GA Russell

So here we are midway through Week 15. Let's take a look at the standings. https://www.cfl.ca/2023standings/ I always say that a final record of 8-10 is good enough to make the playoffs. So (unofficially) Toronto, Winnipeg and BC are in. Actually, Toronto has clinched first place, and Winnipeg has also clinched a playoff spot. Now let's look at the other clubs. The Riders need two wins in five games. The Stamps need four wins in five games. The Elks need to win all of their four remaining games. The Als need two wins in five games. The Ticats need three wins in six games. The Redblacks need five wins in six games. The Als have beaten every team behind them every time, so I'll expect them to make the playoffs. The Redblacks have lost their last six, so I can't see them turning it around now. The Riders have been extremely inconsistent, but Dolegala seems to be improving, so I don't see them losing four of their next five. The Stamps have also been inconsistent, so I don't see them winning four of five at this point. Powell, like Dolegala, has also been getting better, so I can see the Ticats winning three of six. That leaves the Elks with Tre Ford. Of all the bad clubs, I can see the Elks as the team which pulls a miracle and wins all four of its remaining games. That's not a prediction, but I think they could pull it off. So in summary, I don't see Ottawa and Calgary winning eight games. It's not likely that Edmonton will win eight, but it could happen. By the way, never in history have both Alberta teams failed to make the playoffs in the same year. That's what we are looking at now.

Week 15 picks https://officepoolswire.com/football/cfl-week-15-predictions/ https://3downnation.com/2023/09/15/3downnation-cfl-picks-argos-eye-deciding-blow-in-the-east/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/15/from-the-editors-desk-is-this-the-best-argonauts-team-ever/ ***** Both of tonight's games were humdingers. Check out the highlight reels! https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/15/recap-toronto-23-montreal-20-2/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/16/recap-edmonton-36-saskatchewan-27/

Thanks, Lon!

Jim, if you can get back to Windsor, my Canadian friends live for HP steak sauce. No guarantee that you'll like it. My favorite Canadian candy bar is Coffee Crisp. My nephews and nieces like Mr. Big.

Week 15 picks https://doorfliesopen.com/2023/09/14/cfl-beat-193/ ***** Week 15 Game Notes https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/14/cfl-ca-game-notes-adams-jr-on-pace-for-career-high/

Week 13 Plays of the Week https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/05/timber-mart-plays-of-the-week-from-a-wild-long-weekend/ ***** Week 14 Plays of the Week https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/11/timber-mart-plays-of-the-week-from-an-action-packed-weekend/ ***** Darnell Sankey has signed with the Als. https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/11/alouettes-sign-star-linebacker-darnell-sankey/ ***** 9/12 Playoff Scenarios https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/12/playoff-scenarios-argos-eye-east-division-title/ ***** In spite of Calgary's mediocre performance thus far, Maier is leading the league in passing yards. https://www.cfl.ca/league-leaders/ ***** 9/13 Checking Down https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/13/checking-down-elks-extend-national-ol-mark-korte/ ***** Week 15 picks https://rodpedersen.com/week-15-cfl-picks-2023/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/12/prediction-time-cfl-ca-writers-week-15-picks-2/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/12/weekly-predictor-going-with-an-upset-in-hamilton/

So now it's Wednesday, and I have 48 hours to catch up. There were some crazy games the past two weeks, and I know you'll enjoy some of the highlight reels. "Labour" Day Weekend BC 34....Montreal 25 https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/02/recap-bc-34-montreal-25/ https://3downnation.com/2023/09/03/lions-pull-up-on-the-yoke-and-10-other-thoughts-on-beating-the-alouettes/ https://3downnation.com/2023/09/03/so-close-yet-so-far-seven-thoughts-on-the-montreal-alouettes-loss-to-b-c/ ***** Sask 32....Winnipeg 30 https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/04/recap-saskatchewan-32-winnipeg-30/ https://3downnation.com/2023/09/03/blue-bombers-suffer-loss-idiotic-headbutt-against-riders-in-labour-day-classic-14-other-thoughts/ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/blue-bombers-drop-labour-day-classic-in-overtime-1.6956389 ***** Toronto 41....Hamilton 28 https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/04/recap-toronto-41-hamilton-28/ https://3downnation.com/2023/09/05/labour-day-letdown-nine-thoughts-on-hamiltons-41-28-loss-to-the-argos/ https://3downnation.com/2023/09/05/jamal-peters-argonauts-have-hamiltons-number-12-other-thoughts-on-torontos-labour-day-win/ ***** Calgary 35.....Edmonton 31 https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/05/recap-calgary-35-edmonton-31/ https://3downnation.com/2023/09/05/edmonton-elks-tre-ford-breaks-cfl-single-game-canadian-quarterback-rushing-record/ https://3downnation.com/2023/09/05/seven-thoughts-on-the-edmonton-elks-labour-day-loss-after-squandering-late-lead-to-calgary/ https://3downnation.com/2023/09/05/miracle-maier-mounts-comeback-as-stampeders-win-labour-day-classic-six-other-thoughts/ https://3downnation.com/2023/09/05/calgary-stampeders-beat-elks-but-lose-titus-wall-to-apparent-long-term-injury/ ***** Power Rankings https://3downnation.com/2023/09/05/3downnation-cfl-power-rankings-post-labour-day/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/cfl-week-14-power-rankings-riders-rise-up-bc-bounces-back-toronto-tops-hamilton-stamps-stun-elks/ ***** Week 14 results Hamilton 27....Ottawa 24 https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/08/recap-hamilton-27-ottawa-24/ https://3downnation.com/2023/09/09/gutting-one-out-nine-thoughts-on-hamiltons-27-24-victory-over-the-redblacks/ https://3downnation.com/2023/09/11/ottawa-redblacks-latest-loss-signals-more-of-the-same/ ***** Toronto 39....Montreal 10 https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/09/recap-toronto-39-montreal-10/ https://3downnation.com/2023/09/09/toronto-argonauts-clinch-playoff-spot-with-victory-over-alouettes/ https://3downnation.com/2023/09/09/flutie-like-run-continues-for-chad-kellys-argos-12-other-thoughts-on-torontos-win-over-montreal/ https://3downnation.com/2023/09/10/alouettes-miss-the-boat-once-again-get-dominated-in-toronto-seven-thoughts-on-montreal-loss-against-the-argos/ ***** Winnipeg 51....Sask 6 https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/09/recap-winnipeg-51-saskatchewan-6/ https://3downnation.com/2023/09/09/winnipeg-blue-bombers-clinch-playoff-spot-with-banjo-bowl-victory/ https://3downnation.com/2023/09/09/blue-bombers-blast-riders-in-banjo-bowl-blowout-eight-other-thoughts/ ***** Edmonton 25....Calgary 23 https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/09/recap-edmonton-25-calgary-23/ https://3downnation.com/2023/09/10/elks-return-favour-comeback-to-beat-stamps-in-rematch-and-six-other-thoughts/ https://3downnation.com/2023/09/10/elks-keep-the-faithfull-in-comeback-win-eight-thoughts-on-beating-calgary-in-the-labour-day-rematch/ ***** Power Rankings https://3downnation.com/2023/09/11/3downnation-cfl-power-rankings-ticats-claw-their-way-back-into-contention/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/11/power-rankings-something-big-is-brewing/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/cfl-2023-week-15-power-rankings-argos-and-bombers-clinch-playoff-berths-in-dominating-fashion-elks-flip-the-script/ https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/contenders-vs-pretenders-week-15/

SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD - Up to 1050MB/s - USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2 - External Solid State Drive - SDSSDE61-1T00-G25 $79.99 ("best price") https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GTYFC37

Do you (or anyone else) have an opinion on The Shield or The Commish?

L'Essentielle Greco - 13 CDs - $24.95 Universal box, 1951 - 2013 https://www.hamiltonbook.com/lessentielle-greco-compact-disc

I think I know, but I might be wrong. Radio stations receive their copies before the date the CD goes on sale ('the street date"). Sometimes the radio stations are given permission to play the song before the street date.

Brandon Sanders Compton's Finest Impacting September 11th, 2023 Format(s): Jazz # Artist and Track Title Time 1. Brandon Sanders - Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise 03:44 2. Brandon Sanders - Compton's Finest 05:10 3. Brandon Sanders - I Can't Help It 05:31 4. Brandon Sanders - Voyage 05:07 5. Brandon Sanders - Body and Soul 04:55 6. Brandon Sanders - Monk's Dream 06:07 7. Brandon Sanders - In a Sentimental Mood 04:30 8. Brandon Sanders - 08 SJB 04:24 New from Savant Records Brandon Sanders - Compton’s Finest Savant Records SCD 2211 Brandon Sanders – drums Jazzmeia Horn – vocals on “In a Sentimental Mood” & “I Can’t Help It” Keith Brown – piano • Chris Lewis – tenor saxophone Warren Wolf – vibraphone • Eric Wheeler – bass Airplay Starts Now • Suggested Tracks 1. Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise 3:45 3. I Can’t Help It 5:30 • 4. Voyage 5:06 7. In a Sentimental Mood 4:30 • 7. SJB 4:24 Savant Col... 2211 Brand...

# Artist and Track Title Time 1. Richard Baratta - Herzog 06:43 2. Richard Baratta - Molten Glass 04:53 3. Richard Baratta - Blackberry Winter 04:52 4. Richard Baratta - Peresina 07:39 5. Richard Baratta - Afro-Centric 05:52 6. Richard Baratta - Lost 04:32 7. Richard Baratta - Sombrero Sam 06:34 8. Richard Baratta - Tones for Joan's Bones 05:33 9. Richard Baratta - Out of This World 06:40 New from Savant Records Richard Baratta - Off the Charts Savant Records SCD 2210 Richard Baratta - drums Jerry Bergonzi - tenor saxophone (tr. 1, 3, 5, 7 &9 only) David Kikoski - piano, electric piano (tr. 5 only) John Patitucci - bass, electric bass (tr. 5 only) Paul Rossman - congas, percussion Airplay Starts Now • Suggested Tracks 3. Blackberry Winter 4:51 • 4. Peresina 7:39 5. Afro-Centric 5:51 • 6. Lost 4:31

Henry Cow - Leg End

Andrea Veneziani Compounds His Expansive Musical Vision on "The Lighthouse," Set for October 6 Release Follow-Up to His 2012 Debut Album Features Bassist's Original Compositions, Played with a Quartet Comprising Kirk Knuffke, Charlie Sigler, Allan Mednard   September 5, 2023 Acclaimed bassist and composer Andrea Veneziani returns to leadership with his long-awaited second album, The Lighthouse, which will be available on October 6. The album features the Italian-born artist leading an all-star quartet comprising cornetist Kirk Knuffke, guitarist Charlie Sigler, and drummer Allan Mednard performing a gorgeous set of eight Veneziani originals. This sophomore effort from the bassist comes eleven years after his highly praised debut, 2012’s Oltreoceano. The lengthy gap is partly due to the first album’s success, which opened many doors for Veneziani to perform and record both as a leader and a sideman. However, he had initially planned to make his follow-up in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic thwarted his efforts for three long years. Ironically, however, that last delay gave Veneziani an unexpected gift. He had time to shape and polish the scintillating new group of tunes that make up The Lighthouse. Each is crafted to the specific sounds of the musicians in his band, yet they are also in conversation with the piano-trio pieces on Oltreoceano. “I think these new pieces are connected with the first recording,” Veneziani says. “The tunes are kind of on the same page aesthetically, but there’s definitely been a growth in the complexity of the forms and the sophistication of the melodies, harmonies, and the rhythmic elements of the compositions.” Which is not to say that the new songs are too hip for the room, so to speak. Indeed, The Lighthouse is dazzling right from the start—the warmly glowing title track—and remains so all the way through its lively but thoughtful samba closer, “Shunting Line.” In between those endpieces are pockets of beauty (the gorgeous ballads “Gravity” and “Rainbows”), good cheer (“In Perpetuum”), quirky charm (the waltzing “Twelve Clowns”), hard swing (“Seasons”), and free-ish improvisation (“Bop-Be”). Yet for all their variety, the pieces show a remarkable consistency, coming together to form a clear Veneziani vision. Despite the singularity of that vision, however, much of the credit also goes to the ace, handpicked sidemen. “I wanted their individual sounds, and I thought they’d work together beautifully,” Veneziani says. And so they do, as The Lighthouse masterfully demonstrates. Andrea Veneziani was born April 21, 1977 in Pescia, a medieval town in the Italian region of Tuscany, and soon moved to the Marche region, where he lived until the age of 15 when his family relocated to Rome. At 20, inspired by the legendary funk-rocker Flea and other bassists, he began playing the electric bass and cycling through various cover bands. The routine-ness of the music became a bore, though, and Veneziani threw himself into the study of improvisation. At the same time, he studied sociology at Rome’s La Sapienza University. It wasn’t until after finishing his college degree that Veneziani turned his attention to the acoustic double bass (for which both work and education were more plentiful and lucrative). He received an Advanced Academic Diploma from the Conservatory of Music Licinio Refice in Frosinone in 2007, boosting a jazz career that had already begun in earnest. Over the next few years, Veneziani was a frequent and popular presence on the Italian jazz scene, performing at the Umbria, Teano, Novara, and Terni Jazz Festivals along with other festivals and clubs all across Italy. In 2009, he received a Fulbright scholarship to study jazz performance at NYU, where in 2011 he earned his Master of Music in Performance with a Concentration in Jazz. In the meantime, he developed a flourishing career in New York. Veneziani’s resume includes club, studio, and touring work with the likes of Ralph Alessi, Houston Person, Brian Lynch, Tony Moreno, Tom Guarna, Mark Ferber, Ralph Lalama, George Schuller, Steve Slagle, John Betsch, Ben Monder, Kenny Werner, and Ross Pederson. The latter two served as the trio on Veneziani’s recording debut, Oltreoceano, in 2012. While he loves working as a sideman, he also cherishes the opportunity that his albums, of which The Lighthouse is the second, allow him to put his rich compositional dimension on display. Pictured above, l. to r: Allan Mednard, Kirk Knuffke, Andrea Veneziani, Charlie Sigler.    Andrea Veneziani Web Site  

Arrangements by Tommy Newsom. I'm going to guess that this was Charlie Byrd's 2nd-best selling album after Jazz Samba. Anyone disagree?

Week 13 picks https://3downnation.com/2023/09/02/3downnation-cfl-picks-can-labour-day-underdogs-shake-up-the-the-standings/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/09/01/from-the-editors-desk-welcome-to-labour-day-weekend/ ***** Two USFL guys and one XFL guy made NFL rosters this week. 14 USFL players end up on NFL active rosters, practice squads or injured reserve | FOX Sports After NFL cut-down dust settles, many XFL 2020 and 2023 players earn practice squad spots - XFL News and Discussion (xflboard.com)

Chad Kelly has signed a three-year extension with the Argos. https://www.cfl.ca/2023/08/31/argos-extend-qb-chad-kelly-w-three-year-deal/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/08/31/kelly-commits-to-argos-sees-bright-future/ https://3downnation.com/2023/08/31/more-swag-qb-chad-kelly-signs-three-year-contract-extension-with-argos/ https://3downnation.com/2023/08/31/toronto-argos-make-qb-chad-kelly-highest-paid-player-in-cfl-with-three-year-contract-worth-1-865-million/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/toronto-argonauts-announce-three-year-contract-for-qb-chad-kelly-1.2002065 ***** Week 13 Game Notes https://www.cfl.ca/2023/08/31/cfl-ca-game-notes-collaros-6-0-in-labour-day-classics/ ***** Good news! After this weekend, there will be only four games carried by CBS Sports Network. That means that those of us in the US will be able to watch the games on the league's website, and for free. https://d3ham790trbkqy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Where-To-Watch-CFL-in-2023.pdf ***** Week 13 picks https://doorfliesopen.com/2023/08/31/cfl-beat-191/ https://officepoolswire.com/football/cfl-week-13-predictions/

In the late sixties I had a friend who was in a rock band. His name was Walt Egan, and his band was called Sageworth & Drums. One day I asked him, If you could sign with any label you wanted, what would it be? He said Columbia, because their recording studio had the best sound. I said that I would sign with A&M, because such a high percentage of their albums were hits. Well lo and behold, about 1975 Walt did sign with Columbia! And a year or two later he had a hit record I'm sure most here will recall, called "You are a Magnet and I am Steel."

TTK, I agree. However, I think she changed much more with her albums after Hello, It's Me. I remember well going to the theatre to see Never Say Never Again. It took me half a minute after the music began to realize it was her! That didn't occur to me, though you may be absolutely right (though Carly Simon came later). I felt at the time that Carole King was going after the college crowd with Tapestry, while Lani was going after people over 30. (Just my impression, with nothing to back it up.)

Three free songs to celebrate Art's birthday. Roadgame The Trip There Will Never Be Another You https://artpepper.bandcamp.com/album/freebie-for-arts-birthday-3-tracks

Week 12 results Plays of the Week https://www.cfl.ca/2023/08/28/looking-back-on-the-week-12-plays-of-the-week/ ***** Winnipeg 47....Montreal 17 Let's consider the Alouettes. You will recall that in the pre-season previews, the Als were picked to be the worst team. Yet here we are in the middle of the season, and they have the fourth-best record. Every game they have played against the three better teams, they have lost. Every game they have played against the five worse teams they have won. https://www.cfl.ca/2023/08/25/recap-winnipeg-47-montreal-17/ https://3downnation.com/2023/08/24/winnipeg-blue-bombers-overcome-early-miscues-to-eviscerate-alouettes-11-other-thoughts/ https://3downnation.com/2023/08/25/alouettes-try-to-send-message-get-humiliated-instead-seven-thoughts-on-the-loss-to-winnipeg/ ***** Toronto 39....Calgary 31 The Stamps looked much better than their record throughout the game. https://www.cfl.ca/2023/08/25/recap-toronto-39-calgary-31/ https://3downnation.com/2023/08/26/the-argos-break-the-cow-town-curse-and-10-other-thoughts-on-torontos-big-win-over-calgary/ https://3downnation.com/2023/08/26/stamps-go-toe-to-toe-with-to-but-fall-short-again-and-six-other-thoughts-on-losing-to-the-argos/ ***** Hamilton 30....BC 13 Surprise! The Ticats were dominant on the road. For the first time, Powell truly looked like he belongs in the league. https://www.cfl.ca/2023/08/26/recap-hamilton-30-bc-13/ https://3downnation.com/2023/08/27/lions-fall-asleep-at-the-wheel-and-10-other-thoughts-on-losing-to-the-ticats/ https://3downnation.com/2023/08/27/west-coast-beatdown-10-thoughts-on-hamiltons-dominant-30-13-victory-over-the-lions/ ***** Edmonton 30....Ottawa 20 Edmonton wins at home for the first time since October of 2019! And they have now won two in a row. Tre Ford is looking good. https://www.cfl.ca/2023/08/27/recap-edmonton-30-ottawa-20/ https://3downnation.com/2023/08/27/edmonton-elks-end-historic-home-losing-streak-with-victory-over-redblacks/ https://3downnation.com/2023/08/28/it-finally-happened-nine-thoughts-on-edmontons-first-home-win-in-four-year/ https://3downnation.com/2023/08/28/streak-breakers-redblacks-hit-rock-bottom-ten-other-thoughts-on-ottawas-loss-to-edmonton/ ***** Power Rankings A new last place team! https://www.cfl.ca/2023/08/28/power-rankings-making-a-splash/ https://3downnation.com/2023/08/28/3downnation-cfl-power-rankings-elks-running-into-contention/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/cfl-week-13-power-rankings-elks-end-historic-streak-ticats-surprise-lions-winnipeg-bombs-montreal-toronto-wins-thriller/ https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/contenders-vs-pretenders-week-13/ ***** Rich Stubler has died at 74. RIP. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/rich-stubler-obit-aug-27-1.6949261 https://3downnation.com/2023/08/27/long-time-cfl-defensive-coordinator-rich-stubler-dead-at-74/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/08/27/the-cfl-mourns-the-passing-of-longtime-coach-rich-stubler/ ***** Philadelphia QB Jalen Hurts wore a Birmingham Barracudas jersey to the Eagles game. https://3downnation.com/2023/08/24/philadelphia-eagles-qb-jalen-hurts-rocks-cfl-us-expansion-birmingham-barracudas-jersey-before-nfl-preseason-game/ ***** Nathan Rourke has signed with Jacksonville's taxi squad. https://3downnation.com/2023/08/30/canadian-qb-nathan-rourke-clears-waivers-will-join-practice-roster-with-jaguars/ ***** 8/29 Playoff Scenarios https://www.cfl.ca/2023/08/29/playoff-scenarios-bombers-look-to-punch-ticket-to-post-season-2/ ***** Week 13 picks https://rodpedersen.com/labour-day-weekend-cfl-picks-2023/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/08/29/prediction-time-cfl-ca-writers-ld-weekend-picks/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/08/29/weekly-predictor-setting-up-for-labour-day-weekend/ ***** Week 13 Checking Down https://www.cfl.ca/2023/08/30/checking-down-evans-ellingson-back-practising-for-als/ ***** Standings and Stats https://d3ham790trbkqy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_CFL_League_Stats_Report_Week_12.pdf