GA Russell

The Bombers signed Sandro DeAngelis today. Think he will ever regain his form? http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=429682 ***** The Bombers made it official today that Kyle Walters will be the club's acting General Manager. http://www.tsn.ca/winnipeg/story/?id=429674 ***** The Als have brought back Anwar Stewart. The guy is 37, for Pete's sake! http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=429677

Michael Pedicin is a favorite of mine, and I'm looking forward to hearing this one very much. "Why Stop Now ... Ubuntu," 12th CD by Tenor Saxophonist Michael Pedicin, To Be Released September 24 by His GroundBlue Label Pedicin's Working Band Includes Pianist Rick Germanson, Bassist Andy Lalasis, Drummer Vic Stevens, & Frequent Collaborator Johnnie Valentino on Guitar CD Release Shows Planned for Oakland, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Los Angeles August 13, 2013 A passionately soulful improviser, tenor saxophonist Michael Pedicin is in the midst of an impressive creative surge clearly reflected in his prolific work as a recording artist and composer. His new CD, Why Stop Now ... Ubuntu, is his 12th as a leader -- and 5th in the last six years. Scheduled for release on September 24 by his GroundBlue label, the disc reconfirms his status as a masterful post-bopper. Much of the music on Why Stop Now was inspired by the 2012 Newtown tragedy, including the haunting ballad ("Newtown") by guitarist Johnnie Valentino and Pedicin's glowing impromptu solo passage ("Ubuntu"), which closes the album. "'Ubuntu' means 'human kindness,' an African philosophy focusing on our connections with one another," says Pedicin. "It echoes my constant hope for peace and connectedness in our world." Along with Valentino, who's been an essential collaborator on all of Pedicin's recent recordings, the saxophonist is joined by regular bassist Andy Lalasis and two newcomers to his working quintet, tasteful drummer Vic Stevens and rising young pianist Rick Germanson. Pedicin continues his relationship with producer Joseph Donofrio, best known in the jazz world for his work on Pat Martino's Grammy-nominated Blue Note recordings and also at the helm for last year's Pedicin CD Live at the Loft. Why Stop Now contains four originals by the leader, including "Trane Stop," a tribute to his musical hero, as well as two by Coltrane himself, "Tunji" and "Song of the Underground Railroad." "I lived my life admiring and idolizing Trane, every day, all day," Pedicin says unabashedly. "I identify with everything about him." Michael Pedicin, 65, grew up in a musical family in the Philadelphia suburbs. By the time he was 13 and had heard saxophonist Willis "Gator Tail" Jackson in person and Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley on record, he knew he wanted to spend his life playing saxophone. At 20, Pedicin began earning his living as a member of the horn section at Philadelphia's Sigma Sound Studios, where he worked for producers Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Thom Bell, playing on sessions by such artists as the Spinners, the O'Jays, and Lou Rawls. He also went on the road with Maynard Ferguson, Stevie Wonder, and David Bowie. In 1980, Pedicin made his first album, Michael Pedicin Jr. (Philadelphia International). Subsequently he toured with Brubeck, and was a mainstay in the Atlantic City casinos, hiring orchestras and playing behind such singers as Frank Sinatra. Pedicin has since played a lot of straight-ahead jazz, formed his Brubeck Project (which released its debut CD in early 2011), and toured with such notables as guitarist Pat Martino. He also earned a Ph.D in psychology and, in addition to his musical activities, has a private psychology practice specializing in helping creative people. He's an active educator who founded Temple University's jazz studies program and is currently a Professor of Music and Coordinator of Jazz Studies at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. As part of the promotion for Why Stop Now ... Ubuntu, Pedicin will make two Bay Area appearances with the Johnnie Valentino Quartet on 9/14, at Duende in Oakland, and 9/15, at Chez Hanny, San Francisco. He'll perform with his working quintet at Chris' Jazz Cafe, Philadelphia, on 10/5; Noyes Museum of Art in Oceanville, NJ, 10/6; and Vitello's, Los Angeles, 10/10. "As I began preparing my thoughts and writing the music for this CD, I wanted to fulfill the opportunity of bringing forth a message of unity," says Pedicin. "I feel that I must continue to create, and that my inspiration must continue to evolve in a way that brings me to new places. My hope is for enduring connectedness, peace, and human kindness in our world through the voice that I have -- the saxophone. Ubuntu." Photography: Paul Dempsey Web Site: www.michaelpedicin.com Follow Michael:

More Bomber news: Justin Goltz's career as the starting quarterback for the rest of the season lasted one game. Next in line Max Hall will start Friday against the Ticats. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=429656 ***** The Bombers have signed three sponsorship deals, one for over $2 million, with crown corporations. That should help some. http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/cfls_blue_bombers_announce_three_major_deals/ http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=429452

Adrian Peterson will soon be on the Wheaties box. http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/vikings_star_peterson_to_feature_on_wheaties_boxes/

The Als have released Ejiro Kuale. I guess when you trail 31-0 in the second quarter, it behooves you to make changes on defense. http://www.canada.com/sports/football/cfl/Zurkowsky+Devine+gets+some+time+road+Kuale/8775643/story.html

Sandro DeAngelis is in Winnipeg, and worked out with the Bombers today.

ZZ Top: The Complete Studio Albums 1970-1990 (10 CDs) - $39.98 http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Studio-Albums-1970-1990-10/dp/B00CQGU9GG/ref=sr_1_73?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1376332261&sr=1-73&keywords=original+album+series ***** Wilson Picket: Original Album Series - $13.35 http://www.amazon.com/Original-Album-Wilson-Pickett/dp/B003U7RP80/ref=sr_1_100?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1376332452&sr=1-100&keywords=original+album+series ***** Anita Baker: Original Album Series - $13.37 http://www.amazon.com/Original-Album-Anita-Baker/dp/B0052034ME/ref=sr_1_119?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1376332552&sr=1-119&keywords=original+album+series ***** The Byrds: Complete Columbia Albums Collection (13 CDs) - $32.45 http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Columbia-Albums-Collection-Byrds/dp/B005APT8A8/ref=sr_1_124?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1376332665&sr=1-124&keywords=original+album+series ***** The Lovin' Spoonful: Original Album Classics - $15.25 http://www.amazon.com/Original-Album-Classics-Lovin-Spoonful/dp/B0062EKXNC/ref=sr_1_125?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1376332756&sr=1-125&keywords=original+album+series ***** Soft Machine: Original Album Classics - $12.59 http://www.amazon.com/Original-Album-Classics-Soft-Machine/dp/B003ZBX84G/ref=sr_1_137?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1376332843&sr=1-137&keywords=original+album+series ***** Modern Jazz Quartet: Original Album Series - $13.64 http://www.amazon.com/Original-Album-Modern-Jazz-Quartet/dp/B008MMFBOS/ref=sr_1_142?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1376332906&sr=1-142&keywords=original+album+series ***** Johnny Cash: Complete Columbia Albums Collection (63 CDs) - $162.41 http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Columbia-Album-Collection/dp/B008DDC874/ref=sr_1_179?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1376333063&sr=1-179&keywords=original+album+series

The Bombers have added Marcel Bellefeuille to their coaching staff. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=429625

Happy Birthday 2013 kinuta! I hope you get something with the words "Criterion Collection" on the front!

The ACC has provisionally lined up two more bowls through 2019. http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/acc_confirms_final_bowl_game_partnerships/

This news is six days old, but in case you missed it, Brian Wilson will tour the US the last week of September and throughout October with Jeff Beck, Al Jardine and David Marks. Here's the date list: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/brian-wilson-and-jeff-beck-plan-fall-tour-20130805

TSN Week 7 power rankings. The Stamps are the new #1. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/feature/?id=97698

RIP. Eydie was one of my favorites. And I lusted after her too!

Amazon UK has a huge number of the Warner/Rhino Original Album Series boxes for less than 12 pounds, including new ones by Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin. http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_pg_1?rh=n%3A229816%2Cp_28%3AOriginal+Album+Series&ie=UTF8&qid=1376232069

Sony is releasing this week a set of 12 (apparently) previously unreleased Johnny Cash recordings for only $6.99. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DMWJDCE/ref=pe_180430_31768050_nrn_lm

House, MD: Season Eight - $16.99 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0053O89JM/ref=pe_398720_31673340_pe_epc__1p_2_ti ***** Andy Griffith Show: Complete First Season - $8.97 http://www.amazon.com/Andy-Griffith-Show-Complete-Season/dp/B0002NY8PI/ref=lp_7290579011_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1376156687&sr=1-6 ***** Bewitched: Complete Third Season - $9.11 http://www.amazon.com/Bewitched-Complete-Season-Elizabeth-Montgomery/dp/B000E3L7FK/ref=lp_7290579011_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1376156687&sr=1-12 ***** Hogan's Heroes: Complete First Season - $11.15 http://www.amazon.com/Hogans-Heroes-Complete-First-Season/dp/B0007KIFK0/ref=sr_1_14?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1376156823&sr=1-14 ***** Mission: Impossible: Third TV Season - $10.49 http://www.amazon.com/Mission-Impossible-Third-TV-Season/dp/B000UX6TJI/ref=sr_1_28?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1376156898&sr=1-28 ***** I Dream of Jeannie: Complete First Season - $11.07 http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Jeannie-Complete-First-Season/dp/B000E33VZE/ref=sr_1_31?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1376156959&sr=1-31 ***** The Twilight Zone: Complete Third Season - $18.57 http://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Zone-Complete-Third-Season/dp/B00C6F61S2/ref=sr_1_62?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1376157064&sr=1-62

Happy Birthday 2013 Mark! I always enjoy reading your posts.

Calgary Stampeders 42....Saskatchewan Roughriders 27 http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4615361 http://www.cflblogzone.com/2013/08/calgary-42-saskatchewan-27/ http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=429486 The Stamps got out of the gate early and never looked back. Jon Cornish scored four TDs.

The Bombers today fired both their CEO and Joe Mack, and named Wade Miller to be acting CEO. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/bombers/Bombers-holding-press-conference-at-10-am-218986281.html http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=429451

Toronto Argonauts 38....Montreal Alouettes 13 http://www.canada.com/sports/football/cfl/Zurkowsky+give+away+Argonauts/8766579/story.html http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4615116 http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=429428 The Argos led 31-0 in the second quarter. I bet Dan Hawkins enjoyed this! ***** Tonight's Sask-Calgary game is on the NBC Sports channel at 9:00. ***** Three current NFL head coaches were CFL backup QB's: Sean Payton, Jason Garrett and Mike McCoy.

Stan Lynde, the creator of comic strips Rick O'Shay and Latigo has died. RIP. http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-stan-lynde-20130809,0,2643350.story

The Winnipeg Free Press is reporting that the Bombers' CEO has recommended to the Board that it fire GM Joe Mack. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/bombers/CEO-Buchko-recommending-Bombers-fire-GM-Joe-Mack-218868281.html

Lowell Ullrich Week 7 picks http://www.cflblogzone.com/2013/08/week-7-in-the-cfl/ ***** National Post Week 7 picks http://www.cflblogzone.com/2013/08/cfl-picks-week-7-alouettes-face-major-personnel-test-against-argonauts/

Remember Mr. Big Stuff by Jean Knight? Well, Jean Knight is Fred Stamps' aunt! http://www.canada.com/sports/football/cfl/Stamps+climbing+Esks+alltime+ranks/8740929/story.html

Of course his name will mean nothing to you, but Cosmo Allegretti was Bunny Rabbit, Mister Moose, Grandfather Clock and Dancing Bear! RIP! http://www.upi.com/blog/2013/08/07/Captain-Kangaroo-puppeteer-Cosmo-Allegretti-dies/4621375891866/