kenny weir

The less we pay attention to Clapton, the better of civilization will be. Clapton seems to hold the love-to-hate role in the blues world that Jarrett has in the jazz. Whatever ... my beef is with the "most important blues singer that ever lived" crappola. That happens to be his opinion and, as I stated earlier, if Johnson was a huge influence on Clapton's playing, what is the issue. To him, he's apparently the "most importan blues singer that ever lived." So what? Everyone has someone who has tremendously influenced them in their life, whether or not that person is the greatest whatever. Geez man, chill a bit. His opinion, fine. This is mine - that anyone who think Johnson is the "best" blah blah hasn't really listened beyond him. IMO. Besides, the phrase used isn't "most important" - the phrase used is "the best". There's a difference. Ya could argue the first - I'd still disagree. But the second? Nah. IMHO. I'm chillin dude His opinion, fine. Your opinion, fine. It's all in our humble opinions I'm just quoting this cause the multiple quote thing starts to look like a 3D beveled camera lens after a while. Happy to oblige!

The less we pay attention to Clapton, the better of civilization will be. Clapton seems to hold the love-to-hate role in the blues world that Jarrett has in the jazz. Whatever ... my beef is with the "most important blues singer that ever lived" crappola. That happens to be his opinion and, as I stated earlier, if Johnson was a huge influence on Clapton's playing, what is the issue. To him, he's apparently the "most importan blues singer that ever lived." So what? Everyone has someone who has tremendously influenced them in their life, whether or not that person is the greatest whatever. Geez man, chill a bit. His opinion, fine. This is mine - that anyone who think Johnson is the "best" blah blah hasn't really listened beyond him. IMO. Besides, the phrase used isn't "most important" - the phrase used is "the best". There's a difference. Ya could argue the first - I'd still disagree. But the second? Nah. IMHO.

The less we pay attention to Clapton, the better of civilization will be. Clapton seems to hold the love-to-hate role in the blues world that Jarrett has in the jazz. Whatever ... my beef is with the "most important blues singer that ever lived" crappola.

I'm not sure I believe that. Or, rather, I'm not sure I want to believe that.

Interesting ... I think this sort of thing went on more than we like to imagine. Fats Domino and/or Imperial, for instance. OTOH, I'm inclinded to think anyone who agrees with Eric Clapton that RJ was/is "the most important blues singer that ever lived" is a total goose.

I do feel there's little defence for bullfighting, rodeo crap and jumps racing, which is a hot topic in my home state. However, devil's advocate: I'm a hypocrite like just about everyone else I know: For the simple reason that when it comes to the meat, and much of the other food I eat, it's a matter of "out of sight, out of mind" when it comes to the manner and conditions of its production.

No.

I always though the lowly status of lute in jazz was down to ... with the saxes (and their "bendable reeds), and also the horns, it was/is much easier to slide around the notes, make "blue notes" and so on. Whereas with flutes, one was/is left pretty much with timing and phrasing. I'm a flute fan when it comes to some of the more slinky dance-oriented jazz and good ol' hippie rock.

I always cheers for the bull, no worries. And to see it as theater rather than sport seems a sly stretch ... when the "theater" is based on what is, ostensibly at least, a contest. And I see little difference between this cruelty and that of rodeo bull riding, the death of the bull notwithstanding.

I've listened to a few samples, post-ordering. I've mixed feelings about the spoken word components: Great to have, fascinating to hear at least once, but I wonder how they'll affect the long-term enjoyability of the set.

Same theory applies to loose women picked up in bars. I thought that had more to do with "beer goggles"?

Bliss: Sofa, football of some kind on TV, "muted" TV, book (currently John Broven's amazing tome on the indie record men), music.

Me, too!

Something I've found out recently ... Much of my most receptive listening - which isn't the same as serious listening, as Bev points out - is done while playing a simple game of solitaire on my laptop. This seems to leave my noggin in a far greater receptive state than, say, reading, cooking, whatever.

This looks unmissable - even if I have a good few of the tracks already. Cabaret Echoes: New Orleans Jazzers at Work, 1918-1927 http://www.archeophone.com/product_info.php?products_id=102

BB Steve: So in the washup, what's your take on the Marybeth Hamilton book?

... playing one you bought years ago, played once and can't remember a thing about ... provides precisely the same cool vibe as buying a new one.

Back in the day, I too sucked up all the cajun I could lay my hands on - good, bad, really bad. So I understand about that. But nothing stays the same, especially in terms of South Louisiana music, which as much as any other genre/region is pretty much founded on beg/borrow/steal. Steel guitar/pedal steel was not part of the original cajun equation, but there's no question it's presence has enhanced countless post-WWII sides. And then there's Belton Richard playing accordian on Johnnie Allan's Promised Land - the best Chuck Berry cover ever! Or Johnny Sonnier doing The Devil Went Down To New Iberia.

an email I got this morning: ***** On July the 2nd, 2010 a very special Bear Family box set will be released. ”Next Stop is Vietnam – The War on Record 1961-2008” 13 cds in a 12”x12” slipcase accompanied by a 304 page hardcover book. Foreword by Country Joe McDonald. Artists include; The Doors, Fugs, Joan Baez, Grand Funk Railroad, Ernest Tubb, Jimmy Holiday, John & Yoko and The Plastic Ono Band, Marvin Gaye, Roger Mcguinn, 10,000 Maniacs, R.E.M, Bellamy Brothers, Steve Earle, Dead Milkmen, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, William Bell, Eric Burden & The Animals, John Lee Hooker, Flying Burrito Brothers, Beach Boys, Merle Haggard, Jimmy Cliff, Donovan and many, many, many more… A music historical documentation of the Vietnam war like no other. ***** Wow, looks like a killing set - whew, 13 discs, though! I wonder if they've done any research to see whether there's a likely market for this? It's a bit like their atomic age set, simultaneously wide-ranging AND very specific. I'm rapt to see Aussie rockers Cold Chisel's immortal classic Khe Sanh is on there!

You mean it doesn't?

Ha ha somebody's fucking around somewhere. I've read the same quote in another source of the AFP story ... BUT: The same quote - or anything like it - is nowhere to be found in any other source or any other story, from what I can see.

Olympic champion Merritt tests positive for steroid for over-the-counter penis enlargement product Olympic 400 metres champ LaShawn Merritt of the United States has been suspended after testing positive for an anabolic steroid contained in an over-the-counter penis enlargement product. Merritt, who is also the world champion at 400 metres, said in a statement via his lawyer that he was "deeply sorry" at failing three doping controls for the banned substance dehydroepiandrosterone. The 23-year-old American, who faces a two-year ban, said: "To know that I've tested positive as a result of a product that I used for personal reasons is extremely difficult to wrap my hands around. http://www.theage.com.au/sport/olympic-champion-merritt-tests-positive-for-steroid-for-overthecounter-penis-enlargement-product-20100423-thc9.html

Wrong kind of indian, but a minor classic nonetheless:

Allen, who wrote that? Anyone we know?

I'm sure class has something to do with it, although you cite a very specific example. There have been plenty of times - for years at a time - when my own sense of self-definition has certainly been much dictated by what I do (journalism). However, the most intense of those times were undoubtedly when my journalism was thoroughly - actually, only - devoted to music in particular and the entertainment industry in general. That was fun, but I'm glad it's over (for now ...) I even enjoy paying for records again! So these days, even though the ink continues to course through my veins, I am quite happy with the work to be just work and my passions to live elsewhere. (That no doubt has something to do with the fact that I have never been seen as senior management material ("too crazy by far"), have been quite content to be perceived that way, and these days all my bosses are considerably younger than me.) But I seriously doubt that makes me working class!