You know too much!!! How true!

The stuff I miss while at work!! Although basically an atheist, I am not fully satisfied with this definition of my "faith." I have a very personal form of religion. I respect and admire many Christians, especially the type of Christians that people like AfricaBrass represent. I don't know what Musicboy is, but he is definitely an insecure and immature individual. All he's doing is making us STRONGER! Musicboy: I accuse you of seeking to take away some of our cherished freedoms, like freedom of speech. You act in a most Unchristian manner towards your fellow man. You cannot hurt all of us, so you endeavor to hurt the more vulnerable parties within our group: those who play and record music. This is repulsive, and cowardly. Your actions are those of a bully and fascist.