funny how you can lose focus without realizing it...

In listening and re-listening to Victor Wooten's Soul Circus it's occured to me that I've gotten away from listening to the bass greats. Maybe that's why I've increasingly had the feeling that my playing has stagnated somewhat. The track "Bass Tribute" on Soul Circus calls out many of the greats and then presents tasteful licks in their respective styles. Anyhow, long story short, it's reminded me just how joyous music ought to be.

Well, gotta go dig up some more sounds to listen to.

new stuff on my ipod...

...three albums of note

Victor Wooten — Soul Circus

I'm not generally a fan of "bass-centric" recordings (who knew...), with a few exceptions they tend to be self-consciously chops focused. And lets face it bass solos can often sound like furniture being dragged around a room.

But I tell you what, this album kicks major butt. It's obvious that a lot of fun and love went into the recording sessions. The tunes feel like songs, and while Victor engages in ridiculous displays of chops, they enhance rather than detract form the tunes. There's an honesty in the tunes that can't be denied.

File under blown away.

John Mayer Trio — Try!

Yes that John Mayer. A disclaimer; I'd never heard of him before, I don't follow pop or listen to the radio. At least not music radio, WEEI is another matter. But I digress...

I've got recordings with Steve Jordan (drums), most notably with the Blues Brothers (yep, the movie...) and with Steve Kahn. I'm also somewhat familiar with Pino Palladino (bass). I figured, correctly, that a band with Steve Jordan and Pino Palladino ought to be pretty happening. The album is bluesy and rocking. In short a fun listen.

Eldar Djangirov — Eldar

Yeah I know, how can yet another recording by a child prodigy be any different that the others? This kid (he's only 18...) has the expected "chops for days." The recording boasts star players, John Patitucci and Michael Brecker (bass and tenor sax respectively). But where it's different is that Eldar is doing more than just the usual "here's my homework at break-neck tempo" soloing. You can hear him conversing with Brecker, drawing from a dizzying array of pianists (Tatum, Peterson, Tyner, Evans, and others...).

The opening track is sure to blow some listeners away and turn off others. Keep going though and I'm sure you'll find that there is much more to Eldar's musicianship to appreciate.

File under holy bleep!

shameless plug department...

tonight 9PM with Blueheaven
(call first, this might be a private party....)
Sit n' Bull Pub
163 Main Street
Maynard, MA
(978) 897-7232 or (978) 897-4663

world baseball classic? ho, hum...

Don't know about you but I just can't get excited about the WBC. I mean, honestly, we all know it's going to come down to USA vs DR, right? Does anyone really think that Tapei or Australia have a chance? Not to mention the fact that so many players have decided to blow it off—or in the case of those players who play for the Bronx Bombers, have been discouraged from attending. You know what though, I'd be lying if I didn't tell you that I'll probably tune for the championship game at Petco Park on the 20th.

Ultimately I think that Bud Selig and Tommy Lasorda may be all alone on this one. How many team owners and GMs are having sleepless nights with nightmares of possible injuries? I would guess 30—make that 29, none of the Yankees are going anyway. It'll be interesting to see how the major leaguers that actually play, hold up in August and September when that extra month of playing time will be a factor.

Come to think of it, with the crack down on greenies, we could see some pretty lackluster games come the dog days. Which brings me to my next point; how many people think that Bonds is skipping it due to the enhanced drug testing? it would be pretty embarrassing for a player to get expelled form the WBC only to play in the MLB a couple of weeks later. From what I understand players that have positive tests during the WBC are not subject to increased scrutiny or any consequences for that matter from MLB. Long, live the players union.

R.I.P. Curt Gowdy

Great article on boston.com about the legendary Red Sox announcer Curt Gowdy who very recently lost his fight with leukemia.

barry bonds claims he will retire after '06 season...or not???

evidently there are conflicting reports...if it's true it'll be interesting to see how the HOF voters respond in '12. I suspect that if he doesn't break the HR record he'll stick around. Interesting article on sportsmogul.com about HR's, they've statiscally adjusted for the steroid era. They don't try to figure out which players have or have not used steroids, rather they looked at HR totals overall and adjusted accordingly.

spring training is officially underway...

another 6 weeks until my wife relinquishes control of the tv remote