Joe

He's up in heaven now, bugging the shit out of Grantland Rice.

Jerome Charyn! Wonderful! Thanks for this note.

PATTERNS.

Meltzer was also one of the masterminds behind the Blue Oyster Cult. GULCHER remains a really good sampler of his critical work.

Re: Gilbert Sorrentino. STEELWORK is indeed an fine novel, as is ABERRATION OF STARLIGHT. SPLENDIDE-HOTEL, too, though it is escape genre; not fiction, not poetry, not essay, not abecedary (though formally it resembles one). Also, his son Christopher Sorrentino has written a fascinating if at-times overly schematic novel about a fictional rock band, circa 1982, entitled SOUND ON SOUND. And isn't it Barthelme who in, THE DEAD FATHER, likens listening to Stockhausen to whipping down a water slide lined with razor baldes and landing in a pool of rubbing alcohol? Finally, members of the AEC -- Lester Bowie and Roscoe Mitchell, IIRC -- appear as "actors" in Rafi Zabor's otherwise entirely fictional THE BEAR COMES HOME.

There's a reference to Jimmy Giuffre in Joseph McElroy's A SMUGGLER'S BIBLE, a reference to Albert Ayler in his HIND'S KIDNAP, and Han Bennink makes a cameo in his latest, ACTRESS IN THE HOUSE. If you're digging Mathews especially -- he has written what is maybe the finest essay on McElroy's work -- you might want to check out McElroy. Presuming you have not.

Jared -- Davis is London-based, "extended techniques" trumpet player. Lots of aspiration sounds, working with brass resonance (as opposed to notes). But I've been consistently impressed with the force and weight of his playing. Even when it is very fragile. The compilation of complimentary reviews for the Davis / Durrant / Wastell OPEN disc that Jon Abbey has available from the Erstwhile site is as good a place to start as any: http://www.erstwhilerecords.com/catalog/re.../032_review.asp Davis recent collaboration with Joel Stern -- SMALL INDUSTRY on the l'innomable label -- is also very, very good. http://www.linnomable.com/RELEASES/releases.htm If you're really a glutton for punishment, there is a review of this last at the Bagatellen site.

Wow. That brings back memories.

I'll see if I can find images, but some cases that come to mind: Blind Faith Mom's Apple Pie The Simon and Garfunkel box set; on the cover, Paul Simon's burning cigarette was airbrushed out MEET THE RESIDENTS

Re: Dorner / Drumm. This is still probably my least favorite of the Erstwhile releases I have heard. I just don't find the musicians' sonic choices all that interesting here. As much as I like Dorner's work in the "lowercase" idiom -- hear him on Xavier Charles' THE CONTEST OF PLEASURES -- I think he excels the more his playing edges toward conventional timbres and phrases. Cf. Johansson's SIX LITTLE PIECES FOR QUINTET, the Territory Band stuff, or The Electrics' CHAIN OF ACCIDENTS. Me, I'm really digging what Matt Davis is doing on his instrument.

Jeez. Warrant or the Starland Vocal Band... talk about your tough choices...

That is so reasonable a proposal you just know it won't fly. However, Nonesuch did something similar with their EXPLORER SERIES reissues. Although original artwork and, in some cases, album titles have not been retained, the original liner notes have, and most of them carry the following disclaimer: "In order to provide a historical context for this recording, the liner notes that accompanied its original release have been reprinted in full below. The text has not been edited to reflect changes in general cultural perceptions or specific factual information that may have occurred since then."

Though I don't know these early Verves, I do own one Nimmons release, SANDS OF TIME (2000), on Sackville. A quartet date with pianist Gary Williamson, bassist Steve Wallace, and drummer Barry Elmes. Fine playing -- Nimmons has a "chesty" tone -- as well as pleasant and often distinctive compositions by the leader. In terms of showing off his virtuosity, he strikes me a bit more Tony Scott-like than Buddy DeFranco-esque, if that makes any sense. More info: http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/ind...s=U1ARTU0002580

Kevin -- thanks, as always, for the skinny on all this. IMHO, a sad, frustrating and frankly kind of absurd development. Plus ca change...

Really looking forward to your Clarence Sharpe release, Luke. Thanks for the update.

(Sound of Horshack laughing.) I was talking about the guy making the funny face. And holding the drumsticks.

Dunno. Looks like a tyrant to me...

I think we could expect a WHOLE lot more Toby Keith records. [shudder.]

Uh-oh. I feel a "What if Reid Miles had worked in political advertising?" thread coming on...

Whoa. Thanks for that link.

I dig 'em. But Kevin Shields is as 'Merican as apple pie, hot dogs, and cheap mescaline.

IIRC, Ross Russell's papers ended up at the Ransom Center in Austin, TX. http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/home.html http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/research/fa/russell.ross.html

The original Fairport Convention are making a late rally.

Dashing and daring, a drink he was sharing, With wicked Felina, the girl that I love.