Matthew

Ed Ames and a Tomahawk...

Karnak

Interview and drum solo by Buddy Rich.

I spent a lot of time in airports and meetings this week so I bought Bill Simmons Now I Can Die In Peace, his account of the Red Sox and the Championship season of 2004. I'm not that big of a fan of Simmons, but it wasn't too bad, a nice way to gear up for the season. One outcome though: I think I hate the Red Sox now -- sorry Dan.

This looks like one of the best sets in a long time, one that I'm actually excited about right from the start. Like Mr. Sangrey, as soon as $$$ allows, I'm all over this one.

Disk one this morning. Great music for a Sunday morning.

Disk four. Very nice set with good sound quality. I like.

Thinking is that it would give an unfair advantage to "name" colleges who have big name alumni. Though I would think most recruits would prefer to meet the USC cheerleaders.

That is great news about Moonloop & Recordings, I've been holding off on those two under the principle that everything will come around eventually. Been delaying on SW side projects under another principle: you can't stop at one. I know once I start down that path, much money will disappear from my wallet.

Yeah ARod, that's why you signed with the Rangers, all those World Championships you'd be winning....

Here's an article about this: A-Rod not thinking about opting out of deal now Associated Press NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez sidestepped whether he plans to opt out of his record contract with the New York Yankees and become a free agent following this season. J.D. Drew, like A-Rod a client of agent Scott Boras, used an opt-out clause to leave the Los Angeles Dodgers for a $70 million, five-year contract with the Boston Red Sox. During a promotional appearance Tuesday, Rodriguez was asked what he thought about Drew's decision. "I didn't follow the J.D. Drew situation," Rodriguez said. "My situation and my only goal is to win a world championship, and I'm going to take it day to day. And that's about it." Rodriguez is owed a $23 million salary this year, including $1 million deferred without interest until June 30, 2011, and then is due $24 million in each of the final three seasons of his record $252 million, 10-year contract. Texas, which traded A-Rod to the Yankees after the 2003 season, is partially funding the deal, paying the Yankees $7.1 million this year, $8.1 million in 2008, $7.1 million in 2009 and $6.1 million in 2010. "I think when you put things like that in the contract seven years ago, the intent was that it would give the player a choice, knowing full well the player may not use the provision, and also understanding, too, it gives him an option to consider," Boras said in a telephone interview. "At this point in time, Alex has certainly reflected to me he's very happy in New York. We have not talked about anything like that and probably will not until the season is completed." dio's Mike and Mike in the Morning, ESPN's Steve Phillips said he feels if A-Rod leaves the Yankees, it will be because of his overall feeling of the situation in New York and nothing more. A-Rod will send some negative vibes to fans if he opts out. Listen Insider Boras left the impression that Rodriguez could get more than the $72 million he is owed in the final three seasons of his deal. "There's a class of player that has not been fitted into this new market," Boras said. "Obviously when Alex's contract was done, the revenues of the game were around $3 billion. Now they are around $6 billion. The elite position player has not been really graded in this new revenue stream we've seen." Rodriguez has gone through turbulent times with the Yankees. While he won the AL MVP award for the second time in 2005, he is 4-for-41 (.098) without an RBI in his last 12 postseason games dating to 2004. He was dropped to eighth in the batting order for the first time in a decade as the Yankees were eliminated in Game 4 of the first round against Detroit last season. Rodriguez doesn't see a need to speak to manager Joe Torre about being dropped that low. "I'm an employee. If Joe says take out the garbage, I take out the garbage," he said. "There's no attitude. That's just the bottom line. I've very old school when it comes to that. And I've never been a person that ever questions my authority. ... The first thing I've got to look at in the mirror is me." Rodriguez is pleased with the offseason moves made by general manager Brian Cashman. "I'm excited to play with Andy Pettitte and I'm also excited about what Brian Cashman has done, kind of gotten us a little bit younger, a little bit more athletic," Rodriguez said. "I'm also excited to see some of these young pitchers. We haven't had this type of spring, where we're actually curious about what these young pitchers are going to be all about." He cited the example of the Tigers, who won the AL pennant behind hard-throwing pitchers Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya. "Without those two guys, they obviously don't get into the postseason and almost win a World Series," Rodriguez said. As he prepares for the start of spring training this month, his goal is to get a World Series ring for the first time. "My burden has always been the same since I was 18," he said. "The only reason I play the game is to win a world championship. That hasn't changed. From year to year it hasn't changed." Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

Really like the Cohn/Newman/Green select idea, that should have some great music. I too, haven't been overwhelmed by what Mosaic has to offer lately, though the Duke Ellington one is the first Mosaic in a long time that I am excited about buying.

It's one of those JD Drew contracts that Boras likes to negotiate now -- ARod can opt out after this year.

In about a week the pitchers/catchers should start reporting. Thank goodness! Hated the football season and the Sonics stink big time. First box score February 28.

Benny Goodman: I Had To Do It. Disk two.

Notice that ARod is getting a lot of love over Boras saying that he will need more money to sign, more than a mere $25,000,000. It's going to get very ugly at Yankee Stadium for ARod this season.

Glenn Miller: Army Air Force Band.

Hell, if Prince ever did a rock trio cd, and Prince has a freakin' monster rock album in him, he'd rule the world. He's a complete MoFo on the guitar. Guitar/bass/drums, that's all he needs.

Well, I am offended. Those idiots in the crowd were holding up bic lighters! Damn, get with it and hold up cell phones, for heavens sake, better for the environment.

I love it! All these High School football players ingesting a ton of steroids, imitating NFL players, and the NFL is worried about Prince!

I am not "Matt" either. Even though chewy, "Matt," and I are all from San Diego. San Diegans are just strange at times -- all that sun.

Has there been any other all-time great, in any sport, that's been treated with such disdain by fans/media than Bonds? Not even Rick Barry, another Bay Area jerk, endured what Bonds does. Not saying it's not justified, but I really can't think of another all-timer that's as unpopular as Bonds.

I emailed Mosaic a couple of years ago asking if they ever considered doing the Paudras' stuff in cd. According to MC, the Powell estate wanted too much money for the rights, thinking that there was a big market for these tapes. A lost chance for Mosaic that I've always regretted.

Nat King Cole: Benny Goodman: Love these ten cds boxes that are out there.

The Complete Verve Gerry Mulligan Concert Band Sessions. Sorry to say but I'm finding this set kind of a bore.