Noj

I've got to agree with Geoff that the final track, #11, is my favorite overall. I'm going to read the answers this morning. Thanks again John!

Very cool paintings/drawings/mixed media. His unique touch seems like it would hinder likeness in his portraits, yet he somehow preserves it. I like his graphic sense and color choices.

First of all, many thanks to John B for his efforts in compiling the wide variety of music presented here. I'm convinced I have not identified a single song, and based on the hugely eclectic selections I see John post in the WAYLT threads, I'd say that's a good bet. I've listened to this disc about 7 or 8 times. Blindfold Test #26 Compiled By John B 1. I thought this to be two different songs at first. Piano sounds Guaraldi-ish in the Latin section. 2. Reminds me of early Miles Davis, Birth Of The Cool years. Dig the piano. I probably should recognize the tune, it sounds like a standard. 3. Oh, now I'm really lost. No chance for me here as far as guesses go. Entrancing, it amazes me that some of you (I'm sure) will be able to nail this sort of blind guess. Wild guess...well, no. 4. Similar to track one, in subsequent listens this one has grown on me. Meditative, Middle-Eastern sounding rhythm with some oddly entrancing horn I'd liken to Yusef Lateef. 5. Rahsaan Roland Kirk come to mind. 6. Definitely a Mediterranean vibe here. Beatiful, but I haven't the foggiest clue. 7. Piano reminds me of Les McCann's on "Doing That Thing" here at the start but those Latin percussion instruments cue me that something Latin might happen. They build up quite the fiery storm of an intro for such a mellow number! That comes across CTI-ish to me--on the good side. 8. This one creeps me out. It actually reminds me of the scary level on Metroid, the final stage where the fast, gigantic energy-draining critters latch onto Samus if you don't freeze them fast enough. Or maybe it was an earlier level, but that's beside the point. 9. P-Funkish, but jazzier...Kuti? Me likey. 10. A bit cheesey, but everybody can use a little cheese now and again. I like it in segments. No idea who. 11. Now we've gone to the Far East! A fine closer.

Happy Birthday!

Sorry guys. Sometimes I don't think before I post. Chuck's right. My history with women has been kickin' it: kick back together for a while, have a few kicks together, then I kick her out. I don't have arguments, my area of expertise is in ending the relationship permanently. That would be why I'm alone, and none of them call anymore.

How weird that Joanne would be willing to leave someone once considered to be the person she wished to spend the rest of her life with with nothing. Must have been an ugly divorce. Sad story. I wouldn't wish anything but the best on any of my ex-girlfriends, they're all sweet women. I guess I'm just not a vengeful or bitter person, or maybe just lucky not to have been made that way by circumstances.

If Flip can't make good adjustments with this Pistons squad, then we'll know where he stands as a coach. The TWolves never had a team as solid at every position as the Pistons. Saunders never had a bench like that, that's for sure. LB's a proven winner, tough to see it as anything but negative for Detroit.

Patrick Ewing's head superimposed on a psychedelic background strikes me as funny for some reason. Maybe I'm alone here. Carry on!

Off topic: Am I the only one who laughs out loud at akanalog's Patrick Ewing avatar?

Happy Birthday!

I wonder if they'll ever make a Great Glass Elevator movie. I want to see Vermicious Knids smashing their buttocks to a swollen purple against its indestructible surface. Loved the Dahl books, great reading for kids. I used to laugh out loud reading them. I agree with Brad about The Witches, another funny book. I'll see this Depp incarnation at some point, and I bet I'll like it. I love the Wilder version.

Happy Birthday!

I like a number of the CTI Freddie Hubbard albums--Red Clay, First Light, and Sky Dive...but Straight Life is probably the best one for strict jazz fans. There are definitely a lot of CTI albums jazz fans should avoid, but I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you don't know, Soul Stream.

Yeah, they'll still suck.

"Villanova Junction" is one of my favorite Hendrix songs ever. Gives me chills. This may be worth getting so I can watch it and not just listen to it.

Knick fans over at JC think Zeke is doing a good job. He had a hell of a lot of stiffs with huge contracts (Allan Houston) to work around. Now he has a starting five that doesn't include the best passers around, but is an improvement on the hand he was dealt. Bench doesn't look that horrible either.

I didn't know Kwame likes jazz, maybe Abdul-Jabaar will school him on some records! Someone was just mentioning on another board, and I remember it too--he had back-to-back games of 25+ points and 10+ rebounds last season. So, at least he has had a few successful moments (although one of those games was against the Hawks).

At least we don't have the logjam at small forward anymore. He and Kobe make a dynamic duo of villains!

Happy Birthday!

Blindfold Test #25 Disc Two Compiled by Rooster Ties 1. The FUNK keeps shining through! A little fuzzy guitar in there, even. I don't know what to make of this one. Weather Report-ish. Haven't the foggiest. 2. I don't recognize the piano player, I suspect I should. The slow pace leaves lots of room to play around, and I like how the bass player compliments. 3. Rooster can't help himself with the funky bass lines, this time with a latin feel. It has an MMW vibe to it, but I know it isn't them. Dig that percussion, wild! 4. This time a samba pace, and a very happy sound. Uplifting and enjoyable, but I don't know who it is. 5. Sentimental, but not bad. No guess. Borders on "Wind Beneath My Wings" which bugs a little. 6. Once those military drums kick in, I'm having saddening visions of war carnage. Something in the accompanying piano and guitar is a little cheesey to me. 7. NMCOT 8. "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life." Stevie Wonder covers are tough to pull off for some reason. I don't dig this one. 9. Is this another pop tune cover? I don't know the composition. Odd percussion, lots going on from the drummer. Not bad, not great. 10. Another one that seems to be leaving something to be desired. Maybe I'm fatigued from listening for so long. I like this better than the previous five tracks. 11. Strange, but in a good way. Somewhat like "In A Silent Way." Funky wah-wah guitar, but I can't get a feel for who that might be. Mahavishnu Orchestra-like. 12. Like track 5, this is a bit sentimental for my tastes, but it isn't bad. I wouldn't say I dislike it. 13. MMW? Thanks and all due praises to Tom for compiling these discs! I've enjoyed them very much, and I'm sure I will buy a few of the full-length cds from which these tracks came from. Particularly tracks 4 & 5 from disc one! Now, on to (finally) read everyone's responses! John B, your BFT is next, then I'll get to Sangrey's!

Blindfold Test #25 Disc One Compiled by Rooster Ties At first listen I thought tracks 1, 2, and 3 were one composition! Weird! 1. Dramatic intro! Very cinematic. Couldn't say. 2. Delicate piano, nice sensitive touch. No idea. 3. Trumpet reminds me of Johnny Coles on Herbie Hancock's "Tell Me A Bedtime Story." More movie soundtrack stuff? 4. Ooooh, smokin' intro. Funky as hell. I love that refrain with the sax and guitar in unison. No names are coming to mind. 5. DAMN, it just gets better. As funky as a bass line gets. My favorite so far, which is saying something because this is all my kind of stuff! Gary Bartz-ish. Hey! Is that how it really ends, or was that some fancy Rooster editing? 6. Eddie Henderson-like. Very funky. Me likey. 7. Reminds me of some Pete LaRoca Sims tracks. I dig it! 8. Almost a slowed-down "Night In Tunisia." Or Eddie Gale's "Ghetto Summertime." Nice! 9. Whoa! What happened? A soloing trumpet, then all of a sudden all hell broke loose, and just as suddenly gone! No idea who. 10. See 9, I thought 9 & 10 were one track. Sneaky! 11. Makes me think of Freddie Hubbard Blue Note stuff. Frantic pace, and everyone's up to the task. I really like the piano. Another Rooster edit? 12. Off into outer space momentarily, much more traditional for a spell, then back out again. Sun Ra's music has a similar vibe to my ears. I'm lost at times in this composition, wondering what they're going for. Spooky vocals, a little scary. No guess. 13. How 'bout the chops on this trumpeter? Crisp skills! Not sure what he's playing, but it doesn't matter since whatever it is, he's playing well. Composition-less improvisation, I suppose. I simply don't know who would play this way. Don Cherry? 14. Bring the FUNK back! Yeah! Love this one. Can't say I know who it is. Like 5, it comes across as Bartz-ish to me, or even similar to some 70s Blakey live dates. 15. Bluesy and relaxed, smooth quality. Ben Webster comes to mind. Just plain good, nothing to complain about. 16. Tom, you've really broke out the bass lines for this test. Strange tone from the trumpet which doesn't ring any bells for me name-wise. I'd lean toward guessing Tom Harrell, remembering the song "The Call." These guys are definitely going somewhere with this song, not letting it follow the usual paths.

YES, please! This happened in the middle of the night for us Europeans! Hate to have missed this! Sounds like a great evening! ← Me three... I caught only a few minutes and it made me want to hear the whole damned show! ← Me four! I couldn't get the audio through my computer last night.

I'm two behind. Hopefully this weekend I can join the discussions for the last two. Usually, I don't get any right and can't add much to the actual discussion anyway. I do like to participate in the discussions in the order which I received discs, so as to not slight compilers. Thanks to Jim and Mark for mailing me my copies. I feel a bit like a freeloader. Sorry Jim R!

I was just listening to Art Pepper Meets The Rhythm Section and Paul Desmond & Gerry Mulligan's Two Of A Mind the other night. Great stuff, laid back and cool.

Discs received, listening now! However, I'm a few BFTs behind...my bad.