Bullseye Records

06/02/2026

Benny Goodman is widely acknowledged as being the leader of the first racially integrated band back in the 30s. What a lot of "modern" jazz fans don't know is that he played more than old time swing and big band. He could play be-bop, too.

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06/01/2026

I grew up hearing "mainstream" 20th century classical music played by "pops" orchestras and didn't like it being pushed on me as serious music. After revisiting many of the pieces as I get older, I can more easily see the difference

Thanks to my mom and dad who may not have made a distinction between Copland and Gershwin.

If you want more exposure to classical music, whether is the pops, or the avante-garde, please feel free to reach out. Ask for help.

05/30/2026

💯

Truth!

05/30/2026

Okay, now I might need to fire up the open reel deck and give the credit card a little workout

05/29/2026

Charlie on Sonny...

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Charlie Watts on Sonny Rollins: "My love for Sonny goes back a long way. I would have been 15 or 16 when I first played his records, first with Max Roach and Clifford Brown, then his stuff with Miles, and then of course on his own. I first saw him in 1964 in the original Birdland club on 52nd Street, playing with a trio. To sit there and watch Sonny Rollins, my God! In those days he did this fantastic thing: he used to start playing in the dressing room with no band, then walk out and go around the stage, using the room to bounce the sound off. It was amazing. I'd never seen anyone do that.

"He was incredibly hip and looked fabulous, and he still does. We have the same tailor friend who makes our clothes in New York, and Sonny is still a very sharp man. He looks amazing. He's gone perfectly white in his beard and hair; it's like Samuel Beckett when he got old.

"I've been fortunate enough to get to know him a bit. Mick [Jagger] asked me about a tenor player for the Stones' Waiting on a Friend and I suggested Sonny. He did that song then wanted to have a go at another one, a real lairy rock'n'roll thing called Neighbours. He played great on it. It was an overdub, unfortunately, so we never played together. Probably just as well. My goodness, I'd sit there and think, 'bloody hell, what am I going to do here?'I'd feel like an impostor, because that's the highest company you can keep.

There are people who burn bright and fade quickly, and there are those who burn bright and keep going. You have to admire that. Sonny has never made a bad record – ever; some are simply greater than others.

The Guardian Interview
Photo: JOHN STODDART

05/28/2026

I was staring at my calendar last week, and I just couldn't make sense of the random word boards written on the 28th. It was clearly my handwriting, but I asked my wife anyways. Do you know why I wrote the word boards on this date?

She was stumped as was I. And then yesterday it hit me. Today is the day that Irving Place Records is hosting an early listening party for the new album by Boards of Canada. They are one of my favorite bands, and have not put out an album for 15 years, so it's kind of a big deal.

Maybe I will see you there around 6:00, if I can free up my schedule. But I am definitely looking forward to the new record.

05/27/2026

I discovered the Yardbirds albums very early in my life, and I never bothered following up with the solo careers of all the Hot shot guitarists that were in that band, cuz I'm just not that into '70s rock music.

But I am enjoying Jeff Beck's debut solo album truth right now. I can see why a bunch of '70s dudes turned into Jeff Beck fans without ever having heard the Yardbirds records.

And I'm saying that while being an ardent disliker of Rod Stewart's vocals which are all over this record.

05/27/2026

If I didn't know this album cover was from 1968, I might just assume it was some AI nonsense. I'm not sure what the heck is going on here, but the iron butterfly was definitely taking some drugs.

I had previously written them off as a novelty song one hit wonder. But I'm really enjoying this first album, and then I got their follow-up on deck.

05/27/2026

Of course you know this is Sade.

05/26/2026

Up for sale. Here is a Tascam DA-3000 high definition audio recorder. They retail new for $1,400. This one was used a few times by me a couple years back, and it makes fantastic sounding recordings. I just don't have a use for it anymore.

Ones from reputable sources regularly sell for $800. Even ones that are listed as is or for "parts only" seem to sell for $400. I think my asking price of $600 for a verified nice condition used one is a great deal. It is great for making 192 khz 24-bit DSD audio files.

Shoot me a message if you are interested, learning more about it or would like to buy it. If I don't hear from anybody in a couple weeks, I'll sell it online.