Brad

I think that restaurant could use a new creative director

But where do you draw the line? Do you really think that every blackface performer was a racist or was inspired by nothing but contempt? Even if there was only one blackface performer who was inspired by what he regarded as a love of black music (however condescending), doesn't that effectively obscure the line? And ultimately, why should we try to make the distinction? Was minstrelsy really so bad? It was America's first mass entertainment and arguably its first major contribution to world culture (both Britain and Japan were tremendously affected by it). And the end result is the same. I don't think that there is any need to draw a distinct line. Minstrelsy was a product of the time and, as you say, some people, black and white, with sincere love and respect for black American music practiced it as the accepted medium of the time. It is still the case that demeaning racial parody was at the core of minstrelsy. That is what makes it so unpleasant. On the other hand, when Mick Jagger, Van Morrison or Amy Winehouse sing in a heavily black influenced manner, they are doing it straight from the heart in a sincere manner. To the degree that some could perceive it as parody, the joke and laughter would be on them. As I wrote, I see that as a huge qualitative difference. I'm stating the obvious and John L has said it better and more succintly than I can but the Stones were heavily influenced by the Blues and this is evident in many of their songs (e.g. Little Red Rooster, use of harmonicas), particularly the early albums in the 60s, until the early 1970s. This does not mean slavish imitation or a form of minstrelcy. This was just part of their roots and it gave them a distinctive sound. The fact that they recorded blues influenced songs probably led many a person (including myself) to see out the Blues and discover why we liked the Stones and other similar groups: there was something inside of us.

The Yanks got Granderson?? Oh shit. It's official.

Thanks for your nice words, Brad about the music. Your suggestions are very interesting and I'd love to ask you to specify it. In what tracks do you suggest these musicians? Keep Swinging Durium Durium, I'm thinking that it may Django and Stephane Grapelli are on track 3. Whoever it may be, I like the guitar playing. I thought it might be Slam on track 6. Sounds really like him. Don't know who the horn player is but he's playing at a heady speed so he must have been influenced by some of the bop players. I have no idea who is on track 7 but this is an amazing duet on a tune whose name I can't remember (and it's driving me crazy 'cause I should know it). My only objection is that the pianist seems to overshadow the guitarist a little and probably could tone it down a little but I can't wait to find out who this is as I would buy the recording. Even my son who plays guitar was impressed by the playing. Track 8 made me laugh: Meet the Flintstones. Strikes me as something Red Norvo might have done. Don't know why. Track 12 must be a Tadd Dameron tune. No idea who's playing but great runs. That's as far as I've gotten.

And when are they going to win the NHL again?

If you can, see if you can find Babs' Sunday Afternoon at Smalls Paradise. Great cd on the wit and wisdom of the man. No jazz fan should be without.

Perhaps the $60 billion is for the entire class and Chet Baker's estate is just the named plaintiff acting on behalf of the class.

Today is unfortunately a sad day in the annals of music: the day John Lennon died. Continue to rest in peace and continued thanks.

The problem is we break so many oaths

You don't want too too much do you

I started to listen to this tonight and thanks Durium: beautiful music. I'm not sure I would hazard any guesses although on the early tracks I'm thinking Django on one and Slam Stewart on another. Found track 2 very contemplative; no idea who however.

I don't know about the RVG but wasn't there a few Columbia CDs a couple of years back that had the tendency to really screw up your computer. I remember a Dexter cd being one of them, maybe Manhattan Symphony or something like that.

Thanks for posting Brownie. Isn't David Weiss a member here?

Steak and sausage on the grill, even though it's snowing

I went and looked at the FIFA rankings and I have to agree: Group B looks tough. So you agree with yourself. That's good. Sorry meant Group G :blush2:

Thanks for the heads up. I wonder if any of these are repressings because I saw a Dizzy set and I think it may be similar to one I bought several years ago. As I'm not home right now, I need to check.

Interesting articles. Thanks for posting. Slightly off topic but a few years ago the Times ran a fascinating series on how Steinway makes its pianos.

There's a site that coordinates online auctions; I think its called onlineauctioneers.com or something like that. Auction houses usually charge a twenty percent buyers fee on top of the final price.

Maybe that's the update.

I can't speak for the other stores here in Jersey but at Rockaway, there was a customer who used to trade in a lot of his jazz cds and I picked quite a few good things at cheap prices.

Just got an email saying they're increasing the discounts to 50%!

Agreed. Wouldn't these look good in your collection

No excuse this time. Only 3 teams of formation dustbins would be easier.. That's not very nice. Are you saying we can't play football worth a darn . I went and looked at the FIFA rankings and I have to agree: Group B looks tough.

I wonder if the seller realistically thinks anyone will bid or he's just taking a shot in the dark.

I don't know about Group G being the Group of Death; I think Group B could be very tough. The Group of laughter (for lack of a better term) looks to be Group H; Spain look to have it easy (fortunately). As the Number 1 ranked team, I guess you're supposed to get a few bennies.