GA Russell

Great to see you back, Larry!

The league has set up this year's Free Agency Tracker. https://www.cfl.ca/fa24/

I finished it tonight. I found it kind of depressing. Murphy was the kind of guy who eschewed what seemed to him to be selling out, yet was always disappointed when someone else won the Grammy. I learned that it was Michael Bourne who for 32 Jazz chose the tracks and compilations for their reissues of the Muse material. Apparently I share Bourne's taste (and maybe most other people do to) because I like the 32 Jazz issues better than the original Muse albums - particularly for his choosing to leave out some tracks. Joe Fields was quoted as saying that nobody says much about Bob Weinstock because he was an unlikeable character. Fields' goal was to replicate Weinstock - Make tons of records and hang on, and then score big when you sell the company.

(6) The Babylon Bee on X: "'I Just Don't Know Where We Went Wrong,' Contemplates Sports Illustrated Executive In Front Of Framed Covers Of Obese, Trans Swimsuit Models https://t.co/mDKbJaPdqc https://t.co/6OSBhUjqpD" / X (twitter.com)

"I don't know. He's always wearing shades." was the first time I heard sunglasses referred to as shades.

# Artist and Track Title Time 1. Norah Jones - Running 03:29 “RUNNING” IMPACTING AAA – JANUARY 29th AVAILABLE FOR AIRPLAY: NOW 9-TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNER TOURS EUROPE THIS SUMMER & FALL NORAH JONES ANNOUNCES NINTH STUDIO ALBUM VISIONS OUT MARCH 8th ON BLUE NOTE RECORDS WATCH THE OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR LEAD SINGLE “RUNNING” JONES ANNOUNCES SPRING NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES On March 8, nine-time GRAMMY winning singer, songwriter, and pianist Norah Jones will release her ninth solo studio album Visions, a collaboration with producer and multi-instrumentalist Leon Michels that is introduced today with the official video for the album’s lead single “Running.” The song was co-written by Jones and Michels and features Norah on vocals, piano, guitar, and bass with Leon on drums and baritone saxophone. Jones has also announced her Spring 2024 North American tour dates which kick off May 6 in Boston (MGM at Fenway) and include concerts in Washington DC (The Kennedy Center, May 13), Brooklyn (Paramount Theatre, May 16-17), and Manhattan (Apollo Theatre, May 19). Ticket pre-sales begin today with a general on-sale January 25. See below for a full list of dates and visit norahjones.com/tour for more info. Visions is a vibrant and joyous 12-song set that finds Jones singing about feeling free, wanting to dance, making it right, and acceptance of what life brings. It’s the yang to the yin that was Pick Me Up Off The Floor, Jones’ last album of new original songs which was released early in the pandemic lockdown of 2020 and foreshadowed many of the dark emotions of that period. “The reason I called the album Visions is because a lot of the ideas came in the middle of the night or in that moment right before sleep, and ‘Running’ was one of them where you're half asleep and kind of jolted awake,” says Jones. “We did most of the songs in the same way where I was at the piano or on guitar and Leon was playing drums and we were just jamming on stuff. I like the rawness between me and Leon, the way it sounds kind of garage-y but also kind of soulful, because that's where he's coming from, but also not overly perfected.” Michels played saxophone in Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and has performed with Lee Fields & The Expressions, Dan Auerbach’s band The Arcs, Menahan Street Band, and his own project El Michels Affair. Michels and Jones first collaborated on the single “Can You Believe” and later worked together on Jones’ 2021 holiday album I Dream of Christmas. Visions also features contributions from trumpeter Dave Guy, bassist Jesse Murphy, and drummers Brian Blade and Homer Steinweiss. Visions is available for pre-order now, with formats including indie record store exclusive orange blend vinyl featuring an alternate cover, Barnes & Noble exclusive teal blend vinyl, as well as a Target exclusive CD with the bonus track “Until My Heart is Found” and poster. The vinyl track listing is as follows: Side A 1. All This Time (Norah Jones/Leon Michels) 2. Staring at the Wall (Norah Jones/Leon Michels) 3. Paradise (Norah Jones/Leon Michels) 4. Queen of the Sea (Norah Jones) 5. Visions (Norah Jones) 6. Running (Norah Jones/Leon Michels) Side B 1. I Just Wanna Dance (Norah Jones/Leon Michels/Homer Steinweiss) 2. I’m Awake (Norah Jones) 3. Swept Up in the Night (Norah Jones/Leon Michels) 4. On My Way (Norah Jones/Pete Remm) 5. Alone With My Thoughts (Norah Jones/Leon Michels) 6. That’s Life (Norah Jones/Leon Michels) NORAH JONES – 2024 TOUR DATES: May 6 – MGM Music Hall at Fenway – Boston, MA May 10 – The Capitol Theatre – Port Chester, NY May 13 – Kennedy Center Concert Hall – Washington, DC May 15 – The Met Philadelphia – Philadelphia, PA May 16 – Brooklyn Paramount – Brooklyn, NY May 17 – Brooklyn Paramount – Brooklyn, NY May 19 – Apollo Theater – New York, NY May 24 – BottleRock Napa Valley – Napa, CA June 30 – Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival – Saratoga Springs, NY PHOTO BY JOELLE GRACE TAYLOR * * * Norah Jones first emerged on the world stage with the 2002 release of Come Away With Me, her self-described “moody little record” that introduced a singular new voice and grew into a global phenomenon, sweeping the 2003 GRAMMY Awards including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. Since then, Jones has become a nine-time GRAMMY-winner, sold more than 52 million albums, and her songs have been streamed ten billion times worldwide. She has released a series of critically acclaimed and commercially successful solo albums—Feels Like Home (2004), Not Too Late (2007), The Fall (2009), Little Broken Hearts (2012), Day Breaks (2016), Pick Me Up Off The Floor (2020), the live album ‘Til We Meet Again (2021), and her holiday album I Dream Of Christmas (2021)—as well as albums with her collective bands The Little Willies, El Madmo, and Puss N Boots featuring Sasha Dobson and Catherine Popper. The 2010 compilation …Featuring Norah Jones showcased her incredible versatility by collecting her collaborations with artists as diverse as Willie Nelson, Foo Fighters, Outkast, and Herbie Hancock. In 2022, Jones launched her podcast Norah Jones Is Playing Along which features candid conversations and impromptu musical collaborations with some her favorite musicians. Follow Norah Jones: Website • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Apple Music • Spotify • YouTube Follow Blue Note Records: Website • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Spotify • Apple Music • YouTube

That was quick! Dominique Rhymes has joined the Redblacks. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/18/ottawa-redblacks-agree-to-terms-with-dominique-rhymes/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/source-veteran-receiver-dominique-rhymes-returning-to-ottawa-redblacks-1.2064350 ***** The Bombers have traded Dru Brown to the Redblacks for a draft pick. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/18/blue-bombers-trade-qb-dru-brown-to-redblacks/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/18/ottawa-acquires-rights-to-qb-dru-brown-from-bombers/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/redblacks-acquire-rights-for-qb-dru-brown-from-bombers-for-fifth-round-pick-1.2064387 ***** The Roughriders have let go Jake Wieneke. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/18/riders-cut-receiver-jake-wieneke-ahead-of-offseason-bonus/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/18/riders-release-receiver-jake-wieneke/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/saskatchewan-roughriders-release-former-cfl-all-star-wr-jake-wieneke-1.2064656 ***** Kent Austin will be Auburn's QB coach this year. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/18/longtime-cfler-kent-austin-named-qb-coach-at-auburn-university/ ***** Review of last year's top free agent signings. https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/16/cauz-the-top-free-agent-signings-from-2023/ ***** Dave Naylor looks at each team's quarterback situation. https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/dave-naylor-a-look-at-where-every-cfl-team-sits-at-quarterback-1.2060605

And in the past 41 hours, we are up another 600 views. We are now up to 232,400. Is something going on that I don't know about? ***** BC let Dominique Rhymes go today. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/17/b-c-lions-release-former-cfl-all-star-receiver-dominique-rhymes/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/17/lions-release-veteran-receiver-dominique-rhymes/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/source-veteran-receiver-rhymes-b-c-lions-mutually-agree-to-part-ways-1.2063881

A frog walks into a bank, and approaches the teller, whose name plate says Patricia Whack. "Miss Whack, I'd like to get a $50,000 loan to take a vacation." Patty looks at the frog in disbelief, and asks his name. "Kermit Jagger. My father is Mick Jagger. It will be fine to authorize the loan. I know your manager." Patty explains that he will need to secure the loan with some collateral. "Sure, how about this?" said Kermit as he produces a tiny porcelain elephant, about an inch tall, bright pink and perfectly formed. Very confused, Patty explains that she'll have to consult with the bank manager, and disappears into a back office. Patty walks into the manager's office and proceeds to tell him, "There's a frog called Kermit Jagger out there who claims to know you, and wants to borrow $50,000. And he wants to use this as collateral." Patty holds up the tiny pink elephant. "I mean, what in the world is this?" The bank manager looks back at her and says..."It's a knickknack, Patty Whack. Give the frog a loan. His old man's a Rolling Stone."

❤️

Apparently some people are hungry for Canadian league news. In the past three days and five hours, this thread has had 800 views. Now up to 231,800.

Here's a surprise to me. The Argos have traded one of their best and most popular players, Kurleigh Gittens, Jr., to the Elks for Jake Ceresna. Gittens will be re-united with MBT. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/15/elks-trade-dl-jake-ceresna-to-argonauts-for-canadian-rec-kurleigh-gittens-jr/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/15/elks-send-ceresna-to-argos-for-gittens-jr/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/source-elks-land-receiver-gittens-from-argonauts-for-defensive-lineman-ceresna-1.2062873 ***** Sask announced their coaches today. Of note, Marquay McDaniel will handle the receivers. JC Sherritt will have the linebackers. https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/15/corey-mace-roughriders-announce-2024-coaching-staff/ https://3downnation.com/2024/01/15/saskatchewan-roughriders-finalize-coaching-staff-under-corey-mace/

Norm Snead has died at 84. RIP. Norm Snead dies - Search (bing.com)

My first CD from the BMG Record Club when I joined in 1997 was his Greatest Hits.

Dan Farthing has agreed to become Sask's strength and conditioning coach. https://3downnation.com/2023/12/21/riders-hire-former-receiver-dan-farthing-as-head-of-strength-of-conditioning-extend-football-ops-staff/ ***** Sask QB analysis since 2000. https://3downnation.com/2023/12/27/each-primary-starting-quarterback-for-the-saskatchewan-roughriders-since-2000/ ***** Charleston Hughes has retired. https://3downnation.com/2023/12/29/legendary-cfl-pass-rusher-charleston-hughes-officially-announces-retirement-from-pro-football/ ***** Top 10 stories of the year https://3downnation.com/2023/12/29/legendary-cfl-pass-rusher-charleston-hughes-officially-announces-retirement-from-pro-football/ ***** Dane Evans has retired to become a high school coach. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/01/veteran-qb-dane-evans-retires-from-cfl/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/02/quarterback-dane-evans-announces-retirement/ https://3downnation.com/2024/01/12/retired-cfl-qb-dane-evans-hired-as-high-school-qb-coach-in-oklahoma/ ***** The annual releasing of good players prior to the roster bonus date has begun. Steven Dunbar, Jr. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/03/edmonton-elks-release-steven-dunbar-jr-ahead-of-roster-bonus/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/03/elks-release-wide-receiver-steven-dunbar-jr/ Aaron Grymes https://3downnation.com/2024/01/04/edmonton-elks-release-veteran-db-aaron-grymes/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/04/elks-release-veteran-db-aaron-grymes/ Taylor Cornelius https://3downnation.com/2024/01/04/edmonton-elks-to-release-qb-taylor-cornelius-report/ Adam Konar https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/09/elks-release-taylor-cornelius-adam-konar/ https://3downnation.com/2024/01/09/edmonton-elks-release-canadian-lb-adam-konar/ Derrick Moncrief https://3downnation.com/2024/01/05/riders-release-veteran-sam-derrick-moncrief/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/05/riders-part-ways-with-derrick-moncrief/ ***** You will recall that a year ago, McLeod Bethel-Thompson left the Argos (and the league) to sign with the USFL, with the hope of getting one last shot at the NFL. He led the league in passing yards, but no NFL contract materialized. So he has agreed to join the Elks. Presumably he will spend the year mentoring Tre Ford. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/edmonton-elks-sign-mcleod-bethel-thompson-1.7077019 https://3downnation.com/2024/01/07/official-edmonton-elks-sign-two-time-grey-cup-champion-qb-mcleod-bethel-thompson/ https://3downnation.com/2024/01/05/edmonton-elks-sign-veteran-qb-mcleod-bethel-thompson-report/ https://3downnation.com/2023/12/23/edmonton-elks-pushing-to-sign-veteran-qb-mcleod-bethel-thompson/ https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/11/jones-on-bethel-thompson-hes-a-true-leader/ ***** Burke Dales has died at only 46. RIP. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/burke-dales-death-calgary-stampeders-football-player-1.7076963 https://3downnation.com/2024/01/07/former-cfl-punter-burke-dales-dead-at-46/ ***** The Bombers have promoted Jordan Younger to DC. Richie Hall will remain with the team. Mike Miller will be the new STC. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/08/winnipeg-blue-bombers-promote-jordan-younger-to-defensive-coordinator-hire-mike-miller/ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/bombers-younger-miller-coordinator-1.7077716 https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/08/bombers-announce-coaching-staff-changes-2/ ***** Willie Bethea has died at 85. RIP. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/willie-bethea-obit-hamilton-ticats-1.7076447 ***** Marcel Desjardin has joined the Als as an special assistant/ GM and player personnel. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/11/former-redblacks-gm-marcel-desjardins-hired-by-alouettes-as-special-assistant/ ***** Here is a list of the Canadian and former CFL players currently in the NFL playoffs. https://3downnation.com/2024/01/13/every-canadian-and-former-cfl-player-in-the-2024-nfl-playoffs/

Let's take a quick look at some headlines since December 1. Tommy Condell has agreed to become Ottawa's OC. https://3downnation.com/2023/12/04/ottawa-redblacks-hire-tommy-condell-as-offensive-coordinator/ https://3downnation.com/2023/12/06/hes-a-guy-that-wills-things-to-happen-redblacks-offensive-coordinator-tommy-condell-praises-qb-dustin-crum/ ***** Hamilton has made some big changes. Orlondo Steinauer will be the President of Football Operations. Ed Hervey (!) will be the General Manager. Scott Milanovich will be the Head Coach. https://3downnation.com/2023/12/05/tiger-cats-name-ed-hervey-gm-orlondo-steinauer-focusing-on-president-of-football-operations-role/ https://3downnation.com/2023/12/06/hamilton-tiger-cats-hire-scott-milanovich-as-head-coach/ https://3downnation.com/2023/12/07/im-excited-about-him-ticats-scott-milanovich-believes-rookie-qb-taylor-powell-did-an-amazing-job-in-2023/ ***** Marc Mueller (Ron Lancaster's grandson) has agreed to be Sask's OC. https://3downnation.com/2023/12/06/roughriders-re-sign-special-teams-coordinator-kent-maugeri-hire-marc-mueller-as-offensive-coordinator/ https://3downnation.com/2023/12/07/new-riders-oc-mark-mueller-ready-to-build-a-rocket-ship-around-veteran-qb-trevor-harris/ ***** Ryan Phillips has been promoted to BC Assistant Head Coach. https://3downnation.com/2023/12/11/b-c-lions-name-ryan-phillips-assistant-head-coach-retain-entire-coaching-staff/ ***** The league has released the names of ten players from each team's neg list. https://3downnation.com/2023/12/12/idaho-speedster-jermaine-jackson-headlines-cfl-negotiation-list-reveal/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/12/12/cfl-clubs-reveal-10-names-from-negotiation-lists/ ***** JC Abbott has announced his 2023 NCAA All-Canadians. https://3downnation.com/2023/12/14/abbotts-2023-ncaa-all-canadians-offence/ https://3downnation.com/2023/12/15/abbotts-2023-ncaa-all-canadians-defence/ ***** The league has announced its 2024 schedule. Everyone will play everyone else at least twice. https://www.cfl.ca/schedule/ https://3downnation.com/2023/12/14/return-to-balance-cfl-reveals-schedule-for-2024-season/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/12/14/holiday-cheer-red-tag-cfl-unveil-2024-schedule/ https://3downnation.com/2023/12/14/ranking-every-cfl-teams-2024-schedule-reveal/ https://3downnation.com/2023/12/14/saskatchewan-roughriders-get-lucky-with-restful-2024-schedule/ ***** Top 3 QB rushing performances of 2023 https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/02/top-3-quarterback-rushing-performances-of-2023/ ***** This thread's view count now stands at 231,000. That means 1,100 since Nov. 25.

Opened Disc 2 today.

Opened Disc 2 today.

My favorite television show, Secret Agent (aka Danger Man), used a lot of harpsichord in its music. Start here at 1:15.

Pianist Mina Cho Solidifies Her Unique Fusion of Jazz With Korean Traditional Music On "Beat Mirage," Set for February 9 Release by International Gugak Jazz Institute Records Album Features Seven Original Compositions Marrying the Two Styles, Also Introducing Cho's Grace Beat Quartet Upcoming Shows at Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Thurs 2/15; Somerville (MA) Community Baptist Church, Sat 2/17; St. Paul's Chapel of Trinity Church, NYC, Sun 8/4   January 4, 2024 Mina Cho’s startlingly fresh approach to jazz fusion reaches its culmination with Beat Mirage, her fifth album and the debut of her Grace Beat Quartet. Supported by bassist Max Ridley, drummer Yeongjin Kim and percussionist Insoo Kim, the Boston (by way of Seoul) pianist and composer makes bold new strides in her career-long quest to bridge the musical traditions of Korean gugak and American jazz. “What is Korean jazz? What makes Korean jazz?” Cho found herself asking. “Rhythm is very important for this project, and different uses of space.” It’s for this reason that she created a band that offsets the traditional jazz piano trio with a host of native Korean percussion instruments: the janggu, the sori-buk, the kkwaenggwari and jing gongs. Brought together, they form an imaginative range of sonics that “often blend notated amalgamations of Korean and jazz rhythms.” Rarely can the two sides of that amalgamation be discerned: Cho’s music is an entirely original one. The cultural cross-pollination does, however, make it immediately distinctive. Evidence of this requires looking no further than opening “Nacht Song”: Even beyond its solemn chant (drawn from the rites of Korean shamanism), the tune is arresting in its use of interlocking rhythms and unique sense of melody and harmony. Other fascinating idiosyncrasies reveal themselves on “Beat Mirage,” whose lithe classical-piano veneer belies its frantic percussive accents, and “Parallel Destiny (UnMyung II),” which wraps its stabbing beat cycles in elaborate tendrils of melody. There’s even a whiff of Afro-Cuban music on “G-Street Dance,” which Cho calls “Latin Gugak jazz.” But Beat Mirage is no mere experiment in ethnomusicology. Overlaid on Cho’s highly personal sound is the map of a spiritual journey, from the shamanic tones of “Nacht Song” to the gospel music echoes of the closing “If There’s a Stage for Me in Heaven.” Along the way are passages of tender introspection like “A Bit of Grace” and the ecstatic catharsis of “Prints of Imperfection,” presenting an emotional tapestry that’s every bit as complex and compelling as the cultural tapestry. L. to r. Insoo Kim, Yeongjin Kim, Mina Cho, Max Ridley. Not to be overlooked is the superlative work of the Grace Beat Quartet. Drawn from Cho’s larger Gugak Jazz Society ensemble, the rhythmic powerhouse of Ridley and Yeongjin and Insoo Kim is as smooth and precise as clockwork—no small feat given the intricate and sometimes jagged rhythms they are tasked with. Their ability to make these complexities sound so effortless is, truly, a beat mirage. Mina Cho was born in Seoul, South Korea on August 20, 1981—and, seemingly, born to the piano. Her youth offered her the promise of a life as an esteemed concert pianist. While still a student, however, Cho found herself struck by the power of gospel, in both the religious and musical sense. Majoring in theology at the prestigious Yonsei University in Seoul, Cho continued to nourish her love of gospel music as well. She earned a scholarship to Boston’s Berklee College of Music to study the music formally, a pursuit that led her to discover jazz. She earned her degrees in film scoring and jazz composition, ultimately earning both master’s and doctorate degrees in the latter. Gospel never ceased to be a passion of Cho’s, however; she worked as an accompanist at several churches in the Boston area. Nor did she leave behind the gugak tradition when she left Korea: At Somerville Community Baptist Church, where she currently serves as music director (and her husband is the pastor), Cho leads a gospel jazz band whose instrumentation includes a Korean ajaeng (bowed zither). Naturally she began to explore all of those possibilities, and how to bring them together, in her own music. Cho’s 2010 debut album, Originality, was a deep dive into the substantial common ground between the gospel and jazz traditions. She recorded a follow-up, Love Transformation, in 2016, and has also worked extensively with Darrell Katz’s Jazz Composers Alliance Orchestra. In 2021 and 2023 she released GreeKorea: Greeting the Moon and Samulnori Fantasy: Seasons, which introduced her nine-piece Gugak Jazz Society as a vehicle for merging its two titular traditions. It is that band’s offspring that produced the Grace Beat Quartet and Beat Mirage, which, Cho says, “fulfills my long-standing ambition to create a platform where traditional Korean and jazz musicians can organically exchange ideas for composition and improvisation.” Mina Cho will be performing a Lunar New Year Celebration Concert at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, on Thursday 2/15; and a Black History Month Celebration with a Community Gospel Choir Concert, Somerville MA (Somerville Community Baptist Church), on Saturday 2/17. Mina Cho’s Grace Beat Quartet will present selections from Beat Mirage in New York (St. Paul’s Chapel of Trinity Church, 209 Broadway) on Sunday 8/4. The Grace Beat Quartet and Gugak Jazz Society will participate in the K-Festival (Boston) in September and the 10th Corée d’ici festival (Montpellier, France) in October. Updates on the upcoming performances for the CD release concerts and Canada-Korea Co-Creation Project will be announced on the website. Photography: Christo Tsiaras (quartet), Daniel Schwartz (Mina)    EPK: Mina Cho's Grace Beat Quartet | Beat Mirage  Mina Cho Web Site  

Thanks rom!

They did it, 31-14.

I'm not seeing anything. Can anyone provide a link (to anywhere) about this? Thanks!

Congratulate me, boys! On Saturday January 6, 2024, Matt Dunigan liked one of my tweets.