Quick observations on the week based on listening and viewing experiences:
1) Even superstar shows in arenas in which every moment is scripted can vary in quality night after night. As much as it seems like we get artists performing at about 75% effort most of the time, Garth Brooks made it clear during his five show run exactly how different - and more worthwhile - each show can be when a performer is giving their all.
2) When major labels were actually interested in supporting jazz divisions  in the late '80s-early '90s, they were guilty of falling into the trap of pushing musicians only if they were under the age of 25 or over 65. It left an awful lot of guys who landed in the middle scrambling to find gigs as sidemen. Now that the majors have shuttered or reduced jazz rosters, those cats who were making their debuts at the age of 24 are entering their 40s and scrambling for work. The fine trumpeter Marcus Printup, now 41 and a full-time member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, appears to playing it right, working with Wynton's big band and recording as a leader for the indie Steeplechase. But there's no sexy story here, just musicianship, and sadly not enough people are listening.
3) Having spent the weekend listening to a lot of free jazz, it seems startling that this subgenre has not found a way to become bigger players on the Internet.
4) Sunday is the biggest gambling day of the year and I have absolutely no confidence in either team covering. The over/under of 54 seems a bit high so if I were making small wager it would be on the under.
5) Peter Bogdanovich's 4 hour, 30 minute documentary on Tom Petty was so captivating I was sorry it ended. Perhaps he could make a film on Tom Waits. I have faith that Petty will be as good as Prince and part of that owes to the great Heartbreakers. Mike Campbell is as important to that band as Keith Richards is to his, but he just doesn't get enough acclaim.
In the week that just passed, I caught two acts, Garth Brooks and Ryan Adams, in three concerts. (90 shows and 277 acts to go).
On the stereo:         
Home: Spirit - "Clear," Jens Lenkman -"Oh You're So Silent Jens," Matthew Shipp & William Parker - "Free Zen Society," Sunny Murray Trio - "Live at Moers Festival," Art Ensemble of Chicago - "Urban Bushmen" disc 2, Imaad Wasif with Two Part Beast/Strange Hexes, Sara Bareilles - "Little Voice," Incredible String Band's first album, Super Furry Animals - "Hey Venus"
Car: Ryan Adams - "Easy Tiger," Shelby Lynne - "A Little Lovin'," Dusty Springfield - "Dusty in London"; Steve Jones' extensive interview with British graffiti artist Nick Walker