Teasing the Korean

Does anyone know what the record was?

The Milt Raskin album also came out under the title "Kapu" - Can't remember offhand if that was on Crown or not. Which Les Baxter - Skins or Teen Drums?

Great argument in favor of digital downloads.

I think that the Astrud Gilberto-Gil Evans pairing is one of the most bizarre ever. That album simply does not work.

Chewy, do you have the Crown albums "Bongo Madness" by Don Ralke and/or "Exotic Percussion" by Milt Raskin? I would love to find a box set of these two albums, combined with, of course the Latin Jazz All-Stars' "Jazz Heat, Bongo Beat," arguably the greatest album ever made.

OMFG!

What period is this stuff from? I really don't care for his later stuff at all (at least the stuff I've heard).

I'm confused by all these reissues. I have a 26-track Fontana/Phonogram CD, 836 305-2, from 1988. Does this sound any better or worse than the others? Also, has anyone ever attempted to recreate the 10" album running order using the bonus tracks that don't have the reverb? I've always wanted to try and never got around to it. I don't know if it's pretty easy, or if there was too much editing involved. EDIT: I just found that rear case insert which explains which of the dry tracks were used. I had the disc and cover art in a flat sleeve.

My copy is rechanneled stereo.

Are the new versions in rechanneled stereo, like the Pablo version, or did they correct this?

I tend to like small combo jazz better in mono than in stereo. Most Brubeck Columbia LPs sound better in mono - there is a better balance between the instruments. Sometimes the drums are too loud on the stereo versions. But on the mono Bossa Nova USA, I thought the drums were a little too quiet, and ultimately, I unloaded the mono and kept the stereo. One of the few times this has happened.

interesting discussion between Larry and JSngry. I have been in similar discussions regarding age/accomplishment vs. the climate to foster development. I tend to feel that 26 is relatively young by today's standards - there are more artistic choices for young artists. Not to mention the fact that we're all living longer and we're delaying adulthood and maturity as much as humanly possible. Just look at the baby boomers...

I'm completely out of touch. I haven't watched the Grammies probably since the late 1970s and have no idea who any of these people are. But I sleep well.

When I was a kid, the Shearing vibes-piano-guitar block chord sound represented an idealized vision of suave, post-war adulthood. I thought the vibes were ice cubes being dropped into a glass.

Bet those are neat! He did some cool scores. "Master of the World" is Baxter in his more grandiose, melodic mode, sort of along the lines of his Capitol album "Space Escapade," but with more drama and spectacle. "Barbarian" is closer to the exotica albums but it doesn't quite sound like those. There is a march that shows up at the beginning and end that is kind of annoying (I'm not into military scores), but the rest of it has an impressionistic exotic sound.

Les Baxter - Master of the World OST - VJ (rainbow, mono) Les Baxter - Barbarian! - AIP (mono)

I am obsessed with the album "A Wilder Alias."

When I was younger, I remember Woody Allen being discussed with the levels of reverence and enthusiasm associated with all the great directors - Fellini, Bergman, etc. In more recent decades, when I have film conversations, it seems like he's not mentioned as much; when one of his films is mentioned, someone will say, "Yeah, that was good," etc. (The one possible exception to this may be "Crimes and Misdemeanors," which is my favorite of his films that I've seen, and likely the one he'll be remembered for). Additionally, I remember a piece in the NYT, post Soon-Yi, stating that only a small number of people showed up for one of his NY film premieres. So: Is this my own perception, or has anyone else felt this also? Assuming yes, do you think the Soon-Yi scandal directly or indirectly played a role? Do you think Woody is one of those artists who speaks to a certain generation or era, but whose work ultimately lacks the kind of staying power of great art?

"Flirt and Dream" is his best album. Is it on CD yet? Certain tracks sound like outtakes from "Que Mango," the brilliant collaboration between 101 Strings and The Great Les Baxter.

chewy, do you like Phil Collins? I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock. Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite.

For Christmas, I got my wife the Beatles on Ed Sullivan DVD. It's four complete shows, including the original commercials that aired. It's fascinating to see the Beatles within the context of that period, something that has been lost, in part to the group's own conservative and humorless marketing of the Beatles' brand.

Jane Birkin had some very nice things to say about JB.

Love the Epic EP with "Why Spend the Dark Night with You."

Ha! For the record (no pun intended), I was actually spinning the Junior College album.