DukeCity

I don't know anything about the town, but a good friend of mine- fine saxophonist, Will Campbell recently took a teaching job at UNC-Charlotte, leading the jazz program there. I'm guessing he would know if there's anything happening around town.

Can one million drummer boys be wrong? Well yes they can. So many drummers, so little time...

Alrighty, then! The 2007 issue is available online. Enjoy!

That's kinda deep... Seriously. I can imagine that sort of internal monologue spinning in the minds of many famous types who get "saddled" with celebrity. Michael Ian Black shows up a lot on those VH-1 shows, "I Love the '70s ('80s, '90s)" as one of the talking heads who makes snarky comments on various fads, etc. I think he was also a contender to take over the Late, Late Show (on after Letterman) on CBS. I get the impression he's a fairly dark cat, but also pretty funny, IMHO.

Wow! I had never heard about JMcN's physical maladies. I'd be interested to hear that new band. I've been in awe of The Shaggs for years. I have a hard time wrapping my brain around the idea of working with that stuff in an instrumental jazz setting.

A new compilation, from what I've heard... I'd be very surprised to see a new studio album. More like a new box set, according to some supposedly good sources. Also (supposedly), it will include a quite a bit of previously unreleased material, though what that might consist of... (demos?? -- previously unreleased live material?? -- live-in-the-studio-run-thrus?? -- etc.) ...is a subject open to rampant speculation. Unfortunately the one track-list that's been circulating is just a bunch of previously released remixes of Police tunes, plus a repackaging of the live double-CD -- so I'm completely inclined NOT to believe it (and suspect it's not at all real). But there is supposed to be some sort of new Police box coming (by Xmas? - wild guess), FWIW. Coming out on the new Mosaic PostPunkPop label?

Anyone remember that Chet Baker film "Let's Get Lost"? There were a bunch of scenes of Chet hanging out with a young group of sycophants, including Flea (bass player of the Peppers). It was a really weird thing; like they were digging him 'cause he was Chet, but also kinda messing with him, like he was just a crazy old homeless dude. And then there was Flea, sitting with Chet in a booth at a restaurant, in Chet's face, trying to convince him that he really was "into" jazz, and trying to get Chet to sing tunes with him.

Several years ago Charlie Parker's plastic Grafton alto sax was being auctioned at Christie's in London (ended up going for $140K+), and is some video of Pete King playing some nice bop on the horn. Part way through the video there is some nice backlighting on the horn, giving it a cool looking translucent glow. Yeah, the whole thing smacks faintly of necrophilia, but intriguing nonetheless.

First bone soloist was Phil Wilson. Didn't catch the name of the second guy with the glasses and the funky stance.

Nice clip, but GODDDDDDDDAAAAAAMMMMMMM!!!!!!! No shit! The only thing that could've taken it really over the top would have been an appearance by the Treniers for the "big finish"!

I like the ER6's a lot I used them with my iPod, running them through a HeadRoom headphone amp. Of course, I'm speaking in the past tense, because some low-life son of a bitch recently stole the whole rig, from a desk drawer in my office at work! Piece of shit! Thumbs up on the ER6's, though!

Pennies in a stream Falling leaves, a sycamore Moonlight in Vermont

A Haiku is 5/7/5, Porcy. Not 5/5/6 Writing one is hard Way too much counting for me I just can't do it!

I thought that move was hilarious. I assumed that at least some people involved in the production were aware of what that bit of staging would look like. What I'm still wondering is whether all the tight-ass types at the network got it, or knew it was coming (so to speak).

There was a brief discussion of this side back in December, when FreeForAll selected this as his AOTW. FFA's comments on the record are right on the money AFAIC. And FFA has the insider's view of things, since he played on the band and is recorded on the 50th Anniversary album and "Woody's Gold Star" that John Tapscott mentioned. Perhaps FFA will drop in and comment here?

Indeed. The Vega/Bega thing is mostly just a Spanish phonetic/spelling/pronunciation technicality. I've been in NM for almost 12 years, and still haven't figured much of it out. But you're quite right; two very different cats (gatos).

As you start lining up some gigs, don't overlook the possibility of doing some clinics at the local colleges. There's often at least enough bread to make it worth turning off ESPN and getting out of the hotel room. PM me if you'd like to know some schools/teachers to contact.

Produced by Louie Vega. Is that the same Lou Vega that had the hit a few years ago with "Mambo #5"?

This past fall, Bobby relocated back to Albuquerque, and we've played together a couple of times since. Of course, we're thrilled to have him around! Bobby and the rest of the guys sound great on this CD. It's not super gritty New Yorican stuff, but grooves like crazy.

Sign me up for one, too!

So, is this a broadcast radio station, or is it online only? Either way, it seems like it's just payola.

13/16 for me. After a while they all start to look a little suspect!

Here is "Dick" Lester's directorial debut: "The Running, Jumping & Standing Still Film" Eleven-minute short of a series of slapstick bits, with Peter Sellars and Spike Milligan. Nominated for an Oscar® in '59 for Best Live Action Short. Some sites list the (uncredited) music as being done by Lester. It's a West Coast sounding quartet (don't tell Chewy!), so even if Lester put it together, does anyone recognize the players? (BTW: Part I is most of the film at 9:30. Part two has the last two bits, but the film has no end credits)

Check out "West Coast Jazz" by Ted Gioia. Not perfect, but a pretty good read.

I was introduced to this board by FreeForAll. He said there were some interesting folks who hang out here. FFA, always the master of understatement. Haven't seen much of FreeForAll here lately. Isn't another one of his birthday's coming up soon?