Today is a special Monday in <i>Stereophile</i> land. <a href="http://blog.stereophile.com/wesphillips/061206ja/">Today is JA's birthday</a>. Happy birthday, JA. Today is also Kristina Roman's first day with us.

James Brown at B.B. Kings in New York on Friday night. Big semi-crazed shows, what they used to call <I>revues</I>, like the one Brown brought to town are fast becoming a lost art. The band featured three horns, three drummers, four female backup singers called Bittersweet (two black, two white) and four guitar players all of whom were killer and all of whom played in widely diverse styles.

When we were enthusing about Dr. John and the Lower 911's concert at <A HREF="http://blog.stereophile.com/he2006/">HE2006</A&gt;, John Atkinson exclaimed, "I can't believe he played a tango!"

Interestingly enough, this essay is <I>by</I> a woman. Sheesh, obviously only a guy would be qualified to handle this question. No, wait a minute, I 'm a guy and even <I>I</I> know better than to try to answer that one.

It's Johnny's birthday<BR>It's Johnny's birthday<BR>And we would like to wish him all the very best<BR>It's Johnny's birthday<BR>It's Johnny's birthday<BR>And it's so nice to have you back to be our guest.<BR><I>George Harrison: <B>All Things Must Pass</B></I>

Belt buckle? Jimminy Christmas, Sweet Couture is selling cassette tape belt buckles. It's $10 for a "We pick," $15 for your favorite brand. They don't offer <I>my</I> fave, the TDK-MAXG, however&mdash;which is a shame, because $15 wouldn't be an unreasonable price for one of those bad boys.

Trying to convince your friends you're a time traveler? Folllow these, ahem, timely tips.