RonF

An opportunity wasted is a good way to put it. If I was forced to pick, I'd say Sting's redo of Sister Moon works the best. Annie Lennox is respectable. Paul Simon sounds old and tired and off key. The Carlos and Angelique track is all over the place. Personally, I'm tired of John Mayer's schtick even though I know he's a real talent. Hell, there's "talent" all over this album. Couldn't connect with the rest. I think Herbie's eye on the cash register was more focused than his creative intent. Could be wrong.

I've heard that Aguilera track, Leon Russell's A Song For You, and as Jim pointed out, she has pipes. I always knew that. But I would have hoped that she would leave the (now generic) vocal gymnastics of turning three syllable words into twelve - and hitting 20 notes instead of one at home for a date with Herbie Hancock. Well, she didn't and the result is messy. Herbie says he was blown away. It's pyrotechnics. Here is the track list for "Possibilities": "Stitched Up" featuring John Mayer "Safiatou" featuring Carlos Santana and Angelique Kidjo "A Song for You" featuring Christina Aguilera "I Do It for Your Love" featuring Paul Simon "Hush, Hush, Hush" featuring Annie Lennox "Sister Moon" featuring Sting "When Loves Comes to Town" featuring Joss Stone and Jonny Lang "Don't Explain" featuring Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan "Gelo No Montana" featuring Trey Anastasio "I Just Called To Say I Loved You" featuring Raul Midon

I third it.

Just last week I was listening to Jimmy Witherspoon at a live date in which he invited Baldry to the stage and they sang Times Getting Tougher Than Tough together. Two greats that will be missed.

I agree. Oddly enough, I've heard people compare Charlie to Stanley Jordan which I completely reject. Jordan, to me, is gimmickry. In some respects, I don't even consider him a guitar player. What he can do is dazzling and all of that but in terms of being a musician, he's not in Hunter's league....imho.

Right you are Jim. Duo is fine. This one is too, imho - featuring Dave Ellis on tenor...far and away one of the most underrated sax players in the country.

Clint, You should pick up Curtis's latest I Think It's Going To Rain Today on Concord. A bunch of Palmetto cats, cool song selection.

Another "old" pop rocker settles down to record a jazz standards album. Saw Carly on TV this morning. She looks like Mr. Ed with anorexia. Still can't sing a lick. Never could.

Sara Lazarus is very good...a young American living in Paris. Give Me The Simple Life on Dreyfus. One of the best vocal albums of the year. imho I have Luciana's first Duos. Wonderful CD. Haven't heard Duos II.

Killer heat in Arizona. 113! 8 people dead! Then I hear on the news this morning that NYC is like a sauna - people miserable, in the 90s with record humidity. Still, it's gotta be better than Phoenix. Yes? No?

Lucky Duck!

Couldn't agree more.

Hey, you're still a good person!

I knew they were screwed up. I knew they were addicts. These people are ill. They need a lot of help. A day in their lives is a lesson in abuse......every kind of abuse there is.

I agree. One of the pleasant surprises of the year, for sure. Dave Stryker has a new one, Big City, on Melbay Records. Dave Kikoski, Ed Howard and Victor Lewis. Very nice.

Dell's tech support used to be the best but I guess because they've gotten so big, it's fallen off considerably. If you do need assistance, you'll almost always be talking to a man or woman from India or Panama, struggling to speak English in an intelligible manner. In my experience, the problems always get solved but it can be very frustrating. I don't know if it's better anywhere else. The coupons are a good idea, and the Online Dell Specials change very frequently...sometimes day to day. Keep checking. In addition to free shipping, you can get some really good deals.

Excellent news. Way to go!

I will have to find the '74 Tambu with Tjader on OJC. Sounds terrific. I was fortunate enough to see Charlie at Concerts By The Sea in Redondo Beach right around the same time - '75 or '76. A unforgettable, special evening. Thanks for the info!

Ahhh.....Amarillo. That means very windy and hotter than a MOFO. Chris, the Olympic Committee made their city selection this morning. Have you made yours??? Watch out for tornados.

Damn! That IS a good lookin' watch!

One more good one from Charlie Byrd in the same vein, My Inspiration, Music of Brazil with Romero Lubambo and Scott Hamilton - Concord '99.

The Lady willpower line is rich. Thanks Joe, this has been looping in my brain since I first read the thread.

I mostly agree with SS's assessment. There are 6 tracks on the CD I have and all but one of the tracks range between 10 and 16 minutes. Blood's Red Rooster is about 5. That one didn't bother me so much but ditto on the "ugg" for I Believe I Can Fly. I like Carter's The Real Quietstorm from about ten years ago. Pretty tame compared to Out Of Nowhere.