In a recent Rifftides posting, I wrote: It must be tempting, if you own a newspaper, to break down the traditional separation between the news side of the paper and the advertising department. There are plenty of advertisers eager for credibility they think will come from a more direct connection … [Read more...]

The other day, we declared the following item from The Los Angeles Times the winner of the Rifftides everything-but-the-kitchen-sink-in-the-lead newswriting competition. Ed Masry, the flamboyant, crusading environmental lawyer portrayed by actor Albert Finney in the movie "Erin Brockovich," which … [Read more...]

The Rifftides applause discussion of the past several days attracted attention off the web as well as on. Drew McManus of Adaptistration and I will join John Schaefer of WNYC radio in New York to talk about applause for jazz and classical music. The broadcast will be tomorrow, Friday, December 9, … [Read more...]

One of the great albums of the early 1960s has never been reissued on CD, a circumstance that calls for a listener uprising and perhaps a congressional investigation. It was Flute Fever by the Jeremy Steig Quartet (Columbia CS 8936 stereo, CL 2136 monaural). Copies of the LP in good condition, when … [Read more...]

As you may have noticed, I maintain an interest in what is happening in journalism. Quality of writing is a particular fascination. I've begun keeping a sort of journal of examples of writing and of broadcast speech. I may occasionally share an entry with you. The year is nearly over, so I think it … [Read more...]

Rifftides reader Steven Marks responded to a recent more or less lighthearted posting with this:: As a former writer for Down Beat and other arts periodicals, this post made me laugh. I know what you mean about the writer's minimum wage, esp when it comes to arts journalism -- I'd say it's about 2 … [Read more...]

Minimum Wage duty calls. Today, I must write like crazy to finish what one might amusingly describe as a paying job. I also have to figure out what I'm going to say tonight when I introduce a performance of the Duke Ellington-Billy Strayhorn "Nutcracker Suite" at The Seasons. It will be played by a … [Read more...]

A month ago, in the discussion of Good Night, And Good Luck, I included this item about Diane Reeves’ important contribution to the film’s success. Thanks to Rifftides reader Paul Conley of KXJZ in Sacramento for calling my attention to his interview with Ms. Reeves about her role in the … [Read more...]

We are about to wrap up the discussion about whether to applaud, and when. First, if you'd like to see the comments of classical fans who responded on Drew McManus's Adaptistration , go here, then come right back. Unless something extraordinary pops up, we conclude with a comment from Bill Kirchner, … [Read more...]

Eric Jackson, Stephen J. Charbonneau and Steve Schwartz of Boston's venerable jazz station WGBH have launched a new weblog. It concentrates on music and musicians in the Boston area. Many of the best jazz players show up there, several live in the city or nearby and the WGBH blog has news about … [Read more...]

Please notice that we're beginning another week of Rifftides with a fresh batch of Doug's Picks. As always, we would appreciate knowing how you like hearing, watching and reading them. You'll find them in the right column. … [Read more...]

Rifftides reader Janet Shapiro, a veteran of the classical recording industry who produces television broadcasts of classcial music, saw our most recent installment of the applause debate. It concerned Bill Kirchner's hold-your-applause experiment the other night. She wrote: Classical music is … [Read more...]

Carl Doering has given me permission to show Rifftides readers the message he posted yesterday on the Jazz West Coast listserve. Folks, I am so excited. The day before yesterday, Miles Davis was elected to the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. What a great day for the jazz world. Finally one of its own has … [Read more...]

In my Jazz Times review of a Bill Charlap concert, I included this observation: The complexity and clarity of Charlap's work and the trio's unity were compelling, nearly mesmerizing. Their listeners were frequently so engrossed that they abandoned the self-conscious rote clapping after each solo … [Read more...]

The deadline and I are neck and neck heading down the stretch. I have every intention of winning, so bear with me. I may be able to post some little Rifftides bauble tomorrow. The article, for Jazz Times, is only a couple of thousand words, but it requires an extensive amount of listening, so much … [Read more...]

Bill Crow, the stalwart bassist and indispensable jazz anecdotist, comments on the Rifftides posting about the separation of reporting from advertising. I'm glad you brought up the news/advertising issue in newspapers. And it isn't just the advertisers...it's the editors. I rely on The New York … [Read more...]

The piece about Randolph Scott brought a comment from Frank McGrath in New York. About two years ago, I gave up on trying to find classic movies at my local Blockbuster video store, and I started a subscription to Netflix. After reading your Rifftides piece on Randolph Scott, I went to Netflix.com … [Read more...]

Joshua Breakstone, the melodically inspired guitarist, writes, also from New York: Thanks for the link to Terry Teachout's article on Randolph Scott. As great as the lines you quoted in your piece are, it's genius- no doubt- to come up with an observation on the order of "The dashing young leading … [Read more...]

I feel the hot breath of a deadline on my neck. For a day or two, posting may have to take a back seat to necessity. But check in tomorrow. You never know, I may have a burst of speed and be able to feed Rifftides a little something. In the meantime, be sure to visit the fine artsjournal.com … [Read more...]