EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO THIS WEEK... BUT NEVER CARED ENOUGH TO ASK!

1. The new Cassandra Wilson record on Blue Note, "Thunderbird," is damn good. Look for it April 4!

2. Tony watched the Knicks wear green uniforms on St. Patrick's Day. They actually won, too.

3. Sal spent St. Patrick's Day traveling to his spiritual homeland, New Orleans, for the first time since Hurricane Katrina. Hasn't said much since his return. And for the first time, this is not a good thing.

4. Tony obtained a bottle of authentic, illegal-in-the-USA absinthe, and has not gone insane or had hallucinations. Yet.

5. ARTIST TO CHECK OUT: Algerian punk/techno/world music genius Rachid Taha. Our favorite is 2000's Made In Medina, although his most recent one, 2004's Tekitoi, is excellent too.

6. RIDICULOUSLY LARGE AND EXPENSIVE BOX SET OF THE WEEK: Nat King Cole's Complete Capitol Recordings 1955-59. 11 CDs, on Bear Family. Tony refuses to eat solids until his copy arrives.

7. Sal saw the Allman Bros. on opening night of March Madness at the Beacon, and on March 20 as well. The band is as hot as ever. Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks never fail to astound. Neither does their 225 year old drummer, Jaimoe. CAVEAT EMPTOR: Whatever you wear to the show, prepare to burn it once you get home.

8. The new Prince record, 3121, is getting better with every listen, unlike the overrated Musicology, which got worse with every listen.

9. While in New Orleans, Sal saw an acoustic show by Lucinda Williams which was great, but not as amazing as her opening act, an acoustic set by Tim Easton. Buy all his records right here!

10. In case we haven't shoved it down your throat enough already, buy James Hunter's new album, People Gonna Talk. A strong early contender for album of the year, and he wears nice suits, too.