Quincy

As far as bird guides there are so many good books to choose from nowadays. It used to be one just picked either the East or West version of Peterson (I have both.) One disadvantage of the Peterson guides is that the map for where the bird can be found is in the back of the book. So you may find yourself endlessly flipping back and forth to see if the bird in the book that you thought you saw even lives in your area. A better alternative might be the National Geographic guide, which includes birds from all over the US and includes the map near the drawing and description of the bird. I'm not all that keen on the "regular" Audubon guide with photos of birds. It's set up so that the text & map are in a different location than the photo of the bird. Also, even though I've taken plenty of pictures of birds, I think a drawing works better in showing what a bird looks like, especially in pointing out the key details that differentiate it from a similar species. Although it's too big to carry into the field, the Sibley Guide To Birds is extremely good. It cost around $35 and it may be more than want. It covers the entire US and has lots of extra drawings of each species (such as including illustrations of juveniles and sub-species.) It might be the Mosaic of bird guides. There is also put a smaller Sibley Field guide version (East & West separately) that I haven't inspected. Finally, there's the Stokes Guide, which also divides the country between East & West, uses photos and puts all the info on the same page. It uses a color tab index and is arranged a bit differently than other guides. Some people like their system, others don't. Anyway, try 'em out in the store and see what works best for you. And it's OK to own more than one guide. Yeah, l like birds.

That happened to me with my Blue Mitchell. Check your receipt. It'll have a number.

Must be the exclamation points! What sayest thou, Mr. Killowatt? There was a watt-er lot of voltage in your post JSngry. He must be too shocked to reply. When a Texan starts talkin' like Shakespeare, I'm shocked all right!

Though I think RVGs are a bargain, after filling out a spreadsheet I see you might be on to something. Or to rephrase it, a long disc that's priced higher might be a better bargain than a short RVG, at least in terms of valuing art by the pound (or in this case, minute.) Just a few examples: A 70 minute disc at $16.89 is equal to a 50 minute disc at $11.89. (24¢ a minute.) The same goes for the above if the 70 minute disc is $11.48 and the 50 minute is $7.99. (16¢ a minute.) A 57 min. disc at $14.99 is equal to a 35 min. disc at $9.00. (26¢ a minute.) I'll stop there as otherwise it looks like music appreciation by an accountant from a phone company. But suffice to say a long more expensive disc like a Conn is probably a better bargain than a short RVG. As long as you like the extra cuts that is. A couple of short RVGs that jump out at me are Go! and Bud! Short but oh so sweet, and I would have happily paid more if that's what it took.

The small town of Jacksonville near Medford is host to the Britt Festival. Oh look, Kenny G. is coming soon! It's a wonderful outdoor venue and they do a pretty good job of booking talent. It probably helps as it's a day away for a tour from the Bay Area. That pocket of Southern Oregon has a surprising amount of culture as nearby Ashland hosts a Shakespeare Festival. Shorter was in Portland in February, Eugene in May, & now the Britt in June. I hope he doesn't get sick of us, cause he's nice to have around.

Yes the discs have the original covers and original notes. Time Out is the same 20 bit version from '97. The extra notes by Brubeck are from November 1996. Time Further Out has a 1996 copyright date. I don't see the bit rate mentioned, but the added notes by Brubeck are from August 1996. So I'm fairly certain this is the same version that predates the box. It has a smaller not-quite-as-bright yellow sticker on it by the way. Countdown: Time In Outer Space is 24 bit with mastering by Mark Wilder. It includes a short extra paragraph by Brubeck following the original notes where he adds a correction. Time Changes is 24 bit and mastered by Darcy M. Proper. In addition to the original notes are a couple of paragraphs by Brubeck from 2003. Time In is 24 bit by Darcy M. Proper. Along with the original notes is a page and a little bit more by Brubeck from 2003.

I'm beyond the initial stage as I've had it for a few months. Love the music, love the sound quality. Rather than a true box though I think of it more as a budget priced collection of 5 albums. But that's OK by me, as it helps save another $20 or so to go towards a real box set.

I picked the J.J. Johnson because that's the one I just ordered. I own the Hodges and it sounds fantastic, both in terms of the music and the mastering. But if you're in the mood for Sonny, I'd say get that one. Especially as you intend to own them all eventually.

Ah, what a voice, what artist. I can't find the exact quote, but I recall seeing him on a talk show years & years ago, maybe it was Johnny Carson. Somehow it came up that Ray contributed to a charity that sought a cure deafness. The host (had to be Johnny) noted that he thought it was interesting that a blind man would give to a deaf charity. Ray said something along the lines of "being blind is no big deal. But if I was deaf? A life without music?!"

More than 21 years ago I briefly thought Louis & Neil Armstrong were one & the same person. I thought it was really cool that an astronaut would get to play trumpet on the moon. My parents helped straighten me that they were different people. I've owned some Miles and a token Coltrane & Monk for 11 to 20. And 6 to 10 years ago I had stretches where I'd go months playing Miles and little else. For it to be more than Miles, and seriously so, I'd say fewer than 3 years. Though I'm so bad about judging the passage of time it might be 3 to 5 years. As far as spending a lot more money, about as long as I've been reading this board. So I answered 3 to 5. What was the question again?

Then you haven't noticed who did the mastering.

Mobley disc 4. Arrived today. I had intended to start with disc 1 but you how these things look alike if in your excitement you forget to read the fine print. Once the music started no way I was going to stop it & put in disc 1!

Shhhhhhhh. Uh, yeah, I have a notify me list that's probably close to 40 discs. I figure some people here must use it, as oftentimes by the time I check the "notify me" e-mail the disc is gone. I've gotten many discs that I've wanted at good prices though, and sometimes things I didn't know I wanted till I shopped around (like Konitz Meets Mulligan.) If you're patient OOP discs will pop up. I picked up a couple of Motians from the site through the notify me feature that I had inputted over a year ago. Eek, my order history is 3 pages long, so yes, I like the place and it can be addictive!

13. If I don't it buy it it might be a sign that I suffer from low self-esteem, so I'd better buy it lest some happy pill prescription cut into my CD budget. 14. Well, it's not like I have a caviar, cognac & cocaine habit. This is much cheaper. 15. I'm supporting the arts. What a wonderful good citizen I am. Dang, I should have added the Reece select to my Mobley (finally!) and Moncur order!

... which was last night! I've seen Douglas once before, but this show seemed an unusually inspired outing. The audience seemed strangely subdued, but this didn't seem to bother the band. One thing above all — Douglas's chops are getting better and better. For those that think he rides too heavily on his use of nuance and "feeling," watch out. Last night he exhibited all sorts of playing: some clearly articulated pyrotechnic 16th note runs, some Rex Stewart smearing, and that gorgeous sound. He also seemed to be in a damn good mood: "You know what I love about Eugene? That green Victorian house on the hillside. Have you been to it?" That struck me as hilarious. ... and all in a Wayne Shorter thread! I just missed seeing him at the used bookstore he mentioned (Smith Family.) Drat! It would have been fun to walk up to him and say "Excuse me, are you Elvis Costello?" As with Shorter once again I delighted at the interplay between keyboards & drums. I knew about Uri Cane's talents but Clarence Penn was something else to watch. So many subtle tricks with the different sticks and his hands. He was also the best dressed member of the band. Eugene is known for being a very casual town, and it's really struck me at the show how many jazz musicians wear very comfortable clothes nowadays. (And I don't blame them one bit.) I don't think some of these fellas could have handled the suit & tie days. I think the crowd was even smaller than last year's "Freak In" show. A couple of friends of mine got free upgrades on their balcony seats and ended up in the 4th row. I hope the small turnout doesn't dissuade him from returning, though as he's been here (I think) 4 times in 3 years maybe he'll keep coming back.

My first 2 were Banana Splits 45s from Kellogg's. Actually they're EPs as there are 2 songs on each side. I'm guessing my Mom sent in some box tops and a buck or two for the 45s and posters. By the way, "Doin' The Banana Split" was written by Barry White. Many of my first 45s were '70s crapola. Jim Stafford - Spiders & Snakes Blue Swede - Hooked On A Feeling Ray Stevens - The Streak C.W. McColl - Convoy Breaker breaker good buddy, I think I had a thing for novelty songs. My 1st 45 bought at Grants for 67 cents was a bit better - Paul McCartney's "Jet." After graduating to LPs (and buying some more crap before finding my way) I did pick up some (what I think are) better 45s later on. Had to get those Who import B sides that weren't available elsewhere at the time, and I have a few nice punk picture sleeves and the like from The Jam, Sex Pistols, X, MDC and other melodic memorable bands of the time. Oh yeah, a "Nazi Punks Fuck Off" arm band that came with the Dead Kennedys' 45. Perfect for formal evening wear or just strolling around town!

Congrats! And thanks for the background on the name. Hats off to you for getting the tub ready, as she deserves it!

Growing up in Illinois near the Missouri border I avoided using any of the above and would usually call the drink by the brand or flavor. I know, I'm a coward. The more rural kids would call it "so-dee" or "so-dee pop" which used to drive my Mom nuts. Ever see the Pop vs. Soda map?

My desktop PC collects dust now too. About the only thing I use it for is burning discs and as I've been doing less trading and buying more music it just doesn't get as much use. I used it for doing taxes as the software is cheaper for it than my iBook and as I have CoolEdit on it I'll use it when I have to do some editing, but otherwise it sits there. Yeah, I guess in my case I have operating system factors as well as computer form. But that said, more than anything I like being able to use the laptop in the same room as the "real" stereo. And it is a very rare thing when the fan kicks in. I love how quiet the laptop is. Sometimes using the desktop feels like being in the seat next to the jet engine on an airliner. As someone who can use a 10 key pad I thought I'd miss not having that on my laptop keyboard but I adapted. I even like the feel of the keyboard, which on an iBook looks a little funny if all you've ever used is a standard keyboard. Like you I bought the laptop for fun (I was curious about OS X) and it ended up becoming my main computer.

I should have quit while I was ahead, but here's a few more. The soundtrack to Fame is similar/related to The Beatles 1967-1970 which in turn is similar to Blood Sweat & Tears 3. The Crucifucks Wisconsin is similar to Britny Fox. R.E.M. Murmur to Rita Coolidge's Greatest Hits. There's a sick sense of humor involving The Clash. The Clash (UK debut) is similar to Jimmy Buffett's Havana Daydreamin'. Sandanista! is similar to Blue Oyster Cult's Burnin' for You. and finally... The Doors Strange Days is similar to The Clash (US).

Sex Pistols Never Mind The Bollocks is similar to Cream's Wheels of Fire. Did I miss out on hearing the Sex Pistols try a 20 minute "Spoonful?"

Some of the songs from '65/VI/Beatles For Sale are my favorites as they didn't get the radio exposure that the hits did. Or maybe it's that I played darn near all the other albums more... I love the singing on "No Reply," "I'm A Loser" and "Yes It Is." (The different takes on the 1st two are especially fun.) Always like the way they played the Carl Perkins' songs, and "What You're Doing" is another great John & Paul together song. The thing that always blew my mind was that of all the songs they chose to play, for some reason they picked "Baby's In Black" for those '65 live shows.

Some 20 odd years ago I recall a poll of Beatles' fans listing "Mr. Moonlight" after "Revolution 9" as the worst. I think that'd be my pick too, though at times it's so bad it's almost good - to sing along to at least when doing dishes. Least favorite #1s would be "Yesterday" & "Let It Be." Just a combination of heard 'em too many times, the mention "Mother Mary" and other songwriting sins.

Oh yeah. I grew up on the Cardinal-Cub Mason-Dixon line. When I was 11 I was listening to a game that was still going when I had to go to bed. Ended up going 25 innings and lasting 7 hours. Oof! Bake scored the winning run. I cut out the box score and I'm pretty sure I still have it somewhere around here. The trade probably worked out best for Bake as he got a World Series out of it. And you know why they had to trade Templeton. It's not nice to flip the birdie to the fans.

He broke a toe in 1980, otherwise he would have played more. But like PhillyQ noted, he was a great platoon player, but less great as a full time guy. Something strange: If you go to oscargamble.com the only thing you see is that painted-on-hat Yankee traded card. I've got a few of those too.