GA Russell

RIP I saw The Beach Boys in 1971, and Bruce Love played the theramin (I think) during Good Vibrations.

Happy Birthday Mark! In your honor, I'll play The Deep Blue Organ Trio's Folk Music today.

What's up with that? You have to have an ID with you at all times in New York? That sounds like the Nazis demanding to see your papers.

The Argos cut Rocky Butler. http://www.thestar.com/Sports/Football/article/413816 ***** Tom Higgins has been named the league's new Director of Officiating. I think he'll do a good job, but I expect him to get back into coaching before too long. http://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=newser&...y&nid=23488 ***** Adriano Belli is trying out for Canadian Idol! http://www.thestar.com/Sports/Football/article/414478 ***** The coroner ruled that Jamacia Jackson died from an enlarged heart with an irregular heartbeat. http://www.thestar.com/Sports/Football/article/414945 ***** Damon Allen is preparing to play another season. I can't see how the Argos would have room for him, with both Kerry Joseph and Michael Bishop ahead of him. Maybe somebody else will pick him up. http://www.thestar.com/Sports/Football/article/415747 ***** Dan Ralphs says that the Als were more than $100k over the salary cap, and will therefore lost their first draft pick (number 4 overall). http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Mon...5326491-cp.html ***** The Roughriders released their annual report today, and said that they enjoyed a record profit of $1,737,377. Here is a detailed article about their figures: http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Sas...5333736-cp.html

Congratulations Jim! If it were a boy, would you have named him Alfred?

Glad it hits the spot, Bruce! That's what's great about the AotW forum, isn't it?

Happy Birthday Aggie! I hope you soon get a BMG code for your birthday!

I have the 1987 McMaster release with two bonus tracks. I've been listening to this one a number of times during the past week, and on some of the songs I'm picking up the same vibe I get from Miles' Walkin' album. Since some argue that that was the first hard bop album, I guess I should conclude that Clark and the rest reached for the basics of the hard bop idiom. I assume that it was Alfred Lion who decided which four of the six songs from the date would be included on the original LP. I agree with whoever did it that the two left off (Royal Flush and Lover) are not as strong as the others. It strikes me that for the leader of the date, Clark stays in the background a lot more than normal. Of course, he wrote three of the six songs, but I think that the album belongs to the two horns, Farmer and McLean.

Happy Birthday ubu!

I've highlighted what you probably remember. http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-...1,3876118.story Oliver Martin "Ollie" Johnston Jr., the last living member of the celebrated "Nine Old Men" of Disney animation whose work set the standard by which all character animation is judged and a recipient of the National Medal of Arts, has died. He was 95. Johnston died Monday afternoon of natural causes at a long-term care facility in Sequim, Wash., according to a news release from Howard E. Green, vice president of studio communications for Walt Disney Studios. Photo Gallery 'Ollie' Johnston Jr. | 1912-2008 Although Johnston made noteworthy contributions to short cartoons, including "Pluto's Judgment Day" (1935), "Mickey's Rival" (1936) and "Reason and Emotion" (1943), his fame rested on his work on the Disney features, beginning with his animation of the Seven Dwarfs and Pinocchio. He helped to create such celebrated characters as Bambi and Thumper in "Bambi" (1942), the Three Good Fairies in "Sleeping Beauty" (1959), Pongo and Perdita in "101 Dalmatians" (1961), and Mowgli and Baloo in "The Jungle Book" (1967). Johnston's work included such memorable moments as Pinocchio's nose growing when he lied to the Blue Fairy in the 1940 movie; Thumper reciting his lesson about eating clover greens under his mother's watchful eye in "Bambi"; the befuddled Mr. Smee trying to follow Captain Hook's orders in "Peter Pan" (1953); Baloo performing "The Bare Necessities" in "The Jungle Book"; and the penguin-waiters serving Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke in "Mary Poppins" (1964). Oscar-winning animator and historian John Canemaker said, "Ollie's death truly marks the end of the 'Golden Age' of hand-drawn Disney character animation that blossomed in the 1930s. He was a great and nuanced animator who could handle sentiment and comedy with equal aplomb, as well as a sweet and generous mentor to many." Roy E. Disney, director emeritus and consultant for the Walt Disney Co., called Johnston "one of the real pioneers of our art." "One of Ollie's strongest beliefs was that his character should think first, then act . . . and they all did," Disney, the nephew of Walt Disney, said in a statement. "He brought warmth and wit and sly humor and a wonderful gentleness to every character he animated. He brought those same qualities to his life, and to all of our lives who knew him." Born in Palo Alto on Oct. 31, 1912, Johnston was the son of the head of the Romance languages department at Stanford University. He studied art at Stanford, where he met Frank Thomas, who would become his lifelong friend and another of the Nine Old Men. Walt Disney gave the name to his key group of animators, playing off President Franklin D. Roosevelt's description of the Supreme Court. After graduating, Johnston followed Thomas to Los Angeles, where they studied at the Chouinard Art Institute. Thomas went to work at Disney's studio on Hyperion Avenue in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles in September 1934; Johnston joined the studio in January 1935. He quickly rose through the artistic ranks, working as an assistant to Fred Moore, who supervised the animation of the Seven Dwarfs in "Snow White" (1937). Disney animator Andreas Deja, whose work includes Lilo in "Lilo and Stitch" (2002), praised the subtlety of Johnston's work in "Bambi," especially the scene in which Bambi sees his father, the Great Prince of the Forest, for the first time. "On the meadow, Bambi sees the Great Prince and gives him this big smile," Deja said. "The Great Prince passes by, very serious and stern, and very slowly Bambi's expression changes: He drops his ears slightly and looks a little scared. It's a scene that's so subtle, you think it couldn't be done in animation: When you want to show a change, you have to make it graphically clear and Bambi is undergoing such a subtle mood shift. But Ollie handled it with such tact and sensitivity." "In Ollie's scenes, all the changes of emotion took place through subtle expressions of the character's eyes and the mouth and hands," said Glen Keane, who animated Beast in "Beauty and the Beast" (1991). "Ollie's drawings looked as if his pencil had just kissed the paper to coax the characters out. Ollie really felt with his characters: His animation wasn't an intellectual thing, it came from something inside of him." For one of his last assignments, Johnston animated Rufus, the kindly old cat who comforts Penny at the orphanage in "The Rescuers" (1977). Many animators believe Rufus was a partial self-caricature, as Johnston wore a similar mustache and glasses. During production on "Rescuers," Johnston helped to train a new generation of animators at the Disney Studio, including Keane. "Ollie was a great mentor: He would give me something to do that was beyond me, then make sure that I had everything I needed to do it," Keane said. "He knew that as a student, you had to have little successes along the way if you were ever going to make it. I really appreciate the patience that he showed." After retiring from the studio in 1978, Johnston and Thomas co-wrote four books: "Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life" (1981), "Too Funny for Words" (1987), "Walt Disney's Bambi: The Story and the Film" (1990) and "The Disney Villain" (1993). John Lasseter, chief creative officer for Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios and a longtime friend of Johnston, said: "Aside from being one of the greatest animators of all time, he and Frank [Thomas] were so incredibly giving and spent so much time creating the bible of animation -- 'Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life' -- which has had such a huge impact on so many animators over the years." Johnston and Thomas' decades of work and friendship were the subject of the 1995 documentary "Frank and Ollie," produced by Thomas' son and daughter-in-law, Theodore Thomas and Kuniko Okubo. In addition to awards from numerous animation festivals and organizations, the pair were honored by the Academy of the Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2003 when "Frank and Ollie: Drawn Together" was the subject of the eighth Marc Davis Lecture on Animation. Johnston was awarded the National Medal of Arts in November 2005 by President Bush. In addition to his work as an animator, Johnston was a lifelong railroad enthusiast, a passion he shared with Disney; Ward Kimball, another of the Nine Old Men; and "Toy Story" director Lasseter. In 1946, he built a 1-inch scale steam-driven train and a track that ran around his yard in Flintridge. Twenty-two years later, he bought a seven-ton 1901 H.K. Porter steam locomotive, which he lovingly restored and christened the Marie E., after his wife. The full-sized train ran on a half-mile of track at the vacation property the Johnston and Thomas families shared in the hills near Julian, Calif. Johnston's wife of 63 years, the former Marie Worthey, died in 2005; Thomas died in 2004 at 92. Johnston is survived by his two sons: Ken Johnston and his wife Carolyn; and Rick Johnston and his wife Teya. The funeral will be private. Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to CalArts, the World Wildlife Fund or Natural Resources Defense Council. Walt Disney Studiosis planning a life celebration with details to be announced.

I saw Masque of the Red Death many, many years ago, but I have no recollection of Hazel Court. Maybe some of you aficiandoes do. Wasn't Anne Taylor Fleming a PBS news op/ed commentator some time back? (Maybe still is. I haven't watched Jim Lehrer in years.) Here is her LA Times obituary: http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-...1,2621634.story Hazel Court, 82; 'scream queen' in horror films in 1950s and '60s template_bastemplate_bas From the Associated Press April 17, 2008 Hazel Court, an English beauty who co-starred with the likes of Boris Karloff and Vincent Price in popular horror movies in the 1950s and '60s, has died. She was 82. Court died Tuesday at her home near Lake Tahoe from a heart attack, her daughter, Sally Walsh, said Wednesday. Actress click to enlarge Although she had a substantial acting career both in England and on American television, Court was perhaps best known for her work in such films as 1963's "The Raven." She co-starred with Price, Karloff and Peter Lorre in the Roger Corman take on the classic Edgar Allen Poe poem. Corman directed her in five movies. Like other "scream queens" of the era, Court's roles often relied on her cleavage and her ability to shriek in fear and die horrible deaths. "The Premature Burial," "The Masque of the Red Death," "The Curse of Frankenstein" and "Devil Girl From Mars" helped propel her to cult status and brought her fan mail even in her later years. The daughter of a professional cricket player, Court was born Feb. 10, 1926, in the English town of Sutton Coldfield. As a teenager, she was appearing in stage productions when she was spotted and signed by the J. Arthur Rank Organisation, which owned movie studios and theaters. Court got her first movie bit part by the time she was 18 and went on to become a popular actress and a pinup girl. "She was one of the great beauties of all time," Walsh said. "She was a redhead with really green eyes and almost . . . the perfect face. She was on the cover of almost every magazine." Court appeared in some of the low-budget Hammer Film Productions horror movies and co-starred with Patrick O'Neal in the 1957 British TV comedy series "Dick and the Duchess." In the late 1950s, she came to the United States to work on TV's "Alfred Hitchcock Presents." Walsh, who lives in Los Angeles, said Court is survived by another daughter, Courtney Taylor of Ojai; a son, Jonathan Taylor of Reno; and stepdaughters Anne Taylor Fleming of Los Angeles and Avery Taylor of San Francisco.

When I was in high school my parents bought a Papa Celestin LP with "Marie LeVeau" on it. I never knew why they did, as they were not particularly fond of New Orleans jazz.

When it abruptly became apparent that BMG/Your Music would no longer carry Sony/BMG, one of the few of their discs I was disappointed not to have ordered was Sade's last CD, Lovers Live, which was the only one of hers that I didn't have. Yesterday I found it in a store for $6.84 plus tax, so I picked it up.

I remember a family tree of the Canterbury groups. Was that Pete Frame?

I received an email from Mosaic today which said that the Grachan Moncur Mosaic Select is running low.

My coupon arrived in the mail today. It expires in three months. Recommended retailers are Best Buy, Circuit City, Radio Shack and Walmart. Two telephone order numbers are listed, as well as four websites. There is a list of 34 box models to choose from. I have not heard of any of the companies except GE, Magnavox, Philco, RCA and Zenith.

Needs to be seen to be believed! http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=bddb26de2a

Mike Vanderjagt is trying out with the Broncos this week. http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home ***** Ticats LB Jamacia Jackson was found dead today in his girlfriend's apartment. No word yet on the cause of death. He was 26. http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24088714/ NEW ORLEANS - Patrick "Deep Dish" Bertoletti looked down at the litter of empty oyster shells in front of him and savored the sweet taste of victory. For Crazy Legs Conti, the bitter taste of defeat could be washed away only by beer.The Acme World Oyster Eating championship belt — leather, with a silver dish featuring an oyster on the half-shell — hung on Bertoletti's skinny hips. The 22-year-old Chicago resident took the title Saturday by slurping 35 dozen of the big bivalves in eight minutes. "I could probably do a couple dozen more, especially if they were charbroiled," said Bertoletti, who holds the endurance oyster-eating record, having downed 53 1/2 dozen in 2007 before calling it quits. "Although they're great raw." Story continues below ↓advertisementdap('&PG=NBCMSN&AP=1089','300','250'); Conti, the defending champion, tied for third, sucking down 24 dozen. "They're supposed to be an aphrodisiac," said Conti, whose real name is Crazy Legs. "But I think that's only true for about the first three dozen. When you get up higher than that, you don't want much activity for a while." Juliet Lee, 43, of Germantown, Md., formerly a Ninjing University chemistry professor, methodically polished off 31 1/2 dozen for second place. Such a thing as a professional eater? A dozen professional eaters who compete in Major League Eaters events year-round squared off at the French Quarter Festival on Saturday. Major League Eating describes itself as a sports franchise that oversees all professional competitive eating events and competitive eating television specials. It puts on the annual Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest, as well as other events, such as the World Deep-Fried Asparagus Eating Championship and the National Sweet Corn Eating Championship. Rules for the oyster tournament forced contestants to use forks, not lift the shells to their mouth, and to finish all the oysters from a tray before starting a new one. Officials in striped shirts stood beside each contestant and flipped a counter as each dozen was consumed. Many of the competitors wore gloves to handle the shells; all carried several bottles of water, cold drinks or beer to help them keep their mouths and throats lubricated. Lee carried a thermos of hot water but said she didn't feel the need for it. "Oysters are pretty liquid," said Lee, who weighs 105 pounds despite being on the pro-eating tour for the past year. "I didn't need it." 'Reversal of fortune' Tim "Gravy" Brown — ranked 13th in the world — was disqualified when he had what professional eaters call a "reversal of fortune." He vomited after 14 dozen. Scott "Scozzy Bone" Zukowski, 20, a Tulane University student from New York's Long Island was in his first professional event. He ate 20 dozen. "I feel good about that; my goal was 15 dozen," Zukowski said. "I had only eaten one raw oyster in my life before this and I thought I'd vomit after it. I hate them."

Thanks for that link, clave! Last week at BJ's I saw a Boston Patriot hat. Maybe the next time I go there I'll pick it up. The card attached to the hat said "NFL Classics". Of course, the Patriots were an AFL team. One problem - the hat is navy blue. The main color of the Patriots was red. This the one? I'd thought about springing for one as well....never did like the new logo. That's it SoW! $12.99 at BJ's. The adjustable strap in the back says "Patriots". I too have never liked the new uniform, including the Elvis logo. But since they won the Super Bowl with it, I don't expect that they will ever go back to what I am nostalgic for. By the way, BJ's also has a second hat that is a little lighter weight. It is basically a lighter shade of blue, with the front panel being white. Same Pat the Patriot logo.

Thanks for that link, clave! Last week at BJ's I saw a Boston Patriot hat. Maybe the next time I go there I'll pick it up. The card attached to the hat said "NFL Classics". Of course, the Patriots were an AFL team. One problem - the hat is navy blue. The main color of the Patriots was red.

Sorry to hear it, Dan. Is there such a thing as health insurance for pets? That's quite a steep bill if there isn't.

I was in Walmart maybe a month ago, and all of the CDs I saw on display were budget lines priced at $6.45 or something. It's hard for me to imagine judging from the Walmart we have here that Walmart is the #1 or #2 music retailer in the country.

Herbie Nichols, disc 1 I'm not Nichols' biggest fan, but the music here is so different from anything else I own that I enjoy it from time to time.

Each year when the weather turns warm, I break out my bossa nova and surf guitar albums. So I was happy to see a few weeks ago that BMG/Your Music is carrying something that I don't have (and as a matter of fact have never heard of): Sadao Watanabe - Bossa Nova '67 I've yet to hear a bossa nova album from the 60s that I haven't liked. Watanabe is another one of those musicians whose name I have read occasionally for years, but whom I have never heard. So I'm looking forward to checking this one out.