JohnJ

Big Wheel, will you be returning via Bangkok? Anyway, just in case you are, you may be interested to know that the new Bangkok Subway opened ahead of schedule last Saturday. All rides are 10 Baht (25 cents) until the Queen's birthday on August 10. Should be a good way to explore the city.

Typical Scottish mentality. Still, given the state of Scottish football and rugby you do have my sympathy.

The HMV summer sale has started and they usually have a few interesting bargains in their Tokyo stores. Picked up the following items on Saturday: Jazz in Paris: Lucky Thompson - Modern Jazz Group Jazz in Paris: Bernard Peiffer - La Vie En Rose Only 300 yen each, equivalent to around $2.75. Great series, great prices.

Ditto. One of my favoirite box sets.

All the Euro 2004 games are shown live here in Japan on cable and replayed in the evening. That generally means a 4.00 a.m. kick off and I am not sufficiently interested these days to wake up at that time. I did however catch the second period of extra time and the penalties of the England vs. Portugal game this morning. As an Englishman, all I can say is what a depressingly familiar refrain, for the sake of my heart I sure wish FIFA and UEFA would devise an alternative to penalties. Anyway, sounds like it was a great game and congratulations to Portugal. For your sake Brownie, I hope France live up to their potential this evening.

Edward, I guess you have never been drunk in a go-go bar in Thailand.

As somebody who buys on eBay, and lives in Tokyo, Paypal has been a Godsend. I have used them for numerous transactions over the last four years and never had a problem. Also, as RDK says, paying with Paypal could not be simpler, a couple of clicks and you are finished.

They will be in Japan for the Tokyo Jazz Festival on September 18 and 19. That would be a good road trip Jim.

Thank you everyone for your insights. I will pick up the box this evening, the price, used, is the equivalent of a little below $30 which I think is pretty cheap. Chuck, I look forward to exploring the music of Bud Powell.

First off, I have to confess that I have no Bud Powell, as a leader, in my ever expanding collection. I realize that I need to urgently correct this situation and was wondering whether the 'Complete Bud Powell on Verve' would be a good place to start (I am a fan of box sets). I have the opportunity to pick it up at a good price and it seems like a nice package. Any thoughts would be welcome.

Speaking of Walt Dickerson, I am also very fond of 'Impressions of a Patch of Blue' with some nice Sun Ra piano. I believe this was a Verve Elite Edition a few years ago and I guess they did not make many copies, so if you see it pick it up.

Brownie, I picked this up today used for a mere $4.00. I like what I have heard of Teddy Edwards and at that price it was an easy choice Based on all the positive comments on this board about Rashaan Roland Kirk, I also bought a used copy the 2 CD Rhino Anthology 'Does Your House Have Lions'. I have to confess that I own no Kirk and I hope this is a good introduction (also it was only $10).

Brownie, you beat me to it, I was about to post the same article. Love Robert Wyatt's comment.

Bobby Hutcherson - 'Natural Illusions' I love Bobby, but this with strings effort is truly awful. Sold it immediately.

Brownie, beer and wine both have their time and place (as does vodka). The key is to have a balanced diet

Anyone familiar with 'Autumn Dreams', Charlie Mariano and the Mal Waldron Trio, a recording on Alfa Jazz from the early '90's? Hard to find any information on this one but I guess it is hard to go wrong with Mariano and Waldron. Any comments would be appreciated.

Actually EKE BBB, the first London vote was from me. Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner. Anyway, It's about time England hosted either the Olympics or the World Cup, especially as I live in Tokyo.

In addition to Conn's Bangkok recommendations, for something other than temples I would add Jim Thompson's house. This is a really nice traditional well preserved Thai house next to a Klong (canal). Jim Thompson's story is also very interesting. For getting around the Skytrain is really convenient and cheap, and avoids the traffic (and heat). A lot of the taxis are metered now and if you are lucky they even use them. The food and entertainment options in Bangkok are rapidly changing so get some current info. Also, if you want to check out the famous go-go bar scene, despite what Weizen says on another thread, Patpong is for toursits. The locals generally go to Nana Plaza or Soi Cowboy.

I agree scottb, I think that ultimately it was actually a dissapointing season for Arsenal despite their achievment in the league. I feel they really thought this was their year in the Champions League and losing to Man United in the FA Cup semi final really hurt too. They really wanted to emulate United in doing the treble and this season was as good an opportunity as they are likely to get.

If Sinatra qualifies as a confession then I admit to Billie, Ella and Sarah too.

Big Wheel, for Bangkok (and Thailand generally) I would recommend the famous Stickman guide to Bangkok site at www.stickmanbangkok.com/ A lot of good information there and some of the reader submissions are priceless. All in all, pretty entertaining.

Tempted by the 8 CD Bill Evans live box 'Consecration' which I saw used for around $58. This seems like a good price, especially as it is the Japanese K2 20 bit version. Anyone have any thoughts on this box? I really like his playing at slower tempos and I heard there was a lot of more uptempo material on this box.

Friday night out with the boys is fast approaching. Always helps after a tough week. Booze may not be the answer but at least it makes the question irrelevant.

Perhaps not as authentic or Brazilian as many of the above recommendations, but I think the Sinatra/Jobim collaboration is superb, a high point for both great artists.

'The First Swallow of Spring'.