fasstrack

There's a reissue of very early Helen Humes, a compilation. Can't tell you the title since I heard it at a friend's house. It may be Don Byas or even Ben Webster anyway but I think it is Jacquet b/c my friend was in his big band and that may been the reason he played it. I know Chuck Wayne was on it, if that helps. I really recommend it, though, whoever's on tenor. Humes and crew are in great form. Here's a link to this Humes compilation. It really deserves its own thread. It is fantastic. It turns out Jacquet is not on it, but just about every heavyweight in '30s jazz was, including half the Old Testament Basie Band with Herschel and Lester. The rest of the cast is not to be believed: http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/6846261/a/Knockin'+Myself+Out%3A+1927-1951.htm

There's a reissue of very early Helen Humes, a compilation. Can't tell you the title since I heard it at a friend's house. It may be Don Byas or even Ben Webster anyway but I think it is Jacquet b/c my friend was in his big band and that may been the reason he played it. I know Chuck Wayne was on it, if that helps. I really recommend it, though, whoever's on tenor. Humes and crew are in great form.

Let's all go and kick their ass! Um, I'll hold your coat b/c I'm just that kind of guy. One thing I did notice--I posted something there about Allen Lowe's new album, "Blues and the Empirical Truth", and some of the AAJ members came back with quite thoughtful, extended posts about it. When I posted the same thing on Jazz Corner Speakeasy, there were over 300 views and not one comment. When I have posted something here about Allen's new album, there has been very little response. It may not be accurate to paint these jazz boards with a broad brush. I never got many responses from Speakeasy, don't care for the attitude and knowledge level of many of the posters, so I only post gig announcements. Lois is a very nice woman I've met and cares a lot about the quality of the posting and the reputation of her site, but I don't know about said quality. Doesn't knock me out and it seems they have a lot of smart-asses looking to take digs at people. Once I wrote something about John Hicks' memorial at St. Marks' Methodist Church that Lois and readers seemed to appreciate. Another time they were slamming Stanley Crouch in typical 'brave' fashion under cover of Web anonymity. I had issues with Stanley and joined in, but Jewish guilt or something kicked in and I reached out to him. The upshot was he reached back, we became friendly and he came to my gig and I found out he's a great guy, or at least has been cool with me. You should've seen these big shots rip into him, though. Really upset Lois, who is a pretty for real person. I kind of like it here, hence my 'kick their ass' remark, joking notwithstanding. As long as people are knowledgeable and not mean-spirited heated discussions are cool. But I don't need to be giving or asking opinions on a million forums. Life is short and so is time. One that works is more than enough.

Let's all go and kick their ass! Um, I'll hold your coat b/c I'm just that kind of guy.

I'd get the one you posted the cover of and really any one really backed by a small group. The material and players are top-notch and how can you go wrong with that velvet on top? I can't remember exactly but on The Voice That Is and Just Dropped By (I used to have them on 2 sides of a cassette) there were Hank Jones (which probably means also Osie Johnson and The Judge), Jim Hall, Howie Collins (I think)and maybe Kenny Burrell on guitars. Not too shabby. I seem to remember Paul Quinchette also. Besides the ballads that he owns every time out I loved what he did with the movie theme A Slow Hot Wind and Joey Joey Joey (with bongoes?). Also look into All of Me. With a good big band and possibly on a major label. I wish I had more specifics on all these, but I'm getting old and CRS is definitely kicking in. I never heard him sing live but he walked into a joint I was in once in the early 80s, a defunct jazz piano bar called the West Boondock under a sort of trestle on W. 17th and 10th Ave. Duke Jordon and Sadik Hakim used to play there and they had good soul food. Mr. Hartman definitely seemed 'in his cups', in fact he barely could walk in there. I'm glad he had a good time.

Chuck, the main thing about AAJ is they are mostly a promotional/advertising tool. Maybe a lame review like this one slips by sometimes and its good you called them on it. But mainly what I've observed is all the reviews I've read (I quit checking the site long ago) are, well in polite company let's say 'tongue kisses' and know I really meant an activity that happens when you, um, hit a line drive and get waved in to third. Most of the 'news' is gig announcements by the gigee. I have no problem with that. You have to be entrepreneurial (sp?), especially these days. But that's what the site is, advertising. Period. I always thought their softball reviews that never had one critical word were designed never to offend or say anything of depth or insight so as not drive people away. If you look at their interviews, same thing. No hardball questions ever, and let everyone push the public persona they want. Let's make believe anyone playing jazz is a saint and genius and keep selling ad space. They should change their name to All About Worship. And maybe in a way it is a good way to bring new people to the fold. Anyway, they're a popular site that gets a lot of hits and people with CD product pay, I imagine, a pretty penny to have their faces on home page ads. If I had a CD to promote and could swing it financially or it was on someone else's dime I'd want it there myself. Might help move a few and, um, at least I wouldn't have to worry about a pan... So I don't take AAJ seriously or waste any time visiting. And this guy's review is just a few steps down the food chain from the rest. No big leap from bland and solicitous to lame and dumb. Not surprised at all.

I found that I had a different view about "non-violent ex-offenders" when I found that a registered sex offender lived two blocks from my six year daughter's elementary school. I understand. If I had a daughter I'd feel the same way.

I was just calling 'em like I saw 'em, period. I wasn't nuts about where you were coming from, and I stand by what I said. Your defensiveness only proves it out. I felt so badly after I wrote that last paragraph I was going to delete it but it was pointed out that it would be more honest to let it stand. Instead I will apologize deeply to Jim and the entire community for my hubris and intemperate remarks. But I want to explain why I saw red and went after Jim for getting on that guy Goins' case and George Benson's without disrespecting his opinion or anyone else's. What I mean by jazz guitar players being a fraternity I can only explain by talking about my generation ('talkin''bout my generation....) and the one that preceded and taught us. My peer group includes guys like Ed Cherry, Paul Meyers, Randy Johnston, (a little older) Michael Howell, and others. Most of us have been friends for years, done some of the same gigs, played duo for hours on end, turned each other on to gigs at times. We all know how tough it is to try to survive with a hollow-body guitar and a warm tone in the music business. They are great guys, fine players, and pros all the way. Joe Cohn to me stands out as brilliant. No diss on the other guys, but I played with and heard him enough to make that statement with confidence. This is my main point: When one of us gets a rare break we try to rise above professional jealousy and say ýeah, bro! Good for you!'. Why? Because if one of us succeeds it lifts all of us and gives us hope for all we believe in. As far as the guys younger than us, the respect continues. When I had a little trio gig a few years ago the first guy applauding after the first tune was Russell Malone. Russell met me exactly once before, but he lives to hear and cheer good guitar players. He lifted my spirits that night by coming based on hearsay about me and staying in an empty club for a set. The previous generation, that some of us were lucky enough to hear live, know and study with were people like Barry Galbraith, Don Arnone, Joe Puma---I'm not mentioning the bigger names, but these guys that did record dates used to have a 'guitar club' that chipped in for an amp to keep in the studio so they wouldn't have to shlep one for a record date. I saw these guys together enough to know the love and respect they shared, plus the jokes, booze, etc. My two personal mentors from that generation were Jimmy Raney and Eddie Diehl and I could not have done better. Now I'm not gonna say that these guys, or myself at that, are angels and haven't talked some shit on the others, especially when a new guy on the scene breaks through and gets gigs we wish we had. we're human and it's natural to try to protect your phoney-baloney turf from perceived interlopers. But when we slipped that way we always felt like absolute shit afterwards especially having to face and talk to the guy. Most of us never do that anymore because it's petty and sucky, but mostly because a break for one is a break for all. If it weren't for Wes Montgomery's 'commercial' records with strings, brass, etc. (not to mention Bird with strings and other records like that) I never would have forgotten people like Eric Clapton and discovered jazz. Wes broke his ass on the road carrying the organ downstairs, etc. George Benson starved and busted his ass for years. Someone offered him a chance to live like a human being by singing (I think he's a damn good singer) and playing pop music but with a hollow body guitar and his jazz chops very much intact. He did a great job with it IMO, and if that's 'selling out' let me know how and I'll do it in a minute. Maybe what he did was bland or MOR, but it's still melodic music with a beat, not bullshit like hip-hop. It's hard to get a gig, any gig, and for black guys in the music they happened to invent it's a motherfucker. Other people can say what they want, but I will never put down any instrumentalist who killed himself for decades playing good or great jazz when someone gives them a chance to survive a little better and they take it. You have to know what the music business is like to understand this. Calling someone a sellout without walking a mile in his moccasins is too facile and IMO not the classiest thing. I never heard of this guy Goins before and still haven't listened to him. But if he plays a hollow body guitar well (even if it's not the most inspired or original), knows some tunes (better yet writes some), can swing, can play for a singer, etc. like the other members of this fraternity do and a big-shot editor gives him a leg up career-wise and he gets a few gigs off of that all I can say is Amen. Maybe one of us will be next. I'm off the soapbox, Jim and forum. As you were.....

I was just calling 'em like I saw 'em, period. I wasn't nuts about where you were coming from, and I stand by what I said. Your defensiveness only proves it out.

I was just calling 'em like I saw 'em, period. I wasn't nuts about where you were coming from, and I stand by what I said. Your defensiveness only proves it out.

Another would be that even if he walks he will be tainted by the accusation for the rest of his life. If guilty he'll in like fashion step up in status and be tainted with the truth. A pretty horrible prison in itself, wouldn't you say? I wonder also now if the mere accusation of a sex offense, not an actual conviction, can legally bar someone from living in a chosen neighborhood? If so, is this un-American at the core? Call me naive, but I have a problem with non-violent ex-offenders becoming hated, shunned, nomads. This is not only out of compassion for a tormented soul, but because rehabilitation can happen when the offender really wants it to IMO. And it also, in a perfect world, is a cornerstone of a sane, compassionate criminal justice system. To quote that lovably scruffy philosopher the pets.com dog: 'Everyone deserves a second chance'.

We dodged a bullet in NY. My sympathies to those who didn't. I was driving all day (by profession, not choice). I thought it was gonna be rough from all the predictions and told a supervisor 'I'm not fucking with this storm. If it gets bad (it was supposed to make landfall on LI at noon and just hammer everything and everyone)I'm gettin' out of dodge'. In the morning it was dicey indeed, with rain, wind, and fallen trees on major roads. But, and this is purely selfish but I'm godamn poor, I hung in and it got better and better. Not only did I make a decent day's pay for once but (this isn't selfish) I felt good actually helping people by getting them home with no transit system to do so. They appreciated it and it was a good vibe all around. Since I had WKCR on in the background at least two out-of-towners (as it happens rather attractive women)enjoyed Bird and Pres so much I explained about the yearly festival based on contiguous birthdays, talked up the station and maybe made two converts. (What the hell, the Websky is good for something). I also had a guy in the car who identified himself as Jeb Hart, an apparent former music biz big shot. And he was nice, not at all pretentious. He never came on strong or told me his name in a big shot way, I asked. I haven't heard of accidents caused by the other potential problem I observed: broken traffic lights. People seemed to use common sense for once and proceed slowly. No traffic directors were seen or needed. The roads were, thankfully, clear for once. As for the fallen trees, they are being cleared away. I'm sad they had to die, but at least to my knowledge no people in their paths died or were injured. Sorry for the injury to homes and autos, but on balance... Sometime after 12 noon, when all seemed safe and right, New Yorkers emerged from habitat cocoons and slowly sprang to life, enjoying a now cool and calm afternoon. Sheepishness gave way slowly to civic pride and love of Sunday leisure time in one of the world's great cities. Businesses now opened and for all of the above reasons I was glad to have come to work after all, soak in the nice rebound of spirit, and bear witness. And if that ain't a hip New York story I give up.......

Damn you! Swiss Crissly was gonna be my smart-ass quip. Guess you stole it fair and square. And great minds do think alike.... This guy's oddly obsessive little entry reminded me of a funny quote from composer Max Reger recorded in the great book Nicolas by Slominsky, THe Lexicon of Musical Invective. Having read what he thought a bullshit pan of his work he wrote back to the paper and started his letter to the critic with this bullseye: 'I am sitting in the smallest room in my house. I have your review before me. Soon I will have it behind me...'

Beautifully said.

For the life of me, I can't hear anything resembling that on this recording. What I hear is a pleasant and proficient sound that won't offend, but also won't inspire. Sorry to say it, but I completely agree. I appreciate the writing that Jas has contributed here and elsewhere, but I just don't see how these comparisons are really deserved. I checked out his website, and my first impression was that it's rather commercial-looking. Not impressed by the site's main photo of him, where half of his face is obscured by cigarette smoke, for some reason. Not exactly reminiscent of a Herman Leonard photo. Not inspired by the CD cover, either, which is probably trying too hard. Maybe it's just me, but okay, whatever. That's probably subjective, and not so important. A few of the samples on his site are labeled "play whole song". I was looking forward to this. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be one "whole song" available to sample. That's understandable, and not even unusual, but then they really shouldn't be labeled that way. Naturally, it's hard to get a complete feeling for his style and concept based on the samples, but still, there are numerous samples, and based on what I'm hearing, he sounds like just another new twig on the George Benson branch of the tree. Not a particularly good thing, as far as I'm concerned, particularly in light of the fact that Benson opted to sell out, and spawned numerous players who come across as very slick and commercial and quite predictable. I hear a lot of notes, a lot of chops, but precious little imagination or taste... or personality. I've lost track of how many jazz guitar players have struck me this way over the past 30 years or so. These comments are aimed primarily at the actual playing, and less so the compositions, which are harder to evaluate based on samples. These are just my initial impressions, and I'd be happy if I turned out to be misleading myself, but maybe I'll have to hope to hear some of this on the local jazz radio station, because I definitely feel no temptation to buy this CD. I sincerely wish him all the best. Re your bad news: You might be right, perhaps not. I haven't heard it. But, to be frank, nmaybe just in terms of the Golden Rule alone it might be better to listen to a whole track before judging. I know you probably know enough to tell where the guy's at, but what if it were reversed? Would you want him or someone else judging you in sections? And I say that out of respect for other opinions by yourself I've read here. I also say it as a guy with little patience for guys, especially guitarists, with (merely) lots of chops, and derivative chops at that. As for personality my favorite improvisor was, is, and always will be Lester Young. So that's where I'm coming from, to be clear. I might agree with you if I listened, but, again, the Golden Rule. Plus, we're guitar players and you know the respect we get in the biz. Does the word 'none' ring a bell? And I'm also surprised that you'd make so much out of externals. I also went to the website and also thought it looked like shit, but so what if the music's good? (I know, you didn't dig that either). I once couldn't sell a DVD of an inspired concert with Eddie Locke, John Beal, James Chirillo, myself (in order of age, not false modesty)where Eddie also gave great and pithy speeches about the community spirit of jazz musicians, music education, neighborhoods---all b/c I asked him to speak to the college-aged students about basically their own culture. But it was recorded by a student and not of the slickest quality so everyone I asked passed. (Finally it found a home in a jazz museum) And, sad to say, I sort of file statements beginning with 'I checked out his website, and' in the same category. So.... I will defend Mr. Goins unequivecally on one point---and I know you weren't putting him down for it, Jim. I think, misleading labels like 'whole track' aside, the reason everyone's getting creamed who actually has the temerity to want money for a quality product they broke their ass to make is that everyone else is giving away the store---the frickin' geniuses. I concede that Mr. Goins could have been more upfront though. I just am uneasy putting down any good guitar player on GP (general principals, to be clear), even if he was overrated by the GP editor. I have to listen and my ears will be the arbiter. But---though I know it seems like I'm lighting into you now---we both know how hard the shit is. My experience with guitarists tht work is they get each other's backs. None of us are geniuses (except a few like the subject of Mr. Goins' book, which needless to say I'd love to read. If nothing else I'm sure glad I heard of the cat via this thread for that alone). And again I'm sorry if I was a little hard on you, but that's my gut level feeling. In fact I'll put my money where my mouth is and buy his CD, sound unheard. Even if it stays on the shelf after one listen I'd buy it to support the cat. He's out there plying a bitch of a trade and managed to get a rave from a press guy that can help, over-fulsome or not said praise may be. Good for him. It's time a brother (guitarist) got a break. So please cut him a little slack. Anyone writing a biography on Charlie Christian starts out aces in my book. BTW: Benson 'sold out'? Gimme a break. I'm not even gonna go there. I'll stop b/c now I'm starting to get pissed. But make a record as musical, classy in presentation of the guitar, and popular as Breezin', then we'll talk. Sorry. man, but this trip your post rubbed me the wrong way, especially since on 2nd reading I caught the snarky comment about George. Why blame him for the copycats he spawned anyway? Again, if they copied you would you be so bugged? Think about it. On the board 3 times: Golden Rule. Golden Rule. Golden Rule (edited for clarity. JF)

KCR is the best! They are an invaluable resource in NY and the Web. They are NY and radio at its best. This annual event is one of many that make up their great contribution to this art, but I confess it's my favorite. I called Sharif Abdul Salaam this morning to give a shout out. I have to thank him and KCR for so many years of not only pleasure but a personal leg up. One day on an appropriate thread I'll get into how my career in jazz actually started with gigs at the West End that are in their archives. BTW those archives include countless interviews people like Max Roach, Doris Parker, Charles Mingus, Art Blakey---just for openers. Hours and hours of tape. There are also a lot of live performances from the aforementioned West End. I hope someday this treasure trove becomes cataloged, organiozed, and available to musicians, fans, and scholars. Meanwhile they are played at festivals like these, Birdflight, and at other times. Phil Schaap has quite a few on his website (not sure if they are for sale or not). But it's catch-as-catch-can. You have to listen and get lucky. That's part of the fun. BTW they also have great reggae, gospel, blues, bluegrass, and funk and R&B shows Saturdays and Sundays. The classical music shows are weekday mornings(after Birdflight)and afternoons (after Out To Lunch). And no slick, professional voices are ever heard. The DJs are music-loving Columbia students diving into the CD and record library headfirst and mining their own collections. WKCR has a strange and strained relationship with their 'parent', Columbia University. Columbia houses but does not support them. I believe it's the fact that they are a music station and apolitical that Columbia tolerates them and allows their signal. But WKCR almost went under a few times in recent years until saved by donations and are now seek to 'endow' themselves so as not to have to fund-raise. I think we would do well to send a check once a year, as per individual budgets. Life would not be the same without them.

Again, damned if you do, damned if you don't...don't like him in the least, but....when would you shut the subways down??? What if the storm sped up a bit, arrived sooner??? What if the subways started to flood with SALT water, and got stuck, and dozens/hundreds drowned??? Plus, the people that work with Mass Transit need to be safe as well... Again, a lot of hyperbole, but when you hear that the Holland tunnel may fill with water...hopefully, it's not the disaster many are predicting, but better to be pissed off and stuck in the home/apartment for a weekend, than dead. Yeah, well maybe I 'doth protest too much' in blowing off steam, but I've seen this guy in action for well neigh a decade now and I know how bullheaded he is. And I reiterate he's pre-emptively striking at least in part so he doesn't look bad in the aftermath. Politicians are a breed apart. And to add insult to injury this NY mayor has a thick Boston accent. Long 'a's and such. I hear Schwartenegger's looking for a gig. NYers, let's float him. Got to think of the future... On the other hand I hear what you're saying, and if his actions save lives I'll be the first one to praise them. He's the leader and we all best hope he knows what he's doing. I just hope he does his homework, and he probably has. Whatever else he is he's far from stupid, regardless of my tirade. And I'm sure he's getting good advice, antyway I sure as hell hope so. Anyway it's not like this is the first hurricane to hit NY. I remember Donna when I was a child. We got through that one so I guess we'll get through Irene.

Here in NYC mayor Moneybags Bloomberg ordered all public transportation closed by noon tomorrow. This cowardly and mean-spirited act was to cover his phoney-baloney ass, since when the blizzard hit here last Dec. the asshole was in sunny, funny Bermuda or something. He should have stayed there b/c his leadership was a world-class fuckup. So now, like all politicians late in the game worried about their 'legacies' he's gonna shut the MF down so everyone will be stuck. All to assuage his capacious ego and so he can say 'see? I acted responsibly during the hurricane'. Way to go, genius. 2 1/2 years of this dickhead's tenure and counting left. As for me, I brought a car home from the car service (my 'hustle gig') and committed to coming in tomorrow when I could have bowed out. (I originally had an outdoor gig which is obviously off, but can't afford to lose a day's pay). I'm even dumber than Bloomberg for agreeing to this b/c at best we'll work half a day in increasingly dangerous conditions and then I'll be stranded and won't be able to get home. I guess the problem is I'm even poorer than I am dumber than Bloomberg....

You know, my first reaction when this thread popped up was how none of us really know each other if we've only met on line, but I realize now that, none of us really know each other anyway. No one who would be involved in something like this is going to accidentally drop a hint in the conversation if you're "not in the club". Probably so, but I hope you continued to read all of what I wrote. It was much more conciliatory and wide ranging in view about all of this stuff. That first paragraph alone makes it look pretty dark and the whole post was anything but. But your point is well-taken.

I heard Someday My Prince Will Come from the CD (with the DR Big Band, they said) on the radio yesterday and it killed. Great chart, starting out with Wynton Kelly's solo from Miles' recording transcribed and written for flutes. The chart develops beautifully and Randy and the other soloists---couldn't pin anyone but it was guitar and piano---really did a hell of a job. This is as good as anything you'll hear coming out these days. I can't wait to hear the rest. A MF for sure.

Great to hear this. Thanks.

Wow. Great stuff! '60s Sonny is my favorite. He stretched on everything, taking bebop out and pulling everything apart like a curious kid. And what humor! The short solo on this is vintage '60s Sonny. I love East Broadway Rundown, Alfie, On Impulse, Our Man in Jazz. And this is right up there. I always liked Cherry when he played straight ahead. Good ideas and coherence. Only drag is when they play together. No blend whatsoever. Not the strong suit of either of them. Sonny adjusted to Clifford well, though. The rhythm kicks ass on this. Smilin' Billy justs lights the whole thing up. The trading is killin'. Nice arco solo by Grimes. Thanks for putting this up, man.

Sonny Rollins and Don Cherry, a.k.a. Sonny and Cher. Thanks for ruining my dumb one liner: 'What? No I got you Babe'. I know. I know. You did us all a favor.............. This is me shutting up and watching the clip..............

I think I'm the only one who liked this. I emailed it to friends whose silence spoke volumes. It's tasteless and obvious and I don't think it was a real demo but someone pulling someone's chain. That cover (priceless). Come on...I love it, though. It reminded me so much of Mad Magazine's old song parodies. I have often walked down your street before But there once was pavement underneath my feet before Now when I walk by---I see H-bombs fly ........Yucca Flats----is no street----where to live! (from a parody called something like Songs for the Atomic Age)

Not ever having interacted with this person, and realizing the seriousness of the offense---whether or not he was involved---I can only think of a few things regarding trust: I myself have had varied experience with people met on the web once I knew them in a non-cyber way. I let my guard down because I'm pretty open and trusting. A few times I was seriously burned. You really don't know who you're dealing with and the web provides one of the world's great covers for liars and two-live-livers. One has to look at this guy's tale---while presuming innocence and using compassion in trying to understand and not rush to judge---as a cautionary one. Don't believe everything you read. There are sick people out in cyberspace fooling a lot of people. We all let our guards down when in a community of people sharing our interests, etc. On the other hand I've met and interacted with wonderful people in the jazz cyber-world. Lazaro Vega (who I knew a little before) for one. I've been to his home and interviewed by him at Blue Lake. Great human being and jazz person. Peter Johnson drove a considerable distance to come see a little gig of mine and bought me a drink. Larry Kart is as thoughtful a jazz person as I've encountered. I think one can be trusting and appreciative of people and guarded---maybe jaded is a more realistic word---at the same time. Owing to the complexity of people nothing good or bad surprises me in human behavior so I neither judge (at least I try not to, I'm frickin' human too) nor am shocked. Reluctant as I am to reopen the religion---yeah, specifically Christian---can of worms here all I can say as a life-long agnostic of equally lifelong spiritual curiosity is that there's only a one letter difference between God and good. If someone is good that's enough for me. Humans ought to be as perfectly human as possible. Everyone is gonna slip. It's the getting up that make us a great race. If someone lives a good life and gains strength from what I may consider fantasy or superstition all I try to see is the good. That's an oddly Christian view from a non-believer, I know, but it works for me. Among the many friends I've been blessed with is a Christian woman of IMO world-class beauty, outer and inner. She is a supportive friend, perfect daughter and sister, etc. Trying to do good in the world, despite frailties, and that's the point. Throughout our many get-togethers over 14 years up to as recently as Monday she has never forced her beliefs on me or guilt-tripped, threatened eternal damnnation, etc. We just enjoy and love each other to death, period. She has prayed for me, and I am down with and moved by that because it just shows her love. So judge Christians or Santaria sacrificers alike by deeds not words say I. I am tempted, having said these things, to pray---however a guy like myself could---for Bill's soul. To be accused and in prison, guilty or innocent, is another form of terrible victimization. If you did it you've victimized yourself as much as the actual victims. If innocent you are the only victim. So never having met the man and loving children mostly because they are people, however vulnerable, I will try to keep a good thought for him and them. And keep open to but watchful of Internet friends. Bless all of you. You are a great bunch. (edited for grammar. JF)