Robert J

Jim - did you get in? The site has a link to this OGG converter http://tobias.everwicked.com/oggds.htm True - sound quality is not stellar; consider the sources from the 1920s! But it isn't technically streaming either tatifan. You can download these files and burn them just the same as you would wav or mp3 files.

Anyone seen this? You have to download an OGG converter if you are using WM Player. Otherwise some really neat stuff here. I'm listening to some Eubie Blake piano rolls right now. http://64.33.34.112/ogg.htm

I am putting this in a separate thread as it is buried in my diary of my trip to Chicago. I bid farewell to my tired family and took the subway downtown to the Jazz Showcase to see Barry Harris. Man I was excited, and fortified by some great Thai food (Big Bowl) and Honkers ale. It was getting to 10 and I feared I’d be late for the second set and I’d have a bar seat or some other hindrance. As Mark said in another thread I did not have to worry about being late. Nor did I have to worry about a table. The place was practically empty. Very sad to see this. In actuality I counted 20 people. I was told it was the same for the first set. Man! I grabbed a Bass Ale (no Goose Island here) and a table upfront so I could see the master’s hands. There were a few student types hanging out, one had his copy of Sidewinder to sign. Another hovered around the piano – and to his credit – Barry the perennial educator, did show him a scale or two. The small attendance did not dissuade him and his rhythm section (OK I am a total retard – I cannot name the bass and drummer – there was no program, I was tired from a long day and filled with ale. Suffice it to say they were a good match (Aside: when I paid my $20 at the door, the bartender spoke to the owner/promoter: “The bass player wants to pay for his drink on his credit card” “Well tell him we don’t take plastic – cash only”.) What can I say – Barry’s a true pleasure to watch. A real harmonic and melodic master. The tunes I remember were Tea for Two, Cabash, Dance of the Infidels, Like Someone in Love and All the Things You Are. I may be missing one. It seemed like a quick set (1 hour). At the end he told the audience that if we all bring 20 friends the next few days he’s here, he’ll take requests. After he was done, he also was thinking ahead to the weekend (Charlie Parker’s birthday) and what Parker tunes he knew to play. So he gave us an impromptu recollection of his Parker catalogue on the piano, playing the melody, aided by us shouting out some tune names. All the while the huge Parker poster behind the band looked on. You can tell he wished for a full club. I can’t see a “work night” being the excuse, but maybe I am wrong. I guess I am thinking it is a crying shame that there was only 20 people to see Barry Harris and yet as I later stumbled back to the hotel there were lines of people trying to get into the clubs on Division on a Wednesday night, and Rush street was filled with people everywhere. I did get to speak with Barry briefly after. I mentioned that I was from Windsor and last saw him perform in 1988 during the Detroit Jazz Festival. He played with a trio at the Renaissance Centre and I caught the second set. It was an emotional gig with lots of his family, friends and fellow musicians in the audience. The set lasted 3 hours as musicians kept opening up their cases and joining the bandstand. He recalled that night. I also told him that because I stayed out late to watch him and the jam session at Cobo Hall I missed the last tunnel bus back to Canada (I had no car) and had to sleep in a bush near the river. He laughed at that. He also invited me to attend his Jazz Clinic in Toronto in November. I guess I should attend when Barry asks! The club is quite a nice place, lots of old photos to take in, and it is comfortable and unpretentious. Apparantly they don't frown on excessive water drinking as I saw much of this going with my fellow listeners. After the show, I walked over to the subway stop and hit Rock Bottom, so to speak. The brew pub mentioned by Skid, Mark, Randy et al. It was more of a college vibe but the bartender – sensing I was a Canadian beer nut – let me sample a few. The stout was disappointing so I ended up with the ale. I gulped it down as there was white rap karaoke going on and I felt really old all of a sudden.

thanks

OK - I can give the executive summary now. Been very busy this week back at work. (excuse the length) What can I say – we had a great time in Chicago. If I could, I would live there. First, we were there with my 2 kids (7 and 11) so the focus was on them throughout. We did all the sightseeing stuff with our CityPass (it covered 6 attractions). As a consequence I did not get to accomplish all of my (selfish) retail pursuits. In fact I didn’t even get to check out the Jazz Record Mart. We left Oakville on Sunday morning, came through the border at Port Huron and traveled west across Michigan. I waved to Jim as we passed Lansing. To make sure he felt my presence as I drove by at 90 mph, I put on Larry Young’s “Groove Street”. After some extremely lengthy construction at the Illinois/Indiana border we finally saw the cityscape before us. The kids even looked up from their DVD for a few minutes. Our hotel in Chicago, the Omni Ambassador East, was on Goethe just north of the Michigan Mile and 3 blocks west of the lake. We arrived Sunday afternoon just as the air show was finishing so the exit to our hotel was closed and we had to take a nice detour up the coast. The hotel was perfect – an older hotel with a glorious past. We had a very large room and we got a small fridge to house my beer – I mean my daughter’s food (as she has various food allergies). The elegant lobby had a slightly out of tune Yamaha grand that I visited regularly – one of the managers told me I should play at the Pump Room around the corner but I had no jacket (shameless reference to the Phil Collins incident). After we settled in we discovered we were just blocks from Rush Street and the food/bar action. After dinner the sun was setting so we ended up at the Hancock Tower for the great view. Locals told us about a Jewel grocery store on Division and Clark so we grabbed some snacks there for the next day. As well, a 12 of Goose Island Summertime beer for myself - $9.99! On Monday the only drag for me was ditching our car. I wasn’t paying $35 @day x 4 for parking. So I parked it at a meter on Sunday near the hotel on Clark which was good until 7am Monday. Then – yes this is a little crazy – I got up early Monday and was on the freeway at 6:45am headed to the airport. My friend has his own business in a strip s/w of O’Hare and he said I could park there for free. It took me well over an hour in the rush hour traffic. Then I got a lift to a nearby Holiday Inn and faked being a guest so I could get a shuttle to the airport. From there a Blue Line into the city. Voila – almost 3 hours later the parking problem is solved (until we did the reverse on Thursday). Back to business here… you don’t need the whole trip report but here’s some highlights and music. On Monday Adler planetarium Shedd Aquarium Millennium Park For dinner we got a great outdoor table on Rush Street at Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House. Had the Goose Island Honker’s ale on draft, and swordfish steak. There was an upright piano at the bar. I befriended the piano player who was playing old time blues while no one in particular was listening. Late Eve: I went to Buddy Guy’s club to check out the jam hosted by Jimmy Burns. It was packed around 10:30 and I got to hear Lindsey Alexander (who I heard last year at Kingston Mines) and Magic Slim’s second guitarist John McDonald – a monster player who I’ve seen several times with Slim. A great soulful singer came up (I’ve forgotten his name now – a Bluebird recording artist) and others. Eventually I got the “call” at 12:00am to join the jam. I had my name on the list and I was introduced as being from Toronto. Felt right at home. So I got my dream of playing blues piano in Chicago! It lasted for 3 tunes (keys of A, Bb and E) and I was very happy, naturally. Burns is a great guy and I got to talk with his wife and band mates as well. When I develop my pics I’ll post them. (Another blessing: a pitcher of Goose Island for $6!) In keeping with the niceness of Chicago’s people, the harmonica player, Paul, gave me a lift to my hotel at 2am. Tuesday – The Field Museum Museum of Science and Industry Eve - My wife and I took in the nearby Steppenwolf Theatre for a fantastic play called “The Pain and the Itch”. Written by a Chicago native, Bruce Norris, it’s a devastating attack on the illusion of middle class liberal bliss. Though I wanted dearly to keep the night going and head uptown to see the Deep Blue Trio at the Green Mill, I felt I should uphold my parental and partner duties and stay at the hotel at least one night. And so I did. Cold beers in room fridge and the Chicago Reader to entertain. Wednesday Art Gallery Navy Pier We also took one of the guided architecture tour boats. Very happy we did this. The speaker was animated and knowledgeable and resembled Philip Seymour Hoffman in looks and tone. My kids however, hot and always hungry, wished he’d just shut up. I learned a good deal in that 1 hour tour and I even saw my company’s Chicago office on Wacker from the boat. For dinner we ate at the Big Bowl at Cedar just east of Rush– sort of hip Asian/Thai fusion. They make a good Thai hot pepper shrimp, and some Asian ribs my daughter could eat. Beer – Goose Island 312 Urban wheat Later Eve – I bid farewell to my tired family and took the subway downtown to the Jazz Showcase to see Barry Harris. It was getting to 10 and I feared I’d be late for the second set and I’d have a bar seat or some other hindrance. As Mark said in another thead I did not have to worry about being late. Nor did I have to worry about a table. The place was practically empty. Very sad to see this. In actuality I counted 20 people. I was told it was the same for the first set. Man! I grabbed a Bass Ale (no Goose Island here) and a table upfront so I could see the master’s hands. There were a few student types hanging out, one had his copy of Sidewinder to sign. Another hovered around the piano – and to his credit – Barry the perennial educator, did show him a scale or two. The small attendance did not dissuade him and his rhythm section (OK I am a total retard – I cannot name the bass and drummer – there was no program, I was tired from a long day and filled with ale. Suffice it to say they were a good match (Aside: when I paid my $20 at the door, the bartender spoke to the owner/promoter: “The bass player wants to pay for his drink on his credit card” “Well tell him we don’t take plastic – cash only”.) What can I say – Barry’s a true pleasure to watch. A real harmonic and melodic master. The tunes I remember were Tea for Two, Cabash, Dance of the Infidels, Like Someone in Love and All the Things You Are. I may be missing one. It seemed like a quick set (1 hour). At the end he told the audience that if we all bring 20 friends the next few days he’s here, he’ll take requests. After he was done, he also was thinking ahead to the weekend (Charlie Parker’s birthday) and what Parker tunes he knew to play. So he gave us an impromptu recollection of his Parker catalogue on the piano, playing the melody, aided by us shouting out some tune names. All the while the huge Parker poster behind the band looked on. You can tell he wished for a full club. I can’t see a “work night” being the excuse, but maybe I am wrong. I guess I am thinking it is a crying shame that there was only 20 people to see Barry Harris and yet as I later stumbled back to the hotel there were lines of people trying to get into the clubs on Division on a Wednesday night, and Rush street was filled with people everywhere. I did get to speak with Barry briefly after. I mentioned that I was from Windsor and last saw him perform in 1988 during the Detroit Jazz Festival. He played with a trio at the Renaissance Centre and I caught the second set. It was an emotional gig with lots of his family, friends and fellow musicians in the audience. The set lasted 3 hours as musicians kept opening up their cases and joining the bandstand. He recalled that night. I also told him that because I stayed out late to watch him and the jam session at Cobo Hall I missed the last tunnel bus back to Canada (I had no car) and had to sleep in a bush near the river. He laughed at that. He also invited me to attend his Jazz Clinic in Toronto in November. I guess I should attend when Barry asks! As I walked over to the subway stop I hit Rock Bottom, so to speak. The brew pub mentioned by Skid, Mark, Randy et al. It was more of a college vibe but the bartender – sensing I was a Canadian beer nut – let me sample a few. The stout was disappointing so I ended up with the ale. I gulped it down as there was white rap karaoke going on and I felt really old all of a sudden. Thursday/Friday We ended up in St. Joseph’s Michigan for a relaxing stay. Great beach for the kids. And for organ fans they had a Band Organ Rally Presented by Carousel Organ Association of America. About a dozen calliope and street organs on display and loudly bellowing their pipes. Beer – Blue Moon wheat beer, New Holland Zoomer Wit Saturday – leave the US and head to Windsor for my cousin’s wedding in the eve. On the way stop at Meijer’s in Ann Arbor to buy – what else – ½ case of Sam Adam’s Oktoberfest and ½ case Blue Moon. Mission accomplished. Thanks for all fellow board members who offered help and suggestions for this trip.

Wow, unbelievable the chaos and lawlessness - this in from a Toronto Star reporter caught in crossfire in NO. The photographer had his camera taken away after recording police beatings.

Canadian Forces on standby to help U.S. aid efforts Chief of Defence Staff General Rick Hillier said Thursday the Canadian Forces have been put on standby to help the United States deal with the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Gen. Hillier said he notified his American counterparts that Canada was prepared to offer whatever assistance was needed. He also noted that the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), which was deployed in the Asian tsunami earlier this year, was put on a one-hour notice in Kingston, Ont. “They have but to ask and we in the Canadian Forces would have it rolling or sailing or flying southward as quickly as possible,” he told reporters Thursday. Canada offered to transport goods in and out of the devastated region using Hercules aircrafts and helicopters. Gen. Hillier also offered electrical generators and drawing from experience in other disasters, like last year's tsunami, he said Canada was also prepared to establish water purification centres in the region. Canada offered small boats and diving teams to help recover bodies as well, he said “Their message back to me was very clear. Firstly it was a heartfelt thanks from their part.” Gen. Hillier said he was confident that if his U.S. counterparts needed help, they would ask. “In short, we want to be ready to go as soon as any need is identified that we may be able to fill,” he said. He said he also made the offer to the U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins. Earlier Thursday, Prime Minister Paul Martin called U.S. President George W. Bush, offering his condolences for the hundreds and perhaps thousands of those who died in hurricane Katrina.

Oh man he was great I was just listening to A Bothered Mind last night

or Jessica Lynch out of Iraq

Our newspaper reported this morning that $100 per barrel of oil 'is coming and it won't be the end of it' It was $1.20 Canadian/litre this morning (and rising) in Toronto so by my calculation that's around $5.40 a gallon US

They have wheat beer and Jefferson Starship just played there.

Thanks Jim I could hear your daughter a bit in the background!

A record label has hired a private detective to trace jazz singer Madeleine Peyroux, whose album has been steadily climbing the UK charts. The US singer has failed to turn up for any promotional work, according to Universal Classics. It said this was not the first time she had vanished, spending seven years busking in Paris after the release of her debut album. Record bosses said she was "proving impossible to track down". Peyroux's voice has been compared to Billie Holiday, with the potential to become one of the biggest-selling artists of the year. She released her debut album, Dreamland, in 1996 to rave reviews but soon ducked out of the public eye to spend her time busking on the streets of Paris. On her return to the music scene she signed to independent label Rounder Records, which now has a licensing deal with Universal. A Universal spokeswoman said: "She should be overjoyed with the album's chart position, but she has now returned to America and is proving impossible to track down. "Anxious record company bosses and her management company have been trying to contact her for nearly a week to no avail. She has simply disappeared." The company said it had gone "to great lengths to protect Madeleine from burn-out through too much promotional work". "But it would seem that despite these efforts Ms Peyroux has had enough," said the spokeswoman. "She is that rare thing, an artist more interested in her music than in the glitz and glamour of showbusiness."

Damn - I was going to check him out in Chicago next week. He played regularly at the Kingston Mines. ---------------------------------------- http://www.jazztimes.com/columns_and_featu...m?article=10529 Legendary blues pianist, vocalist and songwriter Emery "Detroit Junior" Williams Jr. died at his home in Chicago on Aug. 9 of heart failure. He was 73. His 50-plus year career was studded with notable recordings, memorable performances and renowned band mates. Born in Haynes, Ark. on Oct. 26, 1931, Williams' family soon moved to Memphis and then again to Southern Illinois, where he spent his childhood growing up. His family moved again, this time to Flint, Mich., where he lived with his grandmother and began playing the instruments she kept around her house. By the time he was 19, he was leading his own band, the Blues Chaps, and playing clubs in both Flint and Pontiac, Mich. For three years, the Blues Chaps were the house band at the Circle Club in Detroit, a position that had them backing touring stars such as Roscoe Gordon, Eddie Boyd, John Lee Hooker and Amos Milburn. Playing with Milburn was a special accomplishment for Williams, who idolized Milburn and his amusing songs about the evils of alcohol. In 1956, Williams moved down to Chicago under the tutelage of Eddie Boyd as Boyd tried to line up a contract for Williams with Chess Records. While the record deal didn't originally pan out, Williams fell in with J.T. Brown, Chicago's leading blues saxophonist. Together, they landed a gig at Club 99 and soon after, a gig at the legendary Squeeze Club. Williams' performances quickly earned him a dedicated following, which adored the musician's percussive piano playing and engaging live performance. Soon, Williams paired up with harpist Little Mack Simmons and the two settled into a steady gig as the house band at Cadillac Baby's South Side club. Around the same time, in 1960, Williams recorded his first single for the Bea & Baby label - "Money Tree" backed with "So Unhappy." It was this single that sparked the nickname Detroit Junior; before that, he had been known as Little Junior Williams. After his successful single, Chess came calling, regretting their missed opportunity to sign the artist. Williams signed to Chess, but ironically, the singles didn't sell. He cut for Foxy, CL and Palos before his next hit, the original tune "Call My Job" on U.S.A. in 1965. The single helped him gig with era heavy-hitters Mack Simmons, Eddie Taylor, Sam Lay and Johnny Twist. In 1968, he began touring and recording with Howlin' Wolf, playing everywhere from college campuses to Big Duke's Flamingo. When Howlin' Wolf died in 1976, Williams remained with the band, the Wolf Gang, for a number of years. Williams finally recorded his first full album under his own name in the early 1970s, entitled Chicago Urban Blues on the Blues On Blues label. The inclusion of four of his songs on Alligator Records' Living Chicago Blues, Volume 6 established his career as a successful solo artist. He recorded four albums under his own name from 1995-2004: Turn Up the Heat (1995); Take Out the Time (1997); Live at the Toledo Museum of Modern Art (2004), all for Blue Suit; and Blues on the Internet in 2004 for Delmark. Throughout his career, he was known both for his music and his antics on stage, which included playing the piano standing up, on his knees and from underneath the instrument. Many of his songs are blues classics, and Koko Taylor recorded three of his tunes: "Tired of That," "Thanks, But No Thanks" and "Never Trust a Man." In the last few years, Williams continued to play around Chicago, even after losing a leg to diabetes. He was also featured in Martin Scorsese's PBS series, The Blues. He wrote and performed up until his death. The funeral will be held on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at A.R. Leake Funeral Home, 7838 S. Cottage Grove, Chicago, Ill., with the wake held at 1 p.m. A visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.

I missed the interview but am enjoying the album. She said that you guys are "just burning up the jazz charts". Awesome

My former art history professor at the University of Windsor - Michael Farrell - bought an older abandoned home in the early 80s in Brush Park. It is just east of Woodward. He bought it for a song (I think 50K) and it's a mansion. He amazingly restored it (I was at some of the parties there) to its previous glory and some of his neighbors did the same. However I see in this article that the dream has died. Michael is quoted. http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=1141 Once I took the bus to the Detroit Institute of Arts and I (bravely) decided to walk down Woodward towards the river. This was during the day. I saw some of these houses but I think I took some chances being alone. I remember a guy walking ahead of me about 20 feet and he looked like he was lighting a cigarette. The I saw him drop something - a small jar - it hit the ground and there were flames on the sidewalk and this guy's shirt. I walked much faster after that.

Maybe Google has indexed the Sexiest album covers pages and we're getting referrals from some of those unsavory websites

SS - that's a good point. I've thought about that a lot. I'd never do real justice to a Monk tune because I am so familiar with the recordings. And to try to ape him would be terrible (though many do). It would be like writing in the style of Milton or Dante. Some can do it well. I still feel the Chick Corea recording on ECM does justice. As does Fred Hersch. Barry Harris and Tommy Flanagan do in a different way. Though Barry is more Bud and Tad Dameron (I'm going to see him next week ). Even the Theolnius Monk competitions were suspect in my mind. Did they prize imitators only? Interpretors? What Mike said about the film "Straight no Chaser" is accurate. The fingerings are unique to Monk - and that's how his sound happens. The upshot is: I feel more self-conscious playing Monk than I do Duke.

Ballad: Ruby my Dear Up: Bemsha Swing, Well you Needn't I think that Monk melodies are tricky to play on the piano (trickier than they seem at first) because they require your hands to operate differently than you are used to (ie use unique fingerings in the right hand; left hand rhythm shifts). His runs are also challenging. I would never copy him of course. The tunes are certainly not learned from the Real Book! I found the Stuart Isacoff transcriptions helpful as well as careful listening. I still feel like a novice when it comes to Monk - and that says lots about the way he composes. I'd love to play Nutty or Trinkle Tinkle someday.

The female has a late 70s glam look - are the two "connected" somehow?

All pals? Why, Chuck wouldn't even lend me the keys to his Mercury Marquis the last time I was out in MI.....and Moose & Ghost haven't written to me in weeks and failed to send the Polly Pocket gift set to my 8-year-old on her recent B'day! Pals my foot!!! Hmmph! ← There's always a wheat bear in my fridge for those who wish to visit.

The "young girl" will be selling insurance policies. Some of her customers may be paying premium payments for 1000 years.

Here's my (close to) 25 year old memory of a similar thing. Going to Pine Knob from Windsor (for Blue Oyster Cult). I think near Troy taking I-75. Big Beaver Road at Exit 69. When you are 14 and stoned this kind of thing gives you a chuckle. Of course I've grown up now