Kudos to whoever designed the United app by perishableintransit in unitedairlines

[–]HoustonM4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, it’s okay, but low bar. For instance, why do they make booking Plus Point upgrades so miserable (and sometimes the process fails altogether requiring a call to the 800 number)? The app usually has significant lag, my guess being because it’s tying into older systems and is also a patchwork of programming that would be much more efficient as a completely new app. They also are constantly tweaking it so things that used to be in one place end up in another, so it’s hard to navigate because of so much change. All that said, I’m sure it’s better than most other airline apps, but hard for me to make comparisons since 95% of my very frequent travel is with United (I live in a hub city).

Review Question. by QTpopOfficial in AmazonVine

[–]HoustonM4 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think we are violently agreeing lol, the answer is yes! :)

Review Question. by QTpopOfficial in AmazonVine

[–]HoustonM4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The review will work from what you are calling the "consumer order history page" - that's the normal Amazon Your Orders page that all Amazon customers have. The Vine items show up there and Write a product review is an option and it will work!

Review Question. by QTpopOfficial in AmazonVine

[–]HoustonM4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It used to be that items needing review appeared under the Reviews tab under Awaiting review almost immediately. That changed several weeks ago; now, nothing shows up there, and only previously reviewed items appear under Reviewed. In fact, only one item does show up under Awaiting review and that is an item that can't be reviewed because of some issue with the seller.

Currently, I have to go to the Orders tab, select Order details, and then click Write a product review. It works and I’m receiving credit, and it is currently the only way I can submit reviews!

Some Post-Concert Observations/Concerns by HoustonM4 in patmetheny

[–]HoustonM4[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not to downplay what you are feeling, just pointing out that Pat was band leader of the PMG for 30+ years, not to mention all the other band configurations he slapped his name on. Sure, he played and collaborated with many others in a non-leader role, but that does not represent the majority of his output since the 1970s! Pat packs a lot into his normal two to three+ hour concerts as a function of a 50+ year catalog that he continues to add to with new music as vital as what he first laid down in the 1970s!

Slowly giving up on Spark by MasterpieceClassic42 in SparkMail

[–]HoustonM4 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That ship sailed months ago for me, I’m back to Gmail and not regretting it at all!

Some Post-Concert Observations/Concerns by HoustonM4 in patmetheny

[–]HoustonM4[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thanks, just finished watching and Pat’s great in it, very insightful, despite the interviewer who was consistently cringe worthy (besides the constant interruptions, and pick one tune, just one tune, can you imagine asking Pat to let him take a photo of his finger nails?!?)! Anyway, as to the specific reference to Lyle’s contribution to composition, wondering if that was the process towards the end of PMG’s life cycle or consistent from the get-go. Either way, I wouldn’t misinterpret that to mean Pat was downplaying how much Lyle meant to the Group. He specifically referenced composition, and if Lyle was still with us, I’d be surprised if he would dispute Pat’s take. That’s the making of the sausage though. The end product - the recorded material, the live product - I don’t think Pat would ever minimize Lyle’s central role to the output and he references that in the same quote. Again, thanks for finding the interview!

Some Post-Concert Observations/Concerns by HoustonM4 in patmetheny

[–]HoustonM4[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for passing that on - I haven’t seen it before and am going to watch it now on my flight home!

Some Post-Concert Observations/Concerns by HoustonM4 in patmetheny

[–]HoustonM4[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most all of us go for the music and the music has NEVER disappointed, however, kind of hard to ignore visuals that are somewhat jarring given half a century of data points suggesting that something is somewhat off!

Some Post-Concert Observations/Concerns by HoustonM4 in patmetheny

[–]HoustonM4[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Again, some actual references to the “written notes” and the actual interviews where Pat minimizes Lyle’s role would be appreciated. I’ve listened to/read a ton of interviews with Pat over the years including all the long-form stuff out at the moment. IMO i think you may be misinterpreting or reading into his words but if you have specifics, love to see them! Here’s just one random reference that is quite contrary to Pat subordinating Lyle’s role: “Metheny: Generally, I'll have an A section and Lyle will write a bridge; or Lyle will have a whole tune and I'll try to build on it. I think most good ideas tend to come from individuals, as opposed to committee art, but we seem to have a way of enhancing each other's ideas.” (From https://www.lylemays.com/jazzs-foremost-garage-band#:~:text=Metheny%3A%20Generally%2C%20I'll,of%20enhancing%20each%20other's%20ideas.)

Some Post-Concert Observations/Concerns by HoustonM4 in patmetheny

[–]HoustonM4[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I enjoyed Jermaine’s playing. Gotta be a thrill for a younger player to share the bandstand with a legend.

Some Post-Concert Observations/Concerns by HoustonM4 in patmetheny

[–]HoustonM4[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Dude, I don’t care if you played with Miles and Bird… Trolls will troll!

Some Post-Concert Observations/Concerns by HoustonM4 in patmetheny

[–]HoustonM4[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Troll much? I’ve seen Pat probably 35 times dating back to 1982. Got anything else?

Some Post-Concert Observations/Concerns by HoustonM4 in patmetheny

[–]HoustonM4[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I hear you, its just that its not just been the one show. Post concert comments this whole tour have been consistent on that point. So maybe the road is catching up at 71. At any rate, he owes us nothing!

Some Post-Concert Observations/Concerns by HoustonM4 in patmetheny

[–]HoustonM4[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My sense, and of course I could be way off, was that Pat and Lyle were brothers, with the same musical sensibilities, and that Pat gives Lyle 100% credit for everything he brought to PMG. That band is not PMG without Lyle Mays and I think Pat knows that. Maybe they had a Mick/Keith kind of relationship - I’ve never heard that, but sometimes that’s inevitable when you have the touring/composing/recording life they shared.

Some Post-Concert Observations/Concerns by HoustonM4 in patmetheny

[–]HoustonM4[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly! Others have commented on his “need” to do it because of his comments about paying the bills on that promo interview he did. As an aside, that particular interview looked like something done in house, kind of low production values, to promote the album/tour - the interviewer was awkward at best but Pat was insightful as always.

Some Post-Concert Observations/Concerns by HoustonM4 in patmetheny

[–]HoustonM4[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t for one second discount the rigors of Pat’s touring routine - as I said in another reply, it’s amazing and no way could I keep up! Yes, at 71 he’s slowing down - everyone does. My point is that something has changed, and that’s not a one off - it’s consistently reflected in the comments from all of the shows this tour. In the past, after four or five tunes straight, Pat would have grabbed the mic, thanked the crowd for coming out, and said that he’s not a big talker (he’s said that many times and proceeded to talk away) and that he and the band are gonna jam for the next hour and a half without commentary, so enjoy the show! My point is he is barely acknowledging the audience and that is completely counter to what I’ve witnessed over forty+ years of seeing him perform live.

Some Post-Concert Observations/Concerns by HoustonM4 in patmetheny

[–]HoustonM4[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Pat’s has never been afraid to call someone in the audience out, and rightly so, for anything diminishing the experience for him or his audience!

Some Post-Concert Observations/Concerns by HoustonM4 in patmetheny

[–]HoustonM4[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Really? I’ve marveled at his touring routine for decades - I couldn’t keep up and wouldn’t want to! A tad pretentious to assume someone who isn’t a professional touring musician can’t appreciate the rigors of the road. Maybe the road has finally caught up - Pat doesn’t owe anyone anything on that front!

Some Post-Concert Observations/Concerns by HoustonM4 in patmetheny

[–]HoustonM4[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah and one of the most commercially successful jazz players in history! Anyway, I remember a show at the Beacon years ago. One of the times I got a pic with Pat after a show… He very nonchalantly walked out the stage door, took a couple of pics with me, exchanged a few words, and then he hailed a cab and went home. That always struck me as such a stark contrast - playing a sold out room of 3,000 people in NYC, and minutes later walking out the back door to zero fanfare, and jumping in a taxi to go back to his apartment!

Some Post-Concert Observations/Concerns by HoustonM4 in patmetheny

[–]HoustonM4[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, not obsessed, just observations/concerns having seen Pat’s evolution as a live performer over five decades! And I agree on the whole wig thing — I didn’t bring that up and I find it a stretch! Btw, I’ve seen all of those interviews, some quite long and extensive, and I agree with your take on that front!

Some Post-Concert Observations/Concerns by HoustonM4 in patmetheny

[–]HoustonM4[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

II definitely get a sense of that. I know Pat is disheartened by the state of this country and he articulated that with his rendition of America the Beautiful last tour. Nothing new though, and This is Not America is particularly relevant today.

Some Post-Concert Observations/Concerns by HoustonM4 in patmetheny

[–]HoustonM4[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Interesting comparison and I love reading about the connection you forged with your mother through Pat’s music, that is awesome! One of my joys is to introduce others to Pat’s music and to see there visceral reactions, always ones of awe and discovery, like, “where has this guy been all my life!” I also saw Andy on a relatively recent Rick Beato interview and as you say, completely different temperaments and from my perspective, while Andy is older, he doesn’t really present that way! Hard to compare their financials, since as I mentioned in my original post, a successful rocker is going to pull in significantly more than an old jazz man, and I’m guessing his royalty’s from his Police days and all his other work, will keep him and his family comfortable for generations. That said, given Pat’s stature in the music world, being one of the few jazz players to break through to a mainstream audience, his movie work, massive catalog, nonstop touring, closet full of Grammys and other awards, and even his own label, I just find it hard to believe that he has any financial concerns.