Brad

Never heard from him.

It will probably get to you but it may be awhile.

One of my two missing packages showed up today. One down, one to go.

MLB has proposed an 82 game season starting in July. DH in both leagues. Expanded playoff structure. M.L.B. Proposes an 82-Game Season Starting in July

Amy Madden is a bassist in NY. As many can testify, the life of a musician is never an easy one. Now, with the pandemic and no place to play to make money, it’s even harder. Ginia Bellafante, whose column Big City appears every Sunday in the Times’ Metro section, has written a beautiful profile of her, a person who followed her own way when she could have gone to Harvard Law and is thankful for what she has. She Just Wanted to Play Bass. That Life Is Gone.

The Szabo version is not bad although I would have liked to have seen some more improvisation than sticking so closely to the melody. I agree that we as listeners decide if we wish to listen to a song or not; that is the function of choice. However, where would music be if an artist delivered music according to an arbiter’s choice of gentility. For example, by following such a standard, there may have never been a Bird or a Little Richard. The essence of music is not some standard handed down by others — “you kids don’t know what good music. In my day, blah, blah.” The essence of music is the effect it has on the listener, however it is delivered, in whatever manner it is delivered. Creativity includes the breaking of new bounds.

“A veneer of elegance and sophistication.” As determined by who? You? Do you hear how you sound? People should say what they want to say however they want to say it.

No because as mentioned I like Grant’s I Want to Hold Your Hand and Organissimo’s Beatles album so it depends on the artist. If you like Shank’s or Joe Pass’ versions, hey, that’s fine. I don’t. Sounds like something out of a Eurovision concert from the late 60s.

For soccer fans: the Bundesliga (German League) is scheduled to return this coming Saturday.

44 years for me. Blunted it somewhat but I have a block about going to the cemetery, not to mention it’s about 2 hours from here. Time does help though SS.

Interesting journey, somewhat similar to mine. My parents had all kinds of music that I listened to: classical, popular, show tunes, you name it. I generally lost interest in popular music and rock after the mid 70s. I was also trying to establish a career and a family so little time for music. When I gravitated back, I wanted something different, which led to jazz. However, I’ve also returned to the music I grew up with; I went from 0 to 100% jazz (turning my nose up at anything else) to probably 50-50 Jazz and everything else. Life is cyclical.

I may have mentioned here that my second cousin (my mother’s first cousin), who was living in an assisted facility, caught the virus from a staff member and passed away in April. That is the only person I know personally who died of Covid.

I had to drive my son on Friday to the doctor and in driving through downtown Morristown, we saw a number of people not wearing masks, probably about a third. At our local Shoprite grocery stores, they had security guards at the entrance making sure you wore masks. However, last week I didn’t see them. Perhaps that’s a sign people are complying. In addition, you could order groceries online and then reserve a time to pick them up. During March and April it was impossible to get a time as they were all sold out. Now, it’s relatively easy to obtain a time slot. I’m not sure what that means. Perhaps people are more comfortable in going into the store.

Interesting article in today’s Times about how pandemics end. How Pandemics End

We have a small record store in town and the owner has posted that when they reopen it may be appointment and with limited hours. I’d imagine that, in addition to masks, I’d wear disposable gloves.

Correct, not the video you posted.

I listened to the Joe Pass cuts. They’re passable jazz fare but as jazz versions of the Stones’ songs, simply awful. If I want to listen to Paint it Black, I will stick with the originals. Bud Shank’s Michelle reminds me of elevator or dentist music. Mind you, I’ve never been a big fan of Michelle. Overplayed in 1965-66 and a little schmaltzy. It’s the weakest song on Rubber Soul, my favorite Beatles album next to Revolver. If you want to hear a fine jazz interpretation of the Beatles, check out Organissimo’s album, A Soulful Tribute to the Fab Four. Grant Green’s too.

Seven Days is a great one. Seen all three movies several times. However, I think Fail Safe is or seems a bit more realistic than Seven Days.

I’ll take the Spoonful any day.

“Jazz isn’t dead. It just smells funny.”

Nice! Dave’s Picks 34 Bonus Disc.

By the way, back in the 60s when I was a kid, I was listening to John Sebastian, Beatles, Stones, etc. Jazz? No. What did Zappa say?

Do you think today’s generation really wants to listen to the Lovin’ Spoonful. 50 years ago? For sure. Today? Don’t think so. Was there a typo there maybe? Just sayin’.