brownie

My first orders were the biggest ones. Did not keep traces of the various shipments but I had the packages sent in from Mosaic to my company's head offices in New York back in those vinyls days. A friend there simply added the boxes to the daily mail shipments to Paris. This enabled me to get those Mosaic sets in less than a week and it bypassed custom duties. One package would have the Basie Roulette studio box, one of the Commodore boxes and another set! The system lasted for several years to everyone's satisfaction (specially mine until the computers took over

Loved Argentina's first WC match against Ivory Coast. Today's game against Serbia/Montenegro was even better An uncontested 6-0 win by a glorious and technically brilliant team that enjoys playing. Lionel Messi made his WC debut in the last fifteen minutes and managed to mastermind the fourth goal and then score by himself the sixth one! A match for soccer lovers!

Roy Haynes with Booker Ervin 'Cracklin'' (New Jazz, mono)

What can you expect from a Crouch? The goal should have been disallowed! Too late now and in any case don't think FIFA will take any firm decision on it!

Ben Webster 'Meets Don Byas' (MPS, France) also Tete Montoliu, Peter Trunk, Albert Heath

Brad, the 2006 WC French team is an embarassment. Coach Raymond Domenech has made a series of bad decisions from the day he was appointed to his job. He continues to rely on players who are past their prime. Recalling Zidane showed he had no vision of a fresh team like one of his predecessors Aimé Jaquet who forego a great player Eric Cantona to give his chance to a young Zidane. That decision was part of France's victory in the 1998 WC. Domenech insists on using the team senators (Zidane, Henry, Wiltord, Barthez, etc...) instead of giving their chances to the upcoming players. The fact that a brillant forward like Cisse was injured in a preparation match did not help. Even a talent like Ribery was wasted. He was picked for the WC team at the very last minute, then kept for short appearances where he showed how valuable he could be, then he was picked for the opening WC match of the French team and could not meet the challenge. Then he was pulled out just when he could have been of real use in the final minutes of the match against Switzerland! Domenech has shown character only by keeping away some players he has no affinity with who could have made a difference like Guily or Anelka France may qualify for the second round after all but I do not see them going anywhere beyond that! A real waste of talents!

Klinsmann seemed to have trouble with his players. Oliver Neuville saved his (and Germany's) day! Can't say I did not enjoy the game even though at various times it looked like a rerun of the Switzerland-France match of yesterday!

I have that Audio Lab 'Big Band Modern' vinyl. Have not listened to it in a long time. OK big band orchestrations with little space for solos. The band includes people like Clark Terry, Britt Woodman, Teddy Edwards, Paul Gonsalves, Frank Haynes, etc... There's an unidentified singer on one track ('Since We Said Goodbye'). The back cover bears a stamped signature that reads: 'Collectors Item. Discontinued and Unavailable'. Never heard the concert. Lineup (Wardell, Zoot, Getz) looks quite exciting. Hope the musicians get a chance to solo...

A superb 4-0 victory for Spain The Spaniards showed talent, skills and enthusiasm! One of the best matches so far! And that fourth goal by Fernando Torres is one to remember! Spain should go far in the tournament.

Everybody loves a banjo!

Noah Howard Quartet (ESP, stereo) with Rick Colbeck, Scotty Holt and Dave Grant

CIMP Records

I'm a big fan of that session! Still have the original vinyl! One of the most refreshing albums ever. Hats off to Chris for taking care of these gentlemen and preserving the music!

the guy was turned the other way, his hand behind his back. The shot almost twisted it off. Definitely a right decision by the referee. It's still a handball or maybe you're justifying the decision by the ref in Germany US 2002? the FIFA rules says that a player has to "handle the ball deliberately", which was certainly not the case here. Even the French media today has no problem with the referee's decision. France did not deserve to win, specially not on an unfair penalty!

Autographed Charlie Parker photo goes over 2K! The photo was taken by Hervé Derrien, obviously in 1950 when Charlie Parker visited the French capital for the second time. Derrien was a prominent jazz photographer in the '50s.

I'm one of those guys! A full listing of Swingville releases is near the bottom of this page Love those Swingvilles!

France continues to fail to score in World Cup matches. They did not score a single goal at the 2002 tournament and now a 0-0 score against Switzerland when all other Cup matches have seen one goal after the other! The French do not have a team, they have various excellent individuals but no team spirit. Zidane and Henry once more ignored each other. All my fears about the 2006 team have been highlighted in this lackluster opening match

The King of Swing!

Should be an interesting show: Vinyl show

Planning to go and see this by the end of this week at the FNAC Digital store not far from my place. Must say that so far I have not been impressed by the TV screens developments and still stick to my regular tube 4/3 shaped screen. BUT I have seen demonstrations of HDTV videos and very much like what I saw. Amazing image quality! My next TV will probably be a HDTV set... when my current TV gives up!

An awesome sounding record ! Reminder to self to get this one on deck tonight.. The mono sound is spectacular! Know you will enjoy relistening to it!

Larry Young 'Into Somethin'' (BN, mono, NY label)

couw, I know you're right but I always have had a soft spot for those Italians (except when they play against France!) specially now that they come Berlusconi-free!

From AP:

Caught only the last fifteen minutes of the Australia-Japan match. Watching those Australians score thrice in a few minutes was enthralling. And the joy of the Aussie fans warmed the heart! The Czech players brought the US team back to earth. Those Czechs should go far in the tournament with all the excellent forwards they have. As for Italia... mama mia! A real impressive team with Andrea Pirlo proving decisive in the midfield. His goal was magnifico! I also liked the realistic approach of the Squadra to the match. I'll forget the scandals and hope to enjoy more games by those Italians!