sal

AMEN... Rest in peace, John. We miss you.

Can't wait !!!

Rumors have been circulating for some time now about a new print they found of Seven Samurai that is supposed to be in pristine conditon. This apparently will be the source material used for the new Criterion release. This combined with the advances made since 1998 should make for a fine release.

Just heard that Criterion will be re-issuing "Seven Samurai", "Yojimbo" and "Sanjuro" in 2006. I would like to upgrade my copy of Seven Samurai, as I hear the new transfer is incredible and will be released as a two-disc edition.

After seeing about 5 Woody Allen movies, aside from "Annie Hall" I really didn't get what all the fuss was about. However, I finally saw "Manhatten" a couple weeks back, and I am now convinced of his genius.

Good job, fellas! A review like that from Howard Reich is rare. I was out of town the night of your gig, unfortunately. I hope to catch the next one.

Another nice jazz tune being whored to the corporatons...... Just heard "Linus and Lucy" being played over a Ford commercial!! By the way, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is my favorite Christmas album of all time!

I would like to add that when that picture of Grimes and Anderson was taken, they were in the middle of what was perhaps the greatest live performance of improvised music I've ever heard. It was jaw dropping, really. When they finished, the crowd went absolutely bezerk and gave them like 5 minute standing ovation. It was a magical moment.

How is the playing of Rick Margitza? I have never heard of him until reading this post.

I'm starting to think that this year's "Jumping the Creek" might be his best ECM session.

That must be cool to have Lou Reed as a cousin! I think "Estacy" is some of his best work. Too bad it got so overlooked.

Pardon me if I'm incorrect in saying this, but why hasn't "Search for the New Land" been mentioned? I thought that was one of Lee's more progressive dates.

I'm jealous. He hasn't been to Chicago in a couple of years.

Still no love for this excellent release??

A couple newer ones that I really enjoy: Brian Lynch - "Brian Lynch meets Bill Charlap" Ron Horton - "Subtextures"

Yeah, the Marc Johnson CD didn't have one either. I like them because they keep the jewel case from getting scratched or cracked.

I have a potential business trip scheduled that week! It may fall through though. If I'm in town, I will be there.

One more thing....in relation to my post above. You'll find that most of the negative reviews are coming from folks who were expecting a "war" movie. It is, but it isn't. If you go in there expecting Platoon or Saving Private Ryan, you will be disappointed. If you go in with an open mind, I think you'll be pleasently surprised. It got many positive reviews as well.

It is a very good movie. The drill sargeant portion really only takes up about 5 minutes of the beginning of this 120+ minute film. At the risk of spoiling the movie for folks I don't want to discuss the plots and themes from the movie here quite yet. But I will say this. It is a truely unique entry into the war film genere. There is really no other war movie out there like this one. It hits hard, and will stay with you once you leave the theater. The performances are solid all around, particularly Jamie Foxx, who is turning into a really fine actor. And like the other films in director Sam Mendes' catalogue, the visuals are stunning. Highly recommended. One final note: if you are expecting to see lots of "war" in this movie, look elsewhere. I won't say anything else.

City Lights to me is his all time masterpiece, followed by Modern Times. City Lights is not only one of the funniest movies I've ever seen, but it contains one of the most memorable and touching love stories I've ever seen.

Good one! I love Chaplin. Bought Modern Times a couple months ago.

I'm surprised that nobody has seen "Broken Flowers". Its one of the best American films of the year. Its great how these smart directors (Jarmusch, Sophia Copolla, Wes Anderson) are seeing and extracting greatness from Bill Murray with these excellent roles that he is born to play. Anyways, aside from "Broken Flowers", I've only seen "Ghost Dog" and "Dead Man", and I loved them both. I think that Jarmusch is an acquired taste, but once you get it, you'll be hooked forever.

I like Coldplay.

Dear melted Sal, it's mix and match again! Henry does have a trio CD with David Murray and Hamid Drake on Ayler Records (#ayl028, www.ayler.com, available in stores), and Henry also leads the on-going group Spaceship on the Highway (or Runway when the group goes overseas) with Marshall Allen, Fred Anderson, and Avreeayl Ra. Henry's played with Fred a lot, mostly in Chicago, and has toured and played with Hamid many times, mostly overseas. So we'll see what the future holds! I do think rather wistfully of the old days when a trio would stay together for years and years... quite rare now, especially in "avant-jazz," it seems. ← Have the CD with Murray and Drake, and I love it! Thanks for the reply Margaret.

Robert Bresson's "Pickpocket" is being released next week on Criterion. Bresson is a master.