RonF

This made me laugh outloud. Our girls are in college now but, man, do I remember trying to listen to music when they were younger. Thanks for the memory, Bruce. I just got the new SD cd. Have heard only one track. More later.

Lynne Arriale

Sammy. Is that YOU?

Either you work for Sosa, the Cubs or David Letterman. Not sure which. No, I don't work for Sammy, the Cubs, or Letterman. I did live in Chicago for 14 years, so am part of that suffering breed known as Cub Fans. Really, I don't see what's so funny. Check the stats. Since Sammy was beaned, his numbers have been way down. I'm sure that concerned him enough to try something he might otherwise not have done. Corked bat or not, a player still has to hit those 90 mile an hour+ fastballs, and major league curve balls. Sammy has hit 500+ -- that's no fluke. How many have you hit, Ron? I don't condone what he did, just offered what I think might be a reason for him trying it. I apologize for being facetious. It just seems preposterous to me that a corked bat would be a considered remedy for a slump. A slump is a batter's temporary inability to make contact with the ball. How would cork make that task any easier? I have no idea why Sosa's numbers are down. It happens with all hitters. I used to swing a pretty mean stick in high school, thank you very much. B)

So who examined the 75-80 bats from the dugout? Major League Baseball did. The organization that looks the other way at the suggestion of steroid testing. The organization that will do damned near anything to keep cheating and juicing undercover in order to increase revenue and "protect" America's Pastime. Maybe someone else should take a look. Baseball has become a bad joke.

Either you work for Sosa, the Cubs or David Letterman. Not sure which.

Way to go, Joe! B)

Sammy says he was accidentally using a "practice bat" that he uses during BP to wow the crowds. Huh?

One of baseball's greatest home-run hitters was ejected Tuesday -- for a corked bat. The Cubs' Sammy Sosa was tossed when umpires found the illegal cork in his shattered bat in the first inning against Tampa Bay. If being pumped full of steroids enough to look like the incredible hulk isn't enough - he needs cork in his bat, too?

Jim, Your words are exactly on point. I think the whole album is superb. You speak correctly about a certain serenity in her playing - all I would add is the word cerebral but not in a pretentious way. While I'm not all that familiar with her work with Harper, the work on Journey certainly displays a "distinct voice" and a confidence that comes across rock solid. Francesca's the real deal.

Now that's what you call critical acclaim. Nice going Chris. I have to pick this one up too.

Now them there's fightin' words!

I wasn't aware of this Joe. Make more sense now.

I did a double take when I saw WM name on this. The Jazz Composers Collective on Palmetto......with Wynton? Not surprised to Marcus Printup with this group. I agree, after a short listen the music is good - quirky but then it's Ted Nash and the JCC. And I have to say that I'm glad these guys invited Wynton to be in the project.

Have a good one Jim. How ancient are you anyway?

Ha! That sure sounds familiar; now who does that remind me of.... That DOES sound familiar! Dammit, who is it? It's on the tip of my tongue!

She did great today. Where is V-J anyway? V-J!??

Ed Mentioned Tell Me Something: The Songs of Mose Allison. That's got some pretty nice stuff in it. Ben Sidran and Georgie Fame share in the vocal department. One notable criticism of Van on that project was singing out of tune. In some cases, badly. Could be he wasn't familiar with the material or it was a hurried session but.....I hope he spends a little more time with this one.

Most definitely! God, where did you find that photo?

Boz has a new cd, But Beautiful: Standards Volume One. I have to say, I don't find this that offensive. Paul Nagel is the pianist and arranger and the one who urged Boz to record these songs. Boz's voice has a surprisingly easy way of blending with this music - he's not trying to be hip or cool - just delivering the lyrics with feeling. The band keeps it solid and straight ahead. Not bad. Better than background music and a helluva lot better than Elvis Costello.

I agree, this has become an excellent board! Seems like the moderators could come up with some way to celebrate all of this good will. Maybe........... FREE BEER?

I'll bring the Ten High and the pickled pigs feet.

A couple of years ago it occurred to me that the only few remaining directions for our young rebels will be mutilation and partial or full amputation. Looks like we're getting closer. In high school, I made my big statement by wearing a Bob Dylan work shirt and black engineer boots. Damn near got expelled.

Bummer.