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Probably 10-15 years ago, I would have been all over that. I think I can pass at this point in my life. Took them long enough, but they finally released a more compact Prisoner set, and Amazon is selling for under $35, which is not bad. Prisoner set This is supposedly a pretty great set from an early innovator (Ernie Kovacs), who influenced David Letterman and Terry Gilliam: Kovacs set However, there is word that there is a 7th bonus DVD which can only be bought when ordering the set from Shout Factory, for more like $55 plus shipping, which is not a particularly good bargain. So a tough choice for people with completist tendencies, not that 7 DVDs is a complete set of Kovacs, but it is pretty much all that was saved.

Some interesting things coming from Library of America -- the first in a three volume set of Vonnegut: Vonnegut on Amazon. Oddly, they are publishing the middle works first, then apparently will be publishing a volume with his first three novels (and more stories). Not sure what the last volume will contain, as it probably couldn't be all his novels post 1973. I could see it going through 1985, which would be 4 novels and a bunch of stories and maybe some of the essays. Or it could focus more heavily on stories and essays. I've actually only read two or three Vonnegut novels. I might be in the market for this set, but I think I'll hold off until some used copies start circulating. Anyway, then they have 2 collections of Harlem Renaissance fiction. As it happens, I have read nearly all of the material, since I took a course on the Harlem Renaissance in college. Some of it was quite interesting, but I won't be buying these volumes as my shelves are pretty full at the moment!

Turns out the whole thing, including the "study" was an elaborate hoax -- Hoax unraveled The crazy things folks do when they have too much time on their hands. Well, better than creating viruses, I guess...

I don't have a dog in this fight - really - but Wynton sure makes it easy for people to justify their dislike of him.

Or do something worthy enough that story B' (a new story you tell on yourself) is interesting.

Just wrapped up Macho Camacho's Beat Not really my cuppa. But it definitely made me nostalgic for the old days when Avon/Bard had a substantial line of Latin American (and Brazilian) fiction. That's where I went for Vargas Llosa, Garcia Marquez and Amado.

I will consider this, but in the meantime, I thought that this box set of orchestral and choral works was quite a bargain, with Roge playing piano in many cases. Amazon link

Yes, this is a nice set. I picked one up for about $20. This actually reminds me that my order for Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1-7 conducted by Barbirolli was never delivered and I was ultimately refunded my money. Guess I should try again now.

I bet it's the day he fought zombies! Memorialized in Miles Runs The Voodoo Down!

Couldn't we just get Spike Lee to remake Mo' Better Blues and call it a day?

I was wondering about that. It sounded as if she might well have been under the influence even then. Certainly was hard to see what the fuss was all about, going from that track.

Thanks for the feedback! Glad to hear things have made it out ok. Everything has been mailed with the exception of a couple of overseas packages, which should go out today. Thanks again. I am starting to take CDs to the shops, but there still are many CDs left, looking for good homes. Between today and Sept. 13 (when I shut down selling for good), I am offering the following reductions from the original prices, even in the last chance list (though much of that has gone to CD shops) -- Between $2 and $6, 1 dollar off. Above $7, 2 dollars off. The only other change is that you must buy 6 or more CDs to get 10% off the new prices. Still free shipping to the US with 3+ CDs. Eric

THAT would be a first for an album by Gigi Gryce! Hope this CD will sell in huge numbers! One can always dream Sometimes 10 (or 3) in sales is enough to sell out at DG. But they are pretty good about restocking the current titles.

I was only marginally interested in this, but almost a whole CD of unreleased Louis Armstrong (and a bit o' Ella) makes it far more tempting. I'll ponder this for a while. The price is definitely on the high side, however, even for 2 CDs -- $36!

They sent me the message last night, but I totally forgot about it. I put in an order this morning, but they may have already sold out. I'll know soon...

Has anyone bought and/or listened to Vieux Farka Toure's The Secret? This landed relatively recently, and I've heard a couple of tracks on the BBC world music shows. I have one waiting for me at Reckless Records, so I should be able to hear the rest this week. Looking forward to it.

3 discs plus 1 DVD -- and I'm betting the DVD will not replicate material from the CD's. Still a touch more that I'd ideally like to spend, but then again, what isn't. Well, I certainly wouldn't pay $45 for this, but if I can catch it when the prices drop I might consider it. Miles is on fire, huh?

So several packages went out today, and the rest should follow tomorrow. Thanks again! BTW, did anyone request Shepp's Down Home New York from me? I can't see it in the PMs, so I guess that means it's still available. I'm going to recuperate for a few days, then consolidate lists and perhaps drop prices one more time. Then it will be the local shops...

I've been pretty good lately (with far more outgoing than incoming CDs!). But I couldn't resist this for under $3: Jim Hall Concierto (CTI) I will probably see if I can use up my soon-to-be-worthless Borders cards on CDs that are actually in stock, since I have had no luck with their on-line shopping.

Perhaps so, but it still sounds like the piano and drum lines were lifted wholesale from Take Five.

No, please, watch the entire skit. It's one of the finest TV comedy endeavors ever! Speaking of been there, done that. I had no idea that one of the cable channels is showing The Richard Pryor Show (it might even be BET). Wow. Talk about mind-blowing. I do like me some Dave Chappelle, but Richard Pryor was even more daring and waaaay ahead of his time. I think I'm going to have to pick this up: Pryor Show at Amazon.

So I am listening to Prairie Dog and it jumps into "The Fakir." It is basically "Take Five" with a few minor twists. In fact, for a short minute I thought I had loaded in a Brubeck CD instead. Does anyone recall if he indeed got any flak from Brubeck/Desmond or their publishing company? Aside from that, it's certainly an impressive line-up -- Harold Vick, James Spaulding, George Coleman, Johnny Coles and Mickey Roker (dr).

I've heard it long before. The slightly more interesting twist is when the blind man doesn't realize he's Black. This has also been done many times before, perhaps most amusingly in the Chappelles Show skit "Black White Supremacist." Chappelle show The skit is a little too long, but it is worth fast-forwarding to the final joke.

Except the joke itself is lame and has been recycled hundreds of times, which when you think about it is pretty typical of a Jay Leno routine.

There is an urban legend (among sociologists) that if you say (truthfully) that you have a Ph.D. in sociology you will always be dismissed by the prosecution because you will have such a jaundiced view of the criminal justice system. Never had to try it out so far.