[Speaker Plants?]

Ok, ok.....uhhhhh....I'm somewhat of hi-tech kinda guy. Well....actually more like a "hi-tech wannabe" But is this too hi-tech? Maybe not too hi-tech but more like sci-fi? Where do you draw the line or in the hi-tech age there are no lines to be drawn. Ok, ok....I concede. I'm too old and to hi-tech challenged to see it coming. I digress.....

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Japan Gadget Turns Plants Into Speakers

6:32 am 14 sept 2004

By YURI KAGEYAMA, AP Business Writer

TOKYO - The therapeutic power of flowers takes on new meaning with a Japanese gadget that turns plants into audio speakers, making the petals and leaves tremble with good vibrations.

Called Ka-on, which means "flower sound" in Japanese, the machine consists of a donut-shaped magnet and coil at the base of a vase that hooks up to a CD player, stereo or TV.

Place the flowers into the vase, turn on Ka-on and the magnet and coil relay the sound vibrations up the stems through the plant's water tubes. Near your ear and hear the music emanate from the petals. Touch a leaf, and feel it shake as though in a quiet dance.

Later this month, you'll be able to carry on a telephone conversation with a flower with a planned speaker phone model. Unlike regular speakers, which send sound in one direction, Ka-on shoots it in all directions, filling an entire room with music in a more natural ambiance.

Masumi Gotoh, president of Let's Corp., a Nagoya-based telecommuncations-equipment company that developed and manufactures Ka-on, calls it ideal for flower table-arrangements at weddings, reception desks at hospitals and decoration at restaurants.

Ka-on vases and amplifiers come in various sizes, ranging in price from $46 to $460. There's a version that works with potted plants, and a wireless connection will soon be available for piping music to the Ka-on.

Not only does Ka-on deliver flowery music, it keeps bugs off plants and helps cut flowers last longer, Gotoh claims.

"The plant is happy listening to music," says Gotoh, showing off a rubber plant hooked up to Ka-on in his Tokyo office. "Gerberas and sunflowers work especially well as speakers."

Ka-on is also being used for concerts. Several Ka-on were planted near a bamboo grove to play music at a recent event in Japan.

About 3,000 of $46 Ka-on version, on sale via the Internet since July, have been sold and some 10,000 orders have been received so far.

[Billie Holiday]

I agree with the Decca (1944 and 1950) and Columbia recordings. I particularly enjoy the Columbia and Commodore recordings because these recordings are where I cut my teeth on Billie’s music. Besides, those Columbia and Commodore recordings reflect the voice and energy of a very young Billie.

A number of Billie Columbia compilations have been released over the years (Initially Columbia Records refused to Strange Fruit because of fears that it would alienate white record buyers, but eventually she was allowed to record it for their subsidiary company, Commodore Records).

Some very nice linear notes and historical photographs have been part of these ongoing reissues. I don’t think the Verve recordings hold up to the Decca, Columbia and Commodore recordings however. The ravages of alcohol and drugs are clearly evident in these later recordings. The recordings with Artie Shaw, Count Basie,Teddy Wilson and some fine Decca musicians showcased her at the zenith of her abilities.

[Night of the Cookers]

Uhhhhh……I guess I'm missing something here. I have always liked NOTC. There is some very fine work by James Spaulding on these dates. I first was introduced to NOTC by a close friend back in the early 70's and we loved it. Perhaps someone could tell me why I've been mislead all these years about this recording. I was not aware this recording was so weak…..according to this thread.

[Monk's box on Prestige and more]

I don't really think of the various periods of Monk's music to be different qualitatively as much as I think of them as just being different. Each period brings its own rewards.

I totally agree. It appears as if some people want to make Monks various recordings for a particular label appear as if it is a foot race to the finish line for the number one ranking. I believe there are equally enjoyable and musically significant recordings in the Prestige, Blue Note, Riverside and Columbia recordings. It amazes me how someone can qualitatively elevate one recording period over another. Even though I am very partial towards the Prestige recordings since I first cut my teeth on Monks music on that particular label, I consider the Riverside, Blue Note and Columbia recordings just as critical and important. B-)

[Miles Box]

Since I can never get enough of Miles, they could release it in a cereal box and I would still bite.