Shawn

I keep trying to "get" this music, but it just doesn't have any emotional impact on me. I appreciate the artistry, but it leaves me cold. So far the only Bill Evans disc I really like is "Everybody Digs".

For reference you should hear the version in the original film, there's a solo piano rendition in addition to the scored version. The movie is called "The Uninvited", starring Ray Milland.

Yeah, me too. They edited out the segments where she fell down the stairs because she tripped over it...and also the time she set her arm on fire while getting the tea kettle off the stove.

That Indianapolis therefore deserves a better zoo? They are near the Kentucky border, does that count?

Two very entertaining playoff games! MVP's today were Arizona's defense and Darren Sproles...wow.

Okay, you caught me, I was generalizing.

We are on the same page. I agree on The Beach Boys, I don't care how innovative it was...it's TOO DAMN HAPPY!!!!!

Hendrix should also get some credit for recording studio breakthroughs...

Although not expressly mentioned, I have to give a shout out to "Fortunate Son", which to me is one of the best rock songs ever written. I love Creedence, heard them constantly around the house growing up (my Mother was a huge fan). I guess some of the accent stuff is hokey, but for some damn reason it's appealing. Plus this music is absolutely timeless, hasn't aged a day.

I need to get a copy of this one, sounds like a winner.

I was trying to figure out what to listen to first thing this morning, problem solved...now to find the box it's packed in.

Here are 2 non-jazz albums that really caught my attention this year, both are available from emusic for those interested. Beautiful, sparse album of instrumental drones (primarily clean guitar sounds) with a guest appearance by Bill Frisell on 3 songs. One of the few retro bands I've heard that actually get the mixture right. There are a couple clunkers, but the majority of the songs here are quite good and I love their open-ended jams. They need to develop a little more but the raw ingredients are definitely here.

Happy New Year gang.

The Lions REALLY need to hire somebody to do a better scouting job, they've had more terrible draft picks than just about any other team I can remember. That's what's showing up on the field; mediocre talent being led by mediocre coaches = losing.

If it was during the season I'm sure they'd rest him...but once the playoffs arrive most of your usual safety precautions fly out the window.

That was only an issue with the Collector's Choice version, the Mosaic is fine.

The Broncos just fired Mike Shanahan! also, Mike Singletary fired Mike Martz.

and the coaching carousel begins... Romeo Crennel fired by the Browns Rod Marinelli fired by the Lions Mangini fired by the Jets

I can't imagine what it must have been like to still have all this music in your head...but without the technical facility to bring it out. (Actually I can, my Grandmother was an artist who lost her eyesight). I'm sure frustration doesn't even come close to describing that, maybe "soul-killing" would be a better choice. Regardless, the physical and mental pain is over, Freddie is at peace and we've got decades of recordings to celebrate his contributions to this world we live on. Think I'll listen to my favorite Hubbard performance this morning, his take on "I Wished I Knew" from the Goin' Up album.

The Dallas game wasn't a surprise to me, I knew they were going to tank. You could just feel it in the air, no team this out of sync with each other has a chance...you can fill the roster with stars but in team sports it's all about chemistry and the Cowboys have NONE. Almost all the blame lies squarely on Jones, Phillips is just a figurehead coach...although some scorn needs to be lumped upon Jason Garrett who has Romo so confused he doesn't even look like he knows what play he's running when he calls it, it's like he's only got one option and no checkdown receivers on any play. Garrett should be playcalling to Romo's strengths, instead he's just amplifying his weaknesses. But enough about "America's laughing stock" Here's the main thing I take away from this season: 4 rookie head coaches (Miami, Washington, Atlanta, Baltimore) - 3 of those teams are in the playoffs, the other finished with at .500. Now THAT's something worth celebrating. In a year when the media focused on "big names", these guys quietly put together actual TEAMS and they just kept winning. Extra kudos to Miami, from 1-15 to Division title is remarkable. P.S. Chad Pennington is a much better quarterback than he was ever given credit for.

Grant's First Stand is an excellent session, I have one of the previous versions that is good enough for me. I no longer buy discs for upgrades unless there's new material.

Okay, I guess it's just my gripe. Back when I used to purchase Mosaic sets it would irritate me when they would go out of print and then Blue Note would reissue EVERYTHING included in the box. So in the end that limited edition set is obsolete and the music wasn't quite as rare as they told us it was...at least not until the box set sold out. P.S. - The Paul Chambers Quintet album is currently available in the Mosaic Select.

The reissue program is irritating me. Why? Because they keep releasing albums that are currently available in Mosaic Selects or other boxes...so they are using an available reissue slot for these duplicate issues.