mjzee

Braxton, really? C'mon. That's just a triumph for the university system.

The defining moment in the second half of Bob Dylan's long career came in early June 1988. The scene was the hills above Berkeley, Calif. It was a gorgeous evening; the sun had just set over the Golden Gate Bridge. The singer, in a dark frock coat, stepped to the stage at the University of California's Greek Theater. A backing band of three musicians introduced a crackling riff, and Mr. Dylan began to growl one of his most memorable songs: More here: WSJ

Clifford Brown plays Miles Davis compositions.

Release date August 26: Made In California (box set). The Beach Boys have opened their archives for a new career-spanning, six-CD collection titled Made In California, capping the legendary band's 50th Anniversary celebrations. Made In California features more than seven and a half hours of music, including more than 60 previously unreleased tracks. The deluxe set is presented in a high school annual-inspired hardbound book with personal recollections from the band's members, replicated classic artwork and memorabilia, photos from the band's archive, and handwritten yearbook-style inscriptions from Beach Boys Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, and David Marks. Made In California chronologically charts the 50-year career of America's Band, from their earliest demos to their most recent recordings. With huge hits and rare gems including never-before-released original songs, home demos, alternate takes and mixes, and live concert, television and radio performances, the set showcases the breadth and diversity of The Beach Boys' recorded catalog and illustrates the band's unique and evocative West Coast story. From 'Surfin' Safari' to 'God Only Knows,' 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' and 'Good Vibrations' to 'Kokomo,' The Beach Boys' canon boasts a masterful versatility that is unparalleled in American popular music. Made In California's memorabilia includes Brian Wilson's 1959 high school essay titled 'My Philosophy,' which is reproduced in the collection's book in its original handwritten form (the original is currently on display in The GRAMMY Museum's yearlong Beach Boys exhibit celebrating the band's 50-year career). Made In California's previously unreleased and long sought-after recordings include 'Goin' To The Beach,' 'California Feelin',' 'Soul Searchin',' 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling,' and 'You're Still A Mystery,' among others. The set also debuts 17 unreleased live recordings, including 'Runaway' (1965), 'Friends' and 'Little Bird' (1968), 'Wild Honey' (1972), 'It's About Time' (1973), 'Wonderful' and 'Vegetables' from The Beach Boys' legendary 1993 acoustic tour, and a 1995 rendition of 'Sail On, Sailor' featuring a soulful lead vocal by the late Carl Wilson. The greatly missed talents of Carl and Dennis Wilson are also celebrated with rare and previously unreleased recordings including Dennis' '(Wouldn't It Be Nice To) Live Again,' 'Barnyard Blues' and 'My Love Lives On,' Carl's lead vocals on 'Da Doo Ron Ron' and 'Soul Searchin',' and Carl's shared lead with Bruce and Brian on 'California Feelin'.' The set also features a special 'From The Vaults' disc of rarities selected by the band and the producers with longtime Beach Boys fans in mind. Among the disc's highlights are a cappella mixes of standout vocal recordings for songs including 'This Whole World' and 'Slip On Through,' alternate versions of 'Don't Worry Baby' and other Beach Boys classics, session highlights and instrumental tracks, plus newly-discovered BBC Radio live recordings from 1964 of 'Wendy,' 'When I Grow Up (To Be A Man),' and 'Hushabye.' Amazon UK

I think there will always be a place for radio, because it is one of the few truly local media outlets. It's comforting to hear someone talk about your area, and give local news, and even just to hear the local accents in the voices. I'll concede that most radio aims for the lowest common denominator, but ideally a local station will serve its listeners' needs. The few attempts on XM/Sirius for local programming just skim the surface, probably because it doesn't fit their cost model. And if you're in a smaller market, fuggetaboutit.

Thanks for the guidance, guys. My copy of "Somewhere" arrived today, so I'll listen with an ear for Peacock's contribution as well. As I've mentioned before on this board, I often find Peacock low in the mix, almost underrecorded, but it's possible it has something to do with the way he plays the bass.

Could someone who likes the trio put into words what Gary Peacock brings to the music? Obviously Jarrett likes him.

Don't know if this qualifies as a "box," but Amazon has "Before Sunrise" and "Before Sunset" together for $7.98. I've loved Before Sunrise since I saw it way back when, and can't wait to see Before Sunset, esp. since the third movie, "Before Midnight," has just hit the theatres.

Marty Paich did string and horn arrangements on Spirit's first album:

Release date July 23:

Release date July 23:

This is from one of the KC shows I saw, July 1, 1974 in Central Park:

When I saw King Crimson in '73 & '74, Fripp had a mellotron onstage. I think he said in an interview that it was a very temperamental instrument, difficult to travel with. I suppose that could also be said of some musicians. Beefheart used a mellotron on Doc At The Radar Station.

I am digging the hell out of this album. Such a great body of songs. Creedence could be a bit stiff musically; this album has a great core band of Kerry Aronoff on drums, David Santos on bass, and Bob Malone on keyboards, supplemented by great musicians in Nashville and LA. Fogerty's in good voice, with a great roster of guest vocalists. It comes with a touching booklet: Fogerty writing reminiscences for each song; he's a good writer. Yes, part of the pleasure in listening to the album is nostalgic, but it's nostalgia done up right.

It was in an old firehouse on 55th St. near Sixth Ave., across from the Monsanto Building. They'd have exhibits (usually photos) and sold jazz magazines. It was the first time I saw Coda magazine. I bought an issue, and it was the first time I heard about NHOP (the lead story).

Thanks for posting that, Paul. When I was a teenager (mid-70's), I had a summer job as a messenger in midtown Manhattan. I got to know Moondog over a few summers. On my lunchtime, I'd go look for him on Sixth Avenue; if he was around, he was either in front of the CBS building (52nd St), some building at 54th St, or the MGM building on 55th St. These buildings had brick ledges that were easy to sit on. I'd sit next to him and we'd chat. He was usually in his full Viking regalia (leather cape and spear, sometimes the horns) - at the height of summer! He mentioned he'd built a cabin in upstate New York that he loved going to. It was without heat or running water. I marveled that a blind guy could do this. He said his daughter sometimes stayed there and helped him.

I liked the covers on a lot of '70's reissues better than the originals. Many Savoy and Prestige covers were stone ugly (though some Savoys had a bizarre charm). Some reissue covers I liked:

The pressings left a lot to be desired, though.

Well, those are the original covers, no?

It's interesting that the same music can sound differently in different environments and with different technologies. For example, I used to think of Coltrane's music (post-Prestige) as very earnest and serious, humorless. It was when I listened in the car did I realize it made great driving music, and that "lightened the load" for me. Conversely, I listened to the new John Fogerty CD in the car and found it bland; listening to it now on the stereo is a delight.

My favorite is still Workout, for the great contributions by Grant Green. I think I have all of the BNs, the 2 Prestiges, one of the Savoys.

I'd like to add another choice: Listening to iPods connected to powered speakers, clock radios, or boom boxes throughout the house. By now, we have a motley collection of iPods of various vintages that can be repurposed in this manner (it's especially useful to use them this way when the battery is shot). When at my computer, I either listen to tracks selected randomly using iTunes (through either powered speakers connected to the computer or sent to my stereo via an AirPort Express) or to entire CDs or LPs on my stereo, which is in the same room. Even when I'm listening to the stereo, I'm usually doing something on the computer at the same time. In the car, I listen to random tracks played through my iPhone (it also helps to keep the iPhone charged). The only time I listen to radio is on the clock radio waking up, but even there, we listen via an iPod to a station "broadcasting" through the Web from 1,500 miles away.

Popmarket today is offering both Miles Davis bootleg series sets together for $64.99, which isn't a bad price.

Welcome to the board, Gilda!

I couldn't find an image of the back cover on the Web. IIRC, it lists the musicians and their instruments.