RDK

On a lighter note, I'm really digging the irony of Dan liking Alex's disc so much. There is hope for you guys after all! (My wife says that all world leaders should be the parents of twins as that would teach them how to deal with conflicts, rivalries, and strife while having extraordinary patience.)

This made me laugh, but also got me thinking about some of the past BFTs and my own upcoming compilation. I think the tendency of the compilers is to try to find and highlight the obscurities in their collections and try to "stump the panel" to at least some degree. (Well, that and irritate Dan with their musical choices. ) And with that comes a greater degree of risk-taking, pushing the envelope, and all that stuff. I really dig it 'cause it's exposed me to a bunch of artists I hadn't heard before, but I can understand how it can get tiresome if one's tastes are a bit more conservative (no offense, Dan). Haven't received Alex's disc yet, but from what I've read I'm really looking forward to it. "Relaxing" will be a really nice change-of-pace (and I don't mean that in any bad way though I realize that "relaxing" in a jazz context tends to sound demeaning around these here parts.)

For the record, I don't necessarily believe what I just posted above, but I thought it would be a gas to use Chuck Mangione and Cecil Taylor in the same sentence.

I have no problem with anyone not liking Mangione or thinking that he sucks, but the question was did/does he play *jazz.* I don't think I've spun a side or thought about him in 20 years but I'd nevertheless have to say "yes." Some of these comments suddenly remind me of Wynton's (or was it Branford's?) diss of Cecil Taylor on that Jazz doc, where he argued that Cecil didn't play "real jazz" or some shit like that. Just because one doesn't like Chuck's playing doesn't mean that it's not jazz.

How dare you come into an American Idol thread and thread-crap with a Sonny Rollins reference.

Hey, that's not so bad... I actually really dig Ornette on the violin.

He's a fine player who was probably done more harm than good by his press and publicity. If he wasn't *so* elevated (way beyond his abilitities) I bet we'd all be speaking of him in glowing terms. That said, while I often enjoy his music and appreciate his technique, I have yet to really connect with him on an emotional level.

I gotta stop reading this thread before the eps air here on the West Coast... (though I have to admit that I'm not at all surprised by who was booted tonight)

Well there's the rub: these "kids" who sing on live TV each week *aren't* having their voices sweetened in the studio like Britney and so many others. The top few *do* have genuine singing talent - and it doesn't really matter how they're discovered. Now what they do with it and where they go with it - that's a different story. As we all know, there are lots of good singers (or jazzmen) out there who don't hit it big for one reason or another. Being talented is only a small part of success. I'm certainly not naive enough to think these are the "best" undiscovered voices in America. But thousands of people auditioned, and these who are left made it through the various cuts. I won't even say that better singers weren't cut - but these kids got their break on what's essentially a one-shot audition. And out of those thousands, only about 2 or 3 (to me) are really "good enough" to perhaps become stars. Besides, America votes for them, so we get what we deserve. And besides, I like both Bob Dylan and Tom Waits.

heh.. I've got kids too. I know what you mean. (OR DO I?)

Interesting... I just got Attica Blues from BMG and it's in a regular jewel case with a paper cover insert (poorly printed too). The other Verve LP series discs I got came in their "regular" mini-LP incarnations...

Growing up in Rochester, it was hard for me not to be exposed to Chuck Mangione at a very early age. I'm not sure if I ever really thought of it before, but Chuck was probably the first jazz artist I ever really heard - and definitely the first I saw live.

Playing "jazz" and being "boring" are not mutually exclusive. Yes, Chuck plays jazz (or at least did), but he's not really my bag anymore either.

Well, I think some of the contestants are better than "no talent bimbos." Several have pro-quality voices, just haven't had the training and experience. Each season, it seems, there are 2 or 3 who could be real pop vocal stars if they catch a break or two (a hit single, for example) and play their cards right. Then, of course, they have to overcome the "gimmick factor" of having won a reality TV show. As singers, several are already better *singers* than Britney and maybe even Christina. But we all know it takes more than just talent to be a star...

Idol is one of my favorite shows, guilty pleasure or otherwise. It's nice to not have to think sometimes - but it is terrifically entertaining, even when the contestants are "bad." I actually like John Stevens' (mini-Conan's) voice, but he's completely out of his league here, at least for an American Idol-like pop vocal contest. His performance last night was horrible (though at the same time it was bad enough to be amusing. Like Lon, I found Leah to be a'ight (as Randy would say), but though I really liked Camile in the early going I've become less fond of her over the last few weeks. She looks painfully uncomfortable on stage and she butchered "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" (unlike some of you, apparently, i love early EJ). I also liked Diana Degarmo a lot in the beginning as well, but have since lost interest. She has incredible poise and presence on stage, but just seems too young and teeny-bopper-ish lately. But i guess you can't fault her for being only 16. George Huff really impressed me last night - the best he's ever done - but I wish he'd cool it on some of the jumping and smiling. He seems like a really great guy, genuinely nice, but his stage antics seem a bit cartoonish to me. I really do love Jennifer's voice - did from the start - and I was glad to hear the praise last night (though Randy's always pushed her). She may be too "gospel," though, to win. Conversely, Fantasia, despite her great voice, may be too "ghetto" for a lot of voters. I think Latoya London may be my favorite to win the whole thing - she's got class, looks, and a very fine voice.

Or Shrugs for making such a bad joke in the first place...

I'm loving it almost about as much as I disliked "Unit Structures!" Seriously, this is really growing on me and almost making me want to reevaluate early CT (i like some of his later solo stuff).

Oh sure, J.A.W., post the *facts.* The speculation was much more fun...

I'm sorry - did somebody say something? And is that feet I smell?

Good for you guys, Dan and Mark! I'd join you but I never really did post all that much in the Politics section myself. I just hung there for the entertainment. It's gonna get mightly boring now with Johnny posting endless cartoon that nobody will now read and comment on.

There is the thought - wild as it may seem - that Michael actually likes Ron's work...

I need to buy some more Mosaics, so I have to clean house... Everything is in great shape; a few are spare copies that have never been played. I tried to describe the specific release, but please drop me a PM or e-mail for more details. Shipping should only be a couple bucks domestic; more if you live in one of those foreign countries. Volume discounts will be considered. Paypal preferred, but I will take checks, money orders, first born children, etc. Keith Jarrett “The Impulse Years 1973-1974” (5 disc box) Still Sealed $30 Elvin Jones Mosaic (discs 1&2 only – BN albums “Puttin’ it Together,” “Ultimate,” and “Prime Element”) $14 Ella Fitzgerald “Cole Porter Song Book” (2 discs, Verve Master Edition) $18 XXX David Murray “Flowers for Albert” (2 discs) $20 Shelly Manne “My Fair Lady” (Jpn XRCD) $20 XXX Dizzy Reece “Star Bright” (JRVG) $15 Wynton Kelly “Kelly Great” (Jpn mini-LP) $12 Herbie Nichols “Trio” (TOCJ) $12 XXX Jackie McLean “A Fickle Sonance” (TOCJ) $15 XXXThad Jones “The Magnificent Thad Jones” $10 XXXBlue Mitchell “The Thing to Do” $10 XXX Sam Rivers “Dimensions & Extensions” $10 Bud Shank & Bob Cooper “Blowin’ Country” $10 Dexter Gordon “Doin’ Alright” (BMG Club) $5 Dexter Gordon “Go” (older version) $5 XXX = Sold or On Hold

Yeah, the 5 CDs that Nina mentions...

Weizen, if you're still a member, about 90% of the Nocturne box is available on emusic.com, split up as individual OJC discs. It doesn't have the book, though.

Speaking of Shatner, you've heard he's in the new, post-Practice David Kelly show?