GA Russell

In late '87 I noticed that the stores gave about half their floor space to CDs, so I gave my sister's family for Christmas a CD deck. A year later I went into a store and was surprised to see that it had no LPs. I realized that the writing was on the wall, so in early December of '88 I used my birthday money to buy my first CD player and two CDs - Manfred Mann Chapter III and The Beach Boys' Christmas Album.

Happy Birthday 2011 mg!

Pretty interesting! I guess it's not too cold in there, considering the vegetation.

Happy Birthday Marty!

Almost certainly 'you' (or we!)! When we had heard very little everything seemed exciting. Several thousand recordings down the line (and god knows how much radio and live music) it's going to be incrementally harder for each new release to make an impression, however good it is. To some extent I agree with Bev's point. But I think that the music has changed much more than I have, because I used to enjoy hearing newly-issued OJCs for the first time more than I enjoy hearing the new CDs that are coming out now.

Holy Toledo, Dave! How long do you think it will take you to listen to all 21 LPs?

Thanks for that link, aloc! I too would like to see the sales figures. Heck, I'd like to see the sales figures of all jazz albums.

I am shocked to learn today that the Rose Bowl game is on pay tv (ESPN, a cable channel).

Happy New Year everyone!

HG, the Rollins box does indeed have The Bridge. I got it last year for Christmas. Mine was cheap, and I wonder if a year later yours was even less expensive! I think mine cost $16.99 including shipping, but maybe it was $16.99 plus shipping.

Here's an interesting article on the budgets of the various bowl teams. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowls10/news/story?id=5970794

TSN is reporting that the Riders have hired Greg Marshall to be their new head coach, with the announcement to be made early next week. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=347412

Uh oh! I clicked on the status link for the first time just now, and it says that it was delivered Dec 20. So I have emailed Newbury via Amazon with the "Where's My Stuff?" heading. I expect that they will just send me another copy.

Morganized, the promised delivery date was Dec 17 to Jan 4. So on Jan 5 I'll plan to make a phone call.

I ordered the Sonny Rollins Prestige box from Newberry Dec. 10, and it still hasn't arrived yet.

Tony Proudfoot has passed away from ALS. I had the pleasure of meeting him at one of the Grey Cups - I think '96, but maybe '85. He was a very nice guy with a lot of class. RIP http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/tony-proudfoot-cfl-all-star-dies-at-61-after-battle-with-als/article1854035/ As I think we have mentioned before, the number of CFL alums with ALS is way out of proportion to the general population.

I believe that when a retailer reorganizes in bankruptcy, its outstanding gift cards are worthless. If so, better cash them in now!

David Naylor lists here the ten players most likely to sign with the NFL. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=347244

I see that the Soft Machine box is now going for $14.84.

Happy 40th Birthday Tony!

Happy Birthday 2010 LW!

Happy 40th Birthday Alexander!

I think the Steeler fans are laughing at the Eagle fans.

Larry, my guess is that that is a common reaction. I seem to recall that sales of Elvis's records skyrocketed immediately after his death, and I think that is true for others as well. Pretty sure about Michael Jackson as well.

The police officer who came upon James Dean's car crash has died. Interesting obit at LA Times which I can't link to. Here's one point: "They were driving west toward Paso Robles on Highway 466 shortly before 6 p.m. when an eastbound Ford driven by Donald G. Turnupseed, a 23-year-old student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, turned left onto Highway 41, and the cars collided...Ernie was the ONLY official who actually recognized that Donald Turnupseed had failed to yield his Ford Tudor at the 466/41 Junction while making a left turn onto CA 41. Under CA law, Turnupseed could have been charged with second degree manslaughter resulting in a fatality --for failing to yield to the oncoming Porsche 550 Spyder, even though Dean may have been exceeding the speed limit. At the San Luis Obispo Inquest, contributory neligence against both Turnupseed and Dean was dismissed -- but as Ernie accurately pointed out in later interviews, that was a technical error, as Dean was deceased by reason of Turnupseed's actions. " http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2010/12/23/1419984/james-dean-car-crash.html