Shawn

Happy Birthday Bud! Wish I was in Austin to celebrate with ya....

My cat seems to dig guitar stuff...probably because she's heard me play guitar since she was a kitten. But if I put on Miles Davis and a harmon mute solo comes on...she runs for cover! She also can't stand soprano sax...the high range is just too much for cat ears methinks. The funniest thing though...is that even worse than Miles...if I'm listening to some Duke...and Cat Anderson does one of his "stratosphere licks"...she freaks out...and his name is "CAT" Anderson....cracks me up.

For those of you that haven't heard O'Day...you're in for a MAJOR treat. This woman is a "soloist", not just a "singer". Her timing, phrasing, etc..is totally unique and is hip as possible. All you'll have to do, is listen to her version of Honeysuckle Rose (it's on one of the first discs I believe)...it's one of the sexiest tunes you'll ever hear. And, you haven't even gotten into the heart of the box yet.... Too many gems in this box to pull out a favorite..but the "Waiter, Make Mine Blues" session stands out...as does the "Cool Heat" session with arrangements my Jimmy Giuffre. H-I-P! Enjoy!

Sounds similar to what it was like living in Seattle during the WTO riots....

Interesting, I absolutely adore Fuego...one of my favorite Blue Notes...different strokes... The more of these RVG's that come along, the more I wonder why I bothered hunting all over the friggin' universe for Conns in the first place...I mean crap, it appears that the majority of them are going to get reissued in this series eventually....what a waste of the "collector's pricetag" that we had to pay for many of these titles. In alot of cases, I've even stopped upgrading...I'm tired of re-purchasing the same friggin' albums multiple times...hell with it, I'd rather spend my money on something I haven't heard before.

I ordered the O'Day. I've heard the entire set before...it's essential...and I'm not much of a vocal jazz fan myself. But nobody is hipper than Anita... As for being in print, there are some individual titles that you can get, however most of them are REALLY old Verve remastering jobs that sound like flat coke.

Damn...I think I should find an excuse to go to Seattle this week... It's hot, humid and otherwise miserable here in Northern Va. It's supposed to be 98 tomorrow. JOY!

This was a great film, probably the best I've seen so far this summer. I'm so glad that after all these years, George is still able to disguise social commentary as a horror film...and be successful on both scores. Far superior than Day Of The Dead, this film easily ranks up there with the first two. First off, it's nice that he finally had enough budget (although still a measly 10 million) to pull off the vision he wanted and to get it in wide distribution. Because of all the films over the years that have ripped off this franchise, it saves him the necessity of spending a long time on setup before jumping right into the story. I did love the way it used the old Universal airplane logo and started in B&W...that was ultra classy. In each successive film, the zombies have evolved...in this go round, they are not only copying the things they did while still alive...but they are becoming their own society, learning how to reason, re-learning that even they have to fight to survive. When the main zombie figures out how to use the machine gun...then teaches the others...I wanted to cheer. This is the first film in the series where i found myself more frightened by some of the humans in the story...and it's shifted to the point where your sympathies start to turn towards the zombies. There is a horrifying scene with zombies hung upside by their feet, with targets on their chests...tell me that the humans aren't worse... Still not for every taste (and definitely not for the squeamish), but well worth the investment....it works on both the primal level...and will have you actually thinking as you leave the theater. I will be very interested to see if there is an "unrated" version that will come out on DVD.

Saw this today and really enjoyed it. When it comes to Spielberg films, it's always the "craft" of the piece that I tend to focus on...which is why I always have to watch his films more than once. Yes, there were lot's of inconsistencies, but in films like this I never really care...you get caught up in the magic of the moment and that's the important part. One note I'd like to make...the whole scene in the basement (aside from the Tim Robbins character)...is an homage to the original film, which had a long sequence in a partially destroyed farmhouse. That is also where the alien beings are first shown in that version as well.

Very cool performance. I've never had a problem with the "Water-less" Floyd, specifically because I don't really like the later period stuff once he took over total control of the writing. However, it was nice to hear him back in the bass chair and to hear him croak his way through Comfortably Numb. Gilmour, as always, was perfection. Gilmour has always been "Pink Floyd" as far as I'm concerned....

I just got #3165 this evening (although I've had all the music contained in other sources for awhile now). There was no way I was going to let this puppy go out of print on me...I adore Byrd's Blue Note recordings, have 'em all, play them to death and never get tired of it. I wish I had $5 for everytime I've spun Fuego.... Great set, don't pass it up. Sound quality is fine.

Butthole Surfers - Cream Corn In The Socket Of Davis C.O.C. - America's Volume Dealer Ministry - The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste King's X - Please Come Home Mr. Bulbous

"Cthuluhu for President...why settle for the lesser evil?"

These look nice, the song selections are logical. Disc 3 would probably be of most interest to fans of Grant's "earlier period"...as his versions of Maiden Voyage & Fancy Free are STUNNING.

It's not great...but even mediocre Turrentine...is...well...TURRENTINE!!!!!

I ended up having the draft on most of the day, while I was cleaning the apartment...working on spreadsheets for work...etc. It's the first draft I've ever paid any attention to. My "underdog" Seahawks have made some interesting free agent additions recently, especially grabbing Jamie Sharper from the Texans, Joe Jurevicus (sp?) from Tampa Bay & Jerome Pathon from the Saints. It appears they aren't taking any chances at Wide Reciever this year...

To be honest, I think Lou had more success "plugged in" than almost anyone else. Take a listen to some of his ballad performances from these electric dates...it adds another dimension...but it does not in the slightest mask his tone...you can tell it's Lou all the say. Lou's later dates are unfortunately dismissed by many fans, but to be honest these later groove sessions I think are some of his best work. Lou's recordings are proof that whether he's playing straight bebop...standards & ballads...or kickin' out the funk...it's ALL soul baby...and he is one seriously REAL cat. As for the thread...Say It Loud is one of my favorites from this era (especially the takes on Summertime & Caravan)...I also rank it up there with the unfortunately overlooked Pretty Things.

I try to keep things on a relaxed tip on Sunday's...cause if I don't the "monday morning work demons" try to creep in and stress me out prior to starting the week. This morning: Johnny Griffin/Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis - Pisces (lovely ballad session) Red Garland - Red Alone Lou Donaldson - Lush Life Hank Mobley - a ballad compilation I put together

No way...they can not have Angelina...but I would happily give them both Britney Spears & Pamela Anderson instead...

Mine has messed up the last 2 nights in a row.... ANNOYING!

Newsted played on the last Voi Vod record...and it's a good 'un!

I will agree that St. Anger isn't a perfect record...and there are definitely some duds. But in comparison with the whole Load/Re-Load...it's way better in my opinion. But that's cool...not everyone hears the same thing the same way...I thought the Black album was a piece of shit...still do. As for the "cut & paste"...that's been happening for years..way before Pro-Tools...you just had to use a razor blade before.

This is an excellent documentary, one of the best "rock docs" that I've ever seen. Lars can be a one-dimenstional asshole, but even he has his moments on this one. A fascinating film for music fans...even if you don't like Metallica. As for the band, I lost interest after And Justice For All (which I have always felt sounded like flat Coke). But the recent album St. Anger (which is the one recorded in the movie) has some good moments and is the most honest & personal of the bands career. I'm looking forward to hearing what they accomplish next with new bass player Robert Trujilo...he's a fantastic player.

The RCA cable output (with ground wire) has a bad short in it, have to play with it for 10 minutes before the left output will work. The short appears to be high up in the cable. Is there anywhere to find a replacement? Or should I just buy a good RCA cable and cut/splice?

Red Garland - Stepping Out (Galaxy) AC/DC - Let There Be Rock (180 gram remaster, 2003)