Archives for February 6, 2006

Introducing yesterday's rendering (word chosen with care) of the national anthem at the Super Bowl, the booth announcer said that it was to be, in part, a tribute to New Orleans. Hasn't that unfortunate city suffered enough? Granted, "The Star Spangled Banner" is a miserable piece of music and our … [Read more...]

It was a full weekend, full of the Superbowl and full of maddening computer and server glitches. The down periods were frequent and frustrating. The beast is running for the moment, so we'll post recent correspondence. I'm hoping for a return to complete online health after the digital doctor makes … [Read more...]

There must be a whiff of country in the winter air. Doug, One more for the books—that works—Gatemouth Brown and Roy Clark, Makin' Music. It's listed as a country album, but it's really Louis Jordan with a twang. The tunes include "Take the A Train" and "Caldonia," and the band includes Airto … [Read more...]

Might the moral of the "Odd Couple" series be that in jazz there are no odd couples—that the very nature of jazz allows for nearly infinite combination? —Terry Teachout Yes. This is TT's birthday, a momentous one, as you'll see if you go here. … [Read more...]

Doug, I got hip to Paul Desmond from a line in a Michael Franks' tune, "Rainy Night in Tokyo" - "Paul Desmond on the stereo..." I went through my fathers' jazz collection and found 3 albums. I've been hooked ever since. Good luck with your book. MIchael Thanks. … [Read more...]

Blogger John Salmon of Magritte's Apple writes a followup to the recent review of a Dave Brubeck concert: I did a little review of Dave's Mass the other day. Randy Jones and Bobby Militello are veterans of the Maynard Ferguson band, one of jazz's great farm teams. When Bobby was on MF's band he … [Read more...]

Thanks in DOUGS PICKS for recommending the superb album "'Round Midnight" by Alan Broadbent. Broadbent doesn't overwhelm with technique for its own sake, but his measured and tasteful playing remain with you. However, if its "chops" you want, listen to the blistering performance on "The Man I … [Read more...]