Adam

I have heard of them, and have them on a list to look into. But i never thought they were jazz. How good ar ethey at afrobeat - that is my question.

A jazz festival that still includes jazz? Cool.

Herod the Great died in 4 BCE, and the kingdome was split among three sons, including Herod Philippi, who built Caesarea Philippi, and Herod Antipas. Antipas had a fort at Machaerus, in what is now Jordan. John the Baptist was imprisoned & beheaded at Machaerus. I went to Machaerus when I co-produced a History Channel show called "The Search for John the Baptist. The ruins are largely rubble, except for some rebuilt (poorly, according to the archaeologist) pillars and floor. The location is astounding, on a mountain overlooking to Dead Sea. A local boy told of us a cave there that is known to the locals as the "Prison of John." The archaeologist, Shimon Gibson, had an alternative theory for the prison - an underground water storage chamber. Wikipedia on Herod Antipas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herod_Antipas And all this is not related to the tomb of Herod the Great just uncovered.

Here is the official news release from Hebrew University. The Herod in question most assuredly did not reign for 70 years. There a Herod, and then another Herod. News Release _____________________________________________________ The Hebrew University of Jerusalem האוניברסיטה העברית בירושלים Tomb of King Herod discovered at Herodium by Hebrew University archaeologist Jerusalem, May 8, 2007 -- The long search for Herod the Great’s tomb has ended with the exposure of the remains of his grave, sarcophagus and mausoleum on Mount Herodium’s northeastern slope, Prof. Ehud Netzer of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Institute of Archaeology announced today. Herod was the Roman-appointed king of Judea from 37 to 4 BCE, who was renowned for his many monumental building projects, including the reconstruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, the palace at Masada, as well as the complex at Herodium, 15 kilometers south of Jerusalem. . Herodium is the most outstanding among King Herod’s building projects. This is the only site that carries his name and the site where he chose to be buried and to memorialize himself -- all of this with the integration of a huge, unique palace at the fringe of the desert, said Prof. Netzer. Therefore, he said, the exposure of his tomb becomes the climax of this site’s research. The approach to the burial site - which has been described by the archaeologists involved as one of the most striking finds in Israel in recent years - was via a monumental flight of stairs (6.5 meters wide) leading to the hillside that were especially constructed for the funeral procession. The excavations on the slope of the mountain, at whose top is the famed structure comprised of a palace, a fortress and a monument, commenced in August 2006. The expedition, on behalf of the Institute of Archaeology of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, was conducted by Prof. Netzer, together with Yaakov Kalman and Roi Porath and with the participation of local Bedouins. The location and unique nature of the findings, as well as the historical record, leave no doubt that this was Herod’s burial site, said Prof. Netzer. The mausoleum itself was almost totally dismantled in ancient times. In its place remained only part of its well built podium, or base, built of large white ashlars (dressed stone) in a manner and size not previously revealed at Herodium. Among the many high quality architectural elements, mostly well decorated, which were spread among the ruins, is a group of decorated urns (made in the form of special jars that were used to store body ashes). Similar ones are to be found on the top of burial monuments in the Nabatean world. The urns had a triangular cover and were decorated on the sides. Spread among the ruins are pieces of a large, unique sarcophagus (close to 2.5 meters long), made of a Jerusalemite reddish limestone, which was decorated by rosettes. The sarcophagus had a triangular cover, which was decorated on its sides. This is assumed with certainty to be the sarcophagus of Herod. Only very few similar sarcophagi are known in the country and can be found only in elaborate tombs such as the famous one at the King’s Tomb on Selah a-Din Street in East Jerusalem. Although no inscriptions have been found yet at Herodium, neither on the sarcophagus nor in the building remains, these still might be found during the continuation of the dig. Worthy of note is the fact that the sarcophagus was broken into hundreds of pieces, no doubt deliberately. This activity, including the destruction of the monument, apparently took place in the years 66-72 C.E. during the first Jewish revolt against the Romans, while Jewish rebels took hold of the site, according to Josephus and the archaeological evidence. The rebels were known for their hatred of Herod and all that he stood for, as a “puppet ruler” for the Romans. The search for Herod’s tomb, which actively began 30 years ago, focused until the middle of 2006 at Lower Herodium, in an area which was, no doubt, especially built for the funeral and burial of the king - the “Tomb Estate.” In order to reveal there the remains from Herod’s days, the expedition was “forced” to first expose a large complex of Byzantine structures (including a church), an effort that demanded many years of digging. The Tomb Estate included two monumental buildings and a large ritual bath (mikveh) as well as the large route (350 meters long and 30 meters wide) which was prepared for the funeral. When no sign of the burial place itself was found within the Tomb Estate, the expedition started to search for it on the slope of the hill, although there seems to be no doubt that the initial intention of the king was to be buried in the estate and that only in a later stage of his life - apparently when he grew old - did he change his mind and asked to be buried within the artificial cone which gave the hill of Herodium its current volcano-shape. The main historical source of the Second Temple’s days, the historian Josephus Flavius, has described the site of Herodium in detail, as well as the funeral in the year 4 BCE, but not the tomb proper. He wrote as follows: “The king’s funeral next occupied his attention. Archelaus, omitting nothing that could contribute to its magnificence, brought forth all the royal ornaments to accompany the procession in honor of the deceased. The bier was of solid gold, studded with precious stones, and had a covering of purple, embroidered with various colors; on this lay the body enveloped in purple robe, a diadem encircling the head and surmounted by a crown of gold, the scepter beside his right hand. Around the bier were Herod’s sons and a large group of his relations; these were followed by the guards, the Thracian contingent, Germans and Gauls, all equipped as for war. The reminder of the troops marched in front, armed and in orderly array, led by their commanders and subordinate officers; behind these came five hundred of Herod’s servants and freedmen, carrying spices. The body was thus conveyed for a distance of two hundred furlongs to Herodium, where, in accordance with the directions of the deceased, it was interred. So ended Herod’s reign.” Jewish Wars, 1,23,9 Prof. Netzer started his archaeological activity at Herodium in 1972, at first on a small scale. The scope of his work widened with the decision to turn Herodium (the mount together with Lower Herodium) into a national park, which was due to occupy 125 acres. (Until that stage only the mount was proclaimed as a national park and was operated by the Nature and Parks Authority.) The enlargement of the park started in 1980; unfortunately the activity at the site stopped as a result of the first Intifada, but not before the complex of tunnels from the days of Bar-Kokhba, within the mount, were opened to the public. The archaeological excavations at the site, which also stopped in 1987, were renewed 10 years later and continued until 2000, and after a second break, were renewed at the end of 2005. Prof. Netzer gained his first “intimate” acknowledgement of Herodian architecture while joining Prof. Yigael Yadin (in 1963-66), in his expedition at Masada. Netzer’s Ph.D. dissertation in archaeology, guided by Prof. Yadin, brought him to initiate excavations both at Lower Herodium and at Jericho – at the complex of Hasmonean and Herodian Winter Palaces. (The site at Jericho, following Netzer’s excavations, includes three palaces of Herod and a hitherto unknown large complex of Hasmonean winter palaces). Additional Herodian structures in other parts of the country were also uncovered by him. He has written various books and articles on the topic of Herodian architecture. Yaakov Kalman, archaeologist and farmer, participated in many excavations throughout the country and took an active part in Netzer’s excavations at Masada, Jericho and Herodium. Roi Porath took an active part in the survey of the Judean Desert caves and has many significant finds in his record. The current excavations benefited from donations of private individuals, and the assistance of the Israel Exploration Society and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. Photos of Herodium available via e-mail upon request. For further information: Jerry Barach, Dept. of Media Relations, the Hebrew University, Tel: 02-588-2904, or Orit Sulitzeanu, Hebrew University spokesperson, Tel: 02-5882910, Cell: 052-260-8016. Internet site: http://media.huji.ac.il.

Nope, but looking forward to it!

All histopry books (all books, natch) have some point of view. At what point does a "point of view" become "an axe to grind?" It can be relatively obvious in many cases, and the more obvious, the easier to dismiss. Unless of course the person is right. :-) I too would pick books for each period. I happen to have the first 6 volumes of Page Smith's "People's History of the United States" and think it's pretty good, actually. But I read it 15-20 years ago. My knowledge & intellect has changed since then. You could read the first 2 (A New Age Now Begins, vol 1 & 2) and decide if it's for you. Those were award-winning at the time, and do cover more of the battles and social scene. Gordon Wood and Joseph Ellis (Founding Brothers; Passionate Sage on Adams; American Sphinx on Jefferson; His Excellency on Washington) are pretty good starters for the Republic. Ellis's are bioggraphies really, and not even general biographies. Also The Age of Federalism, by Stanley Elkins and Eric McKittrick. But none of those would give you a military history of the Revolutionary War. Others: The Rise of American Democracy, by Sean Wilentz. That covers the 1820s and 1830s more. [i'll add more when I wake up. I have a lot on the shelf from when I co-produced the History Channel series "Founding Brothers."] Books by Joyce Appleby, Carol Berkin, Jack Rakove, Bernard Bailyn. Otherwise, you could probably go to a college book store of a public university and see what histories they are using in their survey history classes. Maybe it will be listed on a syllabus on line, for whetever they might teach as American History 101.

up

I'd include one hard-hittin soulful one by Mingus, either Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting or Better Git It In your Soul - something to dance to, if you know what I mean. Couldn't tell you what to cut though.

For those of you in the Bay Area, California, "The Old, Weird America: Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music" is playing 4 times at the San Francisco International Film Festival. Hope you check it out! Fri, Apr 27 / 8:55 pm / Pacific Film Archives, Berkeley Sat, Apr 28 / 6:15 pm / Sundance Cinemas Kabuki Mon, Apr 30 / 8:30 pm / Sundance Cinemas Kabuki Wed, May 2 / 3:45 pm / Sundance Cinemas Kabuki Pacific Film Archive Theater 2575 Bancroft Way (at Bowditch Street), Berkeley Sundance Cinemas Kabuki 1881 Post Street (at Fillmore), San Francisco http://fest07.sffs.org/films/film_details.php?id=73 and "Operation Homecoming" will be playing at the Red Vic in San Francisco on May 27-29. I'll be up there for some of those screenings for the Q&A.

I'll be seeing her at Coachella on Friday. Missing Konono No. 1 though, who are playing Coachella on Saturday or Sunday (I forget) and then Monday in Los Angeles at the Henry Fonda Theatre, but can't make that either. Interpol or Sonic Youth? Gogol Bordello or Bjork? what strange choices. Chuck, haven't you ever learned about prophylactics?

What's VPI stand for? Vinyl ? ?

Not that the station was thrilling before. But I changed my alarm clock to KXLU yesterday because it was so boring. They canned my favorite show several months ago, Friday night 11 pm - 1 am, Havana-Kingston Connection - reggae, Latin jazz, Afro-cuban, dub and more.

I have teh first Hill Select already, and might add the solo one, but deciding between Eldridge, and Bix/Tram/Tea - that's a hard one.

I saw that it will be playing at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles for 4 days in early May - on the smaller screen, for those in Los Angeles. I'm looking forward to it.

I think it's actually a more interesting & complex issue than most replies have allowed. First, in the late 60s, if you knew people smoking pot, would you tell the police if they came around asking? There's a long tradition in America of reverence for the outlaw - he is the highest icon of true freedom, living outside the law. And when you live in a subculture where governement or the law as repeatedly set you up as the target, not the one being protected under the law, what reason do you have on a fundamental emotional level to help the police? I think that's a key reason for the behaviors seen in minority communities. It takes a while to teach people differently; I think tht'a why long term "community policing" efforts tend to work some in minority communities (I wish I could come up with a better term, but I'm tired at the moment.) As for "Scarface" in particular - it provided an oversized series of iconic images and lines showing the pleasures and fun & adrenaline-rush involved with breaking the law, or at least at living in that culture, as opposed to one of unemployment, or service labor and "Driving while Black" police stops.. Then he goes down in a blaze of glory. People always emulate (or at least quote lines from) movies that create worthy iconic moments. Even if the film is bad overall (which I think "Scarface" is, despite DePalma's craftmaship), all that most movies need is a few memorable scenes, reasonably well-crafted. and Stone & DePalma got that correct. I didn't realize how big Scarface was until the DVD reissue a couple of years back, but there were a variety of stories on it at that time, and some might be on line to explain it further. When "gangsta" rappers become very successful, then they have been able to use the system to their gain, and are still worth seeing, even if they admit how it's all just an act and a business. You have to exhibit, as others have said in this thread, how you haven't completely sold out. But that also ties into the American tradition of remaking oneself - it's really important that certain elements not become public knowledge as well. It's a more complicated issue, more than I can reflect upon at the moment actually. But in general, I don't think there's anything to "get." Gangsta posing, and the need to preserve street cred, are both honored American traditions, dating back to the 1850s at least. The particulars that seem silly to us now ae the particular cultural manifestations of this time.

They had one copy at Amoeba in Hollywood of the box for $63. I passed at that price. When are the individual albums coming out?

I don't have any of those sets and had been thinking of getting them all. Can't afford them all right now, so now I'm just trying to prioritize. Any thoughts, besides the obvious one of getting the Berigan first since it is running low?

Very sad. Ah well. I happened to be listening to his Mosaic box teh past few days, and was fortunate enough to see him a couple of times. Thank you for all the marvelous music. We'll keep playing it forever.

I have it, have heard it, and can recommend it...

Funny, I'm looking for that album as well...

Sorry to dig up an old diversion to this thread, but it just occurred to me that those numbers have to be way, way high for Zorn. I've seen Masada, both the brass and string groups, several times in the past 10 years, both in and out of NYC, and only paid more than $25 or (at most) $30 once (wouldn't be willing to pay more since I'm not the biggest fan) - and that one exception was when they were opening for Cecil at J@LC, which is always expensive. Zorn (in one context or another) plays on average about twice a month in NYC, I'd say, and $20 is the usual ticket price (it is always the price for his monthly jam session at The Stone, which only seats 90). The Masada string group is playing three shows in the city over the next couple weeks and I'm pretty sure they are all $20/set. All that being said, I don't really care what musicians charge - that is their business, and it's up to me whether to go see them play or not. In the interests of being completely redundant with what has been said above, however, one can't charge $75 to $100 a ticket, which of course limits the number of people who can go see them play and hence their opportunities to play, and then reasonably complain about the resulting obscurity. I think it's for Electric Masada to get them out of NYC. But I'm just guessing.

September 26 2007 Los Angeles? News to me... Must be in an as-yet-unannounced Disney Hall or UCLA show or something... It's a Wednesday night - probably the Hollywood Bowl or Disney Hall- they usually have jazz on Wednesdays.

I wish that blogspot were slightly better organized.

Ornette has priced himself very high. Same with Masada. I was talking to the head guy, David Sefton at UCLA Live about trying to get Masada to play LA (which I don't believe they ever did). He said their asking price would have required him to book them in Royce Hall, which seats about 1100. (He didn't tell me what that asking price was). But Zorn wouldn't agree to play a venue with that many seats - he wanted a smaller venue. Whcih would have made the ticket price too high, Sefton felt, to get a large enough crowd. I guess the asking price for Masada was probably $20,000 or more, and Ornette is probably $25,000 or more. And don't forget the blue M&Ms.

Maybe I should have made a separate thread about it. Ah well...