DTMX

I just downloaded Aurora by Sam Rivers' Riv-Bea Orchestra. Still getting in to it. Sounds a lot like Culmination and Inspiration - lots of abstract melodies and tight charts played over a funky rhythm section. Nice to see his Orlando group being recorded.

That's Earl McGraw, my favorite reoccurring character in the Tarantinoverse, and he was in both flicks. He was Dr. Dakota's estranged father in "Planet Terror" as well as in "Death Proof". Also, the character McGraw calls "Son Number One" in "Death Proof" and "Kill Bill 1 & 2" is played by Michael Parks' son. Don't know if you know but you know now: Earl McGraw was introduced in the opening scenes of the movie "From Dusk Til Dawn". It's the best realization of the character on film.

In Atlanta, the Bang on a Can All-Stars were playing a lengthy rendition of Brian Eno's Music for Airports at a small theater - a theater so small that you had to walk across the stage to get to the seats. So when the people in the audience wanted to walk out during the performance they had to step onstage and walk across it to the exit - and dodge the guitarist's chair along the way. Some slunk out, some strode out. And the guitarist (I have forgotten his name) would smile at them as they passed by (not missing a note).

Especially that scene where the gym teacher was trying to pull the guy's tallywhacker through the pipe. Everyone in my high school could be counted on for two things: owning a worn out cassette of AC/DC's Back in Black, and having seen Porky's more than once. Porky's was our Citizen Kane.

Ditto on the string quintets and sextets. I got mine on EMI's Encore (budget) series and they sound wonderful.

Mr. Greenjeans could carry the bunnies around in the pockets of his overalls. The Captain carried them in his pouch.

That reminds me - I still haven't gotten around to reading my copy of Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond. Curse the distractions of the internet.

Royal Trust Bank Benin, Cotonou-Benin Republic uses Yahoo as their email server? This guy's trying to rip you off. Don't settle for anything less than USD$1.5 million.

Happy B-day, dude!

I saw one of his shows in Atlanta 10-15 years ago. It is still the funniest show I've ever seen and I remember almost passing out because I couldn't stop laughing long enough to breathe. It was during some story he was telling about a woman's vibrator that was so powerful you had to kick-start it like a motorcycle. RIP.

I think this explains everything: "The man, believed to be in his 30s, rides a pink bicycle and was seen wearing a winter jacket with a fur collar around the hood..." A 101 year old woman was probably the most he could handle. Me, I could whup somebody twice her age.

Is the William Henry Harrison just going to be a dime since he only served a month? Yeah, and the coin for Millard Fillmore is going to be... Um... I got nothing.

Wow - that was a good read. Thanks!

I keep expecting Jack's father to look over at him and say "That'll do, pig. That'll do."

Sounds like she brought her "A" game.

I remember this movie! It was Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

Morrissey(?questionable?) I've been listen to Morrisey on the iPod all day... He not just makes the list - he makes it fabulous!

Cole Porter? Nooooooo!

You're not kidding about "Jitterbug Waltz"! And doing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" as a samba/rumba/something? Outrageous!

From the article: "I ain't your daddy," said Yanni, wearing sweatpants and stained wife-beater tank-top. "I'm 'Y' to the 'A' to the double 'ni.' Y'all know what I'm sayin'?"

I'm buying it! BTW: The Sam Rivers Trio has made a second career of backing other musicians like Steve Bernstein (Diaspora Blues) and David Manson (Fluid Motion).

One of my favorites is Zoot Sims Recorded Live At EJ's on Storyville. It was recorded live in Atlanta, Georgia on August 9, 1981 with Zoot Sims sitting in with a local house band. The great thing about it is that it sounds like they've played together for years. And although they are playing the usual standards, they are more adventurous with the arrangements than you'd expect. But let not my limited English be used to describe its greatiosity: Maturity suited Zoot nicely, and this recording explains how. After decades of consistently creative activity during which he followed his own path and maintained his individuality without ever abandoning the influence of his predecessors, the saxophonist sounded simply wonderful on this summer night in Georgia. Thank goodness someone was recording the proceedings! After opening his set with a gorgeous version of "That Old Devil Called Love," Zoot turns Yancey Korosi loose on the public with a very advanced rendering of Fats Waller's "Jitterbug Waltz." The recognizably familiar melody only appears during the last chorus. First the pianist tears up, playing all sorts of harmonic variations on the changes. Then Zoot enters quoting "When Yuba Plays the Rhumba on the Tuba." They gyrate together and by the time the piece ends the audience has obviously been goosed into a state of heightened receptivity. Anyone who has ever experienced a live club performance of real jazz will recognize this turning point in the program. It is very much what this kind of music is all about. Switching from tenor to soprano saxophone, Zoot sails into "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise." Korosi is a marvelous improviser who interacts well with bassist Dewey Sampson and percussionist James Martin, while Zoot handles the soprano with striking facility. The rhythm section sets up a stimulating pace for "Over the Rainbow," enabling Zoot to move over the face of the tune at his own relaxed pace, expanding the song until it seems to tower over the rest of the city. Korosi's optimistic piano brings to mind Ron Burton's remarkable presence on Rahsaan Roland Kirk's 1973 album Bright Moments; in fact, the entire ambience of this live recording glows with something comparable to the vibe at Keystone Corner on the West Coast, back in the day. After 11 smoking minutes of "Rainbow," Zoot chooses a series of Ellington excursions: "In a Mellow Tone" rocks nicely, "I Got It Bad" breathes like a lotus, and "Caravan" serves as a wicked outing for soprano. The rest of the album teems with still more surprises, for Zoot brings on a second tenor saxophonist, Rick Bell, for a friendly triple finale. They jam with irresistible imaginative energy during "Groovin' High," "Take the 'A' Train," and "Lester Leaps In." It would be difficult to identify a more exciting example of Zoot Sims in action. Highly recommended for listeners of all persuasions. - by arwulf arwulf, Allmusic.com

I heard that!

True - it's a good recording with good tunes, but the performances feel a little academic to me (your milage may vary). Coincidentally, I'm currently spinning a CD by Trio Derome Guildbeault Tanguay, The Feeling of Jazz, which covers two songs from Who's Bridge, "Rollo II" and "A Bit Nervous".