Guy Berger

I recently got my cd-rom drive replaced. All of a sudden, Itunes is ripping my cds at 11-14X rather than 5-7X. I am still using error correction. Is this too good to be true? I hope I don't hear a bunch of clicks and pops on my ipod tomorrow. Guy

Noj, I was kidding. Guy

All this Laker fan self-pity is giving me a headache. Guy

This month: Lonnie Smith, Think Next month: Lee Morgan, The Gigolo

I think winning this game was a big mistake. It will be harder to get a good lottery pick unless they keep losing. Noj, I don't think the Lakers will miss the playoffs -- the teams contending for the bottom 2 playoff spots are too weak. Guy

It's going to plunge to the mid 20s for most of the week. It's supposed to be March!

Agreed there. The Caravan albums up through 'Cunning Stunts' have some amazing tracks on them. I only have two Caravan albums. One of them (In the Land of the Grey and Pink) is excellent, but I am less excited about the other (For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night). Who came up with those album titles? One of my favorite Canterbury albums is the first Hatfield and the North album. The second one (The Rotters' Club) isn't quite as good. I used to love National Health but I recently listened to their albums and didn't like them nearly as much. Guy

Anybody heard this? Worth picking up? I'm a little wary of another slow-tempo introspective piano-centered disc on ECM, but supposedly this was recorded by Anat Fort on her own initiative before ECM got their hands on it. Plus the presence of Robinson could add some sparks. Guy

Definitely. Good to have you back, Shrdlu. Guy

Dallas (50-9) is now two games ahead of where Detroit (48-11) was at the same point last season. Guy

Some questionable officiating and/or a stupid tantrum by Don Nelson (I remember when this dude used to erupt at almost every game! good times) cost the Warriors the game. Hopefully this will continue -- they are now only 3.5 games out of the 3rd lottery slot. Guy

Even if you have owned a house before, I wouldn't recommend it. For >99.9% of people, this is a really bad idea. opportunity cost Guy

Is this really true? I find it hard to believe. Guy

It's good. Just spinning the first LP on UK CBS this weekend and can recommend it to all Wyatt fans. Not sure about 'Little Red Book' though, not heard that one. I started a thread about Little Record a while back. I don't think it's a very good album. I haven't heard the other MM album. Guy

Jim, have you heard him on Paul Motian's albums (Conception Vessel and Tribute)? I feel like he's better utilized on those. That said, there's one really cooking track on Keith's Expectations ("Roussillion" or "The Circular Letter") where he solos over a burning Motian-Haden rhythm section, it's fantastic. Guy Conception Vessel is a GREAT record, both the Jarrett and Sam Brown contributions certainly help that. Ditto Leroy Jenkins (RIP) and Becky Friend... Edit to say: which of the "freer" Jarrett American 4tet recs would you recommend? Fort Yawuh, Shades, Mysteries. Only FY is available on CD, for the other two you probably have to go on itunes or buy an expensive import. Survivor's Suite is pretty good but I think at least 5 or 6 of the Impulse albums are better. Eyes of the Heart is one of their worst albums. Guy

Those are three really good ones, probably their best. Relayer is good too. If you can get it for cheap you might want to check out Going for the One -- there's some good stuff one that one (especially "Awaken"). Guy

Jim, have you heard him on Paul Motian's albums (Conception Vessel and Tribute)? I feel like he's better utilized on those. That said, there's one really cooking track on Keith's Expectations ("Roussillion" or "The Circular Letter") where he solos over a burning Motian-Haden rhythm section, it's fantastic. Guy

Which ones, Lon? Guy

Happy birthday, Al! Guy

Dip, You bet I like it! I like a few of the freer dates on Impulse better, but this one is really good. I especially like "The Rich (and the Poor)" -- Dewey is just fantastic on that one, so soulful. "Blue Streak" is also a lot of fun. I have a bit of trouble getting into the two tunes w/Sam Brown on guitar -- they are a little cheesy to my ear. But maybe I'm being "too hip". This is probably the most accessible of his Impulse recordings. Guy

Apparently Brian Priestley posted the following on the Mingus list:

Dallas now has a better record than Detroit had at this same point last year. Guy

He definitely manages not to be an asshole, but he comes off as somewhat ridiculous when comparing Messiaen and Cecil Taylor (and getting totally called on it by Iverson). Guy

According to someone at AAJ, the sextet gig has been cancelled due to health reasons. Guy

Somebody posted this on AAJ -- supposedly it comes from the Bad Plus's blog, Do the Math. Guy EDIT (by Jim Alfredson): In honor of Ethan regarding his posting here on his blog, I've deleted the quoted article instead urge people to use the link to read the article on the original blog, in it's original format. http://thebadplus.typepad.com/dothemath/20...view_with_.html Thank you, ----Jim