RDK

What he said.

I had the great pleasure of being at the show (one of the two nights) where this was recorded. I've listened to the disc a few times now, and though it's quite good it doesn't even come close to capturing the live experience. I was actually a bit disappointed in it because of that (though I realize that's unfair because of my specific circumstances). Geez, hearing Rivers and his trio live really altered my appreciation for the man. I've been familiar with his work for over 20 years now, but never considered myself that big a fan. I love "Fuchia," but everything after that seemed a big step down. But his live trio show was so much fun, and the "old man" himself has so much energy and personality, that I've been revisiting a lot of his work over the past six months or so and enjoying it tremendously.

Very funny stuff - I can hear Charlie Weaver, Gobel, and Lynde in my head as I read them. But these generally were scripted lines.

That's stating the obvious, isn't it?

I'm pretty sure there was a bootleg of that show floating around, but I hear that Sue quashed it...

I think he was here for a while - but wasn't he banned or something? Really, though, it was a rhetorical, intended-to-be-humorous statement. Not that I'd object to him posting here, but I don't really miss him...

When we had our twins - both of whom, I might add, together weighed less than Ben - the nurses tried to give us as much free hospital swag as they possibly could. The "rule" at the hospital was that you could only take from the room what would fit in a diaper bag, but we ended up with enough formula and supplies to last us nearly a month.

And here's another inspired bit of silliness from The Onion... http://www.theonion.com/news/index.php?i=2

I'm too lazy to see if this was already posted. But here's Steve Martin writing in The New Yorker... Studio Script Notes on "The Passion" Dear Mel, We love, LOVE the script! The ending works great. You'll be getting a call from us to start negotiations for the book rights. Love the Jesus character. So likable. He can't seem to catch a break! We identify with him because of it. One thing, I think we need to clearly state "the rules." Why doesn't he use his super powers to save himself? The creative people suggest that you could simply cut away to two spectators: Spectator one Why doesn't he use his super powers to save himself? Spectator two He can only use his powers to help others, never himself. Does it matter which garden? Gethsemane is hard to say and Eden is a much more recognizable garden. Just thinking out loud. Our creative people suggest a clock visual fading in and out in certain scenes like the last supper bit: Monday, 12:43pm." or later, "Good Friday, 5:14pm." Love the repetition of "is it I?" Could be very funny. On the eighth inquiry, could Jesus just give a little look into camera? Breaks frame, but could be a riot. Also could he change water into wine in last supper scene? Would be a great moment, and it's legit. History compression is a movie tradition and could really brighten up the scene. Love the flaying. Could the Rabbis be Hispanic? There's lots of hot Latino actors now, could give us a little zing at the box office. Research says there's some justification for it. Is there somewhere where Jesus could be using an IMac? You know, now that I hear myself say it, it sounds ridiculous. Strike that. But think about it. Maybe we start a shot in heaven with Jesus thoughtfully closing the top? (Reminder: heaven is timeless) The studio is very high on Johnny Depp right now. Just saw him in "Pirates." He was hilarious. Might be right for Jesus? Not so straightforward. He could bring a lot of pizzazz to the role. I think a meeting would be warranted. Love the idea of Monica Belluci as Mary Magdalene (Yow!). Our creative people suggest a name change to Heather. Could skew our audience a little younger. Love Judas. Such a great villain. Our creative people suggest that he's a little "conflicted." Couldn't he be one thing? Just bad? Gives the movie much more of a motor. Also, 30 pieces of silver is not going to get anyone excited. I think it's very simple to make him a "new millionaire." Bring in the cash on a tray. Great dilemma that the audience can identify with. Minor spelling error: on page 18, in the description of the bystanders, there should be a space between the words "Jew" and "boy." Merchandising issue: it seems the cross image has been done to death and we can't own it. Could the crucifixion scene involve something else? A Toyota would be wrong, but maybe there's a shape we can copyright, like an ellipse? I'm assuming "the dialogue is in Aremeic," is a typo for "American." If not call me on my cell or I'm at home all weekend. By the way, I'm sending a group of staffers on a cruise to the North Pole, coincidentally around the time of the release date. Would love to invite your dad!

It's times like this- the release of a new WM album, for instance - that I really miss Hardbop.

I've got a '55 Jackie Robinson that's to die for!

Is it "Talk Like a Pirate Day" already?

Congrats Jim! Is he your first? If so, be prepared: *everything* will now change for you and your wife. But in the greatest of ways!

Yep, those Griffith Park LPs are pretty good. It's funny about Corea because as someone who is so very talented, has played on so many influential and essential recordings, and who's written such great compositions ("Spain" is one of the stone jazz classics of the 70's), he isn't someone I think about very often. Someone above suggested that it may be because he's "dabbled" in so many different styles and contexts that it's hard to pin him down as an artist with a singular identity. Perhaps this is true, hoewever unfair it might be.

Got them sometime over the weekend (I've been away) and have been spinning them since yesterday. I may actually like the bonus disc better than the BFT disc itself. B)

Still haven't seen the film yet, but in Mel's defense he had $25 million of his own money wrapped up in a movie that *everybody* (up until a few months ago) thought was gonna bomb. If I were in his position, I'd do everything I could to sell it too...

Someone got a great deal - it's like a mini-Mosaic. Not my favorite Cannonball, but for four bucks it's a steal.

One of my favorite films of the year...

The tickets might start with 666, but the number is only beginning at 117 million, which is what the film made in its first 5 days of release. The point of all this is: Don't mess with the Christ! He's obviously bigger than anyone in Hollywood gave him credit for...

Well I guess I can't be too surprised that I didn't correctly identify any of these since I barely know any of these cats. Gil Evans I know, of course, and even have bits of John Lurie, Zorn and a few others in my collection as well, but nothing that I'm too familiar with. I actually have one of those Kip Hanrahan albums on an old cassette that I bought years ago as a cutout but it never did anything for me at the time. But I liked that track (10) so I'll have to scrounge around and try to revisit that one again. Overall, this was perhaps the toughest BFT for me - and there's nothing wrong with that; my ears are open and I love a challenge.

Makes me wanna go out and get a shave and a haircut. Only costs two bits...

I've got all of these except for the latest (didn't even know it was out prior to this thread) and highly recommend them all.

Now I'd better split before the shit hits my fan...

You guys shouldn't get so worked up over this stuff. It's all mythology anyway. So who'd win in a fair fight: Thor, Hercules, or Jesus?

To ethically complicate things further - by the way, good question Tony - one could make the arguement that by burning copies (say for friends) and turning said friend onto a certain artist whom they would otherwise not spend their money on (or even be aware of), one is opening up the artist to a wider audience who might then go and actually buy their albums in the future or (more importantly?) pay to see them perform live. Screw my mangled syntax, but you get the point. I state the above from personal experience...