JohnJ

Not to me. Personally I would appreciate it if postings in this thread could be limited to physical product, perhaps a separate thread could be created for download bargains for those interested.

Anything by Charlie Haden's Quartet West. Personal favourites are 'Haunted Heart' and 'Always Say Goodbye'.

I'm hoping this is just bullshit. I guess it is. Seems as though we definitely have at least two more seasons and this is now being reported. http://www.tvguide.com/News/Hamm-Mad-Men-Contract-1034467.aspx Still in the middle of season 2 here in Japan and now understand what all the fuss is about, engrossing stuff. Not sure what it says about me, but I can really identify with the Don Draper character, despite (or perhaps because of) all his flaws.

Matthew, this is somewhat earlier but are you aware of this TV play. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2005/sep/18/popandrock.bobdylan

Could not disagree more. I also eagerly look forward to the results of Lou's collaboration with Metallica

SecondSpin have a 30% off sale for orders of $30 or more until Monday. Some good box sets there at already reasonable prices, for instance the Art Pepper Village Vanguard box is $15.99, spend $30 and it is only $11.19. Reasonable shipping too.

Yes, possibly my favourite Sinatra! Not sure why really, possibly the song selection or Frank's particularly wistful singing. Have been appreciating the Reprise years recently and would give a strong recommendation to 'She Shot Me Down'. His last masterpiece, thematically similar to the great Capitol saloon song albums. Was hard to find for a long time but last year a remastered version was released.

Warne Marsh Quartet - Ne Plus Ultra (hatology). A little over $2.00 seemed a pretty good price for this rather wonderful CD.

I just got mine today, and my booklet doesn't have any photos other than on the cover!?!?! But the "special thanks" section of the notes held a most unexpected surprise... Do tell!

I agree Niko, English belongs to the world as a global means of communication and, as a native speaker, it certainly benefits me in my travels. This is obviously not a fact appreciated by everyone.

I agree with Kinuta on this, I much prefer Fringe to Lost. Currently watching the first season of 'Third Watch' having found a very cheap used DVD. Good stuff.

Any idea what the shipping charge is to the US? I've gone to the site, but it won't tell me until after I give them my credit card, and I don't want to do that just yet. (I'm kind of proud of myself to have gotten that far with a language I'm unfamiliar with!) Although already mentioned I think it is worth emphasising two points. 1) Prices include VAT which will be deducted for shipment outside Europe. In the case of Amazon Italy this is 20%. 2) Shipping on both Amazon Fance and Italy is indeed 14 Euros but this is a flat rate so it is not too bad if you order several items at once. Thus the Monk, Evans And Tatum combined would still be 14 Euros shipping. When I bought the Bil Evans Riverside & Milestone box (a great price for this music) I added a few other items. For instance, check out the RVG prices, especially the double sets and the 'Great Sessions' 3CD box prices.

If I had a Blue Note t-shirt for every Blue Note CD I own, I would have enough shirts to last a year!

Manchester United completely dominated Schalke last night, it could easily have been 6-0 but for some poor finishing and a great display from the Schalke goalkeeper Neuer. I thought Rooney was superb.

Dropped by the UNIQLO mens store in the Ginza at lunchtime. They had most of the Blue Note t-shirts in stock and they looked very nice. Couldn't resist picking up a black Jackie Mclean 'Let Freedom Ring' shirt, just the thing now the weather is warming up.

I wish it would end too but apparently aftershocks like this could easily continue for a year or so with a significant chance of one being 8.0 or larger. What can you do?

Now $53.31!

Miles and Trane - Complete Columbia Recordings 12.99 UK pounds. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004LR5JZO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

I would recommmd four great novels about various Asian locales: 1) The World of Suzi Wong - Richard Mason (1950's Hong Kong). Very underrated and much better than the film. One of the great novels set in Asia. 2) A Woman of Bangkok -Jack Reynolds (1950's Thailand). Obscure and hard to find but to this day the definitive novel about a young westerner discovering the temptations of the East, and paying the price. 3) The Quiet American - Graham Greene (1950's Vietnam). One of Greene's best and a prophetic look at the beginnings of American involvment in Vietnam. 4) Saint Jack - Paul Theroux (1970's Singapore). Set somewhat later than the others this is Theroux at his best and even though relatively recent it still evokes a Singapore long gone.

One of the biggest in the world. You see their stores everywhere.

The three TV series I am most enjoying right now, bearing in mind that cable TV here is somewhat behind the US, are: Mad Men Season 1 Fringe Season 1 Dexter Season 2 All excellent in their own way.

Kinuta, I understand. Most employees left our office around lunchtime once there was news of a spike in the levels of radioactivity around the nuclear plant. With the prevailing winds there are fears that a radioactive cloud will reach Tokyo this evening and people want to get home as quickly as possible, particularly given the fact that so many train lines are still not operating normally. Also reports of people trying to leave Tokyo and head west to relative safety. Just me and the boss around now, we both live centrally and can go home in 15 minutes or so. There is definitely an increasing level of concern.

I am relatively lucky as I live and work in Central Tokyo which is deemed too important to be subject to power cuts. Also, I don't rely on trains, I either cycle or walk to work. Had honestly expected a return to relative normality in Tokyo today, but the transportation system seems to be in a chaotic state. Lots of panic buying too, as Kinuta says. Anyway, should not complain looking at the scenes of total devastation further north, truly awful. The biggest worry in Tokyo is the nuclear reactor situation and it is difficult to find out what is really happpening there.

Very scary, definitely the worst I have ever experienced. At work and hope there is not too much damage in my apartment.

In London, check out FOPP in the Covent Garden area. Not the biggest selection in the world but unbeatable prices. In Pattaya, forget it. Plenty of other distractions though, let me know if you need any nightlife recommendations!