GA Russell

I remember Fats' home on Elysian Fields when I was growing up in New Orleans. It was a landmark. A nice new white house with a purple roof!

kh, I bought Historically Speaking about 1969, and inside I found John Coltrane's Soultrane! I didn't bother to take it back to the store.

I found this AP story on the Fox News website: 2 Plumbing Companies Battle for Rights to 867-5309 Telephone Number Saturday, May 19, 2007 LINCOLN, R.I. — One-hit wonder Tommy Tutone made the phone number 867-5309 famous in the band's 1982 hit single, which uses the digits over and over in its catchy refrain. Now, a Rhode Island company and a national firm are battling over the right to use the number, which doesn't reach the "Jenny" that Tutone sings about, but could find callers a decent plumber. Two years ago, Gem Plumbing & Heating of Lincoln, R.I., trademarked the phone number in the early 1980s hit, which reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Gem acquired the number in Rhode Island when its original owner, Brown University, gave up 867-5309 after growing weary of the constant prank calls. Gem's number works in the 401 area code in Rhode Island and the 617 area code in southern Massachusetts. But Florida-based Clockwork Home Services, also a plumbing company, uses a toll-free version of 867-5309 in New England. They argue a company can only trademark a vanity number, like 1-800-FLOWERS. Gem won round one in its legal fight over the number when a federal judge in Boston recently barred Clockwork from using the number in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, effective this week. But Clockwork's lawyers said they would fight on. Tommy "Tutone" Heath told The Boston Globe that he'd prefer if neither company used the number. "It's ridiculous," said Heath. "If I wanted to get into it, I could probably take the number away from both of them."

jazz1, I haven't heard The Abashiri Concert yet, so I'll have to get back to you on that one.

The Argos signed Michael Bishop through 2009 today. That means that they will have coming into camp this year five quarterbacks: Damon Allen and four with NFL experience. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Tor...4188702-cp.html ***** The last of the original three groups to bid for an Ottawa expansion franchise has dropped out. The league says that it is holding discussions with other parties. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Ott...4182206-cp.html

Listened to it two more times today. Still not tired of it after seven times in three days! I would like to add to my review that I think the reason time passes so quickly when I listen to it is because it swings so well. John L mentioned Art Pepper Today above. I like that one a lot. I don't think that Art plays better on this one than he did on Today. And I find Stanley Cowell a more interesting pianist than Kellaway. But I prefer this to Today because the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. And I think that is because it swings so well. And for that I give credit to Kellaway.

This from The Financial Times: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/bbe3caec-03bd-11dc...0b5df10621.html Amazon to start selling digital music By Joshua Chaffin and Aline van Duyn in New York Published: May 16 2007 16:08 | Last updated: May 17 2007 00:46 Amazon moved to shake up the online music business on Wednesday by setting up a direct rival to Apple’s iTunes that will sell tracks without copyright ­protection. Amazon said its decision to abandon so-called digital rights management software and instead sell tracks in the MP3 format would allow consumers easily to transfer music among a variety of devices – from iPods to personal computers and compact discs. The pioneering online retailer believes that will help to spur the next growth phase of the burgeoning digital music market. “Our MP3-only strategy means all the music that customers buy on Amazon is always DRM-free and plays on any device,” said Jeff Bezos, chief executive of Amazon. The Amazon service will launch later this year with support from EMI, the third-largest record company, and more than 1,000 smaller labels. Six weeks ago, EMI became the first major label to abandon copyright protection when it announced an agreement with Apple to sell its catalogue through iTunes without DRM. The decision was hailed by Steve Jobs, Apple’s chief executive. David Card, an analyst at Jupiter Research, said Amazon’s clout would increase the pressure on EMI’s competitors to follow suit. “Getting another big, big player to endorse DRM-free is a big deal.” The other major record companies – Universal Music, Sony-BMG and Warner Music – are testing the MP3 format. Yet they are still concerned that dropping copyright protection could increase piracy or cut into their growing sales of music to users of mobile phones. Some indicated on Wednesday that they had no immediate plans to join Amazon. The web-based retailer’s decision to enter the digital music market comes at a time when the record companies are desperate for a rival to iTunes. In spite of challenges from Microsoft, Yahoo and others, the Apple service still commands roughly 80 per cent of the online music market, which has allowed it to dictate terms to the music companies on pricing and other issues. Bill Carr, vice-president of digital media at Amazon, would not disclose pricing information for the new music service but did say it would be “competitive”. Barney Wragg, EMI’s top digital executive, predicted Amazon’s participation would “take the whole digital music business on to the next level”.

I received my advance copy of The Last Concert yesterday, and I have played it five times already. I don’t recall another album about which I can say that the time passes so quickly. The first time I played it it seemed to last a half hour. There are only five songs, but each is of a different tempo and style. The concert including three minutes of patter lasted 58 minutes. I imagine that most people will be interested in this because it was Art’s last performance. I was looking forward to hearing this, but not for that reason. I can see someone planning to retire, going out on a farewell tour, and pulling out all the stops for the last show. But Art didn’t know that this would be his last gig, so I didn’t see any reason to expect that his performance would be better than usual. I wouldn’t say that it is, but it’s great! My interest in hearing this was based on my curiosity to hear Art with Roger Kellaway. Kellaway is a player that I have heard of for years, going back at least to seeing his name on the credits of All in the Family (whose theme he wrote), but I don’t have any of his records. I have a vague notion that I saw something of his on the A&M label, but maybe not. Kellaway does a fine job comping, and he takes the lead in keeping the band swinging. But I don’t find the chords he plays very interesting, and for that reason I find him a little bit disappointing. He is a little bland. David Williams, on the other hand, is excellent on bass. And the bass is perfectly mic’d! I suppose that it is ironic that the last song Art performed in public was on clarinet. But it is fitting that his last performance on the sax was Over the Rainbow. Laurie Pepper wrote the liner notes. Either she has a good editor or she has a real talent for writing. They are the most interesting notes I have read in a long time. Highly recommended. 5 stars.

Herbie Mann in the 60s put out a number of live dates.

Happy Birthday Larry!

Happy Birthday Rachel!

I guess the old saying applies: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

This is from Wired.com. I'm not sure if this would appeal to many jazz fans initially, but I can see those with audiophile systems going for it. U.K. Music Label Creates a Vinyl-MP3 Hybrid Charlie Sorrel 05.14.07 | 12:00 AM While the copyright fight rages between big record companies and their customers, some smaller, independent labels are moving in with innovation instead of litigation. First Word Records, a U.K. label based in Leeds, has one new idea -- vinyl records that include downloadable MP3s. First Word's primary customers are DJs, an often challenging market for record labels. DJs embrace new technology or repurpose old (think scratching), but at the same time scour old stores and markets for rare, used vinyl. First Word is attempting to address both these needs with DigiWax. The records are beautifully packaged, double-weight vinyl discs that come with a unique code. With the code, buyers can download an unprotected, 320Kbps MP3 version of the music, to use however they like. First Word is not the only label offering an LP-plus-MP3 combination. Saddle Creek, which puts out Bright Eyes records, also includes a download code with some of its LPs. The double-headed approach makes sense for several reasons. DJs and audiophiles will always want the top end of quality, so they will buy physical media, but for convenience you can't beat a digital file. First Word cofounder Andy H is a DJ and knows the difficulties and dangers of traveling with rare discs. "The sheer weight and size of vinyl meant that I had to be very selective of what I took abroad to DJ," he says. By contrast, digital files weigh nothing, and if you have a backup, they are impossible to lose. Publishing MP3s without the technology for digital-rights management was a deliberate choice. First Word cofounder Aly Gillani explains the DRM-free approach in terms that echo those of consumer advocate. "Once a customer has paid for the track they should be free to play it in any player," he says. "Making a legal, paid-for version of the file less useful than a copied or pirated one doesn't make sense." Perhaps even more importantly, DRM also makes tracks unplayable in software used by many DJs, such as Serato. First Word also sells its music on iTunes, Napster, Clickgroove and DJ Download. The company sees DigiWax as an extension of this choice. "This is just a little something extra for the true vinyl fans and collectors," says Andy H. So, will vinyl ever go away? Probably not, if you ask First Word. "The sound of vinyl is still warm, rich, and -- if mastered properly -- sounds amazing in a club," says Andy H "Even the crackles before the record starts sound good." Additional reporting by Eliot Van Buskirk.

The Best of the Gerald Wilson Orchestra (Pacific Jazz) 1978 compilation Mother Mallard's Portable Masterpiece Co. - Like a Duck to Water (Earthquack) 1976

DB4EVA, I went to a game in Pittsburgh in the late 70s to see Gaylord Perry pitch for the Padres. San Diego wore the uniform you posted, and the Pirates wore their gold uniform, and it was very difficult to tell the teams apart! (As I recall, Perry won a close game and made it look easy.)

I found the following advertised at digg.com. I have dial-up service at present, so I cannot consider trying it. But as I do not have cable TV and do not ever expect to, this is something that, if legitimate, I can see myself taking advantage of when the day comes that I have broadband service. The website is: http://www.your-free-satellite.com/ What do you think? Do you think that it is illegal and will soon be shut down by the government?

I received this press release on the 4th. It looks like Concord is dipping into its Pablo masters to find previously unreleased material. Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Records To Co-Release Never-Before-Heard Recordings of Ella Fitzgerald, "Love Letters From Ella," on July 31, 2007 SEATTLE and LOS ANGELES; May 4, 2007 - To celebrate what would have been Ella Fitzgerald's 90th birthday, Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Records are co-releasing "Love Letters From Ella," a collection of never-before-released love songs. Recorded with some of her favorite collaborators, including Count Basie and his Orchestra, Joe Pass, and André Previn, "Love Letters From Ella" also pairs the singer with The London Symphony Orchestra for the first time. The CD will be available at Starbucks Company-operated locations in the U.S. and Canada and traditional music retail beginning on July 31, 2007. "As we've been sorting through our vaults we came across these masterful tracks Ella recorded that had surprisingly never been released before," said Glen Barros, President and CEO of Concord Music Group. "Producer Gregg Field did an amazing job enhancing these recordings and the end result is a truly remarkable record that we are very proud to be releasing with Starbucks." "Ella Fitzgerald is one of the greatest vocalists in history and it gives us great pleasure to participate in this celebration of her life and artistry," said Ken Lombard, president Starbucks Entertainment. "We are proud to collaborate with Concord Music Group to offer these amazing, never-before-heard recordings from an American original both at Starbucks locations and traditional retail." The magical 10-track CD, mixed in high-definition audio, includes Ella and Basie swinging "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone," an intimate duet between Joe Pass and Fitzgerald on "The One I Love" and a playful performance of "Our Love is Here to Stay" with pianist André Previn. "Love Letters From Ella" also features the celebrated singer accompanied by The London Symphony Orchestra on a stirring rendition of "Cry Me a River." The London Symphony Orchestra recorded the accompaniment, arranged by 24-time GRAMMY® Award-nominee Jorge Calandrelli, at Abbey Road studios in London. "Love Letters From Ella" also served as an inspiration for the upcoming PBS broadcast "WE LOVE ELLA!" a WNET "Great Performances" special. The show will honor Ella with performances by, among others, Natalie Cole, Quincy Jones, k.d. lang, Take Six, Wynonna, Lizz Wright, Monica Mancini and Nancy Wilson. "WE LOVE ELLA!" will be taped in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 29, the week of Ella's birthday, and is scheduled to air on June 6, 2007. Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Music Group's past co-releases include Ray Charles' "Genius Loves Company," which to date has sold more than 5.5 million copies worldwide and won an unsurpassed eight GRAMMY® Awards including Album of the Year, and Sergio Mendes' "Timeless," which won a Latin GRAMMY® Award for Best Brazilian Contemporary Pop Album of the Year and to date is on its way to selling a million copies worldwide. Like "Genius Loves Company" and "Timeless," "Love Letters From Ella" will be co-released at Starbucks locations and traditional music channels simultaneously. Track Listing: 1. "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone" (w/ Count Basie and his Orchestra) 2. "Cry Me a River" (w/ London Symphony Orchestra) 3. "You Turned the Tables on Me" 4. "I've Got the World on a String" (w/ London Symphony Orchestra and Joe Pass) 5. "Witchcraft" 6. "My Old Flame" (w/ London Symphony Orchestra) 7. "The One I Love" (w/ Joe Pass) 8. "Take Love Easy" (w/ London Symphony Orchestra and Joe Pass) 9. "Our Love is Here to Stay" (w/ André Previn) 10. "Some Other Spring" (w/ Count Basie and his Orchestra)

Malcom Frank retired last week. I always liked him. He quietly did his job well. I don't expect that he will be elected to the Hall of Fame, but he was a good one. I saw him play for the San Antonio Texans against the Birmingham Barracudas in 1995. I assume that this is another example of the Eskimos dumping their old players. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Edm...165807-sun.html ***** In Saturday's Raleigh News & Observer, there was an article about Ricky Williams' failing a drug test last month. Above it there was a 5.5"x5.5" color photo from last year of Williams talking on the sideline with John Avery. The Argos logo on Avery's sleeve was a little out of focus, but the CFL logo on Williams' collar was perfectly in focus. Of course, I don't expect the typical reader to look that closely at the picture, but the true sports fan might have noticed that Williams was wearing the double blue uniform not found in the NFL, and then looked more closely to see the "CFL".

It says here that over the winter the CFL Board of Governors passed a rule prohibiting a team from signing a player under suspension in another league. So this year the CFL won't be an option. http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

I saw a headline that said that Pacman is appealling his suspension, arguing that a lot of other guys have been arrested, so why are you picking on me?

Marcello, I'm jealous that you met him! I would rather meet him than a President of the United States. There is a website called http://www.bishopsheen.com that I haven't visited yet, but I understand that it sells all things Sheen. When I have a chance I will study it to see if there is anything worthwhile.

Toronto Argonauts, here we come!

It made the top of the front page of the Raleigh News & Observer today!

The link has a diagram: http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/apple/next-gen-...back-259271.php Here's the article: The newest iPod patent says that the "touch" and the "screen" don't have to go together. The next gen iPod will have a normal display covering the front, and a separate touch surface on the back. Here's how it'll work. The front screen of the iPod or iPod nano shows everything, but is no more touchy-feely than your iPod's screen today. When you touch the backside, however, transparent "ghost" controls appear on the front. You'd then use your finger on the backside of the device to navigate your way through the transparent controls up front. The key to the equation is force sensitivity. As you run your finger along the backside, the cursor hovers, but when you press harder, you can click on things. Apple's patent covers not just music and video navigation but phone controls and more. Follow the jump for details. From the patent application: "A hand-held electronic device, comprising: a first surface having a display element coupled thereto; a second surface having a touch-surface coupled thereto, the second surface not coplanar with the first surface, the touch-surface adapted to detect a location on the touch-surface contacted by an object and an activation force applied to the touch-surface by the object; and control means for--displaying on the display element first information, control elements, and mark representing the contact's location on the touch-surface, determining when the mark is spatially coincident with one of the control elements, determining the activation force is greater than a specified threshold, and activating a function associated with the one control element." "The method includes displaying first information appropriate to the device's function on a display element on a top surface of the electronic device (e.g., video, graphic or textual information), displaying one or more control elements and a cursor on the display element (e.g., numeric or alphanumeric keys, buttons, sliders and control wheels), adjusting the cursor's displayed position in response to an object contacting a force-sensitive touch-surface on the device's bottom surface, and activating or executing a function associated with one of the control elements when the cursor is positioned "over" the control element and a force is applied to the force-sensitive touch-surface at a position corresponding to the cursor. In a preferred embodiment, the control elements are displayed transparently so that the first information is not totally occluded by the display of the control elements. A program implementing the method may be stored in any media that is readable and executable by a computer processor." This kind of design allows for smaller iPods and iPhones, since you're making the most of the front and back screens of the device. We just have one question: what the hell do we do with our thumbs? – Louis Ramirez

Eric Kloss - Now (Muse) 1978