Werf

"Nine to Get Ready" is one of my favorite Roscoe CDs. It has a great flow of composition/improvisation with a tremendous line-up. And this is one case where the ECM "sound" is benefitial, as the doubled up bass/drums/piano is prominent but not over powering. This has a more confident "album" feel, too, especially in comparison to the 90s AEC stuff, which seems either cut n' paste or tracks clumped together. I'll definitely have to seek out "The Bad Guys."

http://www.kenvandermark.com/index.php

Dan Simmons is great. I haven't kept up with him, but have read his first half dozen or more novels and his first short story collection. He was discovered at a writing workshop by Harlan Ellison, one of my favorite writers. "Ilium" is now out in paperback, so I'll probably pick that up. His latest is the sequel, "Olympus." I've been reading mostly science fiction and fantasy in the past few years. I subscribed to "Asimov's" and "F&SF" and have been greatly enjoying them. Book recommendations: "Perdido Street Station" by China Mieville, "Accelerando" by Charles Stross, "Coyote" by Allen Steele, "The Light Ages" by Ken McLeod and any of "The Year's Best Science Fiction" edited by Gardner Dozois, which are monstrous in size.

Guided By Voices (and all Robert Pollard related projects) Pavement and Stephen Malkmus solo (new album "Face the Truth" is a killer) P.J. Harvey Devendra Banhart (weird folk rock) Sleater-Kinney (the new "The Woods" is mighty good) Spoon Death Cab for Cutie/ The Postal Service The Books The Mountain Goats Broken Social Scene The Wrens Elliott Smith Yo La Tengo Dinosaur Jr (since they're back together) The Pixies (same deal) Deerhoof Wilco The Decemberists The Shins The Thermals Joanna Newsome (more weird folk) Apostle of Hustle Interpol Modest Mouse Bright Eyes M.Ward Sonic Youth (although now they're Sonic Middleaged) Sufjan Stevens Belle and Sebastian Tobin Sprout and much more GUIDED BY VOICES

Linkin Park is a roller coaster!! http://www.youhavebadtasteinmusic.com/

YLT are one of my favorite rock bands. I've been collecting their stuff since PAINFUL and they've matured into one of the great trios in the genre. YLT performed twice at the old Reptile House in Grand Rapids and both times they were into the revved up feedback mode. I also caught them in Detroit at the Majestic on the "quiet" AND THE UNIVERSE... tour, that included the New Zeland guy from The Clean, David Kilgour and Superchunk's Mac filling out the band's sound. They also did a great concert at The New Intersection in GR this fall on their Swing State Tour, with a political comedian and Damon and Naomi and some musicians from Slumber Party jamming with them. They ended the night with a rousing Nuclear War, with everyone on stage. Great band.

Happy happy, Chico, dude man, happy birfday!!

Molson is my "generic" beer of choice, my cheap brew. I worship most Bell's varieties, in particular Amber, Pale and Two-Hearted. Love Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and go through periods where I suck back sixers of that nectar. When it's hot and I want a cold chugger, Old Milwaukee, Strohs, PBR, Bud and Miller are all fine, but they have to be ice cold.

NPR's All Things Considered are airing an obit in about minute or two...

'Swordfishtrombones" and "Rain Dogs" are his finest, IMO. The former is a touchstone for Waits, initiating a new amalgam of Beat jazz stylings (his old style), with Harry Partch, Howlin' Wolf, Kurt Weill, punk-garage rock and avante-gardeisms mixed into the stew. Great shit. I have to add, after listening feverishly to his stuff for over a decade and a half, I can no longer make it through any of his platters anymore. I respect it, even love it in my heart, but I'm thoroughly burned out on the guy.

Sounds extremely cool, Laz. Thanks for such a quick review.

Can't go, oh Spring Lake Daddy-O.

Lazaro Baby: Yeah, Sonare sounds appropriately scary!! I'm so there! Three fire breathing Godzilla saxophone screamers. Herr Brotz crushing Kalamazoo in a barrage of howling mulitphonic ululations. And only the Kraftbrau nectar to keep us safe... Glad my boredoms you have been enjoying. This week I'm seeing "Garden State" and have high hopes. Natalie Portman is the booty, and even though she's a skinny thing I am eager to glom onto her grin. Skinny booty baby. Oh, and "Shaun of the Dead." It's gotta be a hoot. I have been enjoying your sounds, too, especially since I'm usually really drunk. Whoopie! Randy yer Dad's disc is killin'... I played it all (almost) Sunday. More tonight

"Don't apologize. It's a sign of weakness." John Wayne TRUE GRIT

Couldn't help myself. Had to spin the ARNO!!!!!!!

I just heard today, too, after logging onto the European Free Improv site to check out the July update. I haven't been on the computer much this month, and was on vacation too, but can't believe I missed the news all month. This is terrible, 69 is too damn young. Brando passed away today at 80 and I thought that was a bit young (guess 'cause my grandparents have lasted into their mid to late 90's). Thank you, Mr. Lacy for your wonderful musical legacy, RIP.

I think Wayne and the filmmakers must have reached some sort of agreement. Up until a week ago there was an injunction on the film's distribution or showing. It was to have been at UICA Film Theater in Grand Rapids, but Vincent Jefchek, the program manager there was told he could not project it. But abruptly things changed, he was alerted that it was premiering in NYC and so it played, not at UICA, but at Morningstar Cafe (the old Ten Weston Gallery) last weekend in G.R. I saw a screener of the flick and Wayne was pretty much the star of it. From his letter it does sound like he was screwed, but probably, he now has some bread in his pocket or a deal for a soundtrack.

I was at jazz concert at The Bob in Grand Rapids, Mi, in the spring of 02, for a performance of violinist Christian Howes and guitarist Rez Abbazze. The music was an electrified hybrid of various fusions and bluesy modern jazz, loud, rockin' and filled with the serpentine improv logic one would expect to hear at the Knitting Factory or The Empty Bottle. In the dining area adjoining the stage was Jose Feliciano, who had performed a benefit concert for the blind that night. He heard the music and wanted to sit in! Man, the sounds were out! but he wanted to join the cats. After some negotions by Feliciano's people, he came out and strummed a duet with Howes on Monk's "Well You Needn't." Then he called up the rest of the band, minus guitarist Abbazze (cause he was using his ax), and launched into a blistering version of "The Thrill Is Gone." I have to admit I was chuckling as Jose was led out, thinking about my exposure to him on schmoozy late night talkshows and Ed Sullivan and Bob Hope specials. But then he started playing and the place went wild! As an aside, after the gig a sweet, naive young woman was sent by Feliciano's people over to the jazz musicians and organizers to score some weed for old Jose. Gotta love it! He's one smokin', tokin' cat...