Due to a serious problem with my computer stemming from an Automatic windows update in which Microsoft sent me a file which acts as MalWare on my computer and they refused for the longest time to address the problem, costing me great amounts of money and time. In fact, it was evident from the rare replies I got (first one was nearly a week later, if I recall) that they didn't actually READ my fucking original message, which my 6 year old greatniece read and understood immediately.

Anyway, because of Microsoft's fuck-him-in-the-ass-as-hard-as-possible-with-a-spiked-club core value system, it took me over an hour to load your page, and when it finally came up and I started typing, it froze as I attempted to copy and paste what I'd written )which I do routinely because of Microsoft having fucked me really painfully repeatedly.

Did I mention that Microsoft REALLY REALLY REEAALLY fucked me over so badly with this file and their collective idiocy and MALICIOUS corporate policy (now I see what inspired Google 's "Don't Be Evil" core value)?

I finally got one person on their staff to understand the very simple cause of the problem and he is now helping me try to fix it, but it is millions of time harder since Microsoft fucked me hard with no lube for weeks, and the suggestions the only person on their support team with active brain cells and who gives a the first iota of a shit about customers are hard to implement since - and I MAY have mentioned this previously - Microsoft fucked me over really badly by automatically sending me a malicious file (not necessarily malicious all the time, but since I don't have the program it supports it fucks my PC up trying to work constantly and being unable to find an associated file) that now trying to do anything online takes even more excruciatingly long than usual with my snail-up dial-up webernet connection.

So, I can now finally get to the point after boring you some more with my plight. In case I failed to mention it previously, Microsoft sent me a file via Automatic Windows Update called "ATI Unified AVStream Driver" for which I don't have (nor need nor desire) the mother program, and it's fucked up my computer and they refused to help until they made damn sure they cost me lots of time and money.

Of course, I did get my company to discontinue using MS or its products and spend the $250,000 they had to revamp their computers on completely NON-MICROSOFT software(!!!! ) and instead go with a smaller private operating system developer (friend of mine I won't name here, but hopefully soon many will hear of him).

So, um, I DID have a point . . .

Oh yeah:

I came up with a new idea on how to decide what music on which to turn you (see- no dangling participle there!). I'm going to do a few shows from a particular genre (for now Prog Rock) and send you links for boots of stuff I'd guess you are unfamiliar but that I think you will like and should have in your collection.

I'll, FOR NOW, precede each one with an essay about the artist/performance/quality, etc., and you can decide if you want to download it and give it a listen.

If you'd rather, and IMO this'd be more fun, I could just send you links, and THEN send you the essay to read as you listen, or just before/after. That is, should you wish to trust my judgement and give\ everything a chance, that would be the way to go. I understand people have limited time and space, so if you'd rather me tell you a little about each one first via the essay format to aid you in deciding whether to download, I fully understand and will in no way be offended or hurt.

For now, here is the essay on this selection which I offer to you. The band's name is "If," and they could perhaps be called a fusion/prog band.If, Stockholm, Sweden, January 18, 1972

If the United States had jazz-rock outfits such as Chicago and Blood, Sweat And Tears, then the United Kingdom had the seminal If. Although, I personally find If to have far more influence from blues than did Chicago. Regardless, like the others, they mixed elements of psychedelic rock of the 60s with elements of jazz, and threw in something extra to create a sound of their own, planting them squarely in the lush garden known as Progressive Rock.

The members of this late '60s -early 70s group were Terry Smith (guitar), John Mealing (keyboards), JW Hodkinson (vocals), Jim Richardson (bass), Dick Morrissey (flute and saxes), Dave Quincy (saxes) and Dennis Elliot (drums). What stood out for If was that, as highlighted in the Wikipedia, they probably were the only jazz-rock group, both then and now, to feature solos by ALL the band members, not just by the lead instruments.

But then playing jazz-rock had its own problems - they were considered too jazzy when billed with groups with a more rock orientation and too bluesy or loud when billed with more jazz-oriented bands.

The show was recorded for Swedish radio, and all the parts shine through beautifully, with JW's vocals strong and moving.

John Mealing would later join The Strawbs while Dennis Elliot would be a part of the hugely-successful Foreigner. But in the late '60s and early '70s, If were definitely a jazz-rock group to be reckoned with.

Sadly, they have been largely overlooked by later prog rock and jazz rock aficionados.

If you listen to it and like it, they will live on in the ears of at least one new listener.

Hope you choose to check it out and may you enjoy it!

Let me know!

Oh, and here's the cover art:

thank you. I rarely watch videos online as it takes from 10 minutes to 3 hours to load a 3 to 5 minute video and more often than not it freezes or starts over before it finishes. I spent 2 and half weeks trying to watch on e song once and stopped doing it. That one only took 33 minutes to load, though.

That Eye of God Hubble pic is cool. I remember when NASA posted it as their pic of the day years ago (When I first olog on in a day my computer goes right to NASA's Pic Of The Day page). Of course, they didn't term it "Eye Of God," and it's actually a composite,not the nebula as it actually appears; the Eye of God moniker was an urban legend started by 'pious' webernet folk who wished to convince others of the existence of God through deception.

Still, it's a great pic, and cool song and video. Thanks!

I think next, by the way, I'll be sharing with you a concert by an African Prog Rock band called Osibisa.

*sigh* Rush.
hi sweetie

its always a good sigh with Rush!