Dan Gould

Anyone familiar with this one, from the Red record label? http://www.discogs.com/Stafford-James-Ensemble-Ensemble/release/3938409 The presence of Strozier and Mabern make it appealing but I'm wondering mostly whether, as leader, James takes many lengthy solos or was this an opportunity to be a leader while giving plenty of space to Frank and Harold. Thanks in advance!

The Cubs will win it all sometime soon, surely before President Trump's second term ends. The question is whether my mom or brother will be around to see it. And if they aren't, that will suck.

The LP was postponed due to production issues. I've been told by a local record store that it is to be released on Black Friday but I have doubts as to whether that is true or not.

Congrats Joe that's about the best review of the whole bunch.

Anyone have thoughts about this "Or More" pricing strategy? On the one hand I think $60 for a six disc set that seems to be nicely designed with informative liners is very fair, (and it includes high-quality download too), but what exactly is the purpose of the "you can pay more if you want" option? To help them finance the next set? Or just because you should feel guilty to get so much music at that price? Its very odd to me and I don't think I've ever noticed an option like this with any other company or website.

Well there is like, like-like, and really like.

I don't know but Toronto rubs me the wrong way so short of a Cub world championship, a KC victory would be nice. Go Royals!

Ah, of course you are correct. My bad. Looks like the only problem I am going to have with this set is the inclusion of false starts and break downs. I'd go for the Band Camp FLAC download option so I can burn the meat and skip the gristle but the physical set looks really nice with informative liners and photos. So I guess I'll do both.

Yes the discography linked above shows it's the Pablo release. And there are two tracks on the Teddy Edwards quartet disc that were on a Metro Jazz LP that I've had for many years. The rest seems to be all new (and I don't own the Pablo so it's new to me). And I expect to do a pre-order for the first time in my life. That Big Band track here http://sunnysidezone.com/album/joe-castro-lush-life-a-musical-journey sounds really good to these ears.

You can harbor as much doubt as you wish. I think most of the rest of us have a different opinion.

I'm sorry but all I can say is HOLY FUCKING SHIT.

Well I said bring on the Mets and now it's time to see if my suspicion was right. Nothing comes easy in October and the Mets are a way different team from the one that the Cubs manhandled so we'll just have to see. I like the fact that the Mets best starter can't go until game 3 but Arrieta and Lester have to do their jobs. Foolish to look forward to the World Series but one thing I think would work in the Cubs favor is that they have hard-hitting guys like Schwarber to serve as DH in the AL park. So many NL teams play under AL rules and don't really have a DH that matches up with the AL team's DH. The Cubs would have options at that position, provided they get past the Mets.

Sad news. His Sharp Nine CD is quite nice, as is Naptown Legacy which I believe features Brian Lynch. And I've got a couple of Small's performances with groups similar to what Joel saw in East Harlem, streamed and converted to CDR. I'll definitely be giving those a listen soon. RIP.

Well my only concern after the Cubbies won was that Dodgers force a fifth game and I got that, having either Grienke or the Mets ace out until game 3, and Kershaw can't go until Game 2 if the Dodgers win Thursday. Still like the Mets as an opponent and not only because the Cubs went 7-0 but Lester sported an ERA over 8 against LA. Have to agree with Larry that the Cubs starters after Arrieta and Lester are problematic but they've got hitters up and down the lineup and a few of them are pretty locked in right now. I like their chances.

But how do they feel about cowbell?

1945 and 1908 respectively. I find it interesting how the Cards kept Wacha for Game 3, clearly to line him up against whichever ace came out on top of the Wild Card playoff game. But Wacha is so clearly superior imo to anyone else they have including Lackey (with or without appalling pitch-calling by the ump) why would you set yourself up so he only pitches once in a five game playoff against what is probably the toughest team they'll face in the playoffs? This completely contradicts the whole point of the Wild Card playoff: Make the wild card teams burn their best pitcher in the play-in game, while the division champion opponent can line up their own ace to go twice in a five game series. Should be a good game today either way but if Arrieta keeps up his 'historic' run: http://m.mlb.com/news/article/153956848/jake-arrietas-run-among-best-in-mlb-history I like the Cubs chances to move on.

How does anyone justify a suspension for a play ruled "legal" on the field?

UP, because November isn't far off. Any word David that this is for sure coming out soon? Any date known? When I was on my birthday vinyl safari last month, I asked someone at Radioactive Records in Fort Lauderdale and he said that it's scheduled for release on Black Friday and that they did order it. But I had no idea if he knew what he was talking about, he also tried to tell me it was a Universal release, he didn't think it was new material, and that Universal is now an awful company for what they put out, either delayed or with pressing/printing/whatever problems especially on new vinyl.

That was a clusterfark in so many ways it's staggering. Number one, the NYT article Jim linked states that the neighborhood play is not reviewable. Did something change? WTF were the umpires doing even looking at the question of whether Tejada had his foot on the bag? And, if the neighborhood 'rule' is still used, how does missing the bag by an inch or less not qualify as 'close enough'? Ironically if the proper call had been made - interference, out at first, inning over, Utley would have been criticized by Dodger fans for going in that aggressively. The way Tejada was turned around to receive the relay, I don't think he gets the guy at 1st. Might be wrong but it's a tough relay. But most importantly Utley is the worst douchebag I've ever seen. I really hope he gets his payback over and over again. The Mets should use him for target practice like the Rays used Brian Daubach of the Red Sox many years ago after he came flying in to the mound to protect Pedro in a game at Tampa. It won't happen this series but it will happen, and should happen many times. As Alex Cora said, when your knee hits the ground behind the base, it's dirty. I hope the Mets throw at Utley's head many times in the coming season, or someone takes one for the team and comes in at 2B with fists flying and coldcocks him. Fuck Chase Utley, and I say that as a person who despises the Mets only slightly less than I do the Yankees.

The flip side is entitled Ham Hocks And Hominy, it also has Coltrane. I have ivr.files of both sides (which I could play on my old computer, but not on my new - anybody any idea what an ivr.file is and how to deal with it? I know nothing about those things). It's supposed to be related to Real Player files. Here's one link I found, looks like you just need Real Player to open them. http://file.org/extension/ivr

Perfect night all around for me - Sue and I saw John Cleese/Eric Idle's new show which was great, and the Cubs won without me having to live or die pitch to pitch. Jon Lester has to come up huge - as he usually has in the past when it's October - because the Cards can throw their number one twice and Arrieta can only go once. But if Lester pitches like he did in 2013 I think the Cubs can do it. I have the feeling the Cubs streak of futility is going to end inside of 5 years but with my Mom turning 80 last July and my older brother in failing health (and openly speaking about "going out on his own terms"), I want the futility to end as soon as possible.