Guy Berger

It seems seriously overhyped. (But disaster p0rn sells...) Most of the NOAA coverage suggests hurricane-force winds in Manhattan are very unlikely and that the median scenario remains something in the weaker tropical storm range. That said, there could be some nasty flooding in the southern end of Manhattan and I worry about the electricity going out.

So ... how'd it turn out? We returned that dog to the adoption agency, and adopted a different pup (lab/spaniel mix). It's like night and day... this guy mouths a little, but doesn't bite. We can actually play with him. He does the usual puppy things - chewing on furniture, climbing onto furniture, jumping, erratic housetraining - but is much more along the lines of the dog we want. In retrospect we probably should have been much pickier about the dog breed. Guy

This may be one way to collect $$$ for recordings that are already PD - by packaging them with those that are not. Guy

We really don't mind the damage to furniture - we knew that going in. But when he bites, it can be quite terrifying. I was trying to retrieve one of his kongs and he attacked my nose, giving me a nose bleed. I'm not sure we're capable of coping with this kind of behavior. We did have a trainer come in, and spoke to two others, prior to my post.

My gf and I finally adopted a week ago - a 3.5 month old 17 lb puppy - his mom was a Jack Russell/hound/beagle mix, the dad some kind of rottweiler mix. He'll probably be 65-75 at full size. Anyway, he was super friendly when we met him at the adoption agency and we brought him home. He's friendly on the street to people (overly friendly, sometimes) and wants to meet every other dog. He sleeps through most of the night, is super responsive to food (and already sits! my gf is training him at down and stay; and also, he's eating out of her hand, and knows to wait until she's ready to serve him). He is also not bad when walking on the leash. Unfortunately... He's a major biter. It's disconcerting - whenever he gets riled up he starts biting, and it HURTS - i'm covered in scratches and bites, as is my girlfriend. We've tried yipping in pain, but it seems to get him riled up even more - and when he bites arms or legs, he's awfully fond of pulling (and growling). What we're trying right now is taking him to the corner and leashing him up to a doorknob, giving him a time out. Not clear whether it's working, but it's a downer that we have to keep leashing him to the doorknob all the time. We're seriously considering returning him to the agency next week if he doesn't improve. He clearly understands bite inhibition because when he's lying down and we scratch him, he mouthes without biting. Anyway, will keep you updated.

John Coltrane - a lifetime of radical changes crammed into 12 years Miles Davis - I know it's a cliche to say that his playing didn't change, just the setting for his playing - but it's just plain false. Honestly, I think it'd be interesting to think about players whose style did NOT change over their careers!

There is an electric piano on the Boston Jazz Workshop gig from December 1968. I don't remember whether Herbie played the electric piano at any live gigs before Chick replaced him. Guy

What do they mean about Copenhagen not being released as a bootleg? I've had a recording of this for 9 years.

Bev, what about "To be Over" - gorgeous melodies on that one. Guy

I saw Steve's Five Elements group at the Jazz Gallery last night. Very good - especially when Steve is improvising, and I really liked the rhythm section, Marcus Gilmore is awesome. However, my enjoyment was disrupted by the heat - the airconditioning at the JG was too feeble (though noisy enough to annoy the musicians). And I picked up his two Pi recordings for $25! Guy

I think this Ethan Iverson post is a thoughtful discussion of why some don't like Oscar. It probably got brought up on the previous thread.

Well, that would be very nice to have the complete Paris (including the first two tracks) - I don't believe that has circulated. Guy

The difference is that all the Dylan "bootleg" material was owned and recorded by Columbia (now Sony) (and I know there were some certain exceptions to this, such as the Witmark release, but by and large this is true). The Miles material may well be radio recordings, audience recordings, and the like, that were never in Sony's vaults. It'll be interesting therefore to hear the audio quality of what they'll be releasing. Also, the likely audience for Bob Dylan live material is larger than that for Miles Davis live material.

I'd guess this includes Antwerp and Paris, since these are the best-sounding shows from that tour. I wonder what will be on the 3rd disc. Guy

Is the Opera House recording worthwhile? I am thinking of picking up the Fresh Sounds reissue.

NOJ, My collection isn't much more extensive than yours, but this is stuff you absolutely need: The Webster/Blanton recordings (Never No Lament or other recording) late 20s/early 30s stuff (Okeh Ellington on Sony and Early Ellington on GRP are from this period - European labels probably also cover it) Ellinton & Hodges Side by Side (one of my favorites) This is stuff that you'll want: New Orleans Suite [many would put it in the prior category] Three Suites Afro Eurasian Eclipse And His Mother Called Him Bill The Ellington Suites Latin American Suite stuff you can probably skip: 1969 White House All Star Tribute

I hope they use the best sources. For some of these shows (I'm thinking of Antwerp) there is a well-circulated inferior tape. I hope Cuscuna or someone else with an archivist's instinct is put in charge. Guy p.s. As an example of how to f--- this up, look at the European Trane box put out by Pablo about 10 years ago. Though at least in that case it was a problem limited to mislabelling of shows, not anything with the sound quality.

Great news - the 1967 concerts are all great (not great - amazing!) - though if this is just one concert for $50 I'm not biting.

I've been recently exploring the balance of Hancock's Blue Note output - I was very pleasantly surprised (on the upside) by Speak Like a Child. Not a major statement on the level of Maiden Voyage or Empyrean Isles, but I really enjoyed it. Inventions & Dimensions was nicer than expected too, but not by as big a margin. Next up: The Prisoner.

Thanks fellas! The weather is beautiful here, looks like it's gonna be a good one. Guy

I listened to this album for the first time last week... brilliant. I love hearing Getz in front of a more modern rhythm section.

I agree that it's human instinct for people to gravitate to this kind of thing. But I don't think that exempts them from moral criticism. Guy You're respectfully invited to shove your moral criticism up your ass. Dan, first off let me back up and apologize for my tone, which was condescending. But let me ask you - what do you think motivated people to watch the Anthony trial?

I agree that it's human instinct for people to gravitate to this kind of thing. But I don't think that exempts them from moral criticism. Guy

Every death has its own unique circumstances. What differentiates this one is its appeal to voyeuristic/sensationalistic tastes, in a way that watching a child starve to death or brutally murdered by warlords or being blown up by a landmine is not. Guy

Dave, I'm somewhat sympathetic to your view - but the series' presentation as "a history of jazz" instead of "a very slanted history of jazz with many key lacunae" is what leaves a sour taste in people's mouths.