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I wonder if Man in the High Tower would work. I think there are some good dramatic moments, and lots of opportunities to show the alternative war history. On a side note, did anyone pick up Counterfeit Unrealities, which is a special anthology published by the Science Fiction Book Club (but is usually available used on the web)? It is comprised of four complete PKD novels: Three Stigmata, Do Androids Dream, UBIK and A Scanner Darkly. A pretty good starting point to build a PDK collection. I'll be doing a lot of flying in April, and I'll probably take this with me.

There's no question it would have been a better show if it had featured the tenors all the way through. It was a bit of bait and switch, but it was organized by the Chicago Jazz Ensemble and they do have a right to feature their own musicians. They also probably did not have much time to work with these legends, other than Von Freeman. It was a comedy of errors. As Jazzmessenger said, the show started late because of the ticketing issue. Fortunately, I had had my tickets mailed to me. Also, the pedals fell off the piano during the first set, but were fixed during the break! I also agree with Jazzmessenger that in terms of working as a whole and being exciting music (played with the ensemble), it was the Eric Alexander and Ira Sullivan pieces. But really the Jumpin at the Woodside at the end was incredible. I really do hope it comes out somehow. Sorry we didn't meet up. Hope you saw some other Chicago music while you were in town.

I don't know what Sheldonm or jazzmessenger will say, but I felt it was a thoroughly enjoyable show. The first half was devoted to the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, which is a good unit, though of course I was hungering to see the famous tenors. The one thing I didn't care for, is I think the jazz vocalist is very weak. It is a matter of taste, but she came across as way too mannered and reliant on vocal tricks for me. One her second song, however, Johnny Griffin snuck out and joined her (might have been rehearsed though Jon Faddis didn't seem to be expecting it), so that salvaged that song. The second half of the show had many highlights. Eric Alexander was first and he just tore up Sonny Stitt's The Eternal Triangle. Sheldonm and I saw Eric Alexander at the Jazz Showcase a few months back and he is becoming a major force on the tenor. Check him out when you can. Then Franz Jackson. The guy is almost 93!!!! He did Body and Soul, but with just the rhythm section. Then he played and sang Strutting with Some Barbecue, which was amusing. Then he did a third bluesy song. Faddis decided it was worth giving him the extra song, and why not? Then Ira Sullivan did a rousing version of Horace Silver's Nica's Dream (with the whole ensemble). This version had strong latin overtones. Then Von Freeman did a compelling Stella by Starlight with just the rhythm section. Then Johnny Griffin came out and did one of his own compositions. I forgot the name but it might have been You're the One. Anyway, the title ended with One. This was good, but there were definitely times Griffin was overwhelmed by the ensemble. It would have to be adjusted to hear him better over the group (if it was to be released). So it was good, but it could have been better. Then they brought all five out on stage and Joe Segal gave four of them lifetime achievement plaques (not to Eric Alexander) and all of them did Jumping at the Woodside with the whole ensemble. It was so amazing; I do hope that is broadcast or comes out somehow. They just kept going down the line, taking a few bars each and passing the solo down. I believe the tenors went around two times each with 4 bar solos, then two times around with 2 bar solos, then maybe two or three more times with one bar solos. It was really something to hear. Clearly they didn't want the song to end. So while it would have been great to get an entire show with Griffin, this was still a lot of fun. What a night! The concert ended around 10:40 and we headed out into the night. I'll be curious to hear the others' reactions. Eric

I think Bookfinder is definitely the best, since it does index Abebooks, alibris and even the half and amazon used listings (usually -- sometimes when half is overcrowded those prices won't show). This is always where I start.

I didn't realize the J & R prices were so good, but I did pick up the Shepp and Thornton CDs at Dusty Groove the other day. Definitely enjoying them. I really shouldn't get any more, but I may falter...

I believe I saw that a restored Paths to Glory is coming out on DVD. Too lazy to link though, plus I gotta go catch Johnny Griffin. See ya!

I haven't read this novel, but I've read a lot of other PKD. In some sense, people are often at the mercy of events well beyond their control, and in that sense, Reeves might work. Other times though, he is investigating people with intense, fragmented personalities. I just don't see Reeves pulling that off. He just isn't more than a cypher on screen.

Well, this isn't that new, but I just recently learned that Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald is out on DVD from Kino. This is a very funny Japanese movie about a radio drama being done live. Each actor keeps making major changes to the script, resulting in a farcical situation. Definitely worth checking out. Also, a bit more philosophical but very enjoyable movie called After Life is out. In this movie, the dead are given one week to decide on their favorite memory, which is what they will live inside for eternity (this is kinda cool/kinda creepy if you really think hard about it). Anyway, the movie kind of focuses on reluctant souls who have trouble selecting a single positive memory.

Kobe is a baby. I didn't have that big a grudge against him until he forced this trade. Now I can't stand him. Didn't he learn anything from Phil Jackson? Guess not. Jordan and the Bulls didn't really become great until Jordan bought into the team. As satisfying as it is watching the Lakers fall apart, I hope it serves as an object lesson to management not to give in to their star players, but management never learns either it seems.

I saw it in Chicago and enjoyed it immensely. No, it's not cutting edge but it is very, very funny.

I believe they came thisclose to releasing it, and maybe they even did ship it to some stores in the US. As noted above, EMI did release it in Europe and Japan. I imported it from HMV.co.uk and have had no problem playing it in my stereo or on my computer. I don't play CDs in the car, so don't know if that would be a problem. [believe me, I think this CC stuff is unbelievably stupid, given how easy it is to manuever around it. Takes about 8 seconds.] I'd just go ahead and import Basra from Europe, but if you are seriously philosophically opposed to CC, then wait about 6 months, maybe it will be coming out domestically by then.

Yeah, it's supposed to be #1 with a bullet.

Been a while since I even dared look at Spam poetry, but with a newer virus killer, I thought I would take a chance again. Here's a pretty good one. Smallcap Insight: warden ave,toronto,ontario,canada m1w 3y8 tollgate jock colonnade cinder honeydew bertram amygdaloid aylesbury renunciate airfield bibliography whitaker uruguay teeing yost ,lippincott deprecatory coors coke contralto chancy diphtheria vinson trickery gastronome fantastic cruickshank granulate liquidate brussels database aver careen beer expletive octennial submitted dummy bypass analytic grab dichloride plume jennie poppy electrify booze ware shrinkage countervail .

At the risk of being told I am sweeping things under the carpet, let me say that the positives far outweigh the occasional negatives of the board. What have I gained from the Board: I found out about Organissimo and ordered their CD I bought probably over 50 CDs in the last year and a half based on recommendations from the board and enjoyed at least 45. I've picked up some sweet deals in the Offered section I've sold a few things there I've found out about upcoming releases months in advance, giving myself something to look forward to (particularly on days when the job sucked) I've been tipped off to some great concerts in Chicago and have tried to spread the word about other events I've been very entertained by the sense of humor displayed in many threads. I truly don't think this is some kind of sinking ship, and some people really are blowing things way out of proportion. The vast majority of us are adults who can handle some bruised feelings from time to time.

Now I kind of wish I had picked this up at Hothouse when Stanko and the Trio were playing. Don't think it was really on sale though. Well, I'll get it used or on Yourmusic or something in a while.

Brubeck has an entire album of songs based around musicians' names. It's on Concord, but I can't remember the title. Some work, some don't. I've seen him twice. Once was so-so, once was very good last year, where he also played the London Flat piece. Yes, I also hope I am even able to attend concerts at that advanced age.

Just saw the show last night. It was good, but Hothouse was completely packed. I think half of Chicago's Polish population was in the house. And they were generally saving seats for 6 and 8 people. I wasn't able to even get a seat, so I stood through 4 or 5 songs, then moved to a different room and sat for the last two songs of the set, then left. I just can't enjoy music when I am that uncomfortable. (I love Hothouse but they have to stop overselling their shows. Even the somewhat dingy Green Mill does a better job of crowd control. It would just take one visit from the fire marshall to shut them down for a while.) Anyway, I thought Stanko came on kind of "pitchy" (to steal from Randy Jackson), but those problems went away as the evening wore on, and as the tunes got "hotter." I think he was mostly playing songs from Suspended Night. There was a little more fire to them than I remember, playing the ECM style "hot" if you get my drift. It worked for me anyway. I particularly liked a piece where the pianist played the piano with drum sticks inside the piano, hitting the strings and the wood inside the piano. From where I was standing, the drummer looks a little bit like Joe G.

Clem -- The tour is being archived on video (and probably bootlegged at every stop though no one from our table). I have no idea if this will ever be released (and have no idea how hard it would be to clean up something like this to make it presentable), but at least it isn't completely lost. Grimes is definitely starting to record more, and is on Dennis Gonzalez's Nile River Suite, which is good, but nowhere as wild and experimental as the Spacespace dates. Eric

The Friday show was great. We talk a bit about it over in Live Shows.

She's a middle aged (late 40s or early 50s ?) white woman (or very very light skinned biracial woman) with wild black hair. She was wearing a button with Grimes' face on it and occasionally scolding photographers at Hothouse. So I'm surprised you wouldn't have noticed her. I suspect she was there, since she is very protective of Grimes and the Spaceship tour. I didn't talk to her, but Sheldonm says she is nice once she understands you aren't trying to rip off Grimes.

What a wild show! Sal, sheldonm and myself saw the Spaceship with Fred Anderson on Friday (in Chicago). If you ask really nice sheldonm will post some photos. The bass Olive Oil, described elsewhere, is indeed about the ugliest bass you will ever see in your life. It's painted green with some little stars stuck on the front. Anyway, I can't compare it to one of Sun Ra's shows, since I've never seen one (even on video) but it felt like one to me, with Marshall Allen decked out in a gold mesh vest (over a black shirt) waving his arms when not playing and occasionally chanting or singing Space is the Place. At one point, he got down off the bandstand and played in front of everybody in the front row, coming up with different phrases for each customer. The drummer in Chicago was just a monster, really keeping the energy level up. Grimes and Fred Anderson were incredible, though I thought Anderson was better integrated into the first set than the second. Definitely worth catching if you can, though I guess there are only four stops left. But it is really great to see Grimes playing and touring again, and I expect he will be touring more in the future.

You might need to figure Houston in there too. They don't have the most wins, but they appear to have the most wins against quality teams. And the Bulls are going to be in the playoffs. Barring a late season collapse that just doesn't appear likely, since the kids are responding very well to a real coach. I'm thinking they'll make it to the second round. This honeymoon probably won't last more than a season or two before they get swole heads though. What's really interesting is that the team is almost all rookies plus Chandler and Curry. I don't think it is an accident that the other players are just out of successful college programs -- where you listened to the coach and learned to play basketball. A few notable successes aside, I much prefer the players who played three or four years of college ball. I think they are simply better team players. I've heard that the NBA Players Union is going to not fight terribly hard against a minimum age limit to enter the NBA (like the NFL has). Personally, I think this is a good thing, though there will be a few youngsters who have to wait a year too long.

I don't have all the dates in front of me, but I wanted to let the Michigan board members know that Stanko is going to be at the Firefly on the 15th, then coming to Chicago on the 16th where a number of us will see him, then heading up and down the West Coast. Should be a good show.

I have one ticket to see the Bad Plus/Bill Frissell (separately) on May 6, at 8 at the Chicago Symphony Center. I believe Bad Plus are the opening act. The ticket is Lower Balcony Row I Seat 102, so good but not the very best seat. Face is $18, but was part of a subscription, so more like $25. There should be more tickets to the show (but not next to this seat). I'm looking for $12 OBO. Thanks for looking! Eric

That is awfully generous of you, Guy. And in return I can take some of those useless pieces of paper the Americans call dollars. But seriously, I am thinking of selling close to half my collection, which I probably ought to do even if I don't move, since I just am not really listening to it. I am tired of moving it around, since I move on average every 18 months. There will be some gems amidst the dreck, and I will post them in the appropriate forum when I have a chance.