“Dad Side” reading/listening complete! December 9, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Audiobooks, Books, Personal.add a comment
Moments ago (4:42 PM EST), I completed reading and listening to “Tales from the Dad Side” by Steve Doocy. As I said on Thanksgiving night, it took two months (just over two months, actually) to complete “A Bold, Fresh Piece of Humanity” by Bill O’Reilly. I ate up “Dad Side” (so to speak) in just under two weeks! Precisely, twelve days.
Now, if I could just finish reading “The Power of Body Language” by body language expert Tonya Reiman. I started that in January, but never finished it. If it had an accompanying audiobook, I probably would have finished it by March. To give you an idea of how long it’s been since I started, the book comes out in paperback this month! If that isn’t reason enough to hurry up and finish reading my hardcover copy, I don’t know what is.
Cablevision adds CNBC HD, but not FBN. December 5, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Media, Personal, Sports, TV.2 comments
On Tuesday, Cablevision added four more HD channels to their lineup. The key add among them was CNBC HD. This flies in the face of customers like me that have been lobbying for the Fox Business Network to be added. I’ve been as vocal as I can be since a week before FBN debuted in SD (standard definition) and HD (high definition) on October 15, 2007.
Originally, I was going to say more, but I decided to hold back.
The other channels added were also under the NBC Universal umbrella: Bravo HD, SCI FI HD, and USA HD. This means that next year, I’ll be able to watch early rounds of the tennis U.S. Open in HD.
From the press release linked above:
Bravo HD (iO TV channel 745) offers Bravo’s critically acclaimed arts and entertainment programming devoted to the food, fashion, design, beauty and pop culture genres including critically acclaimed series “Top Chef 5,” “Top Design 2,” Shear Genius 2,” “Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style 2” and “The Real Housewives of New York City 2.” CNBC HD+ (channel 771) has become the essential service for the investor, providing all the elements of CNBC with greater levels of information equipping the viewer with more tools necessary to make investment decisions. SCI FI HD (channel 748 ) continues to fuel the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies, and classic science fiction and fantasy programming including “Sanctuary,” “Stargate Atlantis,” “Battlestar Galactica,” “Ghost Hunters” and “Eureka.” USA HD (channel 738 ) is the #1-rated television network in all of basic cable for the past three years. USA offers hit original series and feature movies, sports and entertainment events, off-net television shows and blockbuster theatrical films. Hit original series include: Emmy-winning “Monk;” Friday night comedy “Psych; #1-rated cable show of summer, “Burn Notice;” the #1-rated new show of the summer “In Plain Sight;” and the Emmy-winning series “The Starter Wife.”
2/13/09 UPDATE: After getting a comment to this post, I noticed that the “8” and “)” became a sunglasses emoticon: 8)
I’ve added a space between the two characters to fix that problem.
11/19/09 UPDATE: FBN has finally come to Cablevision!
“Bold, Fresh” reading/listening complete! November 27, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Audiobooks, Books, Personal.add a comment
It took me two months of reading and listening on and off, but tonight, I finally completed “A Bold, Fresh Piece of Humanity” by Bill O’Reilly.
Next up for me, “Tales from the Dad Side” by Steve Doocy.
4,000 views! November 23, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Personal, Technology.2 comments
Today, this blog had its 4,000th view! Thank you to all that visited from April 15 to today. Next stop, 5,000.
New blog header November 19, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Personal.add a comment
It’s been four months since I’ve changed the blog header, but I changed it today:
Another 200+ game! November 18, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Bowling, Personal, Video Games.add a comment
Only nine days after my 219 in Wii Bowling, I bowled another game in the 200s. This time, a 234!
Here’s a vidcap from after the game:
It’s a vidcap this time because the Wii was in a different room and was connected to a standard-definition (SD) tube TV. I tried taking pictures of that TV, but didn’t like how they came out. So, I grabbed one of my two VCRs that I use for capturing video to my computer, along with a tape. Then, I recorded video to use for making a vidcap, which is displayed above.
And since I bought an extra 5 GB of space earlier tonight, I’m now able to upload videos to WordPress without having to go through YouTube. So, here’s the video I recorded from the VCR:
Finally, a new post! November 16, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Audiobooks, Books, Bowling, Jazz, Media, Personal, Technology, TV, Video Games.3 comments
I have not posted anything to my blog in a week and a half. So, let’s get a few things out of the way:
1. Last Saturday afternoon, I went to the Barnes & Noble in Carle Place for a book signing and discussion event. The author was Steve Doocy, co-host of “Fox & Friends,” the Fox News Channel’s daily morning show. The book is “Tales from the Dad Side.” I had purchased the unabridged audiobook on Amazon a few weeks earlier, but I bought the book itself before I went up to the discussion area.
When it was my turn to have my book signed, a female employee was nice enough to take a picture of Steve and me:
It was a pleasure to meet him in person. Thank you very much, Steve.
2. Last Saturday night, I bowled another 200+ game playing Wii Sports’ Bowling for Nintendo Wii. You may remember back on August 31, I bowled a 257. On this night, I wasn’t able to match that score, but I did come close: 219. Here’s the final scorecard, as seen from a picture of the TV taken after the game:
3. Though I had said in early June that my computer was working and “back to normal,” nothing could have been further from the truth. The blue screens of death (BSODs) continued, becoming a matter-of-fact occurrence. I would get at least one per day. On some days, I would get up to four BSoDs! I mistakenly believed they were the result of my NVIDIA nForce Serial ATA drivers not working with Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 1. Then, in mid-October, it finally hit me: it’s faulty memory causing the BSoDs. That’s what I get for buying four discounted 1 GB (gigabyte) memory DIMMs in late May. I replaced two of them with Dell DIMMs after ordering them from the Dell website. They were made exclusively for my computer, a Dell Dimension E521, based on my Service Tag. I have not had a blue screen since installing them (knock on wood).
4. Since my last pre-order update, I’ve ordered a few more CDs:
Tom Scott, “Desire” (Wounded Bird; re-release)
David Benoit, “Jazz For Peanuts” (Peak)
Kim Waters, “I Want You: Love In The Spirit Of Marvin” (Shanachie)
Saxophonist Tom Scott’s “Desire” was originally released in 1982 on Elektra, but was re-released on October 14. The tracks on the album are: the title track (re-recorded on “Them Changes” in 1990), “Sure Enough,” “The Only One,” “Stride,” “Johnny B. Badd,” “Meet Somebody,” “Maybe I’m Amazed,” and “Chunk O’ Funk.” I’m hooked on “Stride,” and also like “Chunk O’ Funk” and “Johnny B. Badd.”
“Jazz For Peanuts” was released on October 29. Six of the tracks were newly recorded by David Benoit:
- “You’re in Love, Charlie Brown” (Vince Guaraldi); This track features horn player Christian Scott on trumpet.
- “The Great Pumpkin Waltz” (Vince Guaraldi)
- “Wild Kids” (re-recording of track from “Urban Daydreams” in 1989); This track features pianist Taylor Eigsti. 2:16 into the song, David and Taylor kick into a lively improv section. Like Tom Scott’s “Stride,” I’m hooked on this section.
- “Be My Valentine” (Vince Guaraldi)
- “Rollerblading”; This track also features Christian Scott.
- “Re-Run’s Theme”
The non-Benoit tracks were:
- Wynton Marsalis Septet – “The Buggy Ride” (unreleased, recorded for “This is America, Charlie Brown: The Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk”)
- Dave Brubeck – “Benjamin” (from “Happy Anniversary, Charlie Brown!” in 1989; recorded for “This is America, Charlie Brown: The NASA Space Station”)
- Kenny G – “Breadline Blues” (from “Happy Anniversary, Charlie Brown!” in 1989; recorded for “This is America, Charlie Brown: The Smithsonian and the Presidency”)
- Vince Guaraldi [Trio] – “Linus and Lucy” (from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” in 1965)
Kim Waters’ “I Want You: Love In The Spirit Of Marvin” was also released on October 29. I just got this in the mail today. So, it’s too soon for me to review it. But I like the instrumental tracks I’ve heard so far. The “Marvin” is the late, great Marvin Gaye.
5. Tomorrow, I turn 27 years old (or young).
I think that covers everything that needs to be covered for now. Hopefully, it won’t be another week and a half until the next post.
Ken Navarro interview feedback November 5, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Interviews, Jazz, Personal, Radio.add a comment
Last night, Ken Navarro left a comment on Facebook to my picture of me and him at during the meet-and-greet following April’s Smooth Jazz for Scholars concert. Not only was he complimentary of the picture, but he had positive feedback about our October 18 interview:
FYI – I posted links to both parts of our interview on the home page of my web site and I have had a lot of emails from people telling me how much they enjoyed it. I still can’t get over how you spotted the “Try Again” intro sample showing up in “On My Way To Somewhere”. You’ve got good ears my man…
The interview was indeed posted on his homepage (screencap with circle from me below)…
…and on his media page (screencap with circle from me below):
I am so proud to learn that so many people have written to Ken expressing how much they enjoyed our interview. It makes all that work conducting the interview on September 26, editing the interview in the days that followed, and airing the final cut on October 18 worth it. Thank you very much to all of you, and once again, to Ken.
Guitars & Saxes 2008 concert recap October 26, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Music, Personal.3 comments
Click here for my recap of the Guitars and Saxes Smooth Cruise in August 2010.
On a very windy, very rainy Saturday night, I attended the 9:30 concert for Guitars & Saxes at the IMAC in Huntington. This was the very last stop for their 2008 tour. And since it was the second of two shows that night, it was the very last concert.
The headliners were:
Peter White on guitar #1…
Jeff Golub on guitar #2…
Gerald Albright on saxophone #1…
…and Jeff Lorber on a pair of keyboards.
Though not a headliner, the woman on saxophone #2, a rapidly rising star in contemporary jazz, is a headliner to me: Jessy J!
Rounding out the band, Nate Phillips on bass…
…and Rayford Griffin on drums.
Here was the set list:
(Nate and Rayford performed on all songs.)
Introductory medley:
1a. Tune 88 (Jeff Lorber)
Original heard on: “Water Sign,” 1979 (with The Jeff Lorber Fusion); “Flipside,” 2005
Featured musicians: Jeff Lorber, Jessy J
1b. Promenade (Peter White)
Original heard on: “Promenade,” 1993
Featured musicians: Peter White, Jeff Lorber, Jessy J
1c. Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I Got) (Jeff Golub; Four Tops cover)
Original heard on: “Grand Central,” 2007
Featured musicians: Jeff Golub, Peter White, Jeff Lorber, Jessy J
1d. To the Max (Gerald Albright)
Original heard on: “Kickin’ It Up,” 2004
Featured musicians: Gerald Albright, Jeff Lorber, Peter White, Jeff Golub, Jessy J
2. Rehab (Jeff Lorber; Amy Winehouse cover)
Originally heard on: “Heard That,” 2008
Featured musicians: Jeff Lorber, Gerald Albright, Peter White, Jeff Golub, Jessy J
Jeff’s version is much, much better than the original (which I would never listen to since I’m not an Amy Winehouse fan). The song featured a lively call and response section, as all featured musicians called (musically, of course) to Jeff and he responded.
3. Who’s That Lady (Peter White; Isley Brothers cover)
Originally heard on: “Glow,” 2001
Featured musicians: Peter White, Jeff Lorber, Jessy J; Jeff Golub joined in later
This song initially featured Jessy J on bongos:
Then, we segued into “Oye Como Va,” a Tito Puente cover (notably covered by Santana), and Jessy moved to flute:
As stated above, Jeff Golub joined in for this part:
4. Dangerous Curves (Jeff Golub)
Originally heard on: “Dangerous Curves,” 2000
Featured musicians: Jeff Golub, Gerald Albright, Jeff Lorber, Jessy J
5. My, My, My (Gerald Albright; Johnny Gill cover)
Originally heard on: “Dream Come True,” 1990
Featured musicians: Gerald Albright, Jeff Lorber, Jeff Golub, Peter White, Jessy J
The picture of Gerald when introducing the players was taken during “My, My, My.” This song featured background vocals from Rayford Griffin (not pictured), Peter White, Jessy J (both below)…
…and Jeff Lorber.
It also featured two big solos by Gerald. The latter solo mellowed to the point where he merely blew air into his saxophone’s reed. It was very close to beatboxing. A few players prompted the audience to snap their fingers to the beat. Then, Gerald resumed generating notes from the sax and the song was completed.
Next, the lone song by Jessy J, seen here addressing the audience:
6. Tequila Moon (Jessy J)
Originally heard on: “Tequila Moon,” 2008
Featured musicians: Jessy J, Peter White, Jeff Lorber
7. Naked City (Avenue Blue, Jeff Golub’s former group)
Originally heard on: “Naked City,” 1996
Featured musicians: Jeff Golub, Jeff Lorber
The picture off Jeff Golub from the player introduction was taken during this song.
8. Bueno Funk (Peter White)
Originally heard on: “Glow,” 2001
Featured musicians: Peter White, Jeff Golub, Jeff Lorber, Jessy J
Initially, Jessy went back to the bongos, as you see in the upper-right portion of this picture:
Then, Jessy brought out the sunglasses…
…as Peter played the opening riff from the “James Bond Theme”…
…before switching back to “Bueno Funk,” featuring an organ solo from Jeff Lorber (or “J-Lo,” as Gerald refers to him) and a return to the sax for Jessy.
The picture of Rayford Griffin from the player introduction was taken during a drum solo for this song, which ended on the opening melody from Deep Purple’s “Smoke On The Water.”
9. Surreptitious (Jeff Lorber)
Originally heard on: “He Had a Hat,” 2007
Featured musicians: Jeff Lorber, Jeff Golub, Gerald Albright, Jessy J
10. Georgia On My Mind (Gerald Albright; Hoagy Carmichael cover; Ray Charles, best known cover of it)
Originally heard on: “Live At Birdland West,” 1991; “New Beginnings,” 2006
Featured musicians: Gerald Albright, Jeff Golub, Jeff Lorber, Peter White, Jessy J
After a few minutes, the tempo and energy picked up with solos from all featured musicians.
That was the last song of the set, but shows like this rarely end without an encore.
After a 20-to-30-second standing ovation under darkness, the band returned to the stage:
And this was the encore song:
11. Cut The Cake (Jeff Golub; Average White Band cover)
Originally heard on: “Do It Again,” 2002
Featured musicians: Jeff Golub, Gerald Albright, Peter White, Jeff Lorber, Jessy J
This featured a Nate Phillips bass solo, which is where his player introduction picture came from.
Rayford Griffin, Gerald Albright, and Jessy J provided brief background vocals.
And that was it; concert over, tour over.
What a way to close things out.
During the meet-and-greet, I got to catch up with Gerald, Peter, and Jeff Lorber, and meet Jeff Golub and Jessy. Here I am with all five:
And here’s a picture Gerald shot of Jessy and me:
Before we said goodbye and I wished her best of luck, she told me to check out her blog, which doubles as a vlog (video log). I told her I would do so the next day because I was worn out after that concert, as we all were. I’m a man of my word; I checked it out once I turned my computer on after I got up on Sunday (the day this post is dated). It’s quite interesting. It almost inspires me to start vlogging. We’ll see.
Meanwhile, I hoped you enjoyed this recap, which turned out to be as detailed as my Smooth Jazz for Scholars recap back six months ago. (Six months ago already? Boy, time flies.) As that recap was, this one, too, was a labor of love.
By the way, once I left IMAC around midnight, the rain had tapered off, the winds had died down, and the sky began to clear.
Guitars & Saxes tonight at IMAC October 25, 2008
Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Personal.1 comment so far
Tonight, the 2008 incarnation of Guitars & Saxes will be performing at the IMAC (Inter-Media Art Center) in Huntington, New York.
The headliners are Gerald Albright on sax (and probably bass on a song or two) (10/26 UPDATE: no bass), Peter White and Jeff Golub on the respective guitars, and Jeff Lorber on keyboards. Though not a headliner, Jessy J, the second saxophonist, should not be discounted. She is a rising star in contemporary jazz.
I have the good fortune of seeing all five musicians, plus the other players, when I attend the 9:30 concert. As I typically say before going anywhere or attending anything, I hope I have a good time. And hopefully, I’ll plenty of pictures to share. Wish me luck.
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