JohnJ

Red, judging from this and previous comments, it is obviously hard for you to be objective whan it comes to Beckham. For me, he has been one of the better English players so far. Without him, we may well have drawn all three games. Anyway, England are gradually improving and did what they had to do against Sweden to ensure first place. The real action starts now, and I expect them to move into a higher gear (or maybe I am just being hopelessly optimistic).

Kenny, congratulations on a thoroughly deserved Aussie victory. Really enjoyed the game (even if my Japanese wife is not talking to me).

I picked up a used CD version at a Disk Union branch in Tokyo for around $20 a few years ago. Definitely one of my better buys.

Let's hope that this is the only reason. They started off so well then seemed to lose it completely. Why did that overpaid serial bonker/manager take Owen off after only 50-odd minutes? Still, it's 3 vital points. Maybe because Owen was clearly not fully fit and completely ineffective. England never play well in the first match and will improve (it will help that they have no more 1.00 p.m. games). Wayne Rooney at 50% is still better than most other players at 100%.

Started buying CDs in 1984. Selection was very poor and they were expensive at 3,500 Yen (around $30 at current exchange rates). Can't remember the first, maybe "Silk Degrees" by Boz Scaggs. Still plays fine and I still love that CD.

James Ellroy - "Destination Morgue" Definitely not primo Ellroy, but still entertaining if very OTT.

That really is a great price on the Getz box. It is now showing 1-2 weeks availability so maybe o.k. Also the Sinatra Platinum Collection, a 3CD Capitol best of set, is available for the amazingly low price of 0.97 pounds. Definitely a bargain.

Kinuta, how are you able to watch the 5th season in Tokyo? I am still watching season three on cable (FOX).

She certainly is. We have a mutual friend and back in the early 90's I saw her quite regularly in a little Brazilian bar in Tokyo. Fun times

Dee Dee Bridgewater's 'Love and Peace: A Tribute to Horace Silver' is one of my favorite vocal jazz CD's.

That sounds strangely familiar!

I don't know about on-line but I was quite surprised to hear the news of his passing on the main AP world news bulletin at 1.00 p.m. Saturday (Tokyo time). The bulletin only lasts a couple of minutes.

No time soon with the Mosaic Select readily available. Anyway, the Mosaic is great and well worth buying.

Guy, Lon, thanks for the recommendations. I picked it up and needless to say I completely agree with your opinions. Hard to go wrong with Wilen and Waldron.

I have been listening to a lot of Barney Wilen recently, need to buy some more . Just saw a used CD called 'French Story' with Mal Waldron on piano, anyone have any views on this Alfa Jazz release? Thanks.

Interesting video. http://www.youtube.com/?v=Vd7pCw0uBTQ

Free For All, ah yes, 'Afternoon Delight' by the Starland Vocal Band. The memories come flooding back.

Actually, while I don't much care for 'Pina Colada', Rupert Holmes did write some pretty decent songs, at least a couple of which have been recorded by jazz vocalists: Partners In Crime - Claire Martin The People That You Never Get To Love - Susannah McCorkle

Rupert Holmes is a guilty pleasure. I was tired of my lady We'd been together too long Like a worn-out recording Of a favorite song So while she lay there sleeping I read the paper in bed And in the personal columns There was this letter I read "If you like Pina Coladas And getting caught in the rain If you're not into yoga If you have half a brain If you'd like making love at midnight In the dunes on the Cape Then I'm the love that you've looked for Write to me and escape." I didn't think about my lady I know that sounds kind of mean But me and my old lady Have fallen into the same old dull routine So I wrote to the paper Took out a personal ad And though I'm nobody's poet I thought it wasn't half bad "Yes I like Pina Coladas And getting caught in the rain I'm not much into health food I am into champagne I've got to meet you by tomorrow noon And cut through all this red-tape At a bar called O'Malley's Where we'll plan our escape." So I waited with high hopes And she walked in the place I knew her smile in an instant I knew the curve of her face It was my own lovely lady And she said, "Oh it's you." Then we laughed for a moment And I said, "I never knew." That you like Pina Coladas Getting caught in the rain And the feel of the ocean And the taste of champagne If you'd like making love at midnight In the dunes of the Cape You're the lady I've looked for Come with me and escape

The surprising highlight of the Winter Olympics for me. I find the sport strangely hypnotic.

Thanks indeed, very interesting. Please post some more reminiscences when you have time.

Art Pepper - Among Friends This is a studio recording of (mostly) standards from 1978 on the Storyville label with Russ Freeman on piano. Not familiar with this but at less than $5 for the CD, why not, after all it is Art Pepper.

Ornette will be in Tokyo in late March for the first time in many years. I really should try and get tickets.

Some really great stuff there. This one is rather interesting, Elton on piano and Pamela on the pole. http://www.youtube.com/?v=UY7uja_Esik

Actually, I believe it is Pat Riley who owns the trademark for "3Peat".