GA Russell

The Yardbirds Story (4 CDs) - $18.84 prime https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H8SEAI/

Exactly right.

Now that we have had two full days to digest the draft, here are various analyses: http://3downnation.com/2017/05/07/vandervoort-gone-ticats-go-get-beef/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/05/08/lions-followed-script-cfl-draft/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/05/08/breaking-bombers-2017-draft-picks/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/05/08/another-unconventional-draft-gives-ticats-covet/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/05/09/desjardins-sticks-formula-another-solid-draft/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/05/09/riders-draft-leaves-plenty-questions/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/05/09/new-argonaut-justin-herdman-feeling-slighted-cfl-draft-spot/#comments http://www.tsn.ca/bombers-gm-wasn-t-willing-to-gamble-on-gray-in-second-round-1.747078 http://www.tsn.ca/seven-players-from-carleton-ravens-selected-in-2017-cfl-draft-1.745998 http://www.tsn.ca/lions-draft-recap-receiver-set-to-explore-west-1.745700 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/roughriders-cfl-draft-1.4104119 http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/winnipeg-blue-bombers-cfl-draft-faith-ekakitie-1.4104020 http://www.cfl.ca/2017/05/09/dinos-db-ecstatic-get-call-hometown-stamps/ http://www.cfl.ca/2017/05/08/next-step-taken-prospects-celebrate-hear-name-called-draft-day/

Alan Price Set - Twice the Price - $13.99 prime (complete Decca 1965-69, 3 CDs) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XHGMPWL/

Vienna's JAM MUSIC LAB Dedicated Solely to Jazz and Pop Music Announces UNIVERSITY STATUS Jam Music Lab - Private University for Jazz and Popular Music Offering Specialized Studies in Jazz, Popular Music, Music Production, Music Pedagogy and More First Bachelor & Master Studies Start in September 2017 Auditions in June 2017 Jam Music Lab University Announces "SPHERES OF A GENIUS" 100 Years of Thelonious Monk A Jazz Composition Competition by JMLU in Cooperation with The Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra Call For Scores - Deadline June 1, 2017 Winning Work Premieres at Gala in Famous Golden Hall, Vienna, July 7, 2018 For Details: http://www.spheresofagenius.com ABOUT THE JAM MUSIC LAB UNIVERSITY Vienna, May 9, 2017 - Located in one of Europe's most beautiful and historically important cities, with a vast music tradition and high living standard, Jam Music Lab is excited to announce the accreditation of its University status. The University specializes in jazz and popular music, offering its students practical experiences in professional environments while upholding the academic process. An internal agency provides appropriate work opportunities while ensuring educational guidance. This way students will be carefully introduced to the realities of work life. Situated in the 11th district of Simmering, an urban and culturally diverse part of Vienna, Austria, the Jam Music Lab University is housed at an architectural landmark in the Gasometer. There are four former storage tanks called Gasometers that were built in 1899 as the monarchy's major energy provider. Vienna undertook a remodelling and revitalization of the protected monuments with well-known architects. Gasometer B, C and D, called Gasometer Music City, house a university campus with over 11,000 m2. Besides the Jam Music Lab University itself, this includes a music hall (capacity of 2000-3000), music retailers, a student dormitory and other music-related institutions for various ages offering pedagogical collaborations for students. Gasometer Music City has its own subway station. Vienna's center is only a short ride away. The following bachelor (4 yrs) and master's degrees (2 yrs) can be obtained: Bachelor / Master of Arts in Music Bachelor / Master of Arts in Music Education The focus lies on the following branches: Music Performance aims at instrumental, vocal, compositional and musical proficiency at a high level. Music Pedagogy provides insights to the methods and principles of music instruction. Media Music teaches film scoring, and music production for film, theatre, commercial production and video games. The JMLU faculty consists of international, first-rate professors, who have worked extensively in their fields of expertise. Among them, Grammy-award winning musicians and producers. JMLU understands the importance of teaching music business helping students to become efficient in building and promoting their own careers. In addition, the institute hosts workshops, panels and master classes on a regular basis to present international authorities from all over the world. The concert venues and stages throughout the city of Vienna offer everything from classical to jazz and progressive sounds. Jazz clubs, concert venues, music halls and several orchestras call Vienna their home. Marcus Ratka, JMLU's director, explains: "We are located in the city of music. Vienna's high culture is of major importance to people's daily lives. Artists and musicians are well regarded, and a healthy music scene creates work by demand. We aim to equip our students, so they can live well." The University utilizes a tight network and collaborates with venues, club owners, orchestras and festivals, among them the acclaimed JAZZFEST Wien. Professors and students are continually invited to perform and to demonstrate their skills. Courses are being held in German and English. Skills in both languages are desirable. First Bachelor & Master Studies start in September 2017. Auditions are scheduled for June 21, 22, 23, 2017. For further information, please go to www.jammusiclab.com ABOUT SPHERES OF A GENIUS: 100 YEARS OF THELONIOUS MONK Vienna, May 9, 2017 - To honor the centennial of the great American jazz pianist and composer, Thelonious Monk "Spheres of a Genius," a high-end composition competition was created. Marcus Ratka, the organizer, says about his influence, "To me Monk´s music has opened doors to new rooms of sounds, structures and ways of creating music. He raised my awareness for the charming beauty of dissonance and the contradictions in the arts." The competition will feature the world-famous Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. There will be three finalists. The winning composition will be premiered by the Orchestra with Jazz soloists in a gala at the historic Golden Hall on June 7, 2018. The concert will be broadcasted as part of the Ö1 radio program. In addition, the winner receives € 5.000! Second prize is € 3.000, third prize takes € 2.000 home. Historic Golden Hall The Jury will consist of representatives of the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jam Music Lab University and international music experts. The contest aims to create music that will reflect the spirit of Thelonious Monk from a contemporary perspective; to provoke inspiration for further innovation, originality and musical communication in contemporary jazz. The composition is intended to offer a demanding and an up-to-date platform for the exploration of exciting interrelationships of jazz in its composed, as well as improvised forms. The "Sounds" and "Spheres" in the unmistakable musical innovations of Monk, are very much prevalent in the possibilities that composed music offers us, especially when a large-scale composition calls for the orchestra to interact with jazz idioms and jazz musicians. Deadline for submissions is June 1, 2017. For all details, contact info and submission procedures, please go directly to: ENG - http://www.jammusiclab.at/upload/monk/call-for-scores--spheres-of-a-genius--monk-2017--en.pdf GER - http://www.jammusiclab.at/upload/monk/ausschreibung--spheres-of-a-genius--monk-2017--de.pdf

ECM Roscoe Mitchell - Bells for the South Side Release date: June 30, 2017 Roscoe Mitchell: sopranino, soprano, alto and bass saxophones, flute, piccolo, bass recorder, percussion James Fei: sopranino and alto saxophones, contra-alto clarinet, electronicsHugh Ragin: trumpet, piccolo trumpet Tyshawn Sorey: trombone, piano, drums, percussion Craig Taborn: piano, organ, electronics Jaribu Shahid: double bass, bass guitar, percussion Tani Tabbal: drums, percussion Kikanju Baku: drums, percussion William Winant: percussion, tubular bells, glockenspiel, vibraphone, marimba, roto toms, cymbals, bass drum, woodblocks, timpani

AS PART OF THE DIGITAL INCUNABULA SERIES M.O.D. TECHNOLOGIES Presents INAUGURAL SOUND CLASH AVAILABLE ONLINE MAY 19, 2017 AND VIA WWW.MOD-TECHNOLOGIES.COM Raoul Björkenheim Guitar Mike Sopko Guitar Dominic James Guitar Bill Laswell Bass Hideo Yamaki Drums New York, May 8, 2017 - M.O.D. Technologies presents their Inaugural Sound Clash (For the 2 Americas) as a special one time only music encounter. Three guitarists, bass and drums, fire brand guitarist Raoul Björkenheim from Finland, versatile guitarist Dominic James, based in upstate NYC, band leader for Angélique Kidjo, has also worked with Shakira, Paul Simon and many others. Mike Sopko, arriving from Cleveland, a new cutting edge artist. Japanese master drummer, Hideo Yamaki, collides once again with ikonoklast bassist Bill Laswell. Recorded at John Zorn's music space, The Stone, Jan 20, 2017. Nothing is True, Everything is Permitted. TRACK Against the Empire of Alternative Facts (56:35) Recorded by Hiroyuki Sanada & Fuso Murase at The Stone, NYC on January 20th, 2017. Edited, mixed & mastered at Orange Music, West Orange, NJ. Engineering: James Dellatacoma.

The draft is now complete. You can read Justin Dunk's brief description of every player here: http://3downnation.com/2017/05/07/cfl-draft-live-blog/#comments As he says, a player who received a great deal of press coverage, Johnny Augustine, was not picked.

It's time for the draft! You can follow it here: http://www.cfl.ca http://3downnation.com/2017/05/07/cfl-draft-live-blog/#comments And try #CFL on Twitter.

The Brett Gold New York Jazz Orchestra Debuts with "Dreaming Big," Due June 16 from GoldFox Records & Featuring the Compositions & Arrangements of Brett Gold BMI Jazz Composers Workshop Alumnus Breaks New Stylistic Ground With Post-Modernist Approach to Big Band Jazz That Expands the Legacy of Gil Evans, Bill Holman, Don Ellis, & Others May 4, 2017 The June 16th release of Dreaming Big (GoldFox Records), which marks the recording debut of the Brett Gold New York Jazz Orchestra and features the compositions of Brett Gold, illuminates a most intriguing jazz odyssey. A star trombonist in high school in his native Baltimore, Gold was steered away from a music career by his parents as well as his trombone teacher, of all people. Gold became an attorney and went on to achieve formidable success in the field of international and corporate tax law. But 25 years into his legal career, Gold changed course and reestablished contact with his musical muse. Dreaming Big is remarkable not only for its very existence but also for the striking sounds it offers. A tour de force, the music ranges from 12-tone melodies to playful Monkisms to a stirring political statement. While the album introduces one of jazz's most challenging new instrumental voices, at the same time its warmth, humor, and accessibility convey an easy sophistication one would associate with an artist of far greater experience. Gold enlisted first-call players from New York's jazz, studio, and Broadway scenes to produce the recording, including saxophonists Charles Pillow and Tim Ries, trumpeter Scott Wendholt, trombonist John Allred, bassist Phil Palombi, and drummer Scott Neumann. Many jazz composers and arrangers, including Gold, cite Gil Evans and Bill Holman as influences. But Gold's affinity for the odd time-signature music of the late Don Ellis is reflected in a number of pieces on the CD. Among the compositions on Dreaming Big, the Middle Eastern-themed "Al-Andalus" (featuring a virtuosic turn by trumpeter Jon Owens) is partly in 11/4 and partly in 5/4. "That Latin Tinge" is a 7/4 mambo, not the usual time signature for a salsa piece. Even the fairly straightforward "Stella's Waltz" can trip someone up with its occasional judiciously placed bar of 5/4. And then there's "Nakba," the powerful 11-minute finale, which was composed partly with Gold's Moroccan sister-in-law in mind. The song is named after the Arabic word for "catastrophe," used by the Palestinians to describe the Arab-Israeli War of 1948. Featuring Ries on soprano saxophone, it traces the tragic history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "I found out that you can stop playing music, but it's still there circulating in your head," Gold says of the years when he was not involved in music full-time. After finishing high school a year early, he attended the University of Rochester as a double major in history and film studies (Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa) and continued his music studies at the Eastman School of Music where he played with one of its nationally recognized jazz ensembles. But he soon placed his jazz activities on the back burner, earning a J.D. from Columbia University Law School (1980) and an LL.M in tax law from New York University Law School (1983). When Gold returned to jazz, he had no problem coming up with ideas for compositions -- his brain was full of them -- but his sabbatical from music left him unprepared to execute those ideas both on paper and on his horn, which he hadn't touched in 10 years. He first sketched his pieces out and hired professional musicians to record demo-like CDs of them. Then, studying privately with distinguished teachers like Pete McGuinness, Neal Kirkwood, and David Berger, he learned how to write complex compositions for big band. Eventually, in 2007, Gold was accepted into the esteemed BMI Jazz Composers Workshop, under the direction of Mike Abene, Jim McNeely, and Mike Holober. During his tenure there, he developed a book of more than two dozen arrangements, of which 11 of the best appear on Dreaming Big. "As a member of BMI, I was pushed to write longer, more abstract orchestral pieces, something I resisted," he says. "Instead, I looked to the way Duke Ellington wrote for his band -- his best pieces were seldom more than three to five minutes long. I also admired his idea of writing for individual members of the band." Over the years, Gold has absorbed and strongly personalized any number of influences, some more than just musical. A study in diminished chords featuring clarinets and flutes, "Theme from an Unfinished Film" reveals his debt to what he calls the "internalized lyricism" of movie composers such as Bernard Herrmann, David Raksin, and Ennio Morricone. The genesis of "Exit, Pursued by a Bear (Slow Drag Blues)" was Shakespeare's most famous stage direction. And "Al-Andalus" was originally inspired by the hopes raised by the Arab Spring. Gold does not play in the trombone section on Dreaming Big. "I actually function a lot better in a dark room writing music," he says. The roles he plays on the new album are those of composer, arranger, producer -- and big dreamer. Photography: Lily Edelman-Gold Web Site: www.brettgoldnyjo.com

Louis Sclavis clarinets | Dominique Pifarély violin | Vincent Courtois violoncello Asian Fields Variations marks the first time that clarinettist Louis Sclavis, violinist Dominique Pifarély and cellist Vincent Courtois have recorded as a trio. Sclavis summoned the project into existence, but this is a democratic group of creative equals: “I proposed that we make a real collective, and each of us composes for the program.” For a ‘new’ group, it has a lot of pre-history: Sclavis and Pifarély have played together in diverse contexts for 35 years, Sclavis and Courtois for 20 years, but they retain the capacity to surprise each other as improvisers. “We’re drawing also on a lot of different playing experiences, and we’re continually bringing new things to the project. We keep going deeper.” Ferenc Snétberger guitar | Anders Jormin double bass | Joey Baron drums Hungarian guitarist Ferenc Snétberger made a lot of new friends with his ECM solo debut In Concert (“a beautiful, assured performance” – All About Jazz) and will make many more with Titok, which features his trio with Swedish bassist Anders Jormin and US drummer Joey Baron. It’s a warm and involving album, with an emphasis on intensely melodic improvisation and interaction which draws the listener gently into its sound-world. The rapport between Snétberger and Jormin is evident from the outset, as both guitar and bass explore the contours of Ferenc’s compositions. Throughout, Joey Baron’s drums and cymbals provide shading and texture with restraint and subtlety. June Tabor voice | Iain Ballamy tenor & soprano saxophones | Huw Warren piano Folk and jazz and chamber music become one in Quercus’s world, where recontextualizing of material is part of the process, prompting listeners to pay heightened attention even to familiar songs. Nightfall opens with the most famous of farewells “Auld Lang Syne”, and gently breathes new life into it, leading us into a program that includes Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice”, the jazz standard “You Don’t Know What Love Is” and the West Side Story ballad “Somewhere”, as well as original compositions by Huw Warren and Iain Ballamy and songs from British folk tradition, in stark and moving new arrangements. © 2017 ECM | ECM Records USA | 1755 Broadway, 3rd floor | New York NY 10011 ECM For the second ECM album by Aaron Parks – following the solo releaseAborescence, which JazzTimes praised as “expansive, impressionistic… like a vision quest” – the prize-winning pianist has convened a cross-generational trio featuring bassist Ben Street and drummer Billy Hart. The rhythm pair, which also teams in Hart’s hit quartet for ECM, blends fluidity and strength – what Parks calls “an oceanic” quality, producing waves of energy for the pianist to alternately ride and dive into. Find the Way has the aura of a piano-trio recording in the classic mold, from melody-rich opener “Adrift” to the closing title track, a cover of a romantic tune Parks grew to love on an LP by Rosemary Clooney and Nelson Riddle. Always concerned with balancing the masculine and feminine impulses in music, Parks also drew inspiration for this album from the likes of Alice Coltrane and Shirley Horn (for whom Hart played); space and subtlety are a priority, with the pianist aiming to allow “the music to breathe and be.”

The draft is tomorrow, so let's look at some final thoughts about the teams and the prospects. http://www.3downnation.com/2017/05/03/orridge-wont-host-cfl-draft-coverage-report/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/05/04/five-prospects-dropped-cfl-draft-failed-drug-tests/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/05/04/final-2017-cfl-draft-prospect-rankings/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/05/05/four-things-redblacks-may-first-round-cfl-draft/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/05/05/madani-bombers-negotiations-ekakitie-will-draft-first-overall/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/05/05/nine-things-know-ticats-draft/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/05/06/dunk-final-cfl-mock-draft/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/05/06/five-questions-alouettes-draft-coordinator-eric-deslauriers/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/04/26/game-changing-linebacker-late-add-to-cfl-draft/#comments http://www.cfl.ca/2017/05/05/primer-need-know-2017-cfl-draft/ http://www.cfl.ca/2017/05/05/oleary-draft-preparation-different-cfl-team-says-gms/ http://www.cfl.ca/2017/05/05/mock-3-0-bombers-got-faith/ http://www.cfl.ca/live/2017/05/03/ferguson-mock-draft-qa/ http://www.cfl.ca/2017/05/04/gray-tops-canada-west-cfl-prospect-rankings/ http://www.cfl.ca/2017/05/03/forde-ferguson-tackle-drafts-burning-questions/ http://www.tsn.ca/blue-bombers-in-talks-to-make-ekakitie-no-1-pick-1.744309 http://www.tsn.ca/lions-draft-preview-back-to-work-while-dealing-with-loss-1.744227 ***** And here are recent podcasts. http://3downnation.com/2017/05/02/podskee-wee-wee-episode-72/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/05/03/blue-bomber-talk-podcast-episode-45-ft-duane-forde/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/05/06/3downpodcast-2017-cfl-draft-preview/#comments ***** More Canadians have been invited to NFL mini-camps. http://3downnation.com/2017/05/02/sherbrooke-fb-anthony-gosselin-invited-chiefs-mini-camp/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/05/03/several-canadian-players-invited-new-york-giants-mini-camp/#comments ***** Shawn Gore has retired. http://3downnation.com/2017/05/04/shawn-gores-retirement-means-lions/#comments http://www.cfl.ca/2017/05/04/lions-gore-retires-7-cfl-seasons/ ***** The Riders have released Greg Jones. http://3downnation.com/2017/04/21/riders-release-linebacker-greg-jones/#comments ***** The Als have signed Devon Bailey. http://www.3downnation.com/2017/04/20/canadian-receiver-devon-bailey-signs-with-alouettes/ ***** David Foucault has decided to play in the CFL, and has signed with BC. http://3downnation.com/2017/04/17/david-foucault-contract-details-bc-lions/#comments ***** Here is a look at first round picks of the past five years. http://www.cfl.ca/2017/05/05/draft-rewind-5-years-1st-round-picks/

Happy Birthday!

Thanks!

Keyboardist-Composer Roy Powell Leads Mumpbeak on Tooth Prog-Rock-Jazz Power Trio's Sophomore Outing on RareNoise Release CD, VINYL AND MULTIPLE DIGITAL FORMATS AVAILABLE IN STORES AND ONLINE ON MAY 26, 2017 AND THROUGH WWW.RARENOISERECORDS.COM. Roy Powell Hohner Clavinet, Moog Little Phatty, Hammond Organ, Tubular Bells Lorenzo Feliciati Bass Torstein Lofthus Drums New York, May 3, 2017 - On their followup to their formidable self-titled debut on RareNoiseRecords in 2013, Mumpbeak again conjures up memories of vintage King Crimson, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Gentle Giant and other prog-rock pioneers on Tooth. Led by the innovative keyboardist-composer and Oslo-based UK expatriate Roy Powell, whose other RareNoise output includes releases by Interstatic and Naked Truth, and featuring bassist and longtime collaborator Lorenzo Feliciati (Powell's bandmate in Naked Truth who has also released the solo albums Frequent Flyer and KOI on RareNoise), this new edition of the prog-rock-jazz power trio showcases the remarkable Norwegian drummer Torstein Lofthus, who is also a member of the avant garde group Shining and the psychedelic prog-rock-jazz trio Elephant 9. Together this like-minded triumvirate travels from slamming, intricately executed vehicles like "Boot," "Cot" and "Brick" to more atmospheric soundscapes like "Slip" and "Caboose" to the explosive free jazz jam on "Stone." Says the leader of the group's blend of discipline and highly interactive playing on display throughout Tooth: "It´s just a case of having three like-minded musicians in the studio playing loose, off-the-cuff stuff over some semi-composed material." As he did on Mumpbeak, Powell again explores the sounds of his heavily-effected, guitar-sounding clavinet throughout Tooth. "I play a stock Hohner E7 clavinet into a series of guitar effects pedals going into a Fender valve amp," explains the keyboardist, whose debut as a leader was 1994's A Big Sky. "Over the years I have become less interested in stock electric piano or Hammond organ or acoustic piano sounds. So one day when I was playing my clav at home I thought I would max the guitar aspect of the instrument and see where it would take me." photo credit: Einar Thorbioernsen Those ambitious experiments led to Mumpbeak and now Tooth, which prominently features Powell's souped-up clavinet while also utilizing a few of his other trusty keyboards in the mix. "The use of Hammond organ and Moog synth are just to add a little variation in color," he explains. Powell's signature clavinet sound is in full effect on the odd-metered opener "Boot," which introduces the powerhouse drumming of Lofthus, whose muscular, whirlwind approach to the kit sets the pace on this intricate, stop-time vehicle. "Brick" brings an element of swing into the Zappaesque proceedings while the thunderous "Saw," fueled by Lofthus' power-precision playing, has Powell dialing up some nasty distortion, wah-wah and whammy bar articulations on his clav. The keyboardist takes a more gentle approach with a clean clavinet sound on the more serene "Slip," which serves as a kind of palette cleanser after the tumultuous grunge jam of "Saw." "Cot," with its interlocking arpeggios and muscular drumming underneath, is very Crimsonesque in its finely-executed latticework patterns. "Caboose" opens with a full four minutes of ambient washes and soundscapes executed by Powell and Feliciati, both generating mesmerizing loops, before segueing to a swinging section paced by Felicity's insistent walking baselines and Lofthus' loose swing factor on the kit. This nine-minute suite features Lofthus' most explosive solo of the session. Tooth concludes with the wah-wah fueled jam "Stone," a provocative piece clearly influenced by Miles Davis' landmark Bitches Brew that builds from a delicate koto-like intro to a funk section to a wild free jazz blowout underscored by Lofthus' rampaging approach to the kit. Says Powell of his ongoing hookup with Italian bassist Feliciati, "I first met Lorenzo at a Bass Day event in Manchester in 2007. We immediately had a connection both as people and as musicians, being the same age and sharing a common musical heritage and shared references such as Frank Zappa, Miles Davis, and Allan Holdsworth. We kept in touch and started to play together whenever possible. This led to the formation of the Naked Truth quartet with Cuong Vu and Pat Mastelotto. When I realized that I was going to have a European-based working Mumpbeak trio, it was obvious to ask Lorenzo to join." Powell discovered drummer Lofthus while performing a series of educational concerts in Norwegian schools. "Torstein´s name came up and I jumped at the chance to work with him, having see him with Elephant 9 and Shining. He has great technical skills together with a hard hitting style that defines the music."

Jamie Saft Joined By Three Masters on New RareNoise Release Bobby Previte, Steve Swallow and Iggy Pop on Loneliness Road CD, VINYL AND MULTIPLE DIGITAL FORMATS AVAILABLE IN STORES AND ONLINE ON MAY 26, 2017 AND THROUGH WWW.RARENOISERECORDS.COM. Jamie Saft Piano Steve Swallow Bass Bobby Previte Drums with Iggy Pop Vocals (tracks 4, 9, 12) New York, May 3, 2017 - Over a career now spanning nearly thirty years, Jamie Saft has established himself as one of the visionaries of contemporary American music. As a composer, pianist and keyboard innovator, and collaborator of music icons such as Bad Brains, Beastie Boys, the B-52s, Donovan, John Adams and John Zorn, he has been fearless in his pursuit of spiritual elevation through music that both seeks to embrace the whole American canon, and also transcend it, by seamlessly assimilating genres, traditions, idioms and timelines. His collaboration with London based progressive label RareNoise, now dating back to 2012, reflects this polymathic approach, as can be gleaned from listening to the array of path-breaking, irreducible recordings he released with them: among these, one of the most successful was a piano trio collaboration with jazz giants Steve Swallow and Bobby Previte, The New Standard. On Loneliness Road, the follow-up album to that acclaimed 2014 release, the trio of Saft, Swallow and Previte are joined on three tracks by singer Iggy Pop (who just turned 70). Saft is quick to point out that Loneliness Road is not simply a jazz piano trio with Iggy Pop added to three tunes. "It's a deeper concept of original improvised music that transcends genre," he explained. "I constructed this music on my initial notions of what music I'd like to improvise on with these particular musicians. There was no sense of 'genre' in the conception of that music." All the elements for Loneliness Road came together in serendipitous fashion. While the intention of including Iggy Pop in the album had been discussed very early by Jamie Saft and RareNoise producer Giacomo Bruzzo. Both understood it was by no means an easy objective to accomplish, and that it was all down to the music. photo credit: Vin Cin Thus Jamie Saft, Steve Swallow and Bobby Previte proceeded to record the album as a trio June 2016 at Saft's Potterville International Sound Studio in the Hudson Valley of Upstate New York. Knowing that they would be recording to tape and cutting lacquer, Previte even brought his 1965 Rogers Holiday drums to the session, to match the burnished sound of Steve Swallow and Jamie Saft's deep touch. In his own words: "We obsessed, as we always do, over the sound of the record, but never over the music itself. How music occurs always needs to remain a glorious mystery - an unknowable, unreachable, indefinable and most importantly, unrepeatable, mystery." Saft adds that "Rather than try to anticipate what Iggy might add to our tracks and just give him a 'backing track', we instead chose three fully-realized instrumental tracks from our session that we thought Iggy might actually enjoy. Through colleague Bill Laswell, whose label M.O.D. Technologies Giacomo is also involved in and who has produced records for Iggy in the past, we reached out: fortunately Iggy expressed interest and wanted to hear the music, which we sent him. Iggy's reaction was swift and decisive - he quickly said he loved the music and was definitely going to do this project. What an enormous honor this message was for me!" Early January 2017, Iggy Pop recorded his three contributions ('Don't Lose Yourself', 'Loneliness Road' and 'Everyday') in Miami: "He sent us his very first take of each tune," says Saft. "He told me he used no music stand or lyric sheet as he was so ready to record these that the words just spilled out. Iggy said though he did many takes of each track, the first takes just 'had the juice.' Of course this perfectly aligned with the first take idea we'd used in producing the album both musically and sonically. In Previte's own words: "And Iggy - he took it so seriously. He really heard us." While The New Standard was recorded as direct-to-2-track analog by renowned engineer Joe Ferla, Saft enlisted his friend and Grammy winning producer Christian Castagno to record and co-produce Loneliness Road. Once again a fully analog path was chosen, and all tracks committed to tape were first takes. When asked about the songwriting process underlying Loneliness Road, Saft says that "Many of the pieces I wrote for this album show allegiance to the great American song forms of writers such as Bob Dylan, The Band, Alice Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, Jimi Hendrix, Charles Ives, Bill Evans, & Miles Davis. Both Steve Swallow and Bobby Previte are brilliant orchestrators - each gesture is in the service of the larger whole. A simple two chord structure such as 'Ten Nights' turns into a forward lurching swing epic in Bobby's hands. He channels Tony Williams through massive cymbal techniques. This same brilliance shines through in 'Henbane' with Steve Swallow's deep attention to detail within the classic swing feel. A rhythm section at this level allows me total freedom as the primary harmonic voice. I'm always afforded vast open spaces with Steve & Bobby. This is a rarified situation and I feel extremely fortunate for this opportunity each time we play." Loneliness Road is indeed the result of a truly collaborative effort: "While I did compose all the music for this album, Steve and Bobby and ultimately Iggy were all able to realize this music with me at the very highest level. Iggy's lyrics and vocal approach are essential to each of the three tunes he contributed to. It's as if they were always there." TRACKS 1. Ten Nights 2. Little Harbor 3. Bookmaking 4. Don't Lose Yourself (w. Iggy Pop) 5. Henbane 6. Pinkus 7. The Barrier 8. Nainsook 9. Loneliness Road (w. Iggy Pop) 10. Unclouded Moon 11. Gates 12. Everyday (w. Iggy Pop)

I have found some mock drafts. These are in chronological order, so the most recent should have the greatest credibility. http://3downnation.com/2017/03/24/justin-dunks-cfl-mock-draft-1-0/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/03/29/post-combine-cfl-mock-draft/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/05/02/post-nfl-draft-cfl-mock-draft/#comments ***** Cleveland has released Brett Maher. http://3downnation.com/2017/05/02/former-ticats-kicker-brett-maher-released-browns/#comments ***** Duane Forde has announced his interest in the commissioner's job. http://3downnation.com/2017/05/02/tsns-duane-forde-interested-cfl-commissioners-job/#comments http://www.tsn.ca/tsn-analyst-forde-interested-in-cfl-commissioner-s-job-1.740775 ***** San Francisco has released Eric Rogers. http://www.tsn.ca/49ers-release-former-cfl-star-rogers-1.740877 ***** Here are some recent Checking Down columns. 3/15 http://www.cfl.ca/2017/03/15/checking-olafioye-block/ 3/30 http://www.cfl.ca/2017/03/29/checking-harris-sees-future-ottawa/ 4/5 http://www.cfl.ca/2017/04/04/checking-ojo-close-landing-south/ 4/12 http://www.cfl.ca/2017/04/11/checking-mini-camp-season-arrives/ 4/19 http://www.cfl.ca/2017/04/19/checking-maas-getting-message-across/ 4/26 http://www.cfl.ca/2017/04/26/checking-ticats-close-signing-fa-fantuz/ 5/2 http://www.cfl.ca/2017/05/02/checking-rogers-market/ ***** And here again are your links to Waggle podcasts #1 - 48. http://www.cfl.ca/thewaggle/

Happy Birthday soulpope!

Jeff Perrett has changed his mind, and decided to retire. http://3downnation.com/2017/05/01/veteran-canadian-ol-jeff-perrett-retires/#comments http://www.tsn.ca/former-alouettes-ol-perrett-retires-1.739463 ***** Indianapolis has waived Alex Bazzie. http://3downnation.com/2017/05/01/cfl-star-dl-alex-bazzie-waived-colts/#comments ***** More Canadian rookie NFL signings. http://3downnation.com/2017/04/30/montreal-kicker-felix-menard-briere-accepts-invite-giants-mini-camp/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/05/01/eskimos-draft-pick-db-arjen-colquhoun-attending-seahawks-mini-camp/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/05/01/canadian-laurier-dl-kwaku-boateng-accepts-bears-mini-camp-invite/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/05/01/saskie-native-kahlen-branning-heading-to-mini-camp-with-detroit/#comments ***** John Hodge and Marshall Ferguson look at how the NFL's draft effects this year's CFL draft. http://3downnation.com/2017/04/30/last-night-nfl-moves-shake-cfl-draft/#comments http://www.cfl.ca/2017/04/30/ferguson-signings-south-change-next-weeks-draft/ ***** Now let's go back and look at what has been written about this year's prospects. http://3downnation.com/2016/12/19/top-ten-rated-cfl-prospects-accept-invites-to-tropical-bowl/#comments http://3downnation.com/2016/12/26/cfl-guide-post-christmas-ncaa-bowl-games/#comments http://3downnation.com/2016/12/28/canadians-set-to-play-prominent-roles-in-ncaa-bowls/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/01/03/coveted-cfl-draft-eligible-athletes-heading-college-gridiron-showcase/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/01/05/regina-receiver-mitchell-picton-attending-nfl-regional-combine/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/01/08/regina-offensive-lineman-attending-nfl-regional-combine/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/01/09/two-players-ncaa-championship-game-cfl-ties/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/01/17/top-rated-2017-cfl-prospect-attending-senior-bowl/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/01/20/canadian-linebacker-accepts-invite-senior-bowl/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/01/20/top-cfl-prospect-justin-senior-looks-catch-eye-nfl-scouts/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/01/31/scouts-saying-cfl-prospects-senior-bowl/#comments ***** Teams were required to get their rosters down to 75 men by today, so they have been letting people go. http://www.cfl.ca/2017/05/01/roster-roundup-teams-make-cuts-may-deadline-hits/

The draft will be this weekend, so I will plan to post relevant links. First, the combine. http://3downnation.com/2017/03/23/five-prospects-from-western-regional-earn-invites-to-national-combine/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/03/23/linebacker-jordan-herdman-looking-improvements-cfl-combine/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/03/23/cfl-week-fireside-chat-setting-combine/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/03/24/3down-podcast-tweaking-cfl-combine/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/03/25/3down-podcast-winners-losers-cfl-combine/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/03/26/top-5-performances-at-the-cfl-combine/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/03/27/top-prospects-interviewed-cfl-combine/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/03/27/laurier-defensive-lineman-boateng-performs-well-cfl-combine/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/03/28/mackie-vandervoot-make-mark-cfl-combine/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/03/29/ranking-one-one-performances-cfl-combine-ol-vs-dl/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/04/01/ranking-one-one-performances-cfl-combine-wr-vs-db/#comments

Happy Birthday 2017 ...impossible!

Happy Birthday 2017 Lazaro!

A few Canadian rookies signed NFL contracts today. http://3downnation.com/2017/04/29/manitoba-ol-geoff-gray-signs-packers/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/04/29/laval-te-antony-auclair-signs-tampa-bay/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/04/29/ucla-dl-eli-ankou-signs-texans/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/04/29/canadian-lb-jordan-herdman-to-attend-rookie-mini-camp-with-chiefs/#comments ***** The Scouting Bureau's #1 man Justin Senior was drafted by Seattle. http://3downnation.com/2017/04/29/mississippi-state-ol-justin-senior-selected-in-nfl-draft/ http://3downnation.com/2017/04/26/canadian-ol-justin-senior-taking-low-key-approach-nfl-draft/#comments ***** I don't have a publicist. Do you have a publicist? Well, Johnny Manziel has a publicist, and he met with Chris Jones. Manziel is on the Ticats' neg list, so the league fined the Riders $31,000. for this and various other infractions. One wag on Twitter said that Jones has had nearly as many fines as wins! http://3downnation.com/2017/04/28/riders-chris-jones-fined-meeting-manziel-publicist/#comments http://3downnation.com/2017/04/28/riders-fined-31k-roster-recruitment-violations/#comments http://www.cfl.ca/2017/04/28/riders-lions-issued-fines-violating-cfl-laws/ http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/roughriders-fined-for-meeting-with-johnny-manziels-publicist-1.4090265 http://www.tsn.ca/jones-fined-for-meeting-manziel-s-publicist-1.737516 ***** The Argos have signed Cleyon Laing. http://www.cfl.ca/2017/04/29/back-blue-argos-sign-free-agent-dl-cleyon-laing/ http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/toronto-argos-sign-cleyon-laing-1.4091974 http://www.tsn.ca/argonauts-sign-canadian-dt-laing-1.738373 ***** Jarious Jackson discusses trash talk. http://www.cfl.ca/2017/04/26/cfl-trash-talk-101-with-riders-jarious-jackson/ ***** The CBC's Zack Smart provides an early pre-season analysis. http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/cfl-off-season-roundup-1.4088077

Happy Birthday 2017 Niko!