paul secor

I was in a bookstore that also sells some music today, saw Fats Waller: Complete Recordings Vol. 5 (JSP/Ted Kendall) and Moondog: The German Years 1977-1999. Decided that I'd get only one &, after some indecision, walked out with Fats.

I remember when there were a lot of records on the VV Best-of lists that I had listened to or wanted to hear.

There are a couple of passing mentions of King Fleming's relationship with Muhal Richard Abrams in George Lewis' book on the AACM, but I too would like to read more. I have a Japanese issue of Stand By. Bought it to hear King Fleming and relatively early Malachi Favors, but was somewhat disappointed by the fact that the tracks are short - about 3 minutes average, with one under 2 minutes. Perhaps the producer, Phil Chess, or perhaps King Fleming, was looking for a commercial sounding record in the wake of Argo's success with Ahmad Jamal and Ramsey Lewis. Listened to it again today & had the same feelings - there are things there to hear, but there could have been more.

Burton Greene Trio (Wilber Morris & Lou Grassi): Throptics Not a perfect record, but there's some interesting stuff on this one.

Norm Cliff Carla

Artist/caricaturist David Levine has passed. The NY Times obituary: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/29/david-levine-illustrator-is-dead-at-83/ His works gave me great pleasure over the years. Thank you, Mr. Levine.

Bogie Bacall Hoagy

Lorraine Geller at the Piano Jaki Byard Trio: July in Paris (Ricky Ford makes it a quartet on one cut, but the rest is a trio.)

Dusty Rhodes Bernie Carbo Kirk Gibson

Not much energy to think/look right now, but here are a few - not sure how "obscure" they are: Sadik Hakim Trio: Witches, Goblins, et. Elmo Hope Trio w. Philly Joe & John Ore Walter Norris/Billy Bean/Hal Gaylor: The Trio

This afternoon: Ornette: Tomorrow Is the Question! (Contemporary - black label, stereo)

Hank Mobley: Soul Station (BN/King Japan)

Rob Reiner David St. Hubbins Nigel Tufnel

Dave Holland Xaviera Hollander Sidney Biddle Barrows

Listen to Dylan's "Desolation Row".

Ma Rainey Beethoven Calypso Singers

All the best to you on your day!

Watched a bunch of Rathbone/Bruce Sherlock Holmes flicks on TCM on the 25th and 26th. They're somewhat formulaic, and Watson comes off as a bumbling buffoon, but I love watching Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce.

Just want to add another welcome back and hopes for a continued recovery.

Can't help you, but I wonder if they were any relation to Andrew and Gerhart Thrasher, members of the original Drifters.

I remember paying $2.98 for mono LPs and $3.98 for stereo LPs in the early to mid 60s.

Happy Birthday, Aloc!

Bony Maronie Short Fat Fannie Long Tall Sally

I do a little of this too and it's true, it's usually a surprise for both of us (well, for me until the 22nd or 23rd when I wrap the items.) But the trick is to remember where you hide the things. A couple of times what was supposed to be an Xmas gift became a surprise gift for Nixon or Presley's birthday. Yup - that's happened here on occasion too.

Greg Luzinski Ted Kluszewski Bill Mazeroski