RDK

Believe it or not, Paul, but I agree with you here! I actually don't care for the Beastie Boys and have never heard (or at least don't recall) their tune in question. I do, on the other hand, have the Newton LP ("Axum" I believe) that the samples were taken from. Still, as a matter of principal I found Newton's lawsuit baseless.

Two words: "Cherokee." Two words? How exactly does sampling stifle creativity? There will always be people creating music from standard instruments. Sampling is just another instrument that you can use. Sorry, Jim, I thought I was being clever... You're reading me wrong, though. I agree with you that sampling is (or, more accurately, can be) a valid form or artistic expression. The point I was trying to make (not well apparently) is that many jazz artists have used the notes of "Cherokee" as the jumping off point for countless improvizations and new tunes. How many times have we heard about some tune being based on "I Got Rhythm," for example? That's no different than sampling (or artistic collages) in my book. It's all based on the same underlying principles that drive the concept of public domain in the arts - that derivative artistic creations can be founded on the works of others in order to keep the arts fresh and relevant. Like Shakespeare's "Macbeth" becoming Kurosawa's "Throne of Blood." But now I'm getting offtrack...

I never thought I'd ever agree with Aric...

Two words: "Cherokee."

Group hug!

While I wouldn't say "zip," his band albums have been greatly overrated in mho. I do like the more recent line-up (with the marimbas ) more than his early 80's albums, however. If you really want to dig up something grand, seek out the duet albums he did with Sam Rivers for Improvising Artists.

While I love holiday-themed jazz and have a rather hefty collection of X-mas albums in particular, and while I certainly prefer full songs to snippits, I've gotta say that "Short Attention Span Radio" sounds very intriguing. It gets my vote!

Good decision, I think. I know we discussed this a while back (maybe on the BN board) and most felt that the BB fairly compensated Newton and that his lawsuit was unwarranted.

But didn't Diebold instruct us to "post early and post often?"

But the "frommage" is exactly what's to love about the show!

Ah, hell, Jim just messed up my bit...

Hmmm. Still no.

On second thought...

No.

Not exactly the same thing, Jim, but a baby suggestion nonetheless. We discovered this too late for our kids, but instead of a traditional playpen, a friend of ours used a cheap blow-up kiddie pool (maybe 8' round) for her toddler to play in. The sides were high enough (maybe 18") to corral the kid and keep the toys inside. It was also soft enough to avoid any injuries. With a hardwood floor you might need some additional padding/carpet on the bottom, but we always thought that a great idea.

Fun show. I didn't dig it that much at first, but it's growing on me. Definitely has a Twin Peaks vibe about it. Not the edge, of course, but that's probably a good thing for anyone wishing for the show to last.

John, would it impress you if I told you I know Emily Procter?

I know what you mean. There are few shows that I'm hooked on, but they do add up: Lost ER Simpsons 24 Alias Nip/Tuck Good Eats (my 3-year old daughter's favorite show!) Nova 60 Minutes I can't blame my girls for two of my favorite animated series: The Batman and Justice League Unlimited. I've also been tivo'ing and watching Smallville every night in syndication. Just started Season 2 last week.

No worries, Jim. "Slightly avant-garde" is one of my favorite styles. I appreciate the heads up on this one.

Well, she's also 80 years old; I'm sure she's enjoying her retirement. She also won an Emmy in 1989.

Well, if they did cut "what the ermf" or whatever - and I haven't confirmed - I doubt it had anything to do with "censorship." There's nothing to censor. If anything it was just a fuck-up during the audio restoration - someone forgot to move a mixing pot or something.

Oh, lots of it! I'm a media whore - though some of that stems from my job, trying to keep up with pop culture and all that. But all that "official" stuff aside, I'm simply a TV junkie. It often shocks me - still - when I hear about people who don't watch any TV (or even don't have TVs in their homes). I mean, yeah, there's a lot of crap on that glass teat, but there's a lot of terrific serialized drama, news programs, documentaries, etc. Not to mention movies. Do those of you who don't "watch TV" also not watch movies or videotapes? There's a big distinction, to me, of TV as a "delivery device" and as a programming medium. Is watching a sporting event on TV, for you guys, the same as "watching TV" or is your disdain of the device due to lowest common denominator dramas and formulaic sitcoms? If the latter, I can understand - but with hundreds of channels now available you can find some very good stuff on the tube while avoiding the shit (or whatever one deems shit).

Sam is so much fun seen live. Highly recommended!

Alex - have you seen Michael Jackson lately?