GA Russell

Jim, you might be interested in this, now only $42.93. http://www.amazon.com/The-Ernie-Kovacs-Collection/dp/B004IB04NU/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1341251432&sr=1-1&keywords=ernie+kovacs+collection+dvd When I was little, my mother would stop doing her chores to watch Percy Dovetonsils!

I have really enjoyed Pedicin's last album called Ballads, so I'm looking forward to this one. Tenor Saxophonist Michael Pedicin's New CD Features His Working Band "Live at the Loft" Guitarist Johnnie Valentino, Pianist Jim Ridl, Bassist Andy Lalasis, & Drummer Bob Shomo Join Pedicin on New CD Due July 31 from Jazz Hut Records July 2, 2012 Tenor saxophonist Michael Pedicin fulfilled a longtime dream last fall by releasing an album of all ballads, a challenging form of which he is a master purveyor. In the process Pedicin, whose 40-plus-year career has included tours with Dave Brubeck and Maynard Ferguson, experienced a new ease with the recording process and quickly made plans for his next CD. The result, Live at the Loft, is a bracing club date with his working group that his Jazz Hut label will release July 31. "I'm more comfortable now playing the saxophone, sounding the way I want, than I ever have in my life," Pedicin says. A tenor man's tenor man, he is devoted to what he described as the "raw, inside-your-body sound" of the classic players on the instrument. On the new disc, his 11th, Pedicin leads a quintet comprised of colleagues of many years' standing -- guitarist Johnnie Valentino, bassist Andy Lalasis, and drummer Bob Shomo -- as well as pianist Jim Ridl, a more recent addition to the ensemble. The CD was produced by Joseph Donofrio, best known in the jazz world for his work on Pat Martino's Grammy-nominated Blue Note recordings. The titular "Loft" refers to the second-floor, 60-seat space at the Sandi Pointe Bistro in southern New Jersey that Pedicin discovered when he used it to warm up for a previous performance at the venue. He liked the feel and sound of the room so much, he helped convert it to a nightclub and has since frequently performed there. It was a natural choice for recording the new album. "I feel better playing live than in the studio," he says. "In the studio, there's so much room for anxiety and critical self-judgment. With a live audience, you just play. You're in your element and in the moment." Live at the Loft offers a personal survey of songs written by or associated with Pedicin's main musical inspiration, John Coltrane -- from "Impressions," taken at a slower tempo than the original, to "Like Sonny" and "Africa" ("It lets us get out of the box for a minute"), and including exquisite readings of the ballads "I Want to Talk About You" and "Say It (Over and Over Again)." Michael Pedicin, 64, grew up in a musical family in the Philadelphia suburbs. His father, alto saxophonist and singer Mike Pedicin, was an extremely popular entertainer and bandleader in the Philadelphia area who enjoyed a No. 1 Billboard pop chart hit in 1957 with "Shake a Hand." By the time Pedicin Jr. 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), which yielded the surprise hit "You" -- big in New York City and even bigger in the Philippines. 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 on Jazz Hut), 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 as well, currently a Professor of Music and Coordinator of Jazz Studies at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. In support of Live at the Loft, Pedicin will be making his first West Coast appearances as a leader at Yoshi's San Francisco 8/21, and at Vitello's, Studio City, 8/23. Drummer Justin Faulkner (Branford Marsalis, Kurt Rosenwinkel) will be his special guest in the band, which also includes Johnnie Valentino on guitar, pianist Jim Ridl, and Chris Colangelo, bass. East Coast dates include 9/14 at Sandi Pointe in Somers Point, NJ, where Live at the Loft was recorded, and 9/15 at Chris' Jazz Café in Philadelphia. Pedicin's band will include Valentino and Ridl, plus bassist Andy Lalasis and drummer Bob Shomo. Photography: Paul Dempsey Web Site: www.michaelpedicin.com Follow: YouTube: Michael Pedicin talks about "Live at the Loft"

During last night's game, ref Andre Proulx had to leave. It turns out that he suffered a mild heart attack. He's only 48. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=399721 ***** Calgary Stampeders 38....Montreal Alouettes 10 http://www.sportsnet...spx?GAMEID=1011 http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=399745 During the off season, a number of fans expressed the view that Drew Tate was not sufficiently proven to justify the Stamps' letting Henry Burris go and giving the first string QB job to Tate. But Tate looked good tonight.

I've found it! May 16, 1959. I remembered that Ralph Terry pitched for Kansas City, but I had forgotten that my second-favorite player, Camilo Pascual, pitched for the Senators. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=195905160WS1 Thanks Matthew!

How are you guys finding the box score? I remember my first game, but not the precise date.

I like the 50s British black and white comedies with Peter Sellers and/or Terry-Thomas. I guess my favorite is The Wrong Arm of the Law.

Edmonton Eskimos 19....Toronto Argonauts 15 http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=399644 http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Games/2012/06/30/19939021.html Noel Prefontaine had a bad day, which may have cost the Argos the game. Grant Shaw, on the other hand, had an excellent day. The Argos sent Shaw and Steven Jyles to the Eskimos for Ricky Ray; and judging by today's performance, the Argos traded the wrong kicker.

The Phillies have traded Jim Thome to Baltimore. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/phillies-trade-jim-thome-to-orioles/article4383089/

Geroy Simon has now caught passes in 162 consecutive games. The announcer didn't say whether that number includes post-season games.

British Columbia Lions 33....Winnipeg Blue Bombers 16 http://www.sportsnet...aspx?id=4510222 http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=399589 Buck Pierce left the game late in the first half with a knee injury. Here we go again.

Happy Birthday 2012 Face!

Happy Birthday 2012 Late!

Geroy Simon has just broken Milt Stegall's record for career receiving yards. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/lions-slotback-simon-surpasses-stegalls-receiving-record-against-bombers/article4382749/

LOL! Fried butter on a stick!

Saskatchewan Roughriders 43....Hamilton Tiger-Cats 16 http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=399571 The Ticats are supposed to be good this year, and the Riders are questionable. But The Riders led the entire game, blowing it open in the fourth quarter. Remember, this is the last year the Ticats will play at Ivor Wynne Stadium, aka Never Win Stadium.

Roger Goodell has outlined the requirements for teams wishing to relocate to Los Angeles. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/goodell-sends-memo-on-guidelines-for-potential-la-franchise/article4382348/

Speaking of the devil, Andersen has a new album out this week. I haven't heard it yet, though.

When I was ten, I was "addicted" to buying bubble gum cards. You would buy a pack in wax paper, and then open it up and see what you got. I believe that my friends who are in the habit of buying lottery scratch-off cards have the same addiction. You buy the card blind, and then scratch the coating off to see what you got.

CP Calgary Stampeders preview http://cfl.ca/article/2012-preview-tate-stamps-brimming-with-confidence ***** Geroy Simon may set the record for career yards receiving tonight. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/defending-grey-cup-champion-lions-look-for-strong-start-against-bombers/article4378933/ ***** Lowell Ullrich Week 1 picks http://www.cflblogzone.com/2012/06/the-week-ahead-cfl-picks-for-week-1/ ***** Ian Hamilton's picks for year-end leaders http://www.canada.com/sports/football/cfl/peers+into+crystal+ball+2012/6858840/story.html ***** canada.com East preview http://www.canada.com/sports/football/cfl/2012+preview+East+Division/6858257/story.html ***** canada.com West preview http://www.canada.com/sports/football/cfl/2012+preview+West+Division/6858254/story.html ***** CP kicking summary http://www.canada.com/sports/football/cfl/Changing+Guard+Kickers+punters+fight+survival/6859953/story.html ***** Ian Hamilton - 5 top stories for new season http://www.canada.com/sports/football/cfl/compelling+storylines+season+begins/6858972/story.html ***** Remember, the season starts tonight with two games: Sask@ Ham at 7 pm et and WPG @ BC at 10 pm et.

Globe/Allan Maki West preview http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/on-the-revamped-eskimos-everyone-has-to-pick-up-a-shovel-and-dig-in/article4378548/ ***** Allan Maki West capsules http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/cfl-west-division-at-a-glance/article4378617/ ***** CP Calgary Stampeders preview http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/drew-tate-stampeders-feeling-strong-excited-for-start-of-season/article4378200/

The Saskatchewan provincial government committed today to contribute 30% up to $80 million for a new stadium in Regina. The premier wants it to be open air, but designed in such a way that a roof could be added later. In my view, a roof is a horrible idea. The winds of Regina are a league asset, and therefore a national asset. The city has budgeted $230 million for the stadium, so it is not a sure thing that it will ever be built. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=399436

BeBop, since the first of the year, I've been bumping the oldest ones I could find!

TSN BC Lions preview http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/feature/?id=67996 ***** CP Montreal Alouettes preview http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/alouettes-look-to-get-back-into-grey-cup-hunt/article4377238/

CP BC Lions preview http://cfl.ca/article/2012-preview-leos-have-repeat-on-their-radar

Happy Birthday 2012 Stefan!