fasstrack

Thank you. I'd take the gig in a heartbeat. Er, Martha......I play the guitar. BIG fan....

I believe it's 'oy vEy'. I can't help it, I get a little verklempt when people mess with Yinglish. And I get verklempt when people make shitty CDs with pretentious tunes and titles replete with reverb-saturated vocals that get marketed like they were gold. Oh P.T.....P.T. I want to study at your feet....

Haha. That's you. I know you from your avatar. In the words of the immortal Johnny Carson: That's weird, wacky, wild, funny, funny stuff

I don't even know why I'm bothering with this. It's not to be mean. it's more like I got snookered. But it didn't cost me anything, so no biggie. Someone, maybe a student's dad, maybe a barfly said he could play. I just took the CD out of the library with Voltaire-like curiosity. I just pulled it out of the player in less than three minutes. I swear I wanted to like it. He actually can play the instrument. He gets a sound and plays pretty damn clean. But taste? Oy vay. Mail this MF a Wes or Charlie Christian or even a Stevie Ray Vaughan or frickin' AL CAIOLLA CD ASAP. Horrible, Star Search-worthy songs. But he is a decent guitarist and that's a start.

I'm working hard at the 1st piece in Bartok's Mikrokosmos. And I feel in time and with assiduous dedication I will get it Actually some time ago I took off Chopin's Prelude #4 and made a lead sheet out of it. I'm hardly the first jazz knucklehead to have done this either. I never heard anyone improvise on this convincingly though, have you guys? I heard Art Farmer recorded it. I'd like to hear that. Benny Aranov did a nice job with some Debussy themes on an album called Shadow Box in the 70s. (or maybe it was some Horace Debussy Jones themes and I'm confused again ) I think, though, when I get off my ass and work on the Chopin piece I'll just play it 'au jus' on guitar, maybe put an ending. It is so perfect as is.

'kay, that's where we'll search for the body first. This shit between Doug and myself has been going on for three years on various websites, starting with Bran's (Doug records for marsalis Music and has 2 CDs out). I take things too seriously and let people get under my skin. He's probably cool once you get to know him. The thing tomorrow is a duo with his bass player. I bet halfway through the set will practically be tongue kissing. We love to play. Who doesn't?

Larry, call me Joel. Everyone else does including the IRS. My alternate title is 'asshole'---let's start with Joel though.

John still plays his ass off. World class player, world class swinger and a good egg to boot. I tried to use him on my record date recently, but he was unavailable. He's working with everyone all the time. Maybe we can still do it because I only finished half. Money, you see I spoke to Rod on the phone some years ago. I like to stay in touch with writers because I write and I admire these cats. He is a nice man. I hope he's faring well. Like the great Bill Finegan he's all-but-forgotten in this 'what have you done for me lately' society.

"If you don't buy this magazine we'll kill this dog" "Jimmy the Weasel's Guide to Murder, Mayhem and picking up Girls" (Sample dialog:) "We got this guy drunk on his ass. We take him out, get him drinks, introduce him to a couple of celebrities, maybe even Frank. The guy has us in his living room. Wants us to meet his daughter. He's fucking crying. 'I love you guys'. We fucking throw the rope around his neck. One, two, three, it goes---a cakewalk". What, you thought I was gonna be serious in this heat?

I didn't like March of the Siamese Children as much. Too much flute. The one he made with Booker Little and Wynton Kelly, Fantastic, is a hell of a record.

Kenny Burrell: Ellington is Forever; Stan Getz: Early Getz; Sinatra: Sings for Only the Lonely, September of my Years;....meets Antonio Carlos Jobim; Ronnie Cuber: The 11th Day of Aquarius; Rein De Graaf: New York Jazz

Love locked Out (Mapleshade); Frank Strozier: Long Night (originally Jazzland, out now on CD); Inverted Image (trio record also on Jazzland, long out of print) Those are my faves. He made a duo CD with Clifford Jordan the same day he made love locked out. Don't know what ever happened to that. There's also a Jordan record he played Rhodes on. I can't remember the title. Remembering MiMi or something like that. The Frank Strozier record is great, period. Strozier played his balls off, and with such passion. Bill Lee (Spike's dad) on bass, the late Walter Perkins, drums, my old friend the late Pat Patrick, bari, and George Coleman. It has a lot of Strozier's writing and a beautiful solo by Chris on "The Need for love" I told him how much I liked that record and he said he fell down subway stairs the day before and broke both pinkies. He also told me another time that record was one of his favorites. it's sure one of mine.

Hey Chris, I have some local gigs this week if you're not doing anything. Tonight, friday and next Wednesday I'm at Blu in Hastings. Next Wed. it's with John Beal on bass, who you may recall. Great player. Tonight Sean Smith, a great musician and close colleague for many years, and Fri. Keith Saunders, co-founder of the hardbop Quintet. And tomorrow I go to Brooklyn for a little tete-de-tete with noted guitarist/singer/internet loudmouth Doug Wamble. we've battled for years and I told him music speaks loudest. He's a smart guy with a lot to say, though. He also has a good group and is an interesting player. He was gracious to invite me. We're supposed to play a tune or two together and pour a beer (hopefully not over a head) afterwards. Barbe's 9th St. near 6th Ave. Park Slope, Brooklyn. 10-12 PM (don't know when I play, but it's a 2-set gig. Near the 2,3, f and D trains.

I don't trust anyone or anything except music and proven friendship. And if you think I'm charming watch me verbally waste someone incompetent or daring to slow down my *NJD speed. I usually apologize afterward, though, FWIW. I'm an angel at times, an SOB at others, like most of us knuckleros. But I'm hardly naive or trusting of people. But, like that great bard the Pets.com dog said 'everyone deserves a second chance'. Until (if and when) Stanley screws me I say he's treated me graciously thus far. The personal troll I allude to is one John P. Cooper, who at first sent me friendly notes asking if I was related to so-and-so. I'm so heartbroken that he turned I swear i may bust out crying any minute. Damen is too concrete-headed and dimwitted to take seriously. Joke 'em all. They can't take a fuck. *Nervous Jew Disorder

Yes, Chris's music can be sad and precious too, at times. He really takes getting used to, as he's unlike anyone else. He sounds best to me playing rubato solo. He's a great reflecter. He can play with a rhythm section in time of course, but chris's special moments for me are him alone, letting us in on his thoughts. Go with him, it's a great journey.

I told Chris one time admiringly that he's a survivor. "Shut up" he explained.

They're not more valid. Just because something is new doesn't make it an improvement. If it is an improvement it doesn't negate the foundation on which it stands. It wouldn't even be there but for that foundation. Most of the real innovators in life know they didn't magically appear from nowhere. Let's give everyone credit.

Thanks. I love Chris. I've known him 20 years. He's a very special person and musician. He turns 80 in September. Keep a good thought

I decided I don't want much to do with that joint. What a bunch of stiff-ass MFs. I will not deal with people with no sense of humor. It's against my religion. Some very good writers are there, though, like Tom Storer, Ron Thorne, Gary Cisco, and the hilarious Scott Dolan. He just doesn't give a fuck. I love it! I made the mistake of, as a joke, telling a guy who signed everything 'Cheers' 'fuck Cheers. I say Potrezebie' and he got all offended and shit. Plus I already picked up a personal troll, which took like, what, six minutes? I think they don't deserve my heartfelt stream-of-consciousness reflections, razor-sharp wit, and legendary humility. Organissimo does. This is da joint. People are very jazz-savvy here and generally are higher caliber, plus funny as hell. A place like that you go on for gig announcements or maybe once in a while to tout an underrated musician you believe in. Wallowing in the muck on the web ain't my idea of a good time generally. Over there it's pitiful. Organissimo RULES!!

Thank you. I've been having this argument with 20-somethings on another site. They contend that the bit-rate is adjustable. I think they've, sheeplike, been sold a bill of goods and Mp3s and especially MDs sound like shit. But then I'm an old fart who still listens to LPs. Hey! I just heard! Lucky Lindy made it!!

I'll grab him from behind and you guys start tickling him.

Is there gonna be a fight here, or are y'all just having fun? Because I don't have the stomach for fights. I'm sort of a de facto paper lion. I make strong statements then when it gets heavy I say 'oh shit, what did I do? Who needs this?' I am fascinated by human behavior and the web is as good a place as any to sort of parse it, but I really like playing more. Music and friendship have always gone together for me. They are salve and a salvation. What the hell did I start here? Not a war, I hope. tell me you're joking, guys.

BTW. the NSA was just here looking for you. Thanks, guys for letting me be a dick and realizing I'm usually only kidding. On the serious tip, this guy Tarik is in some very deep water. In jail 14 months for the 'crime' of talking too much, the Bush/Cheney/Rummy crowd are determined to keep him in stir as an 'example' for a long time to come. Maybe a thread should be started here since people are a lot cooler than on JC. Yo, Jimmy, Joe, et. al IS THIS THE BADDEST JAZZ FORUM ON THE WEB OR FRICKIN' WHAT? CAN I GET AN AMEN, SOMEBODY? Shit, i think the heat is getting to me.....

This is too funny: http://jazzcornertalk.com/ (go to the thread about Tarik Shah, an old acquaintence now in jail pursuant to the Patriot Act). (Spoken in voice of Zero Mostel in 'The Producers movie') How do they find me? It must be me. I should see them coming and head 'em off at the pass by not responding. I admit I say edgy things, but jeez do I bring out the wingnuts.....

Joel, I put that link in there so you might check out some previous comments about the side. I just wanted to let you know that many here agree that it is indeed great. No implied message or scolding, just trying to help. Sorry if it didn't come across that way. And here I am. a former librarian (I swear). Impatience runs in my family. I think we all grew up in the same Ritalin test kit. Anyway, Kenny sounded beautiful and so did all the cats. Nice versions of My Little Brown Book and excerpts from Jump For Joy. Compared to Ellington rehashes by certain, ahem, big shots today this love letter by the Maestro's favorite guitarist is the real deal.