GA Russell

Lane Kiffin is said to be likely to be the new '49ers OC. http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12188787/lane-kiffin-front-runner-san-francisco-49ers-oc

JOS - Christmas '64 - $3.99 (Prime) http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-64-Jimmy-Smith/dp/B000B8ITB8/ref=pd_rhf_eeolp_s_cp_12_SSDM?ie=UTF8&refRID=0R03R993V3Z0D9MAV0PE ***** Ramsey Lewis Trio - Sound of Christmas - $3.99 (Prime with AutoRip) http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Of-Christmas-Ramsey-Lewis/dp/B00030EJS6/ref=pd_sim_m_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0HWBSGEG9144GHJM5MPZ

Now you can tell your grandchildren that Joey DeFrancesco spoke to you!

Happy Birthday 2015 vajerzy!

Jeff, be sure to tell us about it when you get back!

TSN reports that the Als have Ohio State qb Cardale Jones on their neg list. http://www.tsn.ca/alouettes-have-negotiation-rights-for-ohio-state-qb-jones-1.182627 ***** The Eskimos have signed former Northern Illinois qb Jordan Lynch. Lynch was a 2013 Heisman Trophy finalist. http://www.tsn.ca/eskimos-sign-former-heisman-finalist-qb-lynch-1.182439 ***** As expected, Jalil Carter has signed with Minnesota. http://www.tsn.ca/former-argonauts-cb-carter-signs-with-vikings-1.183288 ***** The Stampeders have traded Mo Price to the Redblacks for Jasper Simmons and Dan Buckner. http://cfl.ca/article/price-shipped-to-ottawa-for-simmons http://www.tsn.ca/stampeders-trade-wr-price-to-redblacks-for-lb-simmons-wr-buckner-1.183338 ***** The Eskimos have traded Fred Stamps to the Als for Kenny Stafford. http://cfl.ca/article/end-of-an-era-esks-ship-stamps-to-als http://www.tsn.ca/alouettes-acquire-veteran-receiver-stamps-from-eskimos-1.184523 ***** Cleveland has interviewed Marc Trestman for their OC job. http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ap-source-browns-interview-ex-bears-coach-trestman-182115340--nfl.html ***** Some of the Scouting Bureau's highest rated players will be playing in the East-West Shrine Game tomorrow. http://cfl.ca/article/two-of-the-countys-top-prospects-ready-for-shrine-game

This evening I opened up the Caravan Live album I received for Christmas. It was recorded July 24, 1990, with the lineup of David Sinclair, Richard Sinclair, Pye Hastings, Richard Coughlan and Jimmy Hastings. Those are the real guys! All of the songs were from '70s albums. I would not say that this is as good as the original albums, but I enjoyed very, very much hearing the band for the first time in so many years. So if you already have their '70s albums, I can recommend this one highly. http://www.amazon.com/Live-Caravan/dp/B0000011PQ/ref=sr_1_2_twi_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1421453885&sr=1-2&keywords=caravan+live

Jazz Times reports this year's schedule. There are quite a number of people I would enjoy seeing, such as Pat Martino, Tom Harrell, Maria Schneider and Lou Donaldson. http://jazztimes.com/articles/152270-newport-jazz-festival-announces-2015-lineup

Apparently the Bears have decided on John Fox. http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/john-fox-bears-reportedly-reach-agreement/ar-AA8cCKT?ocid=anssportingnews11

BB King - Best of/Christmas Collection/20th Century Masters (Prime with AutoRip) - $4.99 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000C23DZ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Louis Armstrong, etc. - What a Wonderful Christmas (Prime with AutoRip) - $3.99 http://www.amazon.com/What-Wonderful-Christmas-Louis-Armstrong/dp/B000005KPO?SubscriptionId=AKIAJ7T5BOVUVRD2EFYQ&tag=camelhometopdrops-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B000005KPO

Happy Birthday HBJ!

oldies.com has the Possibilities dvd + cd set for 99 cents. http://www.oldies.com/product-view/0148FD.html

Is there a jazz app for a Windows smartphone?

Amazon's mp3 download of the new Keith Jarrett ECM album Hamburg '72 is only $7.74. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PLQOZ1S/ref=s9_ri_bw_g340_i7?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-4&pf_rd_r=1N75Y91FMKC4ZWSR9MXG&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1972167822&pf_rd_i=625036011

I see that on his Wikipedia page, this year's Heisman trophy winner Marcus Mariota says that as a youngster he admired the Ticats' Jeremiah Masoli. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Mariota ***** The Riders have hired Als linebacker coach Greg Quick to be their new defensive coordinator. http://cfl.ca/article/quick-hire-riders-bring-on-new-defensive-coordinator http://www.tsn.ca/quick-named-defensive-co-ordinator-of-roughriders-1.180737 ***** Jalil Carter was scheduled to become a free agent next month, so the Argos have released him a month early to give him a better chance at signing an NFL contract, probably with Minnesota. http://cfl.ca/article/carter-released-king-extended-by-boatmen http://www.tsn.ca/argonauts-sign-king-to-extension-release-veteran-carter-1.181689

Chuck, one of my New Year's resolutions is to see a number of Fellini and Kurosawa films.

In September, a buddy of mine who may know nothing told me that Elway was the most unpopular person in Denver.

Chris Potter Underground Orchestra Imaginary Cities Chris Potter tenor & soprano saxophones, bass clarinet / Adam Rogers guitars / Craig Taborn piano / Steve Nelson vibraphone, marimba / Fima Ephron bass guitar / Scott Colley double bass / Nate Smith drums / Mark Feldman violin / Joyce Hammann violin / Lois Martin viola / Dave Eggar cello Imaginary Cities is the recording premiere of saxophonist Chris Potter’s new Underground Orchestra. At the core of this larger ensemble is the personnel of his long-established Underground quartet – with Adam Rogers, Craig Taborn and Nate Smith – now joined by two bassists, a string quartet, and Potter’s old comrade from Dave Holland Quintet days, vibes and marimba man Steve Nelson. The title composition is a suite, panoramic in its reach, with movements subtitled “Compassion”, “Dualities”, “Disintegration” and “Rebuilding”. The scope of the work, and its contrasting moods and thematic development, inspire some of Potter’s finest playing. His saxes fly high above his idealized cityscapes or launch into dialogues or group improvising with its gifted inhabitants. Four further pieces – “Lament”, “Firefly”, “Sky” and “Shadow Self” – extend the feeling of the suite, successfully combining both tightly written material and very open areas involving all members of the orchestra. References are multi-idiomatic and multicultural, and Potter, who counts Charlie Parker with Strings amongst his formative enthusiasms, had Arabic and Indian string sections in mind, as well as contemporary composition, when shaping this material. Imaginary Cities was recorded in December 2013 in New York’s Avatar Studio and produced by Manfred Eicher. CHRIS POTTER ON TOUR January 16-17 - West Lafayette, IN [Loeb Playhouse] January 20 – Indianapolis, IN [Jazz Kitchen] January 21 – Lansing, MI [The Loft] January 22-25 – Chicago, IL [Jazz Showcase] January 27-31- New York, NY [Jazz Standard] [With full orchestra] February 2-3 – Minneapolis, MN at Dakota Jazz February 6 - Philadelphia, PA [Chris's Jazz Café] February 7 - Boston, MA [Regattabar] March 14 - Morrow, GA [spivey Hall] March 26 - San Francisco, CA [Miner Auditorium] [With full orchestra] Vijay Iyer Trio Break Stuff Vijay Iyer piano Stephan Crump double bass Marcus Gilmore drums “Break Stuff” is what happens after formal elements have been addressed. Vijay Iyer calls the break “a span of time in which to act. It’s the basis for breakdowns, breakbeats, and break dancing... it can be the moment when everything comes to life.” A number of the pieces here are breakdowns of other Iyer constructions. Some are from a suite premiered at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, some derive from Open City, a collaboration with novelist Teju Cole and large ensemble. The trio energetically recasts everything it touches. “Hood” is a tribute to Detroit techno pioneer Robert Hood. On “Work”, Vijay pays homage to his “number one hero”, Thelonious Monk. “Countdown” reconsiders the classic Coltrane tune inside a rhythmic framework inspired by West African music. “Mystery Woman” is driven by compound pulses which owe a debt to South Indian drumming. Fast moving and quick-witted, the group has developed a strong musical identity of its own, with an emphasis on what Iyer calls “co-constructing”, exploring all the dynamics of playing together. Yet the three players also get abundant solo space and, in a reflective moment at the album’s center, Iyer plays a moving version of Billy Strayhorn’s “Blood Count” alone. Break Stuff, recorded in June 2014 at New York’s Avatar Studio and produced by Manfred Eicher, is the third ECM release from Vijay Iyer. It follows the chamber music recording Mutations and the film-and-music project RADHE RADHE: Rites of Holi. Vijay Iyer will tour extensively throughout 2015 both with the Trio and in other configurations – see below for early trio appearances. VIJAY IYER TRIO ON TOUR February 19 Eugene, OR February 20 Portland, OR March 7 New York, NY March 27 San Francisco, CA March 28-29 Chicago, IL Jack DeJohnette Made In Chicago Henry Threadgill alto saxophone, bass flute Roscoe Mitchell sopranino, soprano and alto saxophones, bass recorder, baroque flute Muhal Richard Abrams piano Larry Gray double bass, cello Jack DeJohnette drums With Made In Chicago, an exhilarating live album, Jack DeJohnette celebrates a reunion with old friends. In 1962, DeJohnette, Roscoe Mitchell and Henry Threadgill were all classmates at Wilson Junior College on Chicago’s Southside, pooling energies and enthusiasms in jam sessions. Shortly thereafter Jack joined Muhal Richard Abrams’ Experimental Band, and Roscoe and Henry soon followed him. When Abrams cofounded the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians in 1965, DeJohnette, Mitchell and Threadgill were all deeply involved from the outset, presenting concerts and contributing to each other’s work under the AACM umbrella. Jack brought them together again for a very special concert at Chicago’s Millennium Park in August 2013, completing the group with the addition of bassist/cellist Larry Gray. The concert recording – featuring compositions by Roscoe, Henry, Muhal and Jack, plus group improvising - was mixed by Manfred Eicher and Jack DeJohnette at New York’s Avatar Studio. Made In Chicago is issued as the AACM begins its 50th anniversary year. CD RELEASE CONCERT: March 12 Minneapolis, MN

John Fox is out as Denver head coach. https://news.yahoo.com/john-fox-4-afc-west-titles-4-playoff-230356508--spt.html http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/denver-broncos-john-fox-peyton-manning-part-ways-011215

I recently picked up a book about the '57 Celtics, the team's first championship. Rise of a Dynasty hardback - $1.26 + $3.99 softback - $0.01 + $3.99 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/045123135X/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

No. LOL! Chuck, it recently dawned on me what was on your mind when you asked that (if I may say) snarky question. In fact, many of these articles of lists of recommended items are found as links at the bottom of a news page I am reading. So it is probable that somebody is getting paid for you to click on the links, but it's not me!

Thanks a lot marcello and Scott! I'll follow up on what you suggest. marcello, do you have personal experience with the shareware you link to?

Everybody called them the Knickerbockers in my day.

Amazon's price for Jack DeJohnette - Made in Chicago has dipped four dollars, from to $18.98 to $14.99. http://www.amazon.com/Made-Chicago-Jack-DeJohnette/dp/B00PX8DGC8?SubscriptionId=AKIAJ7T5BOVUVRD2EFYQ&tag=camelhometopdrops-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00PX8DGC8