Werf

Hope you don't expect us to go thru all this shit in 26 days. 26 and a half days. That's nearly a month of drunkeness.

46, eh? That's still pretty young... yeah, I'll buy, shit yeah; of course, I should point out to others that Lazaro doesn't really get drunk. He's too classy for that, for real; he gets buzzed though, on good wine and beer. I've seen him. But I'll do the honors of getting drunk on his behalf tonight...

Get drunk, Chico! Get drunk before you go on-air!! I want to hear rampant drunkeness surrounding the tunes. You owe it to yourself to get drunk. Drink wine, beer, radiator fluid, it's good for you! Especially when you're middle-aged, like us. Drunkeness...

I miss Gerald Brennen. My Sunday nights revolved around his Excusions and Nocturne programs.

My set up is simple, modest and old. Marantz 2215 amp/receiver, Technics turntable (circa '80, direct drive), Karns speakers, made in Grand Rapids in the mid-70s, a Denon CD player (mid-90s). It keeps me happy!

...love to have heard the dinner conversation...

I can't wait to hear "Ray Charles Goes to Washington." You guys should do a whole bunch of tunes with ____Goes to Washington theme. How about "Albert Ayler Goes to Washington?" "Sonny Sharrock Goes to Washington?" "Joe Venuti Goes to Washington?" "Paul Whiteman Goes to Washington?" FR, nice mention in the Metro.

Carol Robbins "Jazz Play" w/ Larry Koonse, guitar, Bob Sheppard, sax, Steve Huffsteter, trumpet, Darek Oles, bass, Tim Pleasant, drums, and Robbins on harp. Jazzcats label. Brand new disc, nice stuff. AAJ reviews http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=20765 http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=20824

I see that has the wonderful Dick Oatts - might this be a good place to start ? It's where I started, so I say yes!

It's always a joy to play with Vic.. By the way, do you have any of his Cds other than the 2004 "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"? "Music of Alec Wilder" on Double-Time, from 96; "Moonscape" on Steeplechase, 97; and the new one, "A Second Look," on the Mel Bay label. My favorite is "Moonscape."

Very cool, Randy! Vic was wonderful the four times he was in G.R. with David Liebman, three times at Jazznight at The Bob, and at a GVSU noon concert. Vic has a floating harmonic sense, shimmering around the edges, and he can rip strange sounds from his ax. He's got great titles, too, "Vampicide,""Critters" and "Romulan Wine" (hey, he's a Trekkie!!). I bet he enjoys playing with you, Randissimo.

I'm playing "Swotterings" off the "At Sea" disc right now. It's got a rad prog-jazz series of changes... it keeps ending and then starting over again. Geoff Keezer is killing, and Ingrid is shifting tones. I'm diggin' it.

We stream the AM, but for some reason there was a problem with the FM. It's supposed to happen but our engineers are consumed with getting digital tv/radio together. Nelson was somewhat dicey about the simulcast and didn't want us to record the sets, so I'm not sure he'd want a web hosting agreement. It's all Dolphy, in the air, beaming into the solar system.

The first set was broadcast live on 88.5/95.3 FM WGVU. We don't stream our FM on our website, nor have archived concerts, I'm afraid.

I loved it. The first set was a mix of Organissimo tunes, and some standards---"Moanin'" a Rollins tune (I think it was "Oleo"), and some other bop tunes. Rangell's tone was much more hard-edged than is reflected in his recordings (I haven't heard many, though). The guy is obviously a virtuoso, he was blowing multiphonics, making lightning runs up and down the horns (soprano, alto, tenor, flute and piccolo), and screaming high notes or below-the-belt low tones. It appeared that he enjoyed playing with the boys, and made special note of "Life Wish," which was a beautiful rendition. Bill Vitts joined in during the second set on bongos, tamborine and shakers; and Mike Lutley on clarinet. A highlight of the night was Rangell whistling the lead and solo during a Jobim song. It was mostly straight whistling, enhanced by his single piccolo solo of the night. If I recall correctly, through the pleasure of sound and Bell's Amber, they did "The Sermon" and a bunch more jazz standards, with a few more Organissimo tunes in the mix. I don't think they played any of Nelson's originals, but I may have just missed them. Z's was packed, standing room only for much of the night, which made it the best attendance of Jazznight so far. The place went nuts; standing ovation. Lots of musicians, including many students, there. Everyone I talked to was ecstatic.

Pitchfork gives the set a 9.4. http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-revie...ions-1970.shtml

The last time I experienced Crimson in concert was a hit by the double trio version. Afterwards, I felt as if the molecular structure of my being had been altered from the criss crossing assault of frequencies from amplified string instruments. I floated home as if in out-of-body flight.

I have #73 Chuck. You got the orders from Werner and I the same day, so he might have 72 or 74. I remember when I got this in the mail I felt elated. Last night I listened to disc A and disc E, and greatly enjoyed the music. I haven't listened to this set for at least five years, so I'm going to keep it out for a while. The rehearsal stuff is great, listening to the interactions. And having big 30 plus minute explorations of AE, terrific.

Eighty people is a good turnout for a jazz concert in Grand Rapids. The largest audiences I can remember for jazz concerts are in the 200 range, but only for long-time big name veterans, like Pharoah Sanders, Ahmad Jamal and Dave Holland. I was surprised to find turnout about the same for shows in Chicago, which I figured would've had bigger audiences. Unless the performer has the stature and name brand of a Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, Pat Metheny or Keith Jarrett, I don't think it's possible to get audience numbers into the hundred(s). Unless it's free, of course.... I think the summer zoo series is as much an outdoor "event" as it is a musical draw. So it's not just that its free of charge.

The New Pornographers "Twin Cinema" is a great album, on Matador. Other new bands I've gotten into recently: Scott Joy, The One Too Many, Fun Punk Five, The Cum Engines, Hazzard Hotrods, Hey John -Bees, Ax, Acid Ranch, Sucko, The Plague, The Bug-eyed Mums, Milko Waif, Bleep Bleep F*ck, Herkimer Mohawk, Cosmic Clown, Heavy River, 7 Feet of Sunshine, Devron Zones, Bore Co., Child of Joe, Wig Stomper, Throne, Billy Ray Human, Wim Dials, Ragged Enzymes, Terror of Living, Seraphim Barf, Karma Yeah, Yummy Ropes, Mutts UK, Timid Virus, The Pukes, Stumpy in the Ocean, U B Hitler, Red Faced Rats, Ben Zing, Dale Frescamo, Brainbow, The Bad Babies, Shoot'em, Christopher Lightship, Modular Dance Units, The Fake Orgasims, Silent Knife, The Needmores, The Banana Show, Manimal, The Inbrids, Gene Autry's Psychic, God's Little Lightning Bolt.

I love me some Pavement, as my avatar attests. My favorites, in order: Slanted and Enchanted Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain Wowee Zowee Westing (Musket and Sextant) Brighten the Corners Terror Twilight I love their single eps, too, with extras, in particular Pacific Trim, Shady Lane and Major Leagues. The new Malkmus solo is my favorite of the post-Pave stuff: Face the Truth. Great stuff.

No jazz today. Silver Jews "Starlight Walker," Smoosh "She Like Electric" and a used copy of a Kill Rock Stars anthology from '91 featuring Mecca Normal, Bratmobile, Melvins, Nirvana, Jad Fair, Nation of Ulysses, Bikini Kill and Unwound. All purchased at Vertigo!

I don't get cellphones. Like, a friend called me four times in a row yesterday, "H...cha...guh...Werf...ke... (vast gulf of silence)."

I received this message on Mich/improv: just received a message from Ox-Bow. They say that the concert is intended for Ox-Bow students and not open to the public. I suggest we crash the party! Bummer.

I love the series and read "Half-Blood Prince" in two days. Got it on Sat. afternoon and had it done by Monday morning. Great read, good fantasy and without any hesitation of breaking readers' hearts. Now I've got to wait two or three years for the finale.