“Tales from the Hudson,” released in 1996, stands out in Michael Brecker’s discography. The album showcases Brecker’s virtuosic saxophone work and gathers some of the most influential jazz musicians of the time. This star-studded lineup, filled with my all-time favorite musicians, is one of the album’s features that sets it apart.

My wife and I went to see Marcin Wasilewski Trio last Saturday night. It was a small place - Paderewski Symphony Orchestra Academy of Music. We had never heard of the place; it seemed like a small private school affiliated with the Orchestra. Everyone there - everyone - spoke Polish. The entire audience seemed to know each other, and we did not hear a word of English from the crowd. We both loved the show, and I could not have asked more of a group I had wished to see live for a long time.

I have argued for a long time that 1978 was the greatest year in popular music. There are so many reasons way.

We will never figure it all out. We will never find a place where we agree with everything inside some organization, or some faith, or some group of people. We will never know it all in some subject, or with some skill, or in a profession. You’ll never fully understand your partner or your children. You can never read all the books and learn all the skills. You will never feel like you have arrived.

Which bands or artists have had a string of 3 or more perfect albums in a row? This is good dinner or car trip discussion material. The fun is in how you define "perfect" of course. Once you have that defined for yourself then you can just go create your list.

One of these videos is from 1970 at Isle of Wight Festival, and the other from just a few days ago when Joni Mitchel performed a surprise 13-song set at the Newport Jazz Festival with the support of many well-wishers and performers. If you know of her at all, I’m soon you have seen the videos of her set at Newport, they are everywhere right now.

Listen to this song sung on stage at both sides of her life and career.

More evidence that 1978 may have been the greatest year in Pop/Rock music history. Sure, there are some cringe worthy things that came out of the 70’s but this is not one of them. I’ll fight anyone who disagrees. I mean just look at the joy these bearded-post-hippie well-dressed men have clapping at each other while turning in a circle. That is the feeling of knowing they are making a song that just brings happiness to the world.