alankin

To tell the truth, the last six months have been fairly challenging, the last three especially so, which partly explains why I haven't posted this Summer. The biggest loss was my mother, who passed away a month ago at the age of 83 in Phoenix. She had been in remission from breast cancer for over six years, but about two years ago the cancer came back as bone cancer. She'd actually been doing well for a couple years, keeping it at bay with medication, raising her spirits by going to a support group, doing artwork and exercise at a senior center and staying active with friends. But this Spring the medicine was no longer effective. She tried some chemo, but the didn't help and just made her feel ill. I was able to visit her twice the Summer, the second time with my older daughter. I admire her strength and dignity in her fight -- she called hospice on her own in July and when she knew she didn't want to be by herself in her condo and found an assisted living place and moved herself in. Luckilly, she didn't have any pain, just weakness. Her mind was not effected and she was alert until the day before her last. In between all that, I've had a few other distractions as well: my company sold one of their lines of business and also outsourced their IT department on 4/1 (but it wasn't an April fools joke). I was carried along to the outsourcing company, where my job has pretty much been the same, with the addition of new projects to move our data center and change our processes. My two daughters are having troubles at school -- my younger daughter has trouble getting up and out for school; my older daughter, a senior, hasn't been completing any of her assignments, it isn't clear why. (Anxiety? Perfectionism? Obviously, this is not a good omen for graduating, let alone college.) And my wife moved out of the house over 18 months ago, and I decided it was finally time to call a lawyer. And one of my cats was mauled by a dog this summer and tore out all his back claws trying to escape. He's doing OK now. On the plus side, I filed my federal taxes on Friday, after two extensions. Other than that, things seem fine.

A mouse was playing hide and seek with two of my cats in the backyard yesterday. (Well, from the cats' viewpoint anyway.) But of course, mice are one thing and Rats are another.

Since I, alas, don't have the Mosaic set, I'm thinking about picking up this set. Anyone with the Mosaic want to comment on these sessions?

Khan Jamal still lives here and is active. He had around a half dozen gigs in the area this year. (Including a free one last week at the Kimmel Center.) He's also done some recording for CIMP. (Plug: see phillyjazz.Jazzmatazz.info.) Walt Dickerson is living with his son in the suburbs. He's still practicing. I think he'd like to play. I've passed his name along, but he may not have found any place that meets his requirements.

But seriously...

Well, it's a bit chilly this morning, so I'm wearing clothes.

I heard Maren and Lankin have Big Al tied up in the back room and make him watch. They email photos to Simon. ← No, that's complete wrong. He's in the basement. Maren, can you let him out now?

Those sure are big almonds. It's also a bit bizarro-worldish. The found, Ken Lankin, is from Philadelphia. I never heard of him.

I was the guy two rows in front of you with a sketch book. (If I'd known that was you I wouldn't have tripped you as walked past. ) Have we met each other yet? Maybe we should try to say hello at one of these gigs. I think Roscoe did circular breathing a couple times in the set. I had a good view of Muhal's fingers; they were a blur of action in his last solo. (And his volume was too low.) It was somewhat amusing that he starting playing a melodic tune in the last quarter hour of the show -- just after a bunch of people had walked out.

With chance of sun near dawn.

Maybe there's still hope that someone will discover those lost Buddy Bolden cylinders!

Sunny and in the 70s after nine straight days of rain.

Coincidentally, Michael Snow's 1965 print, "Carla Bley" (from "Toronto 20") is reproduced in the catalog for MOMA's 1980 catalog, "Printed Art: A View of Two Decades" which I picked up at a yard sale of few weeks ago for $1. I was pretty surprised to see Carla inside the book! The image indeed shows Carla walking.

Batting next: Anthony Braxton.

The Capitol Transcription Sessions 1. F.S.T. (Opening Theme) 2. Just You, Just Me 3. I've Got The World On A String 4. Rex Rhumba 5. But She's My Buddy's Chick 6. Chant Of The Blues (Dog-gone Unlucky Blues) 7. Rock-A-Bye Basie 8. Lester Leaps In 9. I Don't Know Why (I Just Do) 10. I Want To Be Happy 11. I Know That You Know 12. Just You, Just Me 13. F.S.T. (Closing Theme) 14. I Don't Know Why (I Just Do) 15. This Way Out 16. Baby, Baby, All The Time 17. Somebody Loves Me 18. Too Marvelous For Words 19. Honeysuckle Rose 20. How Does It Feel? 21. Loan Me Two Till Tuesday 22. What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry 23. You Name It 1. How High The Moon 2. You Call It Madness (But I Call It Love) 3. Tiny's Excuse 4. After You Get What You Want, You Don't Want It 5. Body And Soul 6. On The Sunny Side Of The Street 7. I'd Love To Make Love To You 8. Homeward Bound 9. What Is This Thing Called Love 10. Mabel, Mabel 11. Swingin' The Blues 12. Beautiful Moons Ago 13. I Got Rhythm 14. Could 'Ja 15. One O'Clock Jump 16. How Deep Is The Ocean 17. Route 66, (Get Your Kicks On) 18. Cole Slaw 19. You Be You (But Let Me Be Me) 20. It's Kind Of Lonesome Out Tonight 21. For Once In Your Life 22. Lament In Chords 23. I Never Had A Chance 24. I Wanna Be A Friend Of Yours 25. Laguna Mood 1. Dream A Little Dream Of Me 2. Then I'll Be Tired Of You 3. Little Girl 4. Confess 5. Flo And Joe 6. Lost April 7. My Mother Told Me 8. Exactly Like You 9. Part Of Me 10. What Have You Got In Those Eyes 11. Top Hat Bop 12. Go Bongo 13. Rhumba Blues 14. Boulevard Of Broken Dreams 15. Peaches 16. Don't Let Your Eyes Go Shopping (With Your Heart) 17. All Aboard 18. Ooh Kickaroonie 19. 'Deed I Do 20. If I Were You, Baby, I'd Love Me 21. After My Laughter Came Tears 22. Calico Sal 23. Third Finger, Left Hand

The commentary was illuminating and enjoyable. It was by a group, including the director and Giamatti, Pekar, his wife Joyce, his daughter Danielle, his friend Toby Radloff, and someone else that I forget. There's also a featurette on Pekar & Joyce post-movie, including at Sundance and Cannes.

Scary numbers if you're a movie producer.

A view down the block --

Splain me that one, Chuck, if you don't mind -- thanks!! ← The only thing that's worse for a business than failure is a big success.

I've been curious about the Quebec and Cherry titles. Glad they're finally coming out. (I have the Hill & McLean boxes, the Hope on CD and the Ervin on the LP double.) BTW, the titles are now listed for pre-ordering at CD Universe for $11.19.

Looks like the Dutton Vocalion titles are being imported into the States by Harmonia Mundi. The first six titles are available for pre-order at CD Universe for $14.70 for Oct 11th release.

Glad to hear they're including original liner notes and repros of the covers in the set.

Now available for pre-ordering from CD Universe. Can't wait to hear it!