papsrus

Salon article compares rock and jazz in light of Hancock's grammy for "Joni Letters," (a jazz album that pays tribute to a rock icon) and ponders (at some length) the differences in the two musics. Frustratingly, he never really gets around to discussing the album that inspired the article in the first place. Nonetheless ... Here's the link.

I like your enthusiasm. It's enough make me go and look for these. In fact, I did look for the Gordon-LaFaro disc, but no sound samples that I could see. I'm curious though, if Gordon and LaFaro don't play together on it, isn't the album title misleading?

That's a good rule. I work nights, so that alone limits my TV watching. But there's TiVo. Ours is more than half filled with unwatched -- and probably never-to-be-watched -- programs. We recently ditched the movie channels, because we rarely utilized them. I use the TV during football and baseball season to keep one eye on the games, to monitor election results (although, the internet is better for that) and to watch a few shows I enjoy from time to time. (The various incarnations of Law and Order, I'm afraid. Luckily, I can turn the TV on at virtually any time of the day or night and catch an episode.) That's it. I think nothing of going a day or two without turning it on.

Don't kids respond well to role models? Perhaps digging up a few educated ones might inspire them? Or people who have risen above the ordinary despite long odds? (... I'm sure you've tried all this and more). I think that your post also suggests something about the education system in the United States that often overlooked when comparing test results here to those in some other countries. Virtually every child in the U.S. is required to attend school (or be home-schooled) until a certain age. Something to keep in mind when comparing U.S. test results to, say, Indian or Chinese students, where, correct me if I'm wrong but, I think there are broad swaths of uneducated children who simply are not factored in to their results. The U.S. has the most extensive higher education system in the world and some of the best universities anywhere. It's a system that attracts students and educators from around the globe, to our great benefit. The opportunities to attend them can be limited, of course. But that speaks, at least in part, to their quality as well. Adult or continuing education programs (as you've pointed out) are also pervasive. And technical schools, where people can learn these useful skills that your students are curious about, are common. There are a great many educational opportunities in this country. We of course have to make them more widely accessible ... again. But the truth is, many people are happy being uneducated, holding down day jobs and going home to watch television each night instead of reading a book, or listening to music. They get by in our society just fine. In fact, we need them. Who else is going to change the oil in our cars, serve us fast food, deliver our pizza? That sounds cold, but there's some truth in it, isn't there?

Hi ... um, beboppin' guy. ... No need to skulk around. It's not hostile here in the least. In fact, I quite prefer it now that I've hung around for a while. Freewheeling, lots of knowledge from the listening end of things. No experience with the musician side of things. Lots of good discussions. And people with a sense of humor ... yowza! ... But, in the end, it is what you make it.

What with the fire truck being sent back in time, and all ... and the high praise otherwise, I figured I'd better dial up Newbury and snatch me a copy of this fandango Europe disc. ... I'll have a bucket of ice at the ready when it arrives ...

Hah! The Fugs. I remember them also. EDIT: Apparently, the Fugs were still a going enterprise up until at least 2004.

My god man! I just noticed you have over fifteen thousand posts. ...

No argument there from me. Bluenote had nothing to do with the earlier exodus, but was more a part of the general shift in overall tone over there, I think. Certain members seemed to get away with direct attacks while others were penalized for nothing of the kind. That, to me, was the problem in a nutshell. Part of that equation is now being addressed, it seems. The other part ... ??

Interesting. Thanks for posting. Hopefully I'll remember to tune in March 19.

Bluenote82, I think was his handle. A pretty recent "addition" to the community over there. A very abrupt and elbows-up kind of guy. A know-it-all from the get-go. Among other things, he ripped into Damon Smith, an accomplished avant bass player who posts there, on a Wynton Marsalis thread (there's a mouthful). Damon, of course, responded with grace. But I think that may have been the last straw for old bluenote. He'd ripped Michael (WordsandSounds) too, for no reason. Just a rowdy guy. ... He could wash up here, so ... heads up. I think it seems like they are trying to take steps over there to get a grip on things. We'll see.

Johnny Hodges Small Group Mosaic

The Hodges was near the top of my list as well. I was actually set to order it a month or two ago but was swayed over the the Crusaders box (no regrets there!). So thanks for the heads-up. My order's in now.

EDIT to add this late-night order:

Well, the whole point (beyond grandstanding by all parties involved) is to get drugs out of sports ... or make progress in that direction anyways. More than once I heard references to steroids in high schools. If the aim is to keep athletes clean -- high school kids especially -- then I'm all for the hearings.

2007 disc is g-r-e-a-t. The second disc of original compositions is outstanding. Haven't heard the others, unfortunately.

Dan, can you or anyone else explain why the questioning seems to be along party lines here? It can't simply be because Clemens is a good Republican.

That AP story was much less specific when it first moved last night. It initially said something like Clemens "talked to Pettitte about HGH" ... much more nebulous phrasing, and I have to wonder why AP wasn't more specific in its original story. I thought it was because that's all they had. I figured whoever leaked it wanted just enough ambiguity out there to invite Clemens into a perjury trap. Congress would let Clemens give his side of that story today, then confront him with more incriminating details from the Pettitte affidavit. Nice that he's hanging his wife out to dry. The guy is toast, IMO. He'd better start focusing on staying out of jail at this point.

I wonder if Schuster would find any irony in a thread about his using the term "pimpin" to describe Chelsea Clinton morphing into a thread about "tapping" the lovely and talented Sarah Silverman? (I'm in the "yep" camp when it comes to SS)

Hope that goes well, Papsrus. I saw Moody many years ago...can't recall in what context! Yes, I'm looking forward to it. It appears that some top-notch jazz is starting to make its way to the local performing arts venue here. Hopefully this is a good sign for the future. Branford Marsalis will be playing here in about a month as well. EDIT: Blanchard concert was very good and the 1,700 seat hall was about 9/10ths full (corners in the back were empty). Moody -- 82-year-old James Moody -- was great, and quite a showman too, cracking a few corny jokes. Audience loved it. But his tone and phrasing were perfect, and his playing and stage presence were energetic. Amazing. Highlights of the first set were the opener -- "Bebop" -- and "Monterey Mist," which the band played with deft touch. The unquestioned highlight of the second set was a mini-medley of Blanchard's "Levee" and "Funeral Dirge" from the album "God's Will" (for which he won a Grammy Sunday night). Played with an orchestra on the album, the two tunes were beautifully rendered in trio and then quartet settings respectively. Gorgeous.

Not surprising. On CNN this morning the anchor commented "I didn't know Herbie Hancock was even still in the music business". Well, CNN isn't as hip as those pimpin' MSNBC cats. EDIT: FWIW, I dig the Hancock album quite a bit. Played the heck out of it when I first got it. Shorter is great. It's a pretty well-thought-out album. Sensitive, yada, yada. Gave a copy to my non-jazz-lovin' sister for Christmas, so she'll be impressed with my expert taste ... maybe.

Tonight: Terence Blanchard with James Moody (sax), Benny Green (piano), Nnenna Freelon (vocals), Derrick Hodge (bass) and Kendrick Scott (drums). Part of the Monterey 50th Anniversary Tour.

Thanks for posting this. Very much enjoying it. I've just recently started listening to Black Brown & Beige, so this broadcast provides some needed context for me. The Nelson suite I am completely unfamiliar with, but from the recordings here, it sounds very good indeed. Interesting that he was initially reluctant to write the suite. I am familiar with Castles of Ghana, but nothing else of Carter's mammoth contribution here. Anyways, thanks again for providing this. Very much enjoying it.

Avant-garde saxophone player Andrew D'Angelo had a seizure while driving and doctors found a brain tumor. He needs brain surgery but has no health insurance. LINK I kicked in. Hope others will also.

Given Obama's great, great showing Saturday night, that might be a moot point, with any luck.