Pre-order update #3 May 31, 2008
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The release of the re-issue of “Soft Space” by The Jeff Lorber Fusion has been pushed back to June 24.
Wayman Tisdale’s “Rebound” comes out Tuesday. It will be shipped to me by Thursday at the latest.
Computer still not working! May 30, 2008
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When I got the computer back today, I was unable to operate the keyboard and mouse. This is because a different keyboard and mouse were used when re-installing Vista. Luckily, I’m under a 30-day warranty. So, the pending repair on Monday will be free. That’s when another technician will come back for the computer tower, as well as the keyboard and mouse. Hopefully I will be back in business, so to speak, by Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the external hard drives are back in the guest room and I’ll continue to use the computer in there. It’s my only option.
Computer repair update May 30, 2008
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The technician came yesterday afternoon and decided to bring the computer tower back to the repair center along with the four 1 GB memory DIMMs, which will be put in after all. At the same time, Windows Vista will have to be re-installed and the internal hard drive reformatted. As a result, all essential software will have to be re-installed.
A different technician will return with the tower later today. Then, it will be my job to re-install all the other software I added to the computer in the one year I’ve had it. Hopefully, I’ll have it back to normal by Monday.
David Benoit, “Heroes” May 29, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Personal.4 comments
I received “Heroes” yesterday, and after all the computer crashing craziness, I finally got around to listening to it early this morning. Here is my review per a thread on the Magic Island BBS:
Not only is [“Heroes”] a winner [as I referred to it in an earlier post], it is a grand slam! [David Benoit’s] covers are 1000x better than the original versions. Way to go, David…and also, David Hughes [bass], Jamey Tate [drums], Brad Dutz [percussion], Andy Suzuki [saxophone on “A Twisted Little Etude” and “Blue Rondo A La Turk”], and the Asia America Symphony [string quartet on “She’s Leaving Home”].
P.S. I prefer this “Heroes” over the namesake TV series. I’m sure some of you here [on the message boards] would beg to differ, but I digress.
Here are the tracks:
1. Mountain Dance (4:04)
Original artist: Dave Grusin
2. Human Nature (4:13)
Original artist: Michael Jackson
3. Your Song (3:49)
Original artist: Elton John
4. Light My Fire (4:00)
Original artists: The Doors
5. Never Can Say Goodbye (4:19)
Original artists: The Jackson 5
5/30 UPDATE: So far, I am hooked on this song.
6. She’s Leaving Home (3:36)
Original artists: The Beatles
7. Song For My Father (3:23)
Original artist: Horace Silver
8. You Look Good To Me (2:57)
Original artist: Oscar Peterson
9. Waltz For Debbie (5:03)
Original artist: Bill Evans
“Debbie” was originally spelled “Debby” by Bill. David also covered this on “This Side Up” in 1985.
10. A Twisted Little Etude (2:30)
Original artist: David Benoit.
This is the lone original track. It is a tribute to Dave Brubeck, which leads us to…
11. Blue Rondo A La Turk (5:00)
Original artist: Dave Brubeck
If I got any of the original artists wrong, let me know and I will make the necessary corrections.
Desktop broken, too. May 29, 2008
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Today, my desktop computer was the latest to break on me. Early yesterday afternoon, Windows Vista Service Pack 1 was automatically downloaded and installed. At the same time, I installed two new 1 GB memory DIMMs. Then, the computer crashed on me with the Blue Screen of Death appearing followed by an automatic restart. Thinking that the new memory was the problem, I took the DIMMs out and put the old 512 MB ones back in. The crashing continued every time I tried to start up or a few minutes after start-up.
A computer technician is coming by later today (Thursday, which started 10 minutes ago as I write). Hopefully, they’ll fix the problem. Wish me luck.
Meanwhile, I moved my three external hard drives to the guest room computer, which I’m on right now. It’s a good thing I decided to rely primarily on external drives a few years ago and also good that we have a second computer in the house.
New blog header May 26, 2008
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I’ve updated the header for this blog. I made it in Adobe Photoshop 7.0. It’s a mixture of the original header and a picture of me at my computer (with the opacity at 75%):
I’ll update this header whenever I take a new picture of myself. Let me know what you think of this one.
It’s based on the headers I’ve had at mikechimeri.com, which I refer to as “wallpaper.”
New old laptop broken May 24, 2008
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I broke the Toughbook last night trying to put in the 1 GB memory card. Since then, the computer will turn on, but won’t boot and is stuck on until the battery runs out. It ran out some time this morning. I e-mailed Panasonic customer support for their help, but what is more likely to happen is I will buy a new laptop from Dell. That was my original plan before my dad gave me the Toughbook.
P.S. Al Turner’s “Movin'” sounds great.
Pre-order update #2 May 22, 2008
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The release date for Nick Colionne’s “Off Limits” album has been pushed to July 8.
David Benoit’s “Heroes” comes out Tuesday and I should get it Wednesday or Thursday.
Yellowjackets’ “Lifecycle” sounds good so far. I’ll listen to Al Turner’s “Movin'” once I complete “Lifecycle.”
Pre-order update May 17, 2008
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For some reason, my copy of “The Jeff Lorber Fusion” was shipped early and I received it today. Having heard it, the audio quality is a big improvement over the LP. The bonus track, “Poppin’,” originally only available on a limited edition LP, was excellent.
My Al Turner and Yellowjackets CDs come out Tuesday and should be shipped right away.
5/20 UPDATE: The two CDs shipped today and will arrive tomorrow, as will that 7-port USB hub.
New old laptop May 17, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Personal, Technology.add a comment
I’m late in posting this information, but Tuesday night, my dad handed down his old laptop to me. I now own the Panasonic Toughbook CF-29. I’ve gradually been making it into my own ever since, getting rid of most of the software my dad had on there and installing software that I’m comfortable with and is up to date. I bought an additional 1 GB (gigabyte) of memory yesterday, which should arrive some time next week. I also bought a 7-port USB hub. (The laptop only comes with one USB port and no firewire port.) That way, I can plug in more gadgets if I bring the laptop on the road.
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