Folded thought of the day:

We're hitting some nerves down here Below the Fold.  And we're 
just getting started (oohh, a hush and chill runs through the 
hearts and down the spines of conformity-purveyors everywhere).  

As you know, this is an area where we can all share our 
thoughts/frustrations/hopes...  not just an area where I 
rant and you listen -- although I certainly enjoy stepping 
on this stage every morning, doing my best to give you a 
chuckle or something to think about.  But allow me to step 
back behind the curtain for a moment and share a few reader 
responses to yesterday's jazz riff.  

"real jazz is a joy and an experience unlike any other!  In the 
coming months we have nothing to fear from the likes of y2k, end 
of days and all that... stuff.  The real danger will come 
from a bunch of self important 'plastic' yuppies unable to feel, 
think, dance, sing or create. They be busy worrying if they turned 
off their cell phones!"  -- Chuck

"some take their reservations to the limit of pains in our royal 
@#&*$, how dare they desecrate our rights of freedom to sway to 
the rhythm of our inner feeling.... they should maybe create a 
non-rhapsody section and when they arrive the retinue can 
seat them all there together.....and leave the rest of us to 
reverberate amongst ourselves..." -- Scarlettcamelot!

"While stationed in Europe, I was lucky enough to somehow get 
caught up in the great revolving jazz scene in Germany.  Jazz 
was and still is my passion...  I love those memories, I love 
the fact that I got to be both audience and participant.  But in 
those days  (70's & 80's and before) the crowd always participated 
and were actually a large part of what jazz is....a celebration of 
hearts, souls, passions.  There was no separation of people and 
players, or D.J.'s for that matter.  No one was ever alone when 
sitting in on a jazz set, or just listening to some good spins.  
Because everybody joined in the fun, even with blues."
-- D. Martin    

"I concur with your assessment.  The feigned shushing was but the 
attempted seriousness of a neophyte 'attempting' to be inspired 
by mediocre music.  As one who has sat among the many -- since a 
child -- who has been truly inspired by the giants, I will attest 
that an alive room with them was ANYTHING but quiet.  Even when a 
ballad is being played in its quietest interlude, the interaction 
between artist and audience is apparent.  Phrases like: 'Go 'head 
on!!,' 'Show it all to me, Baby!,' 'Show 'nuff?!,' 'Ya bettah watch 
out, now!' would ring throughout the hall.  It was classical 
communication between artist and aficionado."  -- NCAPANTHER


Cool!... let's here it for those Fold'ers.  

It kinda comes down to simple questions like "How did we get 
from Charlie Parker to Kenny G?"  Or "How did we get from 
Al Green to Michael Bolton?"  (Do you have any idea how hard 
it is for me to type those names in the same sentence?)  

Go out and make some noise today.  Talk to yourself, dance 
in the streets, sing, shout... Make 'em "shh" you.  Don't 
be rude, just answer to the music inside and let go...