AfricaBrass

Good one! I wondered if Paul Bley got the title for his album "The Floater" from a trip to the can.

I have them all except the collector's disc and the George Russell. I remember when the first batch was released. My local Tower Records had a bunch of copies of the Johnny Smith and the Dizzy Gillespie. It took me a while to track down the rest of that first batch. The subsequent releases were even harder to find. My absolute favorite of the series is the 3 disc Lee Konitz Motion set. I can truthfully say that this cd actually saved my life (or my sanity). My son cried and cried and cried in the months after he was born (he's 2 now). I seriously thought I was going to lose my mind. There was NOTHING I could do to calm him down. NOTHING until I put disc 1 of the Konitz set on the stereo. My son stopped crying and really got into the music. My wife had played music for him before and it didn't do anything for him, but the Konitz disc captivated him. To this day, he loves jazz. :rsmile:

For those who wonder what this metrosexual thing is, I've done some cut and paste for you. I really think this is pretty silly. from wordspy.com metrosexual (MET.roh.sek.shoo.ul) n. A dandyish narcissist in love with not only himself, but also his urban lifestyle; a straight man who is in touch with his feminine side. —metrosexuality n. from theage.com.au Rise of the Metrosexual March 11 2003 He loves Armani, is seen just as often near a catwalk as competing in sport, confesses an adulation for Kylie Minogue, even designs his own jewellery. But he's not gay. So Ian Thorpe told Australia in a radio interview last November. With interests outside the domain of the traditional, Aussie, macho male, Thorpe talked about his sexuality for the first time. He was flattered that the gay community identified with him, he said, but he was, in fact, heterosexual. "You know, I'm a little bit different to what most people would consider being an Australian male," Thorpe told ABC Radio. But he's not that different, at all. Men of all sexualities are taking a greater interest in their appearance. They go to hairdressers rather than barbers; avoid using soap because it's too harsh on their skin; visit the gym instead of playing sport and even have difficulty deciding what to wear. They're occupying their time differently - not only spending more of it in front of the mirror, but also at boutiques, in bars rather than pubs, enjoying a dance at a nightclub and going to beauty salons. Cosmetics brands such as Ella Bache say men make up as much as 40 per cent of their salon customers in some areas. Marketers are spurring on the change, dropping the macho element from products that target men. Gone are the tough male images, even from beer and car ads. Men's fashion chains are growing, with women's stores such as Esprit launching men's ranges, and department stores offering boutique-style experiences. Men's magazines are increasing their coverage of fashion - not just for editorial reasons, but because they're getting more ads. The men's title FHM says its fashion and grooming advertising has increased 35 per cent over the past three years. Twenty years ago, male fashion, skin care and vanity in general were identified with gay men. Now sexuality, it seems, is irrelevant. In fact, British newspapers have even found a new word for the softer man: the "metrosexual". David Beckham, the man whom British academics have credited with changing male behaviour, has been deemed the ultimate metrosexual. Beckham has helped break "masculine codes", says Warwick University sociology professor Dr Andrew Parker, "defying various manly expectations such as what clothes a man is allowed to wear". Mark Wahlberg's semi-naked appearance for Calvin Klein underwear in the early 1990s is often cited as the beginning of mainstream male vanity. Like Thorpe, he's a "little bit different" from the traditional, heterosexual male. Beckham may be captain of the English soccer team, but he wears sarongs and nail polish, and has even posed for gay magazines. As the American online magazine Salon said, he has admitted that he likes to be admired, and does not care if it's by women or by men. Whether they have heard of the term "metrosexual", that's how men across the world are appearing. Stores such as the Myer Grace Bros chain say it's a trend that's starting to hit the mainstream. This year, the company will launch a department for male cosmetics and fragrances. While David Jones says its men's cosmetics range is experiencing double-digit growth. There have always been men who have taken great care of their appearance, but now, says Myer Grace Bros cosmetics buyer Marissa Galatis, "we are trying to appeal to the wider, men's market. In particular, to young men: a lot of this growth is driven by them." Mark Wahlberg's semi-naked appearance for Calvin Klein underwear in the early 1990s is often cited as the beginning of mainstream male vanity. Marketing legend has it that the ad was aimed at a gay market, but straight men took notice. Whether it was because women were ogling, or men themselves thought the former rapper looked good, Calvin Klein soon became cult clubwear, with men wearing their pants low to show off the brand. Ten years ago, Weight-Watchers was strictly for women and "gutbusting" was seen as the more acceptable term for a bloke. Now it's OK for guys to watch their weight. "The under-40s are certainly interested in the way they look and their physique," says Allan Bolton, a key developer of WeightWatchers for Men. "Over-40s are interested in how they look for the health benefits." Role models are changing and it's not just Beckham and Thorpe. Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Pat Rafter, Hugh Jackman, Lachlan Murdoch and footballers such as Craig Wing are manicuring their appearance and showing their softer side: Rafter appears as a caring father; Jackman in musicals as well as in tough-guy roles in films such as X-Men. Wing told women about his gentle side in a Cleo bachelor-of-the-year competition. In response to this groundswell, magazine publishers have established men's titles such as Men's Health and GQ. Even the blokier ones such as FHM and Ralph have increased their fashion and skin-care coverage. The general manager of men's wear at David Jones, David Bush, says, "There's no doubt that David Beckham, Robbie Williams and Ian Thorpe and the 'blokey blokes' that are interested in fashion send the message that, by being so, you are not going to look like a fairy. "Twenty years ago, we sold clothes and now we sell fashion." Younger men, in particular, are taking to their bodies with closer shavers, fragrances, moisturisers and hair dye. Calvin Klein's fragrances, Crave, is aimed primarily at 15 to 22-year-old males, who spend much more time in front of the mirror than their fathers. Why? As the presence of women increased in men's social and working lives - as their rights were belatedly recognised - men have changed the way they act. Straight men, some marketers believe, are changing because women demand their partners take greater effort with their appearance. "The feminist movement has been the biggest contributor to the men's market since it has developed," says Jean-Marc Carriol, director of the fashion company Trimex, which represents Clarins in Australia. As women have pushed for equal rights, Carriol says, "the success of that push has fundamentally altered the way men and women interact within the workplace. Appearance and grooming are really important." The workplace itself has changed for many men, too. As the proportion of white-collar workers grows, so does the need to look good. To compete in today's work environment, you must dress well, have your hair cut neatly and take care of your body. And as the world becomes increasingly globalised, Australian men are starting to see that men in other countries, particularly in Europe, proudly take care of themselves. Even with beer, marketers are taking on a less macho tone when they communicate with men. "We have certainly seen a change towards more segmentation (of the beer market)," says Lion Nathan's premium marketing director, Paul Foster. "There's still that 'hardcore' masculine image at the core end of the market, (but) there's also a lot more progressive market segments." Men are also changing the way they buy homeware, cars and electrical goods, says Alan Treadgold, director of research and consulting at the advertising agency Leo Burnett. "There's a lot of categories that are purchased by males, but using what we would conventionally regard as female cues," says Treadgold. "Traditionally, when purchasing home entertainment systems, we would expect guys to be motivated by gadgetry and technical features. But, increasingly, there's a certain type of male choosing it from what might be seen as female attributes, such as the environment of the store, level of service and other intangible things." In car advertising, for example, much more emphasis is being placed on the people driving and the feelings they are experiencing rather than the car's specifications. Global research by the advertising agency Euro RSCG last year showed that men were more secure in their masculinity, with those aged 40 and above displaying greater sensitivity, particularly through family values. "The definition of what it means to be male is changing," says Euro RSCG's strategy planning director, Matt Donovan. This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/03/...7144914842.html

It's cool that there are so many G&L fans here. I've got 4 G&L's and 1 of their Tribute guitars. I love them all. Harold Z brings up a good point about rosewood. I have American reissues of the '62 Telecaster and the '62 Jazzmaster. The rosewood on their necks is much less porous than the rosewood on my regular American series Stratocaster. They play pretty quick. Almost like maple. Harold Z is correct that there weren't many maple necks made during the early to mid sixties, but by the late sixties, Fender was offering both rosewood and maple as an option. The maple necks were different than the fifties ones in that they now used a maple cap fretboard instead of a 1 piece neck like the fifties guitars. Red, I hope we haven't confused you too much, but thanks for bringing this topic up. I can talk guitars all day.

I'd say it's good, but that's just my opinion. I think the whole metrosexual thing is pretty silly anyway.

I agree with Ralphie Boy and Maren about maple. I like that it's quicker too. Maren mentions G&L. I have a few G&Ls and they are amazing guitars. You might want to check out a used G&L or one of their Korean made Tribute models. Joe, thanks for the kind words! I'm trying to find more time to jump in the pool around here. It's good to hear from you. :rsmile:

Yup! Scrubby here.

I can't believe it but I actually took this stupid quiz. I scored a 2. I have no hope of being a Metrosexual. Whoo-hoo! ESPN Metrosexual quiz

Nascar rules!

There's one Telecaster I forgot. The Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster (List price is $699 / Street price $450) - This is a made in Mexico Telecaster. It's similar to the mexican Standard model, but it has an extra pickup (stratocaster) and has vintage tuning keys and a vintage style bridge. I would also highly recommend this model. If my choice was between the MIM Standard and the Nashville, I'd take the Nashville. Good luck! Here's a picture of the Nashville Telecaster:

Uh.... you mean, I shouldn't have sent them my card number. Uh... Uh....

Great idea!

Fender makes a bunch of telecasters. The Fender Standard Telecaster - This is made in Mexico. This is a real Fender guitar and is a real deal for the money. Unfortunately I only know what the US prices are. In the US, the list price on this guitar is $499 and you can usually get it for $349. I don't know if this is the case where you are, but here, when buying musical instruments, I expect to pay at least 30% off of list price. I usually get 40% off list price. The MIM (made in Mexico) Standard Telecaster only comes with a maple fretboard. The Fender American Series Telecaster - This used to be called the American Standard, so this might be what your brother is talking about. The average list price on these are around $1200, depending on the finish (some finishes are more expensive), street price is usually around the mid 800's. You have a choice of rosewood or maple fretboard on these. There's a pretty wide range in price between these two. Here's some suggestions for models that fit in-between. Fender Highway 1 Telecaster - (List price - $856 / street price $600) This is made in the US, but it has parts made in Mexico and overseas. It's more of a vintage style telecaster than the American Series, since it has the vintage style bridge. The finish on these isn't as nice as the standard models (hence the lower price than the American Series). I've heard good reviews of these. One good thing about this model and the ones previously mentioned is that they have a modern neck radius. The fretboard is a little bit flatter than the reissues of the 50's and 60's models. Personally, I like the old style fretboard, but its' one of those personal preference kind of things. I think you have a choice of rosewood or maple fretboard on these. Here are some models from the Classic Series that are made in Mexico. I think these are great for the money. I have a couple myself. If I was going to pick one, I'd probably pick the: Fender Muddy Waters Tribute Telecaster (List price $899 / street price $620) This is made in Mexico, but it has US components and pickups. I have heard great things about this model. This one has a rosewood fretboard. It's like a 50's Telecaster (with an Ash body) mixed with a 60's neck with a modern fretboard radius. This is good value. Fender Classic 50's or 60's Telecasters (List prices $899 / street prices $620). These are two separate models. The 50's has an ash body with a maple neck and the sixtes has an alder body with a rosewood neck. The 50's is going to have that classic honky tonk telecaster sound, while the sixties model will be a little tamer, but it still sounds nice. I would also highly recommend both of these. I don't know if your brother is interested in these two, since they are not the traditional Telecaster style, but 2 more models from the Classic Series that I'd recommend are the '69 Telecaster Thinline reissue and the '72 Telecaster Custom. The '72 Telecaster Custom is great for that early 70's Rolling Stones sound, while the '69 Thinline is also a really nice Telecaster. I've got one and I love it. Both of these are similar in price to the previous two models I mentioned. I know these are quite pricey. If you were planning on spending less, I have more recommendations for you. P.S. check www.fender.com for pictures and info. :rsmile:

Happy Birthday Shrdlu! Happy Birthday John. I wish you were still here.

My obscure favorite is Pharoah Sanders Izipho Zam on the Strata East label. It's my favorite of all his albums. :rsmile:

Nice one, Joe!

Red, It's great that you're getting him a Telecaster. I love Telecasters! Heck, I've got 8 of 'em. Have you decided what model of Telecaster you're getting him (Squire, Fender Standard ???) - One of the other forums I spend time on is the telecaster forum (www.telecaster.com). If you aren't going to get a Fender product, I have some good sources of telecaster copies. If I can be of any assistance, please ask. As far as the fretboard material. Your choices are going to be rosewood or maple. Some makers offer ebony and other exotic woods, but rosewood and maple are the standards. I used to think there was a big tonal difference between rosewood and maple, but I don't feel that way as much anymore. These days, I'd say in a telecaster the pickups are about 70% of the sound, the body about 20%, and the fretboard material about 10%, that's just my opinion. For the fretboard wood, I think it's more of a case of the feel of the neck. I'd get him what he likes best. If he's into traditional country, then I'd say maple. If he's into alternative, then rosewood is cool too. Either way, I think you can't go wrong. :rsmile:

Wow Jim! I had no idea it was so much work to set up your fonts. My hat's off to you. That last Miles cover is great. Paintshop does sound like a tedius program. I'm spoiled by how much I can do in Photoshop. One thing that might help your text look better is to see if you have an option to turn on anti-aliasing for your text. Aliasing is when you get the stair step edges on your text. Anti-aliasing is an effect that smooths out the edges of the text. As for typography, I respect your desire to learn more about it. When I was in school, we used to go through books of type and just study the characteristics. I don't know how much you know about typography, but I like to make up examples of my favorite fonts based upon the type of font it is. Serif (the fonts with little feet on them - garamond is a serif font). Sans-serif (fonts without feet - Arial, Helvetica), Decorative (Script fonts or other funky ones). I have to say that this thread just illustrates and is a tribute to the skills of Reid Miles. I think I"ve learned more about typography from him than I have from anyone else.

Nice one, Jim! You're becoming a Paintshop pro. Those colors remind me of a guitar I painted when I was young and crazy. I ended up taking the glow-paint off and returning the guitar to its' natural finish, but if you get that thing under a black light ... SURPRISE! Ah, memories.... :rsmile:

I've only been able to pick up Blonde On Blonde and I'm really happy with it. Truthfully, I'd never really understood why this album was so popular. I had the old Mastersound gold cd and it was pretty bright sounding. This new remaster has really made me a fan of this album. I'm listening to it right now.

Thanks Bruce! :rsmile:

Nice covers! :rsmile:

The Peggy Lee Mosaic set is one of my favorites. I could listen to her all day. I wasn't sure about the Singles set, but I think I'll take the plunge. I believe BMG has it. :rsmile:

Keep em' coming, Jim! I look forward to seeing what you come up with. I probably won't be able to make any more this weekend, but I'll check in to see what you come up with. As per Rooster's request, here's my take on Chained.

Thanks Jim! I dug your Tolliver and Silver covers, too! :rsmile: