Leeway

Curious to know if anyone has noticed either a change in the style of the writing in the Penguin Guide from the 1st to the 6th edition. Or, a change in outlook or opinion by the authors? Just wondering if over their years of listening, Cook or Morton have undergone some noticeable changes.

My wife and I went to Paris a few years ago and loved it. I had been there many years befoe as a wandering teen, and loved it then too. When we last went, we went to a jazz club, La Cave Huchette (?). The place was packed, lots of young people, and many people dancing! When have you last seen that Stateside? A pretty good French combo was playing. I'd love to spend a lot more time there, maybe even, after retirement (Lawd, will that EVER come?!) live there part of the year. Maybe then I will have a chance to find Jackie's tabac.

St. Germain? Montmartre?

Jazzypaul posted: I'd be glad to, but the mail service around here hasn't been too good lately

Despite it all : Blue Note later issue (blue label, white "b").

I thought there was a tacit agreement to wrap this up, but I guess not, so: You write: I sent you my e-mail after my previous inquiry to you was met with a less than pleasant response- you were obviously bugged that I even asked for information about when and how the CDs were shipped. Maybe this was because you claimed to have sent them out on Sept. 10 (not 8 or 9), as you eventually told me. Your tone didn't encourage me to communicate further with you. I did want to check with others who bought from the same thread, but you had deleted the thread, so that option was out. I then checked with others from organisimo, and they filled me in on some background- let's just say they weren't signing your praises. That started to ring a bell me. I have already posted what I found on the Board. Then you posted your "Adieu" thread, and that really bothered me. That's when I sent you my e-mail, figuring this whole deal was going south anyway. Yes, I was pissed (still am), but after I sent it, I figured, fuck this, it ain't worth it. If I had wanted to start a thread I could have done it there and then. I didn't. I had decided to just let it go, figuring something like this would happen. There's an old saying, "lay down with dogs, wake up with fleas." I didn't care to have any more to do with you. I also thought your Adieu thread meant what it said (I should have known better), that you were leaving the board. I figured "good riddance to bad rubbish." I didn't know you started a thread until someone PM'd me. You released my e-mail without my OK. YOU have chosen to make this all public. You have dragged me though the mud. You are used to such doings; I'm not. You also use it as a tactic; who else, caught in such a situation, would want to say anything or go through this. I come to the board to talk jazz, learn and have some fun. You use the board as a business proposition. From what I can tell, you have a pretty spotty record, to put it mildly. Since YOU went public, I had, and have, no choice but to respond to you. I have only posted the facts of my situation, and what has already been posted previously by others who have had the misfortune to become entangled with you. I have never cheated anyone, and I resent the imputation you have made. You're trying to bring me down to your level, but I won't go there. Why don't you just drop it. If your CDs ever arrive, I will send you back your money. Then I will throw the damn things out, because I wouldn't want anything in my house that was associated with you in any way. BTW, just for context, I bought a CD from jacknife on 9/5/09, had it on 9/9/09, no fuss, no mess.

A funny thing happened on my way to the vinyl forum today. I was waylaid into another thread and got caught in a mudfight B-) I needed a "ritual purification" (maybe I spent too much time at the opening of the American Indian Museum this week), so, to "clean off" I spun the following: Columbia PC 9875 (not 9857, as AMG lists it). I just recently picked up the Mosaic LP set of this title; got it from a used record store, but the set is new, still shrinkwrapped. It will be interesting to compare sound quality. Then, for further cleansing: Blue Note BST 84017. Side B has a track "Baghdad Blues." Didn't know Horace was quite so prescient! Then, to finish up the ritual: Blue Note BST 84255. That felt GOOOD

I believe it was Jane Austen who said, "what are we for but to make sport for neighbors." Well, amusing as that might be, I am not inclined to further the fun. You can put your popcorn away I will say that I already laid out my reasons for my e-mail to UA. I gave some history why I didn't feel right with this transaction after nearly 4 weeks had passed. I believe I made it clear that I did not start the thread or make public comments about the situation. Allan had his say. He also made a refund. I accept that. I am not "still complaining," except for the fact that a resolution could have been achieved without the public spectacle. Will I acknowledge receipt of the CDs if and when they come? Absolutely. But if I don't, should I proclaim that equally loudly? I don't feel I owe anymore than that, since it was UA's decision to go public with it. If I had started the thread, then I could be faulted for "jumping the gun." As it is, I rest my case. Now I need to go listen to some jazz.

UA, you (and others) ought to read these threads and ponder how you have become tangled in so many doubtful affairs. They all sound a lot like the current situation. You're own comment indicts you: I was puzzled by your comment about payment, but, checking my e-mail, I see that you have sent a payment through Pay Pal. You could have done that, or made an agreement to do that, before YOU started this thread.

The following post might be of interest to those still interested in this subject(maybe even UA might benefit from it): From thread: "Do not do business with Underground Agent unless you like to be abused" 11/14/03- posted by Jazzhound: Posted by UA: Posted by UA- who complains about HIS PM being published Soul Stream, Forum post 11/15/03: Also, those interested (and if you're not, I can't blame you B-) ) might want to check the thread from 11/17/03, "Things are never as simple as they appear" posted by grey" UA posted: Posted by grey: Posted by UA-- the man himself--apparently I'm not the first to have a problem with him: And same tactic: UA's statement says itall: "I've had problems with many people buying/trading with me on here, AAJ, and back on BNBB that were either resolved, or let die because it simply wasn't worth the hassle." Just a little history for fellow Board members.

I do not doubt that UA has had many transactions that went off OK. So consider my chagrin when I ended up in this sutation. I have tried to be patient with UA. Before the e-mail he quoted, I asked him a couple of times when and where he mailed the package-- he ignored those questions, until I insisted he tell me. Then his response was- well, "snotty," in my view. I felt trying to put me on the defensive, rather than recognize my concern. I didn't like that. I wanted to be patient, and I think, actually, I have been--but he doesn't make it easy. I held off putting anything in Org because I didn't want to be accusatory in public. I wasn't reassured by the fact he had deleted his sale thread, and also his curious announcement that he was leaving the Board (I guess he has changed his mind ). I was told on good authority that he had done this before in similar circumstances when something went sour. Is that correct? I was also informed that he had tried to post under different names when a similar controversy broke out? Is that correct? I have no reason to doubt these board members were telling me the truth. It was only at that point I sent him the e-mail he quoted (without my knowledge or consent-- that should tell you something about his character). I felt that after 30 days, possible redress in my case might not be possible. So I was candid with him. So now it has come to this. Allan, keep the CDs or the money or both. What goes around comes around, as they say.

Roth is one of the great modern American novelists. At this point in his career, he seems to be writing with unfettered liberty and audacity, like a power hitter given the OK to swing for the fences. He might whiff, but you have to like the swing and style of his effort-- and when he connects, there are none better. Among recent work, "American Pastoral," must be considered a great novel. "The Human Stain" is flawed but has powerful moments. Of course, one should read "Portnoy's Complaint," and then, if you want more, the Zuckerman trilogy.

Ahem...THIS IS REALLY WHAT BIG WHEEL WROTE! Well, Big Wheel is a damn lucky fellow then But I have been advised PRIVATELY that I am not the first person to go through this with UA. Since I do not reelase private messages without the others consent, I will hold off for now.

I want to point out that I did not "blast" UA in a public forum. My comments were made to him in an e-mail to him personally. HE has chosen to make them public. I suppose he figures the best defense is a good offense. Now that he has chosen to air his dirty laundry, I'll let the facts speak for themselves. The bottom line is that I paid him the same day I bought the CDs, 9/1/04. To date, I have not received them. Apparently I am not alone in this type of situation: Big Wheel: I have been told there are others as well. Whether they are willing to bother with further dealings with UA is another matter. I have no proof that UA mailed them, and , of course, proving a negative is tough to do. I suppose UA counts on that. A bonafide seller would make every effort to check with postal authorities, produce receipts, offer to resolve the situation, etc. That has not happened in this case. I too have bought from hundreds of sellers by mail, Internet, and Org, etc. These have been positive transactions on both sides. I've had a bad vibe about this one for the last couple of weeks. What a waste of time and effort it has been dealing with UA. Maybe some have done well with him in the past, but, then again, you might end up in my situation as well. Do you really want to be bothered in this way?

But how much of that is due to the mastering, rather than to the "gold"?

I see people paying a premium for "gold" CDs. Somehow it seems that people assume such CDs are a premium product. Is that true? What exactly is a "gold" CD? How is it different than a regular CD? How is it better, if it is, indeed, better? Or, is this just another hype designed to part suckers-- er, I mean customers, from their money?

Your quip about "freedom" reminds me of a T-Shirt I saw in DC the other day at the Native American Procession and opening of the American Indian Museum: Picture on T-Shirt of council of Indians, above it "Homeland Security"-- below picture, "Fighting Terrrorism Since 1492"

I'm curious-- who decides what the warning label, or rating, should be? The thread-starter, moderator, etc? To be candid, I do not like any kind of rating system on principle, but I am curious how you would want to see it applied in actual practice?

It seems everyone has their favorite method- most are either too costly or too time-consuming. I always ask record store owners. What I found was some used Nitty Gritty. But most use a varying mixture of distilled water, a bit of Dawn liquid, and somethime just a tiny bit of 90% alcohol added. Use an atomizer spray (like you would use to mist plants) to apply. Works for me-- that is, when I bother-- and then only on thrift store rescue projects. I try not to get LPs that are too grungy, in the first place. I have a Rega P3 Turntable. I once contacted one of their techs (in England) and asked about cleaning. He took a highly austere approach: don't! Said not to use any liquid cleaner on the LP. Well, at least that's easier

Pulled a couple of LPs off the shelf, no rhyme or reason for these two (I should say that for several reasons-- among them that I am inherently messy, and also because of a couple of residential moves-- my LPs are in no particular order-- or maybe I should say they are in random order ). Anyway, first up: Prestige 7175- Bergenfield NJ pressing. Tommy Flanagan (Bobby Timmons on one cut), Sam Jones, Arthur Taylor. I'm new to Cobb. This was fun. Listening to this Texas tenor was like getting in an old Caddy and cruising down a country road. Really liked uptempo "Blue Lou," and slow blues "Blue Me." Then: Have always liked Procul Harum, and particularly Gary Brooker's soaring yet brittle vocals. PC is, for me, a wittier and more interesting Moody Blues type of band. Any other PC fans?

Ouch! Yes, that would have been the right deal (not trying to rub it in ). In fact, I've been lurking about one of the larger CDs stores in the area that carries new and used CDs, in the hopes of picking up a used box at 1/2 off. I suppose I will keep an eye on Borders just in case.

If you follow this process, you might or might not have time to actually PLAY the records and LISTEN to the music

Happy 78th birthday John Coltrane Impulse AS-9200, 2-LP set. Trane already seems like a historical figure, yet many of his contemporaries are still alive and performing, or have only recently passed on. Interesting to speculate what Trane would be doing musically if he lived into the present era.

Some of my heroes: for their artistic vision, their musical accomplishments, and their personal qualities. There are many more for whom I have both affection and great respect.