Brad

B, C and E look difficult and the rest look like a walk in the park. The Germany group doesn't look too challenging -- have to make sure the hosts move on. If the Czechs are on their game, it could be difficult but they were in a tough group last time: Korea, Portugal and Poland so it's not out of the question and I think they could take the Italians.

Looks like my fears about the US winding up in the Group of Death (El Grupo de la Muerte) were justified. Bummer.

I don't know how this could happen or how Mosaic could let it happen. CD Universe has it for $91 and Mosaic's price is $119. Gee, I wonder where people will buy it from?

Dusty Groove indicates that it's delayed but hopefully they'll have it soon.

I think the rhetoric is a little to hyperbolic, pardon the expression. As far as ZT Blues, I know a lot of people hate it although I like it myself.

Dumb question but I haven't looked at this thread until recently but is there one site better than others that keeps you up to date on new releases and where can you buy these, especially ones not that popular, like the Criterion releases. Would love to get a new Seven Samurai as well as Paths to Glory, one of the best films ever made or that I ever saw.

FWIW (and not much), Chester Alan Arthur (former President) was born on my birthday or I on his.

The Jays grossly overpayed for him. They've spent a load of cash ... on pitchers!

According the BBC, Italy just beat out the US. I'm not sure why Mexico gets ahead of the US but so be it.

Those moves would be dumb. If you're going to make a move, switch Jeter and A Rod. A Rod is the better shortstop.

Other than the Miles CDs, Monk Trane and the Garland Prelude (which I have) this is an underwhelming group. Chuck is our seer.

This is just great music. Enough said.

Maybe Lisa is Digby or whatever his name is.

Great choices all, especially the Wynton disk.

That and the Brookemeyer were the best of that series of reissues, not to denigrate the Mulligan or the Dex but the Jamal was really tops: an eye opener for me.

Looks like Brownie made the case for me. Thank you. I had missed or glossed over the point that Kenny quoted. I don't think U.S. fans are as you say and I sincerely doubt that Australian fans are that way at all. As fans of countries that haven't been on the World Cup stage that long, I don't think we have earned the right to be "despicable" nor have we acted that way.

Looks like the Mets may be almost ready to challenge the Braves. I hear they're still hoping for Manny. Notwithstanding two good signings, they still need to fix the catcher and second base situations and get another outfielder. The bullpen is a problem but then whose isn't? They also lost their premier pinch hitter so they have made strides but I don't know that they're there yet.

Well, that seems like a cool dog anyway.

P.L.M., My feelings about Barthez have to do with his performance for Man U. I have not seen him recently but some of his performances in the latter stages of his Manchester United career left a lot to be desired -- and I'm not a Manchester fan. I haven't seen him since he transferred to France since I don't have access to those matches or to the qualifying matches either.

FWIW (and this is from memory), the RVGs didn't even have the original liner notes because of the new regroupings.

I don't know about repugnant but I don't think it's good form to be DWI with your kids in the car. Pretty bad in my view. Wonder what the cop -- or your wife -- said. If I were caught DWI, I don't think I'd post it and be held up to ridicule.

You jest, of course

I'm assuming you have the RVG. If that's the case, look at the liner notes. It gives an explanation of why they did that. I remember when the RVG coming out that this caused a minor furor; Gary Giddins was quite critical of the reordering of the recordings.

I may be having a brain lapse but wasn't Soul on Ice the Eldridge Cleaver book from the 60s. One of my favorites at the time.

I have to agree with Brownie on this. Didn't Zidane retire but then get pressed back into service because of the French team's struggles? If Barthez is gone, good riddance. His moment in the sun was 1998 and that's gone. Too often, we don't like to admit when our heroes can no longer do what we remember them doing. Sad but true and sometimes better to cut the cord and move on.