paul secor

These sides would make my listening day a great one.

Fred Anderson & Harrison Bankhead: The Great Vision Concert (Ayler)

Indianapolis Jump (Flyright)

Peter Stampfel: You Must Remember This (Gert Town)

The one good thing that Ed Whitson did when he was with the Yankees was breaking Billy Martin's arm in a fight.

Across the board

Jimmy McCracklin and His Blues Blasters: Rockin' Man (Route 66)

Kip Hanrahan: Desire Develops an Edge (American Clave)

Jim Brewer (Philo)

Walter Davis Jr.: Davis Cup

I truly hope that the Yankees pass on Machado. I see him as another A-Rod (it's all about ME) type who will want a 10-12 year contract. Plus he looks like someone who will put on weight and lose mobility a few years from now. Let Torres play shortstop until Didi is healthy, and use the money for starting pitching.

It can be confusing and sometimes frustrating trying to keep tabs on all the the live Bird that's out there, but it's worth it. And if you get tired of trying to figure out what's what, just listening always works. In fact, that probably works best.

Happy Birthday!

Yep - autumn has finally arrived here too.

East Coast Blues (Krazy Kat)

Complete Sidney Bechet Volumes 1/2

According to the liner notes, just a nickname he picked up from a song he performed when he moved to Minneapolis from the South. He grew up in Arkansas listening to Howlin' Wolf (whom he knew as just Chester Burnett), Sonny Boy Williamson, Joe Willie Wilkins, and the other musicians who recorded for the King Biscuit radio show. He recorded for Alan Lomax at the age of 18 in 1957 backing Forest City Joe (issued as part of a series on Atlantic). Sadly, he passed before this CD was issued.

Sonny Rodgers: They Call Me the Cat Daddy (Fattening Frogs)

It's interesting that one of the reasons for which Girardi was supposedly let go (besides the fact that Cashman wanted a yes man) was that he had a poor rapport with Gary Sanchez - benching him for poor defensive play, etc. Boone let Sanchez have pretty much free rein this season and look what happened. And isn't it time the Yankees cut Brian Cashman loose? He's been the GM since 1998, inherited a very solid team and manager - both put in place by Gene Michael - and has had one winner in the past 15 years, despite having a very large payroll every year. Time for some new blood there. Cashman on Gary Sanchez during the playoffs: "“I think he’s our best game-caller". That's a joke. (And a knock on Austin Romine, who's a better defensive catcher and generally acknowledged as a better pitch caller.) Before baseball put limits on trips to the mound this season, Sanchez used to be out talking with the pitchers almost every inning. I had the sense that there were times when he didn't know what was going on. The biggest laugh was when he'd go out to talk with Tanaka. One guy only speaks Spanish, the other only speaks Japanese (not a criticism - I only speak English - just a reality). No interpreter was present. What was that about?

Jr. Walker !!

Matthew Gee: Jazz by Gee

John Jackson: Deep in the Bottom (Rounder) With my friend Bill Morrison playing bass on some tracks

Louisiana Red: The Lowdown Back Porch Blues (Roulette/Sequel)