BFrank

Hit up some galleries last weekend. Saw a very nice Thiebaud retrospective at the Berggruen Gallery followed a Friedlander show at Fraenkel that was so-so (although I'm a big Friedlander fan).

I was really impressed with ArchAndroid, myself. (especially the first half of the album) "Cold War" knocked me out. And this video is amazing - just a closeup of her face, but it's hypnotic. I've must have watched it at least 50 times.

I just picked up a Roland Cube 20 XL. Nice little apartment amp. Much better (and better looking) than the Line 6 Spider I had before.

Well, that's a REALLY "California-ist" thing to say.

Tamarindo lineup: Tony Malaby soprano & tenor saxophone William Parker bass Mark Ferber drums

I have no way of knowing, but I'm guessing that things he said in 67-68 are not things he would have said 10-20 years later.

It was originally released on Polydor, but now it's on Verve.

He's bringing Tamarindo to a nice small venue for SFJazz in October. I definitely plan to see that.

Jack w/FZ

Their recent reunion album was quite good. I love Bruce. I think he was one of the greatest singers of classic rock besides one of the best bass players, and I love him on the Michael Mantler stuff too. I recently watched a documentary about the Cream reunion. I was unaware of how much Ginger Baker can't stand Bruce! The success of Cream is quite surprising given how much the 3 of them couldn't stand one another. If you read Clapton's autobiography (a good read, btw), you'll find out how bummed out Clapton was that Winwood wanted Baker for Blind Faith. I agree on Bruce. However, I revisited "Songs for a Tailor" and "Harmony Row" today, and found them both to be quite pedestrian. Ouch! "Harmony Row" is one of my favorite albums. I highly recommend Kip Hanrahan's Vertical's Currency (with Jack on the cover) for a different take on his talent - both instrumentally and vocally. Check out Jack's work on the sensual "Make Love 2" and also a version of "Smiles & Grins" from Harmony Row.

Yeah, but did he say anything even close to what I said (and nobody else here has said)? I know firsthand that ALL Penn Staters (and all of Pennsylvania for that matter) have drunk the JoePa Kool-aid for far too long. Sacrificing our principles for the sake of college athletics needs to end here, or this has all been meaningless. Yeah - pretty much. You should look some of them up.

Joe Nocera has written several columns in the NY Times this year about the many problems with the NCAA and big-time college sports.

Jack is one of my all time favorite musicians. Extremely varied in his musical output. Besides his eclectic catalog of solo albums, he's played with a wide variety of artists such as Tony Williams, Carla Bley, Kip Hanrahan, Zappa, and John McLaughlin.

Saw them at Yoshi's about a year and a half ago. I enjoyed it - especially in a club situation. A treat to see Jack Bruce, too. Also, it was not unexpected when Carlos Santana showed up and dominated for a couple of tunes (Bay Area, husband of drummer, etc.).

I seem to recall hearing somewhere that pedophiles are at the bottom of the food chain (as it were) in prison society. So I don't think he's going to have a very easy time of it - if he survives, that is.

Well, THAT sux. Definitely try to see them again under more friendly conditions.

My only complaint is that they DIDN'T do "Free For All." In fact, they didn't play anything from the new album. Nearly all the tunes were from "Warriors" The Core Priestess Capra Black Sweet Rita Suite 2 The other tune was "Peacemaker" from Cast the First Stone

I just saw their first set tonight at Yoshi's and they were on FIRE - as was the crowd. I'm not just saying that to stir the controversy here. They're truly great musicians playing this music at a very high level.

How about Billy Hart? I just saw him tonight with the Cookers and he was DEFINITELY cookin'! Playing with the fire and intensity of someone 1/2 his age (or less).

Impressive review in the NY Times today. Gonna have to get this one! Patti Smith and Ravi Coltrane albums (reviewed here) sound like keepers, too.

At Yoshi's Oakland this week. Gonna be great, I'm sure.

Christian McBride is a VERY impressive bassist. Don't recall seeing another one with his dexterity and ease of improvisation. Ron Blake was by far the most impressive soloist tonight. Thursday: The Cookers! Can't wait. They never fail to amaze.

Yes. In addition to using it for Blu-Ray and CD's, I also stream Netflix and Amazon. It's also an internet interface. My Sony Blu-ray can do all of that (except the Internet interface).

"Dues" sent. Thanks for keeping the server going!

Tomorrow: Christian McBride Big Band Should be smokin'!