James

Last week I discovered that one of my favorite Billy Harper discs (Soran Bushi B.H.) stopped playing in *all* of my players. It was a cdr packaged pretty much like an actual cd -- though the lack of notes, label and look of the playing surface gave it away. As memory serves, I bought the disc sometime 'round '95. Being pretty disappointed, I googled on "cdr lifespan" and came across some interesting information, the most valuable describing a cdr marketed by a British firm (Hispace Gold) that is guaranteed for 100 years. The cdr's for music transfer are aesthetically designed to mimic LP's, and are only slightly more expensive than other high-grade cdr's.

Yeah, for a San Diego/Oceanside boy who has regularly tripped to L.A. for jazz, some of my best memories involve the Bakery. In fact it was at this venue one early evening that I first met the charming Valerie B, if memory serves. We saw a great duo performance featuring Mulgrew Miller and Steve Nelson.

*Thank you* for starting this thread, robviti. I was unaware of the existence of this recording. *Love* this group! Seeing them live around the release time of Mudfoot was amazing --- I'll have to try to track down this recording.

Thanks, Chris. Lots of good information here fellas.

Thanks again, all. Especially Chuck ---- who surely saved me countless hours staring dazedly at rows of black and white models!!

Thank you, Dave & jazzbo Dave --- a plasma is definitely not in my price range, but thanks for the advice that follows. If I'm not mistaken, a plasma is fairly expensive up front, and expensive down the road when the plasma needs to be replaced.......no? I'm certainly in no rush on this purchase. jazzbo --- your info. regarding the good sound of the Bravia is very useful, since I'll be relying on the tv sound for some time before I pull the trigger on speakers.

Thanks for your thoughts, Matthew!

Hey videophiles............last week my trusty old Mitsubishi TV finally blew it's picture tube. Due to my relative poverty at the moment, I'm not rushing out to replace it ---- esp. since I've got a backlog of books to read. That being said, I'd be interested in suggestions for a HD TV in the 700 clam price range. Under different circumstances I'd be willing to go higher, but since money is tight and I eventually want to add speakers (including subwoofer) I have to hold to the $700, or $800 at the highest for a significantly better value. Ideas? Any and all input highly appreciated!

By the way............dare we ask what appendage you used to type this post? (So sorry ---------- couldn't resist)

BeBop..............so very sorry to hear about your situation. Experience with a foot fracture and two right shoulder surgeries (no pins or plates --- just titanium tacks in the shoulder) allows me to second marcello's suggestion re. following rehab directions *religiously.* I have nearly 100% recovery in foot and shoulder as a result of hard work during rehab and beyond, while a former work associate has very poor shoulder mobility as a result of blowing off his rehab. (and his surgery was *much* less involved than mine.) Best of luck. James

Ken...............Holly is one of my favorites as well. Treats a ballad like few others, and can more that hold her own at burnin' tempos as well. She's got quite a catalog --- including a session recorded live at Birdland with Ray Brown, Bill Cunliffe and Victor Lewis.

Hmmmmm..............this sounds extremely familiar for some reason. It's as if I've experienced it myself recently............ somewhere............... ...........damned if I can remember where and when, though. Must be getting old and forgetful. Yeah ---------- that's it.

Sad news here. "This is the moment" is a very nice session, cymbalgroove. It was gifted to me by one very hip jazz friend. Will have to listen to it on my way to work tomorrow.

It's been quite a few years now, but Christopher was sidelined for a time as a result of a serious auto accident. It's my understanding that he sustained serious injuries, but fortunately pulled through with a very strong recovery.

As a raw freshman in high school the coach's eyes lit up when he saw me. Why? Because at the time I was 4' 8" and 84 pounds. His dreams for finding a flyweight had finally come true! Sadly for him, I hated the sport. Loved the training part (cross-country running, rope climbing etc.) but hated the grappling with sweaty dudes in stifling hot rooms part. The fact that a junior just ten pounds heavier than me pinned me in less than four seconds didn't help either. Then it was on to soccer, swimming and water polo. I enjoyed modest success in water polo, since I grew up in the water, had great stamina and my short stature wasn't the drawback it was in other sports. Pretty much sucked at the rest.

And how 'bout these Norwegians: Knut Riisnaes (tenor) Bjorn Alterhaug (bass) Espen Rud (drums) The first names are common of course (except Espen) but the last leave me wunnerin.

I'm thinking that Sam Yahel's name is pronounced YAH HELL' --- accent on second syllable. Anyone know for sure?

Thought I'd "repost" this as it seems to be drifting out of sight.

How about Sam Yahel? I'm guessing that the accent falls on the second syllable, but I don't like guessing. Would it be YAH HELL'? Thanks in advance for assist.

I suspect that Michael is aware of these gliches, but will pass your observations along.

Hey all..........bumped into a jazz bassist/photographer buddy of mine a few nights ago and he hipped my to a new site which showcases his work. Mike's photographed countless players over the twenty-five years he's been at the game. (for example, he's been snapping shots at Monterey for each of those twenty-five years as well as hundreds of other concerts) http://web.me.com/olettajazz/JAZZ/Welcome.html

Turned on the local evening news right after posting, and discovered that the fire is burning on the Camp Pendleton Marine Base which borders northeast Oceanside, just a bit northeast of where I'm at. Closer, actually, to my sister's home. The fireline is *very* close to the O'side homes that border the base, but so far the winds have been blowing away from those homes and there is a firebreak designed to protect that neighborhood in the event of fire. So thus far it's looking good as no homes have been lost, and as long as the wind doesn't shift everyone should be safe. It looks unlikely that Sis or I will have to split. Thus far the only evacuations have been in the neighborhoods that border the base.

Just went out to start watering in the yard, and noticed a HUGE plume of smoke developing either just east of where I'm at in eastern Oceanside, or the western part of the neighboring community of Vista ---- which is quite rural and *loaded* with fire fuel. WTF!!!! Are we on evacuation notice AGAIN?!?!?! This looks pretty damn serious ----- I've closed the windows to keep out the dense smoke that is heading at us. Shit. Guess I'll start getting ready in case the police show up or call to evacuate. I'll let y'all know how this turns out.

I don't have to check with the death psychic, since I already know. On the 25th anniversary of my sobriety, I'm going to be T-boned by a Budweiser truck. (on the driver's side)

My neighbor's daughter became the victim of a teenage prank last night ------ she went out to her car in the morning to find it "egged." Right now I'm picturing the Live 365 promo van pulling onto Organissimo Drive to ask for directions to Smooth Street, only to come out to observe his van covered in egg.