Leeway

Sticking with your question (there are dozens and dozens of CD players in these price ranges), and considering your other equipment, I would go with the 521 BEE. The main difference between the 2 CD players is the BEE has a 20 bit converter and the 542 a 24 bit converter. I don't think you will notice any difference. Also, I've read that the BEE models have excellent musicality. Whatever you pick, enjoy the music!

There's a great christening scene in "Godfather 2" (?); while the baby is being christened, the film cuts to shots of rival mob bosses being assasinated. Anyway, as a former altarboy, although now quite lapsed, I can say Matthew's advice is pretty much on-target. The christening is when the baby really becomes a person in the eyes of the Church, receiving its name (in the old days, it was invariably the name of a saint). Guests should dress nicely, although not overly so-- i.e, you don't need a tux, but a decent suit, or at least business casual (depending on what part of the country and whose neighborhood you are in), should be the order of the day. A gift for the baby, a nice clothing outfit, for example, or a keepsake, such as a a christening cup with the baby's name initialed on it, are appropriate. Also nice: take some pictures of the baby and proud parents, make a little album, and send it to the parents after the event. Most of all, it's not so much a religious event, but a celebration of a new life going into the world. Think of it that way, and smile .

Finally got some time this afternoon to spin some vinyl (although not until I had moved some boxes of books and records to the storage locker ): First up, some Coltrane: Then some Hutcherson, Spiral," one cust ("Jasper") with Sam Rivers: Then some Sam Rivers in his own right, with Dave Holland, Barry Altschul: Then Cecil Taylor: Then Mr. Devadip Santana: And an album that you can put in the "cool" category:

I hope you get plenty of SAX on your birthday!

What, not in the mood for

Funny, that's kind of why I like Lloyd In the sense that he doesn't try to gut-punch you, but rather tries to induce you to follow him. It seems to me that a lot of his playing is about creating a mood, or a set of feelings, rather than displaying a particular technique or musical theory.

Happy Birthday Chris. I dig your Henry James signature line!

Wolff, there's a fellow over on AAJ who is a cigar aficionada-- GA Russell. I suppose you are not he, but do you know of him or have dealings with him? Kind of interesting that both sites have their resident cigar fans. He has his own cigar web site: Russell Moon Cigars

Thanks Dr. J for that thoughtful response. A lot of good ideas therein.

Lalo Schifrin- "The Dissection and reconstruction of music from the past as performed by the inmates of Lalo Schifrin's demented ensemble as a tribute to the memory of the Marquis de Sade- Verve V-8654 Gatefold LP. This is "fusion" music-- that is, a combining of 18th century classical and 20th century jazz. Really interesting liner notes by Schifrin. Schifrin tries to find the sense of improvisation in both forms. Similar to Loussier's Bach, in a way, but Schifrin dismisses Loussier, saying, "the addition of jazz rhythm sections to a Bach fugue have proven in my opinion to be very naive." Schifrin says of his own attempt that it should "be approached with tolerance from both sides since my only ambition was to play a musical game...Fun, sense of humor and a harmless secret perversion are its basic ingredients" I recall reading that the CD version is very scarce- is that true? Don't know about the LP's availablity. Anyway, the music is a bit gimmicky, but it grows on you. Forgot to note that the album was recorded on April 27 and 28, 1966, at Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.

A tip of the hat to you n your Birthday Thanks for your many fine posts. Enjoy your day

Sometimes I think about all the LPs I DO have (not to mention CDs), and get that sinking feeling, "So many records, so little time!" OK, that doesn't keep me from going out for more, or lusting for some of the great BNs, but sometimes I feel a need to consolidate what I have and NOT think about what I don't have. Here's some more of what I have : Bethlehem BCP 6007. The LP has fine liner notes by our own Chris Albertson, then (ca. 1976) a contributing editor at "Stereo Review" (an excellent magazine from what I recall). Yes, indeed, more Coltrane, from "Heavyweight Champion": I love "Equinox." Some Stones: Rolling Stones Records COC 79104. Not one of the great Stones albums, but better than you think. "Fool to Cry" is the best known, and best, cut on the album, but there are some other strong cuts: "Melody," "Hand of Fate" (with some wicked Keith Richards grooves), and "Memory Motel," a bluesy ballad. Excellent recording quality.

Some time later the wife is having a garage sale, figures, "We can get rid of these Mantovani albums; he likes jazz not Mantovani." Out they go. Later, on "Great Finds," "You'll never believe what I found for 10 cents each-- a bunch of Mantovani albums with really terrific Blue Note albums inside!"

I agree. That's why I wanted to make it clear that I wasn't knocking AAJ. In a sense, it's a different kind of place from Org. AAJ has a lot of CD reviews, interviews, articles, etc, archived on the web site, and these constitute a valuable resource. Probably like most forums, the AAJ forum has its peak moments and its valleys. I guess my basic point was that, at least lately, things seem to have slowed down there, or lost a sense of communal excitement. Even the Wynton thread and the PhaoraohRocksKolumBuzz's posts seem de-energized That's my admittedly very subjective impression.

I'll recommend a bit of self-congratulatory back slapping and 'Arn't we better than them guys' group hugs. That should get the testosterone level back up. Chuck Nessa posted: That exactly my point. There is typically a lot less activity at AAJ at any given time, and the threads do not seem to have the sort of energized input found at Org. Bev, I don't see where you are getting all this stuff about back-slapping and testosterone from my observation. As I pointed out in my earlier post, Mike has done a good job on designing and setting up his board. Nevertheless, the "vibe" there is often pretty slack.

Still enjoying my Coltrane set: Coltrane did such great work while at Atlantic. I also noted that Tom Dowd was the recording engineer on many of the sessions; perhaps you read Jim Anderson's wonderful tribute to Mr. Dowd here on the Board.

I agree that those Golden Imports have terrific sound. I grab them whenever I find them.

One possible reason for these "low" prices (relatively low, anyway) might be that much of this material has been-- or is being-- reissued in many forms. You get the booklet with Mosaic, but otherwise, in many cases, the music is often available in other -- and sometimes superior audio versions-- from other sources. Of course, the vagaries of the auction market might be just as good a reason.

I loved that story about Miles Miles was pretty damn sharp.

And Jazz Corner now has Stanley Crouch being very defensive re "Mr. Marsalis," and embracing troll Rob Damen, who has a crush on all things Marsalis that equals Heaney's. Check it out! No, one is enough! As I posted at AAJ, the psychology of the Wynton groupies is really, really weird. It's hard to understand their "fatal attraction." Also, AAJ seems to have embarked on an immoderate "moderation" policy. Some heavy-handed activity by Clifton has turned me off. I hate to knock those guys at AAJ, because they are jazz people, and they obviously are trying hard to make a good board-- maybe they are trying too hard. Whatever it is, the atmosphere seems uptight.

AAJ seems to be losing energy.

That Exo could come in mighty handy at the office.

Dr. J: One high-end dealer near my house features AudioNote Cd players. They sounded good. But I'm curious which speakers you think are "tube friendly." Interested in any specific recommendations.

A nice little piece, but I wanted more-- a lot more-- about running Blue Note and jazz in general. It almost seems like an excerpt from a longer article. Anyway, Lundvall seems like a pretty engaging fellow, and I'm glad BN is not in the hands of some commercial bean counter. Thanks for the post.

I like Francis Davis' writing. Wasn't Giddins writing the jazz column at The V V ? Has Davis replaced him?