Dan Gould

Speaking of Neil Diamond, anyone see the SNL episode with the takeoff on those A&E shows? John Goodman was in the band; and Diamond is portrayed as a raving lunatic-he intro's "America" as a song written about his deep hatred for immigrants. Very funny.

I was going to post this on Moose's Album thread, but I realized it really deserves its own topic: A single you loved way back when, but now recognize as frighteningly horrible, repellent dreck. I am embarrased to admit I bought the following 45s when they were hits: "Billy Don't Be a Hero" "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" (in fact, they're still in my parent's house this very minute. Wonder if they're worth anything ...

Hey, both you AND Alex agreed with me! Gotta be some sort of record, right? (And anyway, since I'm outta the Politics Forum, don't we have a better chance of agreeing with each other occasionally?

If you want a Major Penalty, nausea-inducing top-selling tune, don't go no further than The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia, by Vicki Lawrence

That one falls into the special category of "too disgusting to even mention". Five minute major penalty... I disagree. The tune has wonderful, soaring harmonies, and whoever came up with the idea of that pedal-steel thingie after "Skyrockets in flight" .... in the words of Kenny Banya, "that's gold!" And anyway, at least they had a nice, clean way of describing the deed. I mean, imagine if that tune got written by a rap artist today: My bitch be horny in the afternoon So I slipped her some meat cause my shlong can't be beat In the afternoon Word!

You won't believe this, but the Starland Vocal Band is in the jazz section of used vinyl at All Books & Records, in Fort Lauderdale. I've never bothered to ask why ....

While I understand your attitude, wesbed, has it occured to you that the response of the other shoppers, the clerk, and the security guy might be directly related to your decision to keep walking? Do all shoplifters bolt from a store on a dead run? Or do they stroll out, ignore any beeping and just keep walking? Furthermore, as you mention, retail workers are poorly paid and treated, and they deal with a lot of customers. Was it the same clerk who spoke the one who rang up the purchase? Maybe he didn't take note of your mug. Otherwise, no one has any clue who you are. Who's to say you didn't wrap a slip of white paper around four pilfered CDs and made for the door? Basicallly, when you keep walking, you invite an over-reaction. You invite suspicion. Why not stop, look over at the front end counter, wave the receipt at them, and THEN keep going. Instead, in your haste to not be seen as a "sheep", you invited the reaction you got, by just walking onward, safe in the knowledge that yes, you had paid for these and are not in the wrong. But when the machine beeps, what is the implication? What is the assumption? Reasonable people acknowledge the malfunction, and take five seconds to get confirmation that your items are paid for. Another thing-ask for a bag next time, and fuck the environmental implications of that decision. Then, you've got a nice borders bag around your purchases, it looks a lot less suspicious than loose items being carried out the store by the guy who refuses to be seen as a sheep. And last thing: Its not sheep-like behavior. Its accepting that mistakes happen, equipment malfunctions, and things don't always go smoothly. Its acting like a reasonable person. I'll be heading to Borders today myself. And I guarantee that if the machine beeps, I will step back and wave my bag at the guy at the door. I won't keep walking without breaking stride. That's cause I try to be a reasonable person with my fellow human beings.

If you were indeed thinking of Black & Blue, the label has a pretty steady reissue program, which Alan Lankin has noted on his site. Among the albums reissued in the past year is a Willis Jackson/Groove Holmes session, and a really fine Lonnie Smith trio date.

Here's hoping you do!! Then you can head to Borders over the weekend and take advantage of the buy three get one free jazz sale!

And I really have to point out the second sentence in his bio: At just 25 years old, Rick has exploded with his first solo album. Oh, if it were only true that his first solo album caused him to explode. THAT would be cosmic justice! So basically, he's an illiterate G-Man Wannabe. How sad. Hey-maybe we should ask him, does he know why Charlie Parker was called Bird? Cause his reed squeaked like a bird, doncha know!

Well, since he's unlikely to return here, we could all send hate mail to saxmanrickparma@yahoo.com

Check out the first line from his bio on his website: Born, raised, and still residing in Chicago, Rick Parma is continously setting a standard for saxophonists everywhere. What a freaking joke!

Happy Happy!

I'd let it go, Brad, but be sure to use the "respond to feedback about me" function to post your account of the events, that the guy over reacted when you had been on vacation and couldn't follow up that quickly.

I'm no musician, but I'm pretty sure that tempo is separate from time signature.

Jim, Joe, and Randy. Oh, and Ron Blake is on there, too. Just cuz.

I thought all avatars were uploaded images, I didn't realize you could link them instead. I think its only reasonable to upload avatars to Organissimo rather than linking from somewhere else. Next time the response may be more like the Babe Didrickeson message than this guy.

I don't think the spitting incident should be a factor at all. However, shocking declines in performance for the last several years makes his candidacy less clear-cut, and the too often seen appearance of being disinterested and unmotivated raises doubts about his professionalism. Nevertheless, he probably should go in. But only after Rhyne Sandberg gets in.

Excellent news, Steve!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Joe!

Some of you may have noticed that Steeplechase has put out some previously unissued Dexter Gordon radio broadcasts from Montmartre, Wee Dot was the first, with Alti Bjorn heading the rhythm section, and just last month brought Loose Walk with Kenny Drew, Alex Riel and NHOP. Well, I just got a copy of Loose Walk and there is terrific news in the liners: There are a total of FIVE radio broadcasts, the remaining three to be released all feature the Drew rhythm section, and Donald Byrd sits in on the last of the shows! No idea when these will be released, but good news, Dexaholics: There's still more unreleased Dex on the way!!!!

First of all, thanks, RC for putting this together. I recognized number one, as I think most would; despite the virtuosity, he's always left me cold. I liked track 2 the best, my initial thoughts were Shorter. The rest of the tracks, well ... none really held my interest, I'm afraid; some had me ready to run screaming from the room. I calls 'em as I sees 'em.

Very sad news.

Graciously accepted, once I wipe the egg off my face!

As a child, I was quite pop-music oriented and spent many hours listening to the radio with my mom. Apparently, my very first "favorite" song was "Age of Aquarious", but I have a warm spot in my heart for a lot of early 70s dreck, simply because of the childhood memories that go with them. So, as a counter-weight to the worst songs thread, I thought people should chime in with their favorite singles, way back when. Doesn't have to be something that kind of embarrasses you now, just the tunes you really loved when they were "hot". My top two picks would be The Hollies, "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" Stealers Wheel, "Stuck in the Middle With You" Love that guitar part in the Hollies tune, and the mysterious lyrics!