patricia

Brownie, if it's Pee Wee, I'll listen to it. Looks like a terrific collection.

Record #1 of the 14 record boxed set, "Bixology" on the Joker label. It's late here, so I'll probably not get past the first tonight. But, the anthology will continue tomorrow.

Jack Teagarden - 3 record set - Giants of Jazz, the Time/Life series. Nobody played trombone like "T".

I have always liked Allen's films, with a few exceptions, "Celebrity" being one. There was something weird about hearing what is usually Allen's character's thoughts and words coming out of Kenneth Branagh's mouth. The two things in an Allen film that I find appealing are his skill with dialogue and his choice of music for his soundtracks. My favourite Woody Allen is "Manhatten Murder Mystery", which I have seen many times. His own musical skill on his clarinet may be slight, but he is not a professional musician and at least he has the nerve to get out there and play. I don't think he has ever claimed to be a musician, rather he is a jazz lover, who just happens to play a clarinet, much the same way that I play the piano, in a workmanlike way. He has jazz in his soul, but there is a disconnect between that love and his ability to express it with his instrument, the way that a musician does when they and their instrument become one. Not fair to criticize that, when talent as a musician is so inborn, IMO. But, even so, he does know how to choose the right music for his films and I am glad of that. I must say though that the most recent film I've seen, "Hollywood Ending" was hard-slogging. Psychosomatic blindness was a difficult running joke to use for the plot and I was not involved after the first half hour. The dialogue and music were as usual fine though.

Yes it is on the Sunset label, but "Spring Is Here" isn't on it, unfortunately. The track list is: Side 1 Mona Lisa You Let Me Down Never Like This In Times Like These The Facts Of Life Side 2 Love Is A Many Splendored Thing I Believe In You It Happened In Monterey The Long Hot Summer Golden Earrings I haven't seen anything by McDaniels since the '60s. I had forgotten how skillful he was.

The Facts Of Life - Gene McDaniels - on the Sunset label. McDaniel's phrasing reminds me of Sinatra. Before this I was listening to The Incredible Carlos Montoya - Gala New York Performance Town Hall - RCA victor label. Very nice. And before that I was listening to Ambassador Satch - Louis Armstrong and his All-Stars. This is a live album recorded during his European concert tour in 1955.

I would tend to leave it alone, beyond cleaning it, if it doesn't affect how it plays. Does it? Putting weight on the needle isn't usually a good idea.

I'll bet it does.l Thank you.

Just got home from my favourite vinyl source and these are the albums I found: Images - Sarah Vaughan - Em Arcy label - 10"LP All Time Favourites By Harry James - 10" LP on Columbia Masterworks Records Bixology - 1924 - 1930. FOURTEEN record boxed set - Joker International label Features The Wolverine Orchestra, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Eddie Lang, Miff Mole, Frankie Trumbauer, Joe Venuti, Adrian Rollini, Red Nichols, Pee Wee Russell, Hoagy Carmichael, Gene Krupa, Bing Crosby, Bud Freeman, Benny Goodman, Jack Teagarden and Bubby Miley. Jack Teagarden - Giants of Jazz boxed set - Three records. Mint condition. I don't think that this has been played at all. The booklet is still there and I don't think it's been opened. Great pictures of Jack with everybody who was anyone during his career. Muggsy Spanier - With Miff Mole, Lou McGarrity, Pee Wee Russell, Gene Schroeder and Carl Kress Storyville label All Star Swing Groups - Pete Johnson, Cozy Cole - The Savoy Sessions - Re-mastered from the original Savoy label by Arista. Brook Benton Golden Hits Vol 2 - This was a find for me, because it has the only vocal version of "Walk On The Wild Side" on it, which I have been looking for, since I had this record in the early sixties. - Mercury label. Pee Wee Russell and His Dixieland All Stars - Pickwick 33 label Ray Charles Greatest Hits - His Masters' Voice label and Muggsy Spanier - Weary Blues - still sealed - on the Past Perfect Silver Line label.

Images - Sarah Vaughan - Em Arcy label 10"LP This is the album on which Sassy introduces John Malachi on piano, Joe Benjamin on bass, and the wonderful Roy Haynes on drums. Nice.

I have been impressed with Christopher Penn's work since he did "At Close Range" with the great Christopher Walken, and Sean Penn, when both he and his brother were at the beginning of their careers as actors. But, I was most impressed with Christopher in "The Funeral", again with Christopher Walken, along with Benitio del Toro, Isabella Rosselini [who played his wife] Anabella Sciorra and Vincent Gallo [who went on to direct and star in "Buffalo 66"] Penn held his own with Walken, no small feat. Find this film to see what I mean. Amazing performance. RIP Christopher Penn. Too Soon.

This is not a new problem. It's not always bad translation of an original manufacturer's instructions. Sometimes it's simpler than that. Some years ago I was working for a telephone company, when telephones with memories were first available for lease. The phone we were leasing was flying out to the customers, promoted by free use for the first ninety days. But, they were coming back, after the free period at almost the same rate. I got tired of accepting the returns and wondered what the problem was. It was the enclosed instructions. So, I approached my manager and asked if I could demonstrate to the installers the use of it so that they could show the customer and answer questions. I was amazed that many of them knew nothing about the relatively simple piece of equipment they were bringing to the customer. I also took the instructions home. They were impossible to understand, if you didn't already know how to program and use the phone. I re-wrote the instructions and the revised booklet, written by me, was sent to the manufacturer. Those instructions were subseqently used by them and the phones stayed out there. This is an aspect which is often overlooked and is as important as the features offered by whatever it is that the customer has bought. For example, the fact that so many people don't know how to program their VCRs has become classic. I found that in the situation I fixed, too many assumptions are made about how much the customer already knows. I approached the instructions from the point of view that the customer would know nothing and that the instructions had to start at the beginning, in simple language. IT WORKED.

Thank you so much, Rachel. YOU are a giant among women. That would be fabulous. I see it now, on the schedule for tonight on FOX. PM me, if you would like.

Betraying my ignorance. What network guys?? I got hooked on "24" through the re-runs on A&E, but can't find it now. Where? Where?

On the turntable today is a 5 record set, issued by RCA Victor titled "5 Golden Records" This set has hits by every major musician from 1920 - 1971. It's a mix of classical, early jazz, early pop, later jazz and is very interesting. The set seems almost unplayed, as are many of these compilations and was, I think, a real find at $1 per record, or $5 for the immaculate boxed set. Scottish mother. What can I say?

I totally agree. But, there's no denying that the digital camera makes photography more accessable to those who may not have been interested before. So, that's a plus. I know that my children, seeing what I did to produce my work for years, were not at all interested in taking up photography. They saw the isolation and the pickiness, rather than the results and thought it was too much work. With a digital camera, a picture, with the potential of doing much of what has been done in a darkroom, easily is definitely an advancement. But, no, I don't think it will ever produce work as individual as is possible with traditional methods. But, I suppose because that is what I know, I'm biased.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Clifford. You're much taller and better looking than I imagined.

Thank you Chris. NEVER too late. Clifford, you bet there's a party! Capricorns are indeed quiet, dignified and introspective and we party til we drop from sheer exhaustion. If the people upstairs complain, we invite them down to join in the celebration. My theory is that because we're winter babies, we like to decorate and drink and eat to take our minds off the depressing weather. Thank you for the kind wishes.

Thank you Dave. That's the nicest gift I've received. As for my apparent liberalism, blame my parents. They encouraged my brothers and me to think, rather than to commit to a group, or political party's philosophy. I guess that that makes me a Liberal these days, which seems to be a fault, though I'm not sure why. Being open-minded, in the classic sense would seem to be a positive thing, but, what do I know? You're right about jazz-enthusiasts being quite often contrary, thoughtful people. I see it here, on Organissimo, all the time. As somebody might say, in a different context, "That's a good thing." Thank you again.

Thank you Peter. Sure you're late to the party, but time means nothing to us. There's still cake and various libations. Come in. Pour yourself a drink and stay awhile. Berigan, you're late too, but that's OK. The music's great and our friends are still here. King Ubu, I've never had real royalty acknowledge my natal day. I'm honoured. Tomyn, why not? Thank you.

I am, double M. I was up at the beginning, til around 2AM, listening to a variety of soothing music. I didn't have anything on that might disturb my upstairs neighbours, but that was nice. At the same time I posted a long and philosophical e-mail to my very closest friend, who hasn't gotten back to me, so I really needed the good wishes of my other friends here. Thank you so much, everybody, for being here.

My avatar is a classic villain actor who appeared in action movies like Lethal Weapon and Die Hard. This is me: I feel so uninformed, with regard to action movie bad guys. My favourite is Henry Silva, with Robert Prosky and Rutger Hauer coming in close behind. You are one reasonably attractive cat.

I'm late and that last slice of cake better be for me. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tjobbe!!

Thank you, JAW. Conn, almost nobody calls me "Patty". Thank you for your good wishes. Rachel, my dear. There are so few ladies on the board that it's nice when one pokes their head up. Thanks for reminding me that there are some of us here. PhillyQ, You're sweet. Thank you for your kind words.

Thank you Medjuck. And thank you Porcy62 for the good wishes and the ten cat in the hats with whistles. I'm humbled.