Dave James

The State Farm bundle and many other commercials must have some appeal at some level, but to me, they're not just stupid, they're annoying. Considering that nothing happens in advertising these days without copious amount of background research, whoever green lighted these ads must've been convinced the were on to something. And, who knows? Maybe they're right. Maybe seeing Aaron Rogers or Pat Mahomes is all it takes. Me? I'll take a heaping helping of woodchucks chucking wood.

You're already a jazz fan or you wouldn't be here.

"Whiplash (as reviewed by a jazz musician)" This kid is one of the reasons people don't like jazz. He's arrogant, dismissive and all-knowing...a musical gas bag. You know what I think. I think anything that exposes people to the music and perhaps creates a desire to drill deeper is a good thing.

I was wondering what this had to do with the hot stove discussion when I remembered that baseball and domestic violence share the word "battery."

For those of us of a certain age and a fan of the game, Larsen's no-no remains a touchstone. All the more so if you happen to be a life-long Yankee fan. So what if his final pitch to Dale Mitchell was high? Here's his obituary as it appears this morning in the New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/01/obituaries/don-larsen-dead.html?action=click&module=News&pgtype=Homepage

Just saw him last night on an episode of "Dragnet 1970". As many are aware, Jack Webb was a big jazz fan. He used Shelton numerous times on his shows. Funny and talented guy.

Yes.

I happened to be listening to his show on 9/11. Riveting. interesting guy. Many times...laugh out loud funny. He used to do interviews with long gone historical figures like General Patton and Richard Nixon. And who will ever forget Wilford Brimley talking about Thanksgiving and the right way to stuff your bird.

R.L. Burnside is an interesting cat.

Speaking of Paul Weller, there's a band he works with occasionally called "The Stone Foundation". Kind of a soul-rock band for want of a better term. Here he is taking the lead on a song of theirs called, "Your Balloon Is Rising."

Anything that involves Paul Weller either as a leader or a contributor.

My bad. This review was an addendum to a New York Times review of 2019 books. I erroneously assumed it was a recent release.

Ben Ratliff reviews the new book about Thelonious Monk by Robin D.G. Kelley. https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/17/books/17monk.html

I just pulled my copy of the Connoissuer "Kicker" out of the stacks. Man, that is one fine session. His best ??

Charlie Musselwhite and Paul DeLay can also hold their own.

Yes. As a matter fact, I actually considered mentioning Mayall as a British Butterfield equivalent, but I didn't want to muddy the waters (sorry, I couldn't resist).

I don't think you can underestimate the importance Paul Butterfield in terms of bringing the blues to a younger audience. Listening to him in the late 60's made me start looking into other artists like Muddy Waters, Albert King, Earl Hooker, Buddy Guy & Junior Wells, Charlie Musselwhite and many others. He was largely responsible for my continuing, life long interest in the blues.

Mel Torme wrote this well-regarded biography of Rich in the early 90's:

Sounds like music from Jaws.

Music for freestyle aerobics. Move along...nothing to see here.

Peter Friedman mentioned Chet Baker's album "At Capolinea" on the Red label. That album includes the quintessential version of Bruno Martino's composition, "Estate" (Summer).