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I've believed in this stuff nearly all my life as well. To think that forms of extraterrestrial life travel to earth is one thing, but to deny the existance of these forms of life all together has always seemed a bit naive to me. Its a big galaxy out there.

I got it in the mail yesterday!!! WOOO HOOO! I think I did get the last one! If you see my other thread...I think if I had waited five minutes longer, I would have missed it. Thank you all who pushed me over the edge. Spending money I don't have has never been so fun!

Hey Mark - sorry I haven't responded to your e-mail.....between work, interviews, planing my cousin's bachelor party, and the death of my friend's father, I've been really, really busy. I won't be making the Houston Person show, probably won't get out to the Showcase until Denny Zietlin's trio comes through. After that, I'll be there for Steve Turre, Dewey Redman, and Eric Alexander with Harold Mabern. I'll e-mail you this weekend.

I don't know much about your model, but I have a Denon receiver as well (forget the model name....cost around $400 new) and the sound is so sweet. I haven't heard many receivers (without added amps) that have such a bright, clear sound like Denon's do.

Never been to NY, but from those choices and the input from the board members, I'd be choosing between Chris Potter and Randy Weston. You're guaranteed great music from either one of them, and I've never heard anything bad about either venue. I must go to the Village Vanguard before I die.

RainyDay, you have a good point. I probably shouldn't have called them "flops", bad choice of wording on my behalf. I guess that after seeing him live, I am convinced that he can become one of the greats. In the straight ahead jazz setting, there are few on this planet who can cut him down. I do respect his wanting to diversify, and to be honest, I didn't mind the "Happy People" album at all. There were some nice R&B tinged cuts in there. But hearing his jaw-dropping playing on some albums like Triology and Standard of Language, and even more so in the live setting....I don't know how to explain it. He can become one of the best ever. He's got his own sound, his own style, and his own conception. He's right on the verge.

From Criterion Collection's website: John Cassavetes Box Set Slated for Fall 2004 Criterion is preparing a boxed set of five films by legendary American independent John Cassavetes. In addition to new high-definition transfers of Shadows, Faces, A Woman Under the Influence, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie and Opening Night, the set will include Charles Kiselyak’s award-winning 200 minute documentary, A Constant Forge, along with exclusive new interviews with Cassavetes collaborators Gena Rowlands, Peter Falk, Ben Gazzara, Seymour Cassel, Lelia Goldoni, and others. The set is slated for fall release. Watch this space for more details. I'm not familiar with John Cassavetes-directed films. Can anyone give me some insight to what they're like?

Joe Segal probably wouldn't have him at the Showcase, with the electronics and all. You should have seen how pissed Joe was when Nicholas Payton showed up with Sonic Trance and they were using samplers and synthesizers! That was classic!!

You know, I've got to get my .02 in on seeing Kenny Garrett live as well. I think when people discuss the best sax players around today, Kenny's name doesn't come up as often because of his uneven recording history. He's had some great albums, and he's definitely had some flops. But by just listening to his recorded output, its hard to put him near the top. But live, on the other hand, is a spiritual experience. He plays with such passion and fire, it takes your breath away. Always surrounding himself with fantastic young players, his shows are a marvel to behold. I see him every year when he comes to the Jazz Showcase (more than one night if I can afford it), and he never ceases to amaze me. I was talking to an old school cat at one of his shows, and he says that seeing Kenny and his intense energy reminded him of seeing John Coltrane's quartet back in the sixties. And that's not the first time I've heard that comparison made. To sum up, Kenny Garrett live is always an "OH MY GOD" experience, and I encourage anyone who hasn't seen him live to make an effort to do so.

That's fantastic news! Thanks for sharing, Rooster.

Clarence Penn is one of the best up and coming drummers around. He's freakin' AMAZING! I saw the Dave Douglas Quintet just this past Feb. and he blew my mind, as did the rest of the band. Quincy, who was on saxophones at your show? When I saw Dave, it was Chris Potter but I hear he's been using different sax players as Chris is very busy.

gslade - that should be a great show! Be sure to let us know how it is. I saw Herbie Hancock with Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette a few weeks ago. Amazing. These cats are the true masters.

I hope that's not the case! I placed a phone order because I knew they must have been running extremely low and wanted to confirm it in person. The lady told me that they had it in stock, and that it will ship today. We'll see.......

An infinite thank you to ubu, JohnS, and PHILLYQ. I ordered right after reading your posts, and I shit you not, literaly a few minutes after I ordered, I saw the post in the other thread that it sold out. I think I got the last one! This board has proven magical once again.

Holy crap......I think I must have gotten the last one!!! I just ordered like 3 mintues ago!!!

I've been on the fence for months. I've heard the great reviews. I'm confident that I'll enjoy the music. But now something is different... I heard Warne Marsh's "All Music" yesterday for the first time. I'm blown away. Incredible. Now I want the set more than before. The only reason I've hesitated is because I'm unsure about Lee Konitz. His recent stuff hasn't done much for me. But I've always enjoyed his older stuff, especially his playing on Birth of the Cool. But with this countdown to the sell-out, its weighing more and more on my mind. I really want the set. I just need some encouragement. Someone push me over the edge on the Tristano/Konitz/Marsh Mosaic set! Tell me how great this set is so I can place my order without guilt! Arrrrgh!!!! Damn jazz, I wish I didn't love it so much!!!

I listened to Warne Marsh's "All Music" last night for the first time. Having never heard Marsh's music before and buying this album strictly on the recommendations of this board, I didn't know what to expect. HOLY SHIT.......amazing! Definitely the best "OH MY GOD" moment of the year so far. P.S. Great job on the notes, Jim!

HA HA HA!!!!! This is my first time looking at this thread and this is just too funny! I thought I was really bad, but some of your stories are actually making me feel good about myself. When I just "happen" to end up in the jazz sections of Borders, Tower, or "happen" to walk by Jazz Record Mart or a used CD store, and when I see something I want and I don't have any money, I think to myself "I shouldn't buy this now, but then again, SOMEDAY, I'm going to get it, so why not just do it now??", and out comes the plastic. This is truely a disease.

I bought some nice catfish fillets on sale at my local market, but I've never cooked catfish before. I know frying is an option, but I have a grill as well, and would like to try to go that route if possible (trying to eat healthier). However, I don't mind frying either. Can anyone help me out in this dept, with regards to cooking times, flame sizes, or ways to season them? I appreciate any help you can give! Thanks.

All right.....after a somewhat long hiatus from buying music, I finally went all out! Here's what I've picked up in the last couple days. From Chuck Nessa: Warne Marsh - "All Music" Von Freeman - "Have No Fear" From Borders (buy 3, get 1 free sale): Bud Powell - "Jazz Giant" Branford Marsalis - "Contemporary Jazz" Fred Hersch Trio - "+2" Rashaan Roland Kirk - "Bright Moments" and the BIG one from CD Universe: Bobby Hutcherson - "Components" Woody Shaw - "Live - Vol. 1" David Murray/James Newton - "Quintet" Wessel Anderson - "Live at the Village Vanguard" Ben Allison - "Riding the Nuclear Tiger" Dave Douglas - "In Our Lifetime" Matthias Lupri - "Same Time Twice" Alex Sipiagin - "Steppin' Zone" Wadada Leo Smith - "Golden Quartet" Needless to say, I'm a happy man!!

Heaven is blessed with his presence. May he rest in peace.

I wouldn't be surprised if Jack DeJohnette was on the skins. They displayed excellent chemistry on "Universal Syncopations".

I also second the recs for Mt. Ranier and Mt. St Helens. Both are incredible places. Man, I don't know why never moved to Washingon or Oregon. Such a beautiful region...........

Jim, I spent practically an entire summer in the Pacific NW a couple years back. Seattle is a really cool city with lots to see, and the nature is beautiful. However, right across the bay from Seattle lies the Olympic Penninsula, which is covered almost entirely by Olympic National Park. This has to be one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Incredible beaches (not swimming type beaches, but natural, rugged beaches), temperate rain forrests, sub-alpine meadows and if you like to walk, you can reach the base of the Olympic Mountains and see the glaciers. In terms of nature, it doesn't get much better then summer in the Olympic Penninsula. Plus, there are lots of cool towns around there. Its just a ferry ride away from Seattle. Only problem is you might need more than a day or two to appreciate it. But if you are one of those nature types, its one of the greatest places in the world. I hope to retire there some day.

Like jlhoots says, check the Reader. Its online at www.chicagoreader.com. Click on the music link, then the jazz link for a complete listing of jazz for the upcoming days/weeks. The Jazz Showcase is the classic place, but not to be missed is the Green Mill, which was Al Capone's old hangout, and Fred Anderson's Velvet Lounge. Plus, there's always jazz at nice venues that are not necessarily jazz clubs, but great places nonetheless. Also, I hear Green Dolphin Street is a really nice place, but I've never been there.