GA Russell

Ask and ye shall receive! http://www.newlaunches.com/archives/how_to...r_in_office.php

I had the pleasure of meeting Willie T at a press conference for the first New Orleans Jazzfest in 1968. Nice guy. He told me that he was sorry that he had recorded Teasing You, which was a hit in New Orleans, because it interfered with his getting jazz gigs. At the press conference, Willie and his brother Earl and their group played a couple of modern jazz modal things - much more modern than what New Orleans was used to at the time. I noticed how small his hands were on the piano keyboard. Sometimes I hear Thank You John on the radio here. It is a standard of the Carolina beach music scene. It is the same song as Teasing You with slightly different lyrics.

At this moment I'm the only person on the board. That's only happened once before to my knowledge. The things you learn on the internet. Tonight I learned that Britney Spears is an anagram for Presbyterian! Now to business: Matt Dominguez suffered a second degree sprain of his mcl, and is out a minimum of 4-6 weeks, and maybe the whole season. The Riders are in first place, but I can't see them staying there without him. Yo Murphy is coming back off the injured list, so he will help. And the Eskimos are going to have to really improve to keep the Riders out of the playoffs. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/New...4488119-cp.html

I've already posted elsewhere that I had the opportunity to interview him in 1969 when he was a member of Cannonball's band, so I won't go into that again. He was very nice to a young kid from a college radio station who didn't know much. I saw him again two years later with the original Weather Report lineup. RIP It must be hard for his children, regardless of their ages, to lose both parents within such a brief span of time. Here's his LA Times obituary: http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-...news-obituaries Joe Zawinul, 75; influential jazz keyboardist led Weather Report Ken Hively KEY PLAYER: Joe Zawinul, formerly of Weather Report, died early Tuesday in Vienna. He was 75. By Don Heckman, Special to The Times September 12, 2007 Keyboardist Joe Zawinul, whose innovative playing and composing influenced musical genres reaching from soul jazz and avant-garde to fusion and world music, died early Tuesday in Vienna. He was 75. According to the Associated Press, his death was confirmed by a spokesperson for Vienna's Wilhelmina Clinic, where he had been hospitalized since August. Zawinul's manager, Risa Zincke, told the Austria Press that he suffered from a rare form of skin cancer. Zawinul's achievements stretch across five decades and numerous stylistic borders. A native of Vienna where he played accordion as a boy, Zawinul arrived at the Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1959. But he quickly left school and gigged with Maynard Ferguson and Dinah Washington before joining the quintet of alto saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley in 1961. His groove-driven piece, "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy," with its surprisingly authentic -- for a European musician -- connection with American blues and gospel music, was one of the significant compositions of the then-popular soul-jazz style and was a hit for Adderley. Switching into a different mode, he was a vital participant in Miles Davis' transition into electric jazz, writing the title song for "In A Silent Way" and performing on "Bitches Brew," albums that opened the door to combinations of jazz, rock and electronica that would follow. From 1970 to 1985, Zawinul co-led the groundbreaking ensemble, Weather Report, with saxophonist/composer Wayne Shorter. Viewed by many as the band that defined jazz fusion, it was universally praised as a creative breakthrough, the character of its sound driven by Zawinul's synthesizers. "The synthesizer was not a toy in Joe's hands," Shorter said Tuesday. "He even practiced how to touch the keys on a synthesizer. He'd say, 'You touch them differently than you touch an acoustic piano. People approach it like it's going to do something. You have to play it like it's not going to do anything; you have to do everything.' " Weather Report's effects were felt across genres, triggering the arrival of a succession of jazz fusion ensembles, as well as jazz-oriented pop groups. Despite its popularity, however, and largely because of the presence of its two leaders, the band retained the respect of the most critical jazz observers. Reviewing the Playboy Jazz Festival in 1982, Leonard Feather wrote in The Times, "Weather Report is less a collective of five men than a single instrument with 10 magisterial hands; a soaring sonic spaceship controlled by two far-from-automatic pilots, Zawinul and Wayne Shorter." According to Shorter, however, the group was initially formed with far different goals in mind. "When we got together," Shorter said, "we spent very little time describing what we wanted to do. In the beginning, we mostly talked about music as literature. Almost compared like to James Joyce -- sentences without periods or commas, without capital letters, or maybe with all capital letters. "The musical changes that took place emerged along the way. Instead of saying, 'Let's do this,' and then planning to take it someplace else the next night, we just worked on a musical dialogue. We knew that sending out what we were trying to do, and having it be received, wasn't going to take place overnight." Nevertheless, Zawinul's "Birdland," released on Weather Report's 1977 album, "Heavy Weather," was a significant jazz hit, garnering Grammy awards for the original version, as well as cover versions by Quincy Jones and one with lyrics by Manhattan Transfer. The band broke up in 1986, and over the last 20 years of his life, Zawinul's musical activities largely centered on his sextet, the Zawinul Syndicate. Mixing rhythms from every part of the world with his own complex of synthesizer sounds, he would sit behind his keyboards like an alchemist, tossing musical phrases back and forth to musicians from across the globe. "I'm a traveler and a listener," Zawinul told Bill Kohlhaase in the L.A. Weekly in 2000. "I'm into the folklore of music, but I've never taken a single bar from another culture. The music [of the Zawinul Syndicate] is just the feeling I have for it. It's what I have in my stomach." Zawinul also composed and performed in other contexts. A recording of his "Stories of the Danube," a seven-movement work for orchestra, incorporating several of his well-known themes, was released on Philips in 1996. And in 1998, he appeared as a soloist on the site of the World War II German concentration camp in Mauthausen, Austria, drawing a crowd of 10,000. Zawinul's illness apparently had already progressed in July when his wife, Maxine, who was the first African American Playboy bunny, died. Shorter recalled seeing him around that time and asking about his health. "The only thing that he said to me," he recalled, "was something really quick: 'I've got this cancer, man.' He just kind of tossed it off. Not that he was in denial. It was more like he was talking about a nuisance. That was Joe." In August, Shorter, finishing a European tour, visited Zawinul at a concert in Hungary. Although they had spoken several times about a Weather Report reunion, it had never actually taken place. "As we drove in from the airport," said Shorter, "his son said that this could be the last time Joe and I would play together. When we got to the concert, I went on stage near the end of his program. Joe and I did the introduction to 'In A Silent Way,' which is the part that his wife, Maxine, liked. When we played together, it was very concise and to the point -- very eye to eye, that kind of thing. When we finished they got a wheelchair, and that was the first time, and the last time, I saw him in a wheelchair." Zawinul lived in Malibu and Vienna, where he started his own club, Birdland. He is survived by three sons, Anthony, Erich and Ivan, and several grandchildren. Although no funeral plans have been announced, Vienna Mayor Michael Haeupl said Zawinul would be buried in a place of honor in Vienna.

My pick this month is again Charles Tolliver Big Band - With Love. As I stated July 13, this was my pick two months ago but they were out of stock. Today I received notice that it has been shipped. I've been holding off breaking open a Stan Kenton because this Tolliver has been described here as being loud like Kenton. I'm looking forward to finding out!

I have a friend whose birthday is today. What a shame to have your birthday remembered universally in such a way.

The Ticats today traded Augie Barrenechea to the Eskimos for a non-import DB I've never heard of before named Jason Nedd. Barrenechea is a spark plug. I think they're going to miss him. http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

Matt Dominguez hurt his knee in the game this week. He'll be out 2-3 weeks, unless it's a torn ACL, in which case his season is over. http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home ***** Argos President Keith Pelley is quitting after the Grey Cup to take the job running the Olympics television coverage. http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

Today I noticed an ad at Your Music's website for Zooba, a new book club operated by Book of the Month Club. It looks like it works just like Your Music. All books are $9.95 with free shipping. You make a queue (which can be changed at any time). Once a month they send you the book that is at the top of your queue. I'll peruse the catalogue to see if there are enough to make a decent queue. I might join. http://www.zooba.com/doc/signup/learnmore.jhtml

I suppose the test should be...How many people want to listen to his music now? I'm a believer in distinguishing the art from the artist. The artist's flaws and failings may be interesting but should not affect one's interpretation of the music IMO. Chet Baker and Stan Getz come to mind. If few are interested in his music today, then I suppose he should be remembered as a "conniver", not as a musician.

I've had only one Andrew Hill, Point of Departure, for a number of years. It never really clicked for me until I listened to it when he passed away. I'd like to put another in my Your Music queue. Quite a number of you are big fans of his, so I thought you could recommend to me one that isn't too weird. Thanks! edit for typo

I think there has been recently a real shortage of competent receivers. I noticed this a couple of years ago when listening to Canadian league games it seemed like everyone except a couple of all-stars were always dropping the ball. At the time I thought it was a Canadian league problem, but come Super Bowl time the Steelers played the Seahawks and there were plenty of dropped passes by both teams in that game. And they were the conference champions! I blame it on college and pro coaches who select their players based on speed rather than the ability to catch. Give me a slow-footed guy who never drops the ball like Danny Abramowitz or Lionel Taylor anyday. I think the Canadian league used to be loaded with guys like that.

The CFL announced today that fans will be allowed to vote for the all-star team online at cfl.ca and futureshop.ca. Limit one vote per day! http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home ***** The Argos have traded Mike McMahon to the Als. Why the Als would want him after they have just obtained Jason Maas is a mystery to me. The Als won with Marcus Brady starting against the Lions, which I have to consider a big upset even though the Lions were starting Jarious Jackson at QB. So I have to think that within a couple of weeks the Als are going to let go a QB or two. By the way, the article mentions that McMahon turned down the $720,000. NFL salary to play in the CFL. I really respect that. No wonder he was grousing that he wasn't playing. Not that he deserved to be. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Mon...4483080-cp.html

Week 11, cont. Winnipeg Blue Bombers 34....Saskatchewan Roughriders 15 http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4101660.htm Montreal Alouettes 32....British Columbia Lions 14 http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4101664.htm

Well, listening to good music is not harmful to one's health, which I think is relevant to the topic of addiction. I think staying within a budget you can easily afford is important. If you can do that, I don't think you're addicted. Many of us here are bargain hunters, judging by the many posts regarding Your Music, J&R, the Concord Blowout Sale and the place in Germany that begins with a z. Last year I read that the average monthly cable television bill in America is $56.00. I've never seen anyone suggest that the average American has an addiction for television although it has been said for years that Americans watch too much TV. If we here choose to spend our free time listening to music instead of watching TV, that's a choice regarding entertainment, not an addiction. You can buy from Your Music 8 CDs per month (two a week!), month after month, for what the average American spends on cable television. So if you can satisfy your desire for music with two CDs per week or less instead of watching television, I don't think you're addicted.

I'm not sure what you are getting at... What has Bird got to do with this? Q Q, I agree with what Ubu says, but what I had in mind was that the tracks of both boxes are not complete songs.

Week 11: Calgary Stampeders 20....Edmonton Eskimos 17 http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4101304.htm Same as Monday: The Eskimos dominated the first half; the Stampeders made adjustments and dominated the second half. As I recall, Sean Fleming missed 41 and 45 yard FG attempts which went for a total of one point. Obviously, that made a difference. Toronto Argonauts 35....Hamilton Tiger-Cats 22 http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4101393.htm With Jason Maas gone for Montreal, Timmy Chang started at QB for Hamilton, and was pretty bad, although the team is so bad I don't feel like the QB can be blamed, just like I never blamed Maas. Third-string QB Richie Williams came in in the fourth and looked pretty good, although the game was over by that time. Casey Printers will probably start for the Ticats next week. The rumor in Hamilton is that the Ticats were a million dollars under the salary cap, which is why they could afford to spend so much money on Printers. I think the salary cap is less than five million, so that low payroll may indeed explain why the Ticats are so bad. The announcer said that the Ticats have 20 new players on the team this year, many of them rookies. He also said that I think four of the assistant coaches are former US college coaches with no CFL experience. One in particular is the defensive coordinator. How can you compete for the world championship of the sport of Canadian rules football with a defensive coordinator who has never coached or played the game? ***** During the Eskimos' pre-game show, a reporter said that she had heard that Anthony Calvillo had a torn rotator cuff on his throwing arm/shoulder, and should be out a minimum of four weeks. No wonder they wanted Maas.

We talked about this some time ago. Here's the latest on Bernie Parrish's beef with the players' union: http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home Federal district judge dismisses suit by retired NFL players Associated Press September 7, 2007 at 12:38 PM EDT SAN FRANCISCO — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit accusing the NFL players' union of inadequately representing 3,500 retired players. Judge William H. Alsup of the federal district court dismissed the case Thursday by former NFL players Bernie Parrish and Herb Adderley. It alleged the NFL Players Association and its licencing subsidiary, Players Inc., has done little to secure deals with clothing manufacturers, video game makers and other venues. It also sought class-action status to represent the 3,500 retired players, who it says might be owed "tens of millions of dollars." Parrish was a defensive back with the Cleveland Browns and Houston Oilers from 1959 to 1966. Adderley was a cornerback for the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys from 1961 through 1972. The lawsuit claimed $7 million was given to 358 retired players in 2005, meaning a small percentage of players have been compensated. The union said in a statement in April that its motions to dismiss were based on what it called "the frivolous nature of the suit." In a prepared statement Friday, the association said "those claims have now been rejected by a federal judge as having no merit whatsoever as pled." "The court found that Parrish's complaint was a combination of smoke and mirrors," said Jeffrey Kessler, lawyer for the NFLPA. "Aside from one more deposition, the judge has stopped all discovery starting Sept. 10 by Parrish and his co-claimants against the NFLPA because of the court's doubts that the plaintiffs will ever be able to state a claim."

Sonny's birthday was listed in the paper this morning. Wayne Shorter's was a few days ago. Times sure have changed, seeing jazz musicians' names in the paper. Maybe the editor is a jazz fan!

The Ticats traded Jason Maas to the Als today for non-import fullback Jeff Piercy. Maas caught an early flight to Montreal, and is expected to be in uniform for the game Sunday against BC. Anthony Calvillo was injured last week and won't play this week. I wonder how serious his injury is. http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home ***** Week 11 previews: http://sports.canada.com/default.asp?c=can.../AJN4101135.htm ***** On Monday I listened to the Eskimos broadcast of the game against the Stamps in Calgary. Four streakers disrupted the game at various times. Bryan Hall said that he suspected the idea was put into their heads by a new television commercial that includes footage of a streaker. He wouldn't mention the company, but felt strongly that the league should move to have its airing discontinued. Here's an article about problems with drunks at the Bombers games. Last year Bob Ackles mentioned in a halftime interview that people in BC had complained about drunks there. Maybe we will start to see something done by the teams, but this article says that fans are showing up to the games drunk. I can't imagine the teams forbidding beer at the tailgate parties, but if the situation gets bad enough they might try something. Has anyone seen the television commercial Bryan Hall spoke of? Who was the company? http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

I wonder if with the aging of the baby boom population we will see an increase in the popularity of classical music. If so, I wonder if we will see more third stream jazz. I have two new jazz albums which feature string quartets. The first is by John Surman, called The Places In Between. Surman is joined by Bassist Chris Laurence and a string quartet (two violins, viola and cello) called Trans4mation. Trans4mation's sound is lush and smooth. The album was recorded in an Austrian monastery, so perhaps the acoustics there has something to do with it. The strings provide the body of the music, with Surman floating on top of them. I note that the CD Universe blurb refers to the music as "chamber jazz". There are 11 tracks totaling 60 minutes. It's all very relaxing, and maybe hummable after repeated listenings. A great gift for someone who likes classical music. 4 1/2 stars ***** Last year Quartet San Francisco's album Latigo was nominated for two Grammy's in the Classical Crossover category, including Best Album. Their new album is called Whirled Chamber Music. This quartet too is made up of two violins, viola and cello, but its sound is much more earthy than Trans4mation's. There are 18 songs on the album, 7 by Raymond Scott. I didn't know till now that Scott did not compose music for cartoons. Rather, Warner Bros. used his music for their cartoons after the fact. The other 11 songs are standards, if you stretch that concept to include songs by The Average White Band and Tower of Power, as well as Duke Ellington, Earle Hagen and Leonard Bernstein. On The Places In Between the improvisation comes from Surman. I don't get a sense of jazz from Trans4mation. On Whirled Chamber Music the jazz comes from not only the improvisation but also the Django Reinhart feel of the performances. The Surman album is more serious, the Quartet San Francisco album more fun. Quartet San Francisco is a group I would like to see in a club while having a drink. The Surman with Trans4mation effort would be better suited for a concert hall. Both are winners. 4 stars

That's good to know, Lon. I was hoping it wasn't the same thing over and over again like the JJ box.

Thanks Claude! Reading your link makes me a bit ambivilent about picking up the box. I get the impression that it will be like the Jack Johnson box, which I think Teo Macero referred to as "bullshit". The JJ box has been a disappointment to me. Maybe it appeals to the same people who bought the Dean Benedetti Mosaic. I broke disc 2 of the JJ box removing it from my jewel case, and haven't missed it. When the JJ box came out, it got a million raves over at AAJ. Partly because of that I don't trust many of those posters' judgment now. I trust this group much, much more. I'll wait till some of you early adopters pick it up and see what you have to say.

I've seen comments here that much of the music is currently available, but I haven't seen a list of the albums the music comes from. Can anyone provide a list please?

Original Peter was by far my favorite track from the Love Songs album.