JSngry

Thread-locking is really not a problem for me. The very structure of the software allows for the conversation to be resumed at will. Thread (and post) deletion is a bit more problematic, but under no circumstances will a moderator please everybody all the time. HAns, I served as a moderator for about a week and got sick of it. You've done better than me, and for longer. If you should reconsider your decision to resign, know that you'll get no complaints from me.

Not really "crazy" over Gonsalves' solo on the Newport version of D&C, but unlike Jeff, I prefer the band's reading of the chart itself. I understand his preference for the earlier, but for me, the writing itself is just so nuts (in the good way) that the more "blatant" rendition at Newport really drives that aspect of it home. Funny story (perhaps) - the first time I heard the Newport version was on a radio show. At the time, I knew just a little of Ellington, and knew of Sun Ra almost exclusively by reputation. It wasn't until the Gonzalves interlude that I realized that I was hearing Ellingotn instead of Sun Ra, that's how wack the writing and the band seemed to me then.

Because the original thread originated as a press release/news article about a new Elvis mega-box set that was on the way.

Elvis died first, then Lennon, then Sinatra. The public attention span is what it is... Also, for all these guys, as the actual music becomes else and less relevant to "everyday people", the marketing machines of the estates will resort to manufacturing all kinds of iconography that will attempt to "guilt trip" you into thinking that THESE PEOPLE ARE IMPORTANT SO YOU MUST BUY THIER(OUR) PRODUCT!!! That's going to work, because so few people have fully-formed senses of self these days (due to a combination of malevolent social forces and just flat out personal sloth) that any easy image they can latch on to works for them. So, what are the images for sale? Beatles/Lennon - Songs that changed music forever, ended a war, ended hate, ended everything bad, all you need is love, yadayadayada. Sinatra - Rough, Rugged Lone Wolf Tough Guy With A Sensitive Heart who defined the Great American Songbook for all time Elvis - three categories: Young Elvis - redneck rebel, shook his hips and shook up the world, still called everybody m'aam & sir, went off and joined the Army like any other Good American would have done. Movie Elvis - uhhh...yeah Vegas/Fat Elvis - Memphis Mafia, specTACular white jumpsuits, TCB, and dead too soon, poor thing. Really, what are the most "attractive" images of these for today's world? Sinatra and the Beatles at least had a core "reality" inside them. Elvis? He let others make it up for him from jump, pretty much. So there's really nothing to his image but image. And as far as music, hell, Elvis is not well-served by his "icon songs" being borderline-novelty songs and/or bloated unintentional self-parodies. If he'd have had the guts/brains/whatever to insist on everything (or at least enough of everything) being as good as "Little Sister" (one of the very few Elvis song I can listen to enjoyably, "Kentucky Rain" almost being another, but only on those quirky days we all have from time to time), then there would be something to work with. But no...

Oh c'mon, please do! Elvis is not feeling well and needs a nap, poor thing. I mean, that's somebody whose work I loved, but "genius"? No way! Just a damn good, inventive writer/performer of pop songs who caught a wave and used it for personal gain and an attempt at effecting what he saw as positive social change. Also a frequently & severely failed human being, but he at least tried. Sometimes. But genius? HA! Too often music fans (and musicians) confuse having moments of genius with actually being one.

Bev, I've never heard of several of the pieces in edition 12 - I hope someone weighs in on "Chant for FDR," "Jet Strip" and Ellington's version of "Poinciana." But I just listened to "Me and You" on an airplane last week. It's an Ellington pop song, sung by Ivie Anderson, and although it's not among Duke's best works, I'm kind of surprised it wasn't more of a hit at the time. It's catchy and very singable - more so than "Sophisticated Lady" or "Prelude to a Kiss." And the band's performance is great - catch Cootie's trumpet at the beginning, with Harry Carney's interjections. Overall a little ordinary for Ellington, but I'm surprised it didn't catch on. Also re-recorded on the R. Clooney/Duke album. Not really a great song, imo, but definitely "pleasant", in a good way.

Life. Truth. Reality. And occasionally blue, although yellow certainly is bigger box office!

Narrow & simplified, sure. Jive? But of course. But wrong? No way.

I've previously referred to Friedwald as essentially a "fanboy" instead of a serious, musically astute critic. Nothing here dissuades me of that notion.

Elvis made everything possible. He was an amazing human being.

Your heartfelt concerns for the contents of my personal perspectives are duly noted and greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I am still not understanding your point. Is it that I should be passionate about what I like for wantever reason, but be dispassionate about waht I don't like, of if not, only for certain reasons? Please clarify, becasue I am beginning to smell yellow, and yellow makes me sad.

Rushing Lullabies is stoopidsick GREAT!!!!

Sorry. Sometimes you gotta use impact to get through the noise. Bad taste, I know, but bad taste and Elvis are not exactly stranges to each ohter. Nevertheless...ok. My bad on that one.

It's a CLIO, the ad awards is. Agreed. Best commercial EVER! at least for now

Your case being what, exactly?

I said nothing I didn't "really think", and nothing I won't repeat/expound on should the opportunity arise again. Elvis was not a "great artist", although allowances for him being a "freak talent" will be made in the spirit of Christmas, as The King would have wanted us to all honor the Little Baby Jesus, the OTHER King, that way. Elvis was also a negative social force. Even though his "right place, right time" "happy accident" triggered the Rock Industry, it would have eventually happened any way, and quite possibly better. At any rate, the failure of Elvis to take ownership, at any point, in any way, of the power that was his, musically or otherwise, has had no positive outcomes, only negative. If Elvis was alive today, he'd be Sarah Palin. Or at least married to her. He certainly did nothing to elevate "his people" in any meaningful way. And no, he's not the only one. But in an Elvis thread, let's talk about Elvis. Also, the repeated notion that me finding Elvis repulsive is rooted in some "envy" of others not getting adequate credit or success puts Big Beat Steve on a strikeout/hit ration about 35% ahead of Dave Kingman. Even more idiotic is the notion that I'm suffering from "white guilt" about Elvis for some reason...I come from redneck country. I know rednecks, I love many rednecks (in spite of themselves), and even have a few as family members. So I know the whole White Southern thing from the inside out faaaaaar better than many, many people who posted in that thread. Believe me, the only "white guilt" that should be felt by anybody about Elvis is by his mother that the other twin died and not Elvis. Elvis is THE Lie. But enjoy the music, please! Elvis will thank you.

Perky! And no wonder!

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=JhlWddAXSRA

Elvis asked me to send you a gift, so...

Damn straight. You GO, Mr. Governor.

He had a tragic flaw and he was brought down by it. According to Aeschylus, and generations of English teachers, that's the stuff of tragedy! And according to my upbringing, laziness, a lack of direction, and surrender of self are pretty much just basic character flaws. Nothing "tragic" about them. But yes, Elvis was a victim. We are all victims. Poor us, especially Elvis. Poor, poor Elvis. And that's why yellow makes me sad. Please do not defile Mathis by bringing comments from his thread into an Elvis thread. Have you no respect? Have you no shame? Have you no mercy for the living? Does yellow make you sad too? It does me. And that is why I am a victim of my tragic flaws. Because yellow makes me sad.

Agreed, and what's not to love? Hovie (hell, all the Statesmen) had skills, principles, and backbone. Nothing more to say about Elvis, really, at least not right now, but how bout them Statesmen! http://www.youtube.c...h?v=-JugHUSSp4c

They're good for today's young couple smoking dope and screwing in front of the subwoofer.

It's not just you.