Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Jazz has lost another icon
2010 has been a hard year on musicians. We have lost quite a few notables this year. It pains me that we have lost yet another this year.
I believe I first became aware of Dr. Billy Taylor when he did a weekly bit on the CBS Sunday morning news show in his role as the self appointed chief educator for jazz. The passing years don't allow me to recall the content of his shows but I know that it was oriented toward teaching us to understand the music. At the time I thought he was just some guy that played piano. It was only as the years and decades passed that I became aware of the high regard in which he was held by musicians who create this music.
As I sit here I cannot think of a single recording released by Dr. Taylor but I know from his stories that he was around as the art form that is jazz was molded into the force it is today. I will be forever grateful to Dr. Taylor for his efforts in helping me, as well as the many others who encountered him, in this our journey to understand this thing they call jazz.
God speed Dr. Taylor, they won't forget your name again, RIP.
I believe I first became aware of Dr. Billy Taylor when he did a weekly bit on the CBS Sunday morning news show in his role as the self appointed chief educator for jazz. The passing years don't allow me to recall the content of his shows but I know that it was oriented toward teaching us to understand the music. At the time I thought he was just some guy that played piano. It was only as the years and decades passed that I became aware of the high regard in which he was held by musicians who create this music.
As I sit here I cannot think of a single recording released by Dr. Taylor but I know from his stories that he was around as the art form that is jazz was molded into the force it is today. I will be forever grateful to Dr. Taylor for his efforts in helping me, as well as the many others who encountered him, in this our journey to understand this thing they call jazz.
God speed Dr. Taylor, they won't forget your name again, RIP.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Governor proclaims America is a nation of pussies
New York city Mayor Michael Bloomberg is appealing for the city to remain patient while they attempt to rescue enough of their snow plows from the very snow that they are supposed to clear away in order to attend to the city's snowbound streets. Meanwhile, snow babies are being birthed at home because EMS response time declined from an unbearable 4 hours to a completely useless maybe we'll get to you tomorrow sometime.
And the rest of the nation's air travel system attempts to recover from a complete 24 hour shutdown of all New York area airports . It is expected to take a week or more to return the system to normal.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell is unhappy that the NFL canceled the local soccer match, ostensibly so the fans wouldn't kill themselves or each other driving to a ballgame in what has to be one of the worst blizzards in a generation.
Apparently, canceling the game is a clear indication of the loss of the American pioneer spirit as well as the draining of our vitality as a nation and portends nothing less than the end of western civilization as we know it.
No word yet on Governor Rendell's position on seat belts, water wings, bicycle helmets, training wheels or men who drink their alcohol mixed with ice and soft drinks but we'll keep you updated should he decide to issue forth with a proclamation.
And the rest of the nation's air travel system attempts to recover from a complete 24 hour shutdown of all New York area airports . It is expected to take a week or more to return the system to normal.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell is unhappy that the NFL canceled the local soccer match, ostensibly so the fans wouldn't kill themselves or each other driving to a ballgame in what has to be one of the worst blizzards in a generation.
Apparently, canceling the game is a clear indication of the loss of the American pioneer spirit as well as the draining of our vitality as a nation and portends nothing less than the end of western civilization as we know it.
No word yet on Governor Rendell's position on seat belts, water wings, bicycle helmets, training wheels or men who drink their alcohol mixed with ice and soft drinks but we'll keep you updated should he decide to issue forth with a proclamation.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Holidays
Every year we are bombarded with holiday specials that purport to herald the spirit of the holiday season. And while there is absolutely nothing wrong many of these holiday specials, I call upon the television and pop culture gods to consider adding another program to the existing annual line up.
Programs such as Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, A Charlie Brown Christmas, A Christmas Story, Its a Wonderful Life, etc., have come to dominate the holidays for most of our generation. But if you have seen these programs once you have seen them a million times too many.
There is, however, an alternative, a movie that has disappeared from the airwaves. While not exactly a holiday special per se, it is set during the holiday season and is a wonderful reminder of what the holidays should really be, your own particular religious or philosophical leanings not withstanding.
I think I have said everything that I want to say about this movie in this post.
So without further ado, courtesy of Youtube poster JTClarion, I present to you J.T. the movie, aka I want me this cat I found.
Programs such as Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, A Charlie Brown Christmas, A Christmas Story, Its a Wonderful Life, etc., have come to dominate the holidays for most of our generation. But if you have seen these programs once you have seen them a million times too many.
There is, however, an alternative, a movie that has disappeared from the airwaves. While not exactly a holiday special per se, it is set during the holiday season and is a wonderful reminder of what the holidays should really be, your own particular religious or philosophical leanings not withstanding.
I think I have said everything that I want to say about this movie in this post.
So without further ado, courtesy of Youtube poster JTClarion, I present to you J.T. the movie, aka I want me this cat I found.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Evil Love
There is a difference between landing and returning to the ground.
If you don't know the difference you are living a charmed life.
Nice jumper
If you don't know the difference you are living a charmed life.
Nice jumper
Friday, December 17, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
When we are one I'm not afraid
We would be remiss if we did not note the recent passing of jazz giant Mr. James Moody.
It is no secret that Dizzy Gillespie was a grade A clown and all around general purpose asshole . But Diz did not clown solo, his sometime sidekick and musical collaborator, James Moody, was a talented but lesser known second banana and sometime straight man to Diz's outrageous buffoonery.
Please note Moody's relatively restrained response to Diz's completely straight faced introduction of him as the Brazilian female singer Flora Purim.
Not to be completely outdone, Moody changes the words of the song at 1:50 from "in the mood for love" to the improvised "in the nude for love." As he switches to falsetto for the female part of the vocalese standard Moody's Mood For Love, Moody the straight man becomes Moody the clown as he takes on the extreme affectations of a female performer.
Despite the hollering and yodeling throughout, Moody delivers as fine a rendition of his classic namesake as you are likely to hear.
James Moody, we not only thank you for bringing us a lifetime of joy through your beautiful music but also for having the courage to make us laugh at world that was not always funny.
James Moody RIP March 26, 1925 - December 9th 2010
It is no secret that Dizzy Gillespie was a grade A clown and all around general purpose asshole . But Diz did not clown solo, his sometime sidekick and musical collaborator, James Moody, was a talented but lesser known second banana and sometime straight man to Diz's outrageous buffoonery.
Please note Moody's relatively restrained response to Diz's completely straight faced introduction of him as the Brazilian female singer Flora Purim.
Not to be completely outdone, Moody changes the words of the song at 1:50 from "in the mood for love" to the improvised "in the nude for love." As he switches to falsetto for the female part of the vocalese standard Moody's Mood For Love, Moody the straight man becomes Moody the clown as he takes on the extreme affectations of a female performer.
Despite the hollering and yodeling throughout, Moody delivers as fine a rendition of his classic namesake as you are likely to hear.
James Moody, we not only thank you for bringing us a lifetime of joy through your beautiful music but also for having the courage to make us laugh at world that was not always funny.
James Moody RIP March 26, 1925 - December 9th 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
ASSange-hole
Sometimes you blaze a bold new trail to lead the world to new insights and deeper understanding of how things actually work.
And sometimes you are just part of the problem.
Once again some turkey has taken it upon himself to free us all from our cages of ignorance.
But somehow I feel even less safe with incontrovertible proof that the people who run the world are every bit the giant assholes we suspected them to be.
As the world hurtles uncontrollably and perhaps unstoppably toward the ultimate us or them moment, what we need is certainty and clarity not distrust and confusion.
In the wake of the wikileaks release lots of thoughts come to mind.
But mostly it seems that people are thinking that just wasn't right!
And sometimes you are just part of the problem.
Once again some turkey has taken it upon himself to free us all from our cages of ignorance.
But somehow I feel even less safe with incontrovertible proof that the people who run the world are every bit the giant assholes we suspected them to be.
As the world hurtles uncontrollably and perhaps unstoppably toward the ultimate us or them moment, what we need is certainty and clarity not distrust and confusion.
In the wake of the wikileaks release lots of thoughts come to mind.
But mostly it seems that people are thinking that just wasn't right!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Now this is how you protest intrusive government regulations
Instead of trying to clog up the TSA screening lines at the airport on the day before Thanksgiving, run out and get yourself a pair of 4th Amendment underwear.
This underwear uses metallic paint to display the text of the 4th amendment on the TSA's deep throat scanner monitor.
Bonus points for the kid size underwear that says "read the 4th amendment perverts"
The ultimate result of this method of protest will be exactly the same as the infamous turkey day massacre that was attempted last week, not much.
But with this protest method nobody has to miss the holidays with Grandmaw.
There is no hiding place.
This underwear uses metallic paint to display the text of the 4th amendment on the TSA's deep throat scanner monitor.
Bonus points for the kid size underwear that says "read the 4th amendment perverts"
The ultimate result of this method of protest will be exactly the same as the infamous turkey day massacre that was attempted last week, not much.
But with this protest method nobody has to miss the holidays with Grandmaw.
There is no hiding place.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Study war no more
If our little quibble in Afghanistan has taught us anything its that you should never go to war with people who have nothing left to lose.
War simply plays into the hands of a protectorate. War is their national export. Anything that perpetuates war not only increases the price but also the quantity of their gross domestic exports.
I am not saying that they should, but if South Korea really wanted to get some results they wold lob a few fat ones over the great wall of China marked return to sender. I'll bet you could get them sombitches on the phone then.
And how do you get to be a fat leader in a starving country. What is that all about.
If you want to get North Korea's attention slap an international trade embargo on pork chops. That'll bring those fat motherfuckers to their knees.
War simply plays into the hands of a protectorate. War is their national export. Anything that perpetuates war not only increases the price but also the quantity of their gross domestic exports.
I am not saying that they should, but if South Korea really wanted to get some results they wold lob a few fat ones over the great wall of China marked return to sender. I'll bet you could get them sombitches on the phone then.
And how do you get to be a fat leader in a starving country. What is that all about.
If you want to get North Korea's attention slap an international trade embargo on pork chops. That'll bring those fat motherfuckers to their knees.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Yeah, but this turkey don't have no fixins
It appears that, at least in this particular instance, America refused to rally around the dumb asses.
That was not a sure bet a couple days ago.
I guess America was more interested in getting to Grandmaw's house than getting Grandmaw exempted from airport security screenings.
You know it seemed kind of ironic to me that some Americans wanted to engage in a selfish act of terrorism as a response to America's response to the terrorist threat. An attempt to hold America's holidays hostage for no other reason than you don't want to do what everybody knows must be done is as vile an act as any al Queada ever attempted. If you have ever just barely caught the last flight out of town by the skin of your ass then you will appreciate the stupidity of staging a pointless stunt to slow the system down by even a few seconds.
America is at its best when it gets in line, waits its turn and endures petty and perhaps unnecessary hardships with a spirit of shared suffering and common interest. The answer is not always a protest. Sometimes the best response to a hardship is to turn to the person next to you in line, strike up a conversation and spend an hour making friends with someone, that in all likelihood, you will never see again in life. But as the memory of your minor hardship fades the memory of your new found friendship remains as a souvenir of surviving yet another petty slight.
You don't have to get special treatment to be exceptional.
That was not a sure bet a couple days ago.
I guess America was more interested in getting to Grandmaw's house than getting Grandmaw exempted from airport security screenings.
You know it seemed kind of ironic to me that some Americans wanted to engage in a selfish act of terrorism as a response to America's response to the terrorist threat. An attempt to hold America's holidays hostage for no other reason than you don't want to do what everybody knows must be done is as vile an act as any al Queada ever attempted. If you have ever just barely caught the last flight out of town by the skin of your ass then you will appreciate the stupidity of staging a pointless stunt to slow the system down by even a few seconds.
America is at its best when it gets in line, waits its turn and endures petty and perhaps unnecessary hardships with a spirit of shared suffering and common interest. The answer is not always a protest. Sometimes the best response to a hardship is to turn to the person next to you in line, strike up a conversation and spend an hour making friends with someone, that in all likelihood, you will never see again in life. But as the memory of your minor hardship fades the memory of your new found friendship remains as a souvenir of surviving yet another petty slight.
You don't have to get special treatment to be exceptional.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Black on black whine or the miseducation of the American Negro
A message for folk who are intent on creating and sustaining a colored version of white social hierarchy.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
America is a nation full of dumbasses
When did supersonic flight become a constitutionally protected entitlement.
Here's a thought, take a train; there is no security protocol on the Amtrak yet.
Or better yet stay your monkey ass at home; the highways are too crowded anyway.
As I understand it you basically have 3 options:
1. Take a small dose of radiation in the scanner
2. Get felt up by the TSA
3. Or stay the hell out of the airport.
Do you think that Al qaeda will hesitate for a nanosecond to load up a baby's diaper with explosives if they think that might get them past the TSA. So Grandmaw and little Johnny and Jane all get subjected to full security screenings because it makes me feel safer.
There are people trying to kill us. Please quit your whining and just STFU about your personal space.
Here's a thought, take a train; there is no security protocol on the Amtrak yet.
Or better yet stay your monkey ass at home; the highways are too crowded anyway.
As I understand it you basically have 3 options:
1. Take a small dose of radiation in the scanner
2. Get felt up by the TSA
3. Or stay the hell out of the airport.
Do you think that Al qaeda will hesitate for a nanosecond to load up a baby's diaper with explosives if they think that might get them past the TSA. So Grandmaw and little Johnny and Jane all get subjected to full security screenings because it makes me feel safer.
There are people trying to kill us. Please quit your whining and just STFU about your personal space.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Poor man's social engineering
Freddy's dead!
I know a recession is a very painful and difficult thing for many of us.
But if there is an upside to the great recession it is that you no longer see quite as many douche bags tooling around town in overpriced luxury cars that they cannot afford.
That's gotta count for something.
I know a recession is a very painful and difficult thing for many of us.
But if there is an upside to the great recession it is that you no longer see quite as many douche bags tooling around town in overpriced luxury cars that they cannot afford.
That's gotta count for something.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Ladder shaped obstacles
You know, sometimes it seems as if God purposely puts stumbling blocks in your path just to see if your dumb ass has enough sense to climb up on them to overcome your obstacles.
Yesterday, I was faced with a seemingly insurmountable obstacle. Now I could have just punked out and found a corner and started sobbing. Or, on the other hand, I could start searching for a work around.
And I could have given up when the first 3 solutions didn't pan out.
But the fourth solution not only solved my problem but ultimately proved to be a better course of action than my original plan.
So not only did I accomplish my short term goal, but I improved upon my process going forward.
Like I said, sometimes its just a test to see how your dumb ass will react.
Yesterday, I was faced with a seemingly insurmountable obstacle. Now I could have just punked out and found a corner and started sobbing. Or, on the other hand, I could start searching for a work around.
And I could have given up when the first 3 solutions didn't pan out.
But the fourth solution not only solved my problem but ultimately proved to be a better course of action than my original plan.
So not only did I accomplish my short term goal, but I improved upon my process going forward.
Like I said, sometimes its just a test to see how your dumb ass will react.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
On yellow streaks and dead possums
In this world there are no neutral corners. You must pick a team or be targeted by both sides. As the saying goes, the only thing in the middle of the road are yellow streaks and dead possums (or dead armadillos depending on your locale).
It would appear that this little nugget of wisdom has been borne out in abundance
But as we find ourselves confronting the incipient bloom of silly season it might be wise to remember that truth takes no sides.
Remember, people who claim to hear the voice of God are most likely just crazy. And this fact is usually not apparent until God puts them in bed with a dead hooker and calls the cops (or worse yet The National Inquirer).
It would appear that this little nugget of wisdom has been borne out in abundance
But as we find ourselves confronting the incipient bloom of silly season it might be wise to remember that truth takes no sides.
Remember, people who claim to hear the voice of God are most likely just crazy. And this fact is usually not apparent until God puts them in bed with a dead hooker and calls the cops (or worse yet The National Inquirer).
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
America & Americans are a cranky, irratable and unstable
America suffers under the delusion that somehow we are in control our collective fate. That somehow we will collectively decide where we go and what we become. When in reality, the overwhelming majority of Americans can't even tell you how their televisions work. All they know is that they push the button and magic happens. Woe be unto anyone who is nearby when the magic doesn't happen.
But boy can they watch those televisions. And when they see those televisions display powerful people doing powerful things they begin to have the illusion that somehow they themselves are powerful too. Never mind that the accepted fantasy has simply replaced reality. The guys in the white hats always win, right?
When in reality, the only thing we truly control is the level of our own individual ignorance, and we don't do a very good job of controlling that. And books without lots of pictures are just too hard to read, and boring to boot.
But boy can they watch those televisions. And when they see those televisions display powerful people doing powerful things they begin to have the illusion that somehow they themselves are powerful too. Never mind that the accepted fantasy has simply replaced reality. The guys in the white hats always win, right?
When in reality, the only thing we truly control is the level of our own individual ignorance, and we don't do a very good job of controlling that. And books without lots of pictures are just too hard to read, and boring to boot.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
This is what's wrong with America
We think that we can get together and fix or manage everything.
Nowhere in the constitution does it make any mention of changing Halloween from Sunday back to Saturday because worshiping the devil on Sunday is just wrong, or something.
So what if the kids have to go to school the next day. Its called a sugar high people. They will be alright.
You don't get to take a vote to move the holiday because it happens to be a little inconvenient this year. I don't care how many of you get together. Neither you nor your community leaders can make an executive decision. Halloween is Halloween, now get in it or get over it.
If the 4th of July falls inconveniently in the middle of the week it doesn't mean there is some executive override that allows us to move the celebration to the 5th of July. We just have to go ahead and fire up the grill on Thursday and try to stay drunk until the weekend gets here.
Come on people this is not complicated. If you find that you prefer to not celebrate Halloween on the designated day, for whatever reason, fine! Keep your grubby ass kids at home. But don't show up on my doorstep in costume a day early (or a day late) looking for handouts unless you want your little ones to receive a lesson in getting cussed out.
Nowhere in the constitution does it make any mention of changing Halloween from Sunday back to Saturday because worshiping the devil on Sunday is just wrong, or something.
So what if the kids have to go to school the next day. Its called a sugar high people. They will be alright.
You don't get to take a vote to move the holiday because it happens to be a little inconvenient this year. I don't care how many of you get together. Neither you nor your community leaders can make an executive decision. Halloween is Halloween, now get in it or get over it.
If the 4th of July falls inconveniently in the middle of the week it doesn't mean there is some executive override that allows us to move the celebration to the 5th of July. We just have to go ahead and fire up the grill on Thursday and try to stay drunk until the weekend gets here.
Come on people this is not complicated. If you find that you prefer to not celebrate Halloween on the designated day, for whatever reason, fine! Keep your grubby ass kids at home. But don't show up on my doorstep in costume a day early (or a day late) looking for handouts unless you want your little ones to receive a lesson in getting cussed out.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Riddle me this one Batman
In the day and age when a real down brother like Michael Steele can't get no love, why is it that the right of center politerati are falling all over themselves to come to the aid and defense of Juan Williams. You have to admit that it is a bit suspicious to have this kind of overwhelming and nearly unanimous support from the right for someone who worked for an institution that essentially symbolizes all that is unholy in their eyes. Can you say "slightly out of character"?
Never mind the particulars of the issue. What Juan Williams said and or intended to say is not of concern. What worries me is why people who usually take great joy in a public lynching have resorted to group weeping and teeth gnashing over a solitary colored man. Whatever happens, I hope Juan doesn't resort to the Clarence Thomas "punishing a black man for stepping out of line" defense.
Speaking of Clarence Thomas, WTF. But that is a conversation for another time.
Now the right is out to defund public radio, again. But why can't my tax dollars go towards paying the rent for Bert and Ernie and Big Bird. All I know is that I am for anything that provides an alternative to mainstream broadcasting that basically consists of 20 minutes of used car dealer commercials interrupted by the same 10 inane songs/TV programs in heavy rotation such that you kind of look forward to the car dealer commercials. In re: KCSM I hope I have put forth the case for funding public radio even though we are only talking 10 or 15 cents of every dollar coming from the gubamint.
When has the right been able to agree on anything, much less agree to cross that great divide to save one that is ostensibly not their own?
I think NPR walked straight into that one.
Never mind the particulars of the issue. What Juan Williams said and or intended to say is not of concern. What worries me is why people who usually take great joy in a public lynching have resorted to group weeping and teeth gnashing over a solitary colored man. Whatever happens, I hope Juan doesn't resort to the Clarence Thomas "punishing a black man for stepping out of line" defense.
Speaking of Clarence Thomas, WTF. But that is a conversation for another time.
Now the right is out to defund public radio, again. But why can't my tax dollars go towards paying the rent for Bert and Ernie and Big Bird. All I know is that I am for anything that provides an alternative to mainstream broadcasting that basically consists of 20 minutes of used car dealer commercials interrupted by the same 10 inane songs/TV programs in heavy rotation such that you kind of look forward to the car dealer commercials. In re: KCSM I hope I have put forth the case for funding public radio even though we are only talking 10 or 15 cents of every dollar coming from the gubamint.
When has the right been able to agree on anything, much less agree to cross that great divide to save one that is ostensibly not their own?
I think NPR walked straight into that one.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Paging Kathleen Clelia Elin Melgarejo
Hey Elin, you've been holding out on us.
An apparently Brazilian tune with which I am not familiar.
Very nice.
What is it called?
An apparently Brazilian tune with which I am not familiar.
Very nice.
What is it called?
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Technical mastery versus sonic masturbation
or playing crap and calling it jazz
I don't mean to disparage but I just don't get free jazz, virtuosic or not.
When it comes to free jazz I'm kinda like the tea party, I feel like I've been bullshitted and now I am mad as hell and I ain't gonna take it no more. It may be that I simply don't understand free jazz. But here's the problem, nobody can explain it to me in a way that makes any sense to me and I have asked some fairly serious musicians about it.
I sometimes wonder what the free spirit that was Thelonious Monk would think of free jazz. Would he revel in its unobstructed freedoms? Or would he find it just to weird to stroll and dance to?
Now even with my limited understanding of the objectives of free jazz I could hear and understand the occasional flashes of technical mastery of a recent group of practitioners of this stuff. So the musical skill of the players of this form is not at question. How these musicians choose to deploy their gifts is my gripe.
Why must there be a reading of abstract poetry to go along with their abstract music. It makes me feel like I accidentally stumbled into some sort of seance while the head wizard is reading an incantation to turn nonbelievers into toads or something. And here's another clue for you, anybody who brings more than 3 horns to the gig automatically goes on the suspect list unless your last name is Kirk .
Now I enjoy musicians who don't mind taking a song outside to play with it. But when the tune starts out down the block and around the corner and never even comes past the house much less come inside I get a little frustrated. I don't understand how as the listener, I am supposed to participate in this endeavor.
I mean when a song is grooving in 4x4 time I can pat my foot and keep time on my beer bottle at the bar and feel like I am a part of the performance too. But what am I supposed to do when they play free jazz, run calculus problems in my head.
OK fine, maybe it ain't for me and I just shouldn't listen.
But maybe musicians shouldn't be running around collecting $20 cover charges to play it either. If its so artistically specific and esoteric that the heathens can't get to it maybe you should just stay home and play it in the basement so your artistic bona fides don't get questioned by those heathens. But I could be wrong.
Here is some music that I can get to and there seems to be plenty of room to find new material if you know where to look.
I don't mean to disparage but I just don't get free jazz, virtuosic or not.
When it comes to free jazz I'm kinda like the tea party, I feel like I've been bullshitted and now I am mad as hell and I ain't gonna take it no more. It may be that I simply don't understand free jazz. But here's the problem, nobody can explain it to me in a way that makes any sense to me and I have asked some fairly serious musicians about it.
I sometimes wonder what the free spirit that was Thelonious Monk would think of free jazz. Would he revel in its unobstructed freedoms? Or would he find it just to weird to stroll and dance to?
Now even with my limited understanding of the objectives of free jazz I could hear and understand the occasional flashes of technical mastery of a recent group of practitioners of this stuff. So the musical skill of the players of this form is not at question. How these musicians choose to deploy their gifts is my gripe.
Why must there be a reading of abstract poetry to go along with their abstract music. It makes me feel like I accidentally stumbled into some sort of seance while the head wizard is reading an incantation to turn nonbelievers into toads or something. And here's another clue for you, anybody who brings more than 3 horns to the gig automatically goes on the suspect list unless your last name is Kirk .
Now I enjoy musicians who don't mind taking a song outside to play with it. But when the tune starts out down the block and around the corner and never even comes past the house much less come inside I get a little frustrated. I don't understand how as the listener, I am supposed to participate in this endeavor.
I mean when a song is grooving in 4x4 time I can pat my foot and keep time on my beer bottle at the bar and feel like I am a part of the performance too. But what am I supposed to do when they play free jazz, run calculus problems in my head.
OK fine, maybe it ain't for me and I just shouldn't listen.
But maybe musicians shouldn't be running around collecting $20 cover charges to play it either. If its so artistically specific and esoteric that the heathens can't get to it maybe you should just stay home and play it in the basement so your artistic bona fides don't get questioned by those heathens. But I could be wrong.
Here is some music that I can get to and there seems to be plenty of room to find new material if you know where to look.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Fuller Love and the KCSM pledge drive
There is no fuller love than jazz.
Back in the stone age, when I dragged myself up out of the primordial soup that was the pre-high speed connection days of the interenet, one of the first places I found as a reliable source of jazz was KCSM. This station was a beacon of light and hope in an otherwise very dark world.
There were hundreds or even thousands of stations broadcasting on the internet back then. Almost none of them playing real jazz and even fewer broadcasting with a strong reliable broadcast stream. But there was KCSM playing jazz full time 24 hours a day with a strong reliable connection. Even on dial up you could get more jazz than buffering which was, from my perspective, a major advancement.
I have been a KCSM fan since I first found them. When I got my first high speed internet connection I played the station 24 hours a day. I worked listening to jazz, I ate listening to jazz, I watched television listening to jazz, I went to sleep listening to jazz, I woke up listening to jazz. Life was good.
The station has contributed to my growth and development not only in jazz knowledge but also in knowledge of the world around me. Jazz is the text book of choice for me.
As a fitting tribute to the impact KCSM has had on me, the very first entry to the jackedUPjazz blog, even before my own first post, was a link to the KCSM broadcast stream. That link does not work any more but here is an updated link
Well anyway, the fine folks at KCSM are having a pledge drive and deserve your help and support in keeping jazz alive on the airways. I have listened to the station for many years and have found them to be wonderful and passionate stewards of the art of jazz.
Give them a listen and if you are able, drop a little cash on them to help keep the music playing.
Back in the stone age, when I dragged myself up out of the primordial soup that was the pre-high speed connection days of the interenet, one of the first places I found as a reliable source of jazz was KCSM. This station was a beacon of light and hope in an otherwise very dark world.
There were hundreds or even thousands of stations broadcasting on the internet back then. Almost none of them playing real jazz and even fewer broadcasting with a strong reliable broadcast stream. But there was KCSM playing jazz full time 24 hours a day with a strong reliable connection. Even on dial up you could get more jazz than buffering which was, from my perspective, a major advancement.
I have been a KCSM fan since I first found them. When I got my first high speed internet connection I played the station 24 hours a day. I worked listening to jazz, I ate listening to jazz, I watched television listening to jazz, I went to sleep listening to jazz, I woke up listening to jazz. Life was good.
The station has contributed to my growth and development not only in jazz knowledge but also in knowledge of the world around me. Jazz is the text book of choice for me.
As a fitting tribute to the impact KCSM has had on me, the very first entry to the jackedUPjazz blog, even before my own first post, was a link to the KCSM broadcast stream. That link does not work any more but here is an updated link
Well anyway, the fine folks at KCSM are having a pledge drive and deserve your help and support in keeping jazz alive on the airways. I have listened to the station for many years and have found them to be wonderful and passionate stewards of the art of jazz.
Give them a listen and if you are able, drop a little cash on them to help keep the music playing.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Kathleen Clelia Elin Melgarejo
My ears are never wrong (well there was my unfortunate disco period but it wasn't just me it was everybody). But this isn't disco.
It has been a long time since I have been this excited about music. I had forgotten what it feels like to find a tune that pushes my buttons.
Do yourselves a favor and check out Elin pronounced E-Aleen.
This chick definitely needs help on her marketing as she was hard as hell to track down but I found her album "Lazy Afternoon" on Amazon. You can get the CD for as little as five bucks from overstock.
If you hurry you can get the entire album for a buck and change on the soon to be defunct Amie Street.
Check out her story on PRI
Special thanks to the fine folks at Real Jazz on SiriusXM Radio for an above and beyond the call of duty assist in tracking this down.
The song that got me was "La Luna" which Elin composed and sang the hell out of in apparently fluent Portuguese while Luiz Simas paints chords on the piano that are as clear and vibrant as a high def photo. I can't understand what she is saying but I sure as hell know what she means.
Anyhoo, she doesn't have a video soooooo here's another video you can't understand what they are saying but you know what they mean.
It has been a long time since I have been this excited about music. I had forgotten what it feels like to find a tune that pushes my buttons.
Do yourselves a favor and check out Elin pronounced E-Aleen.
This chick definitely needs help on her marketing as she was hard as hell to track down but I found her album "Lazy Afternoon" on Amazon. You can get the CD for as little as five bucks from overstock.
If you hurry you can get the entire album for a buck and change on the soon to be defunct Amie Street.
Check out her story on PRI
Special thanks to the fine folks at Real Jazz on SiriusXM Radio for an above and beyond the call of duty assist in tracking this down.
The song that got me was "La Luna" which Elin composed and sang the hell out of in apparently fluent Portuguese while Luiz Simas paints chords on the piano that are as clear and vibrant as a high def photo. I can't understand what she is saying but I sure as hell know what she means.
Anyhoo, she doesn't have a video soooooo here's another video you can't understand what they are saying but you know what they mean.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
He Hoo
He hoo wears gasoline under drawers should not play with matches lest he set his ass on fire.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Nookin pa nub
Do you ever get the feeling that being in Afghanistan and Pakistan is not as much a problem as the possibility that we might be fighting for the wrong side?
Thursday, August 19, 2010
This internet thing may catch on
Have you guys heard of this thing.
Of course you have.
You may ask, what is that makes me so optimistic about the internet. Well in the bad old days you went to your local retailer and purchased whatever you needed right there on the spot. And if your local retailer didn't stock what you wanted to buy, well that was just tough noogies.
Oh sure, there would always be this friendly and helpful assistant manager guy and his minion who were always more than willing to go out back and look for whatever your heart desired and special order it if he couldn't find it. But I always imagined that what they were doing out back was falling all over themselves laughing at this dumbass that thinks Walcorp actually gives a shit what his individual needs are because somehow my special orders never actually showed up.
But now with this internet thing I just search for my preferred items and voila, it shows up on my doorstep.
So those special razor blades that are never in stock bingo. That special cologne that the department store refuses to stock, no problem. And my special paper nobody carries anymore, bam 30% cheaper than I used to pay.
I like it! Now or course you have to negotiate the whole shipping and handling charges thing. Shipping costs I understand, but WTF are handling charges.
I'm telling you now, remember you heard it here first, this world wide web thing could be a big honking deal someday.
Of course you have.
You may ask, what is that makes me so optimistic about the internet. Well in the bad old days you went to your local retailer and purchased whatever you needed right there on the spot. And if your local retailer didn't stock what you wanted to buy, well that was just tough noogies.
Oh sure, there would always be this friendly and helpful assistant manager guy and his minion who were always more than willing to go out back and look for whatever your heart desired and special order it if he couldn't find it. But I always imagined that what they were doing out back was falling all over themselves laughing at this dumbass that thinks Walcorp actually gives a shit what his individual needs are because somehow my special orders never actually showed up.
But now with this internet thing I just search for my preferred items and voila, it shows up on my doorstep.
So those special razor blades that are never in stock bingo. That special cologne that the department store refuses to stock, no problem. And my special paper nobody carries anymore, bam 30% cheaper than I used to pay.
I like it! Now or course you have to negotiate the whole shipping and handling charges thing. Shipping costs I understand, but WTF are handling charges.
I'm telling you now, remember you heard it here first, this world wide web thing could be a big honking deal someday.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Muslims voted off the island
Why stop there.
Since the republic is on a roll, this might be good time to put some of these marginal religions in their place.
I say we go after the Presbyterians next. Personally, I have always been suspicious of Presbyterians. I have never really understood what they were all about anyway.
And if I can't understand it, surely they must be up to no good.
Since the republic is on a roll, this might be good time to put some of these marginal religions in their place.
I say we go after the Presbyterians next. Personally, I have always been suspicious of Presbyterians. I have never really understood what they were all about anyway.
And if I can't understand it, surely they must be up to no good.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Is America doomed?
In case it is not already evident I hate begging motherfuckers aka BM's
I am not opposed to helping people. In fact I have spent most of my adult life helping others. And I am training my kids to honor their obligation to reach back and help those who need it. I think the world would be a much better place if everyone did so. But begging in America has taken on a level of arrogance and entitlement that I fear has lead our society to the edge of doom.
I am not talking about the broken souls who need fixing in one way or the other. These sombitches don't seem to have anything wrong with them that 40 hours and a little overtime won't fix. I know it is a tough economy but instead of loitering in front of Micky D's begging for coins why not loiter in front of Home Depot and give the illegals a run for their money.
Anyway, it's been a while since I went to Micky D's for anything but I had occasion to drop in for breakfast recently. Almost instantaneously I recalled why I stopped coming to this particular establishment. Within seconds I am being stalked by numerous BM's. As a general rule I walk with a gait that has a certain purposefulness that usually is enough to ward off all but the most aggressive BM.
And here he comes! "'Cuse me, cuse me brother can I talk to you for a minit."
At this point no response is necessary, but I do give him that hood stare (you know that one of us is fixin to have an asswhuppin look) such that it takes the edge off of his pitch. You can see the look on their faces when they realize "aw shit, I picked the wrong one." But at this point he is already committed and must follow through.
His pitch: he opens his hand to reveal a couple dollar bills and some miscellaneous change. He goes on to explain that he is trying to get enough to have breakfast wherein he lists out the items that he hopes to acquire.
It is at this instant that I begin to fear that America is hopelessly doomed by decadence and entitlement.
I have walked into this establishment with roughly $100 cash in my pocket, another $30 or $40 in cash and coin stuffed into various compartments in my vehicle for parking meters, newspapers, car washes and such, and enough credit card purchasing power in my wallet to fund a brief skirmish with Liechtenstein but I fully intend to eat breakfast on something close to two dollars. Eggmacsomething or the other, a fruit and yogurt parfait and courtesy cup of water, two dollars plus tax. Roughly the amount homeboy has just revealed himself to be in possession of before he approaches me to top off his breakfast wish list. Never mind that I am fully aware that brother man intends to spend my hard earned cash at the liquor store across the street, let's just get past that for now.
I have a job, in fact I have several, but I have absolutely no qualms about workin with the dollar menu. What is it that makes homeboy think it is alright to beg for more than the bare minimum (begging up, so to speak) because the dollar menu is beneath his dignity and ain't what he wants to eat for breakfast. But sir you do realize you are begging. I know that this is America, but very few are able to beg their way to the top. Begging is generally thought of as an entry level activity and that means dollar menu.
Not having your preferred breakfast delicacies is a real bummer. But if it is any consolation this ain't what I want for breakfast either. My personal breakfast of choice might include something like an egg white omelet with grated mozzarella cheese, peppers, onions, a generous sprinkling of salty capers with a side of crispy bacon and a bowl of seasonal fruit and a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice to wash it down.
Sadly, none of that is on the dollar menu. But I am on my way somewhere that might offer us both the opportunity to aspire to that breakfast.
Its called a job. Catch a clue brotha and get one yourself.
Can you understand that?
Sunday, August 15, 2010
The constitutionalists once again prove themselves tyrants and frauds
Freedom of religion as long as you practice the one we tell you to is neither free nor religion.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
For all we know... Abbey Lincoln RIP
I am truly sorry to hear of the passing of Abbey Lincoln.
One time spouse and collaborator of Max Roach,she was considered a vixen in her film studio days. As she aged her music just seemed to get better as the maturity of a life well lived was reflected in the smokey resonant timbre of her vocals.
One of the things I really wanted to do in this life was to see Abbey Lincoln perform live. That goal came within a hundred miles or so of happening five or ten years ago. But alas, God gives us free will, and sometimes we simply choose wrong.
Live life to the fullest everyday because for all we know, we may never meet again.
RIP
One time spouse and collaborator of Max Roach,she was considered a vixen in her film studio days. As she aged her music just seemed to get better as the maturity of a life well lived was reflected in the smokey resonant timbre of her vocals.
One of the things I really wanted to do in this life was to see Abbey Lincoln perform live. That goal came within a hundred miles or so of happening five or ten years ago. But alas, God gives us free will, and sometimes we simply choose wrong.
Live life to the fullest everyday because for all we know, we may never meet again.
RIP
Friday, August 13, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Check please
It seems that the space for posting pithy youtube videos is getting a little crowded of late.
Therefore, since the heavy lifting has already been done on video posting I shall be forced to expand my domain into fiscal and economic policy analysis and commentary.
Ring the bell school is in.
Therefore, since the heavy lifting has already been done on video posting I shall be forced to expand my domain into fiscal and economic policy analysis and commentary.
Ring the bell school is in.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
...and so I packed up and went home.
Actually, I just went to the closest thing to home that I could find. But I never really found home even though I searched long and hard for it. There were times and places that were familiar and comfortable. At the same time those places were unfamiliar and uncomfortable. There was never any place that ever felt like I really truly belonged. I always molded myself into where I found myself. But like Neo and the matrix it felt just a little off kilter, not quite right.
With enough distraction you convince yourself that everything is alright. But it isn't, and deep inside you know it. But what can you do about it. Eventually you stop trying to convince yourself that all is well, but what then. Do you allow yourself to just float away, unbound by the constraints of time or space. Or do you hold to something, anything that is real, as you perceive reality to be. But perhaps that is insanity too. Maybe if I just sit quietly no one will notice and everything will turn out for the best.
The music begins and compels you to chase that song until it drives you nuts, again. If it stops you find yourself spending every waking moment trying to find it. With all of life's doubts the one thing that you are certain of is that the only thing that ever has, or ever will matter is that song.
It taunts you at odd times and places. Sometimes fully orchestrated with complex arrangements. Other times simply bits of harmony and melody. If I dance to its rhythms will it bring me closer to it. Or would everyone else in the room think me crazy. Can they not hear it? Perhaps they hear it too but are also afraid to acknowledge it. Maybe they will join me in dance and song if I could just muster the courage to lead the way to free us all from the constraints of propriety. Or maybe they would just laugh and pity the wretched soul that dances to a song no one else hears.
No, no its better to ignore the music and hope it will leave my being so I can be normal. Just like everybody else. A white picket fence, 2.5 kids and a dog. That's me just a regular person with a regular life that doesn't hear anything that everybody else doesn't hear.
Chapter 2 The yearning
With enough distraction you convince yourself that everything is alright. But it isn't, and deep inside you know it. But what can you do about it. Eventually you stop trying to convince yourself that all is well, but what then. Do you allow yourself to just float away, unbound by the constraints of time or space. Or do you hold to something, anything that is real, as you perceive reality to be. But perhaps that is insanity too. Maybe if I just sit quietly no one will notice and everything will turn out for the best.
The music begins and compels you to chase that song until it drives you nuts, again. If it stops you find yourself spending every waking moment trying to find it. With all of life's doubts the one thing that you are certain of is that the only thing that ever has, or ever will matter is that song.
It taunts you at odd times and places. Sometimes fully orchestrated with complex arrangements. Other times simply bits of harmony and melody. If I dance to its rhythms will it bring me closer to it. Or would everyone else in the room think me crazy. Can they not hear it? Perhaps they hear it too but are also afraid to acknowledge it. Maybe they will join me in dance and song if I could just muster the courage to lead the way to free us all from the constraints of propriety. Or maybe they would just laugh and pity the wretched soul that dances to a song no one else hears.
No, no its better to ignore the music and hope it will leave my being so I can be normal. Just like everybody else. A white picket fence, 2.5 kids and a dog. That's me just a regular person with a regular life that doesn't hear anything that everybody else doesn't hear.
Chapter 2 The yearning
Sunday, August 1, 2010
How sweet the sound
I fancy myself a connoisseur of television commercials.
Mostly it is a bunch of worthless crap that fails to move or entertain the target audience. After spending a kings ransom to produce and broadcast them, you would be surprised at the number of commercials that fail to even mention the product or location.
But every once in a while somebody gets it right.
Mostly it is a bunch of worthless crap that fails to move or entertain the target audience. After spending a kings ransom to produce and broadcast them, you would be surprised at the number of commercials that fail to even mention the product or location.
But every once in a while somebody gets it right.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Uh, you guys put the cake away didn't you?
In every adversity there are always two choices.
You can whine about how hard it is to go on or
You can get your ass in gear and run for the light as if your life depended on it.
Because it just might.
You can whine about how hard it is to go on or
You can get your ass in gear and run for the light as if your life depended on it.
Because it just might.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
The girl is bad
She screams, she shouts, she turned that sucka out
Every time she wiggle she make the kid holla for more
Every time she wiggle she make the kid holla for more
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Pissing off the roof...
...is not the same as watering the flower beds.
Black folk are not a monolithic group who are all related and get together every so often to decide on a group course of action. In fact, black folk run the gamut of every stripe and known variety on the planet.
However, there are two, and only two, things upon which all black folk fully agree.
1. Fried chicken is delicious
and
2. Its time to get the hell out of Dodge when white folk start talking about "what black folk ought do now" because nothing good can follow.
Black folk are not a monolithic group who are all related and get together every so often to decide on a group course of action. In fact, black folk run the gamut of every stripe and known variety on the planet.
However, there are two, and only two, things upon which all black folk fully agree.
1. Fried chicken is delicious
and
2. Its time to get the hell out of Dodge when white folk start talking about "what black folk ought do now" because nothing good can follow.
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