Bags' Groove

One of the high points of each soloist (Miles, "Bags" Jackson & Monk). At the risk of telling you stuff you already know, this is the (urban) legendary session with the "fight" between Monk & Miles. Each man denied any physical confrontation between the very large Monk and the not very large Miles (Miles: "I'm not stupid enough to pick that fight." Monk: "I'd'a killed Miles."), but tensions ran high as Miles asked Monk to "lay out," or not play, behind his solo. Monk complied, then comped masterfully behind Jackson and followed with one of his greatest solos. The whole thing makes more sense if you listen to "The Man I Love" recorded at the same session but released on Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Giants, especially the alternate take. Monk decided to try a half time solo -- and the tempo's not that fast to begin with -- and it wasn't really successful. And it wasn't very short (not just because it was so slow either.) Miles was not happy. Miles continued to record Monk's compositions but never worked with him again. Check that one out, too, as well as Walkin', the title track of which is not only stylistically very similar to "Bags' Groove", but also features most of the same players, namely the original rhythm section of the Modern Jazz Quartet, Percy Heath and Kenny Clarke. (Milt Jackson isn't on "Walkin'".) Great stuff.

There's a Bjork tribute CD out. The Decemberists do an excellent version of "Human Behavior". I played it this morning.

Tina, I'm sorry about the layoffs. Hope all goes well for you.

My newest mix CD, which includes some inspirations from Jon B (Clem Snide), erinaceous (Yo La Tengo) and Tina (Rilo Kiley).

There's a Bjork tribute CD out. The Decemberists do an excellent version of "Human Behavior". I played it this morning.

I saw that last time I was in Tower! How are the tracks other than the Decemberists song?

Jon - I just looked at your playlist and saw that you played

Manishevitz Hate Ilene

Did you like their CD? Because wow - were they not good live when I saw them. But what a kind of fascinating band. In buying a CD from a different band from them after the show, I talked to them - and they seemed nice. Nice enough that I almost bought their album having hated their set.

Tina, I'm sorry about the layoffs. Hope all goes well for you.

Thanks LJ. So far it's as good as something like this can be. So, did you like the rest of the Rilo Kiley album?

You were also on my mind last night as we watched Sirens on cable. When all the gals rose from the water with their all-natural full-figured racks in evidence I thought, "I sure hope Joe has this on DVD."

No DVD, but I did see it on the big screen when it came out. Ah, Elle! Ah, Portia! (de Rossi, of Ally McBeal and Arrested Development Ah, the other one whose name I don't remember but who looked really good naked. I was still getting over a traumatic break up with an Aussie at that point & its finest on display(!) helped that wonderful country get back in my good graces.

"Women" is one of my least favorite tracks on TBM, but I still wish I'd seen the clip.

So, did you like the rest of the Rilo Kiley album?

I did! Well, I liked the Jenny tracks a lot. As you told me, the boy tracks were less inspired -- they sound kind of like Elliott Smith fronting Belle and Sebastian. Which is not a bad thing, just not as compelling as her songs.

they sound kind of like Elliott Smith fronting Belle and Sebastian. Which is not a bad thing, just not as compelling as her songs.

Exactly.

I've learned to like them more - but yeah - you just kind of want them to hurry on up so you can hear the next one of hers.

Very suprisingly - I am enjoying his side band's album a lot. (Though there are one or two skippable tracks.)

Your new mix looks great, btw.

I saw that last time I was in Tower! How are the tracks other than the Decemberists song?

Ummm... I don't know. I was in a rush and only listened to that one track.

Did you like their CD? Because wow - were they not good live when I saw them. But what a kind of fascinating band.

Huh. WMBR got the CD last September. I listened to it at the time and didn't think much of it. Then I saw them last Friday opening for the Mountain Goats and they were great! Very few draggy moments and a couple of cool covers to boot (Soft Boys and Eno). I bought the CD at the show because I didn't remember ever having heard them (it wasn't until I saw the copy at WMBR last night that my memory was jogged). Anyway, I love the CD now. I've played it a couple of times already. The singer definitely has a weird Tom Verlaine / Richard Hell / Mark E. Smith vocal thing going on, but there are worse sins.

Funny -- it's like we had the opposite set of experiences.

Nekkid Portia?! [note to self: watch Sirens]