... AND A HAPPY F***IN' NEW YEAR

With the passing of AHMET ERTEGUN, TOWER RECORDS, PETER BOYLE and JAMES BROWN, the world is an immeasurably crappier place than it was just a few weeks ago. Heaven help us all. More on the Godfather of Saul -- er, Soul -- later. But first, here's a little year-end recap of Year I of NYCD: The Office.

NYCD started a new life in 2006, operating from a small office in midtown after shutting its Upper West Side doors on Christmas eve of 2005. Just like everyone else, we had high points and low points. Most of our high points involved our friends and loyal supporters who did not let a week go by without paying respect to our dear, departed brick and mortar. Hearing that the loss of NYCD's retail outlet left a great void in so many lives fueled our fire. We want to come back. AND WE WILL!

Most of low points came in the guise of phone calls from the oblivious, fair-weather friends who failed to notice that our wonderful little shop had gone out of business. "I can't find you. Did you move?" "What time do you close tonight? Really? When did you close? I loved that shop." So many loved us, yet 367 days later, they still didn't notice we weren't there.

2007 must not be a continuation of 2006. Music is on the verge of disappearing. And we strongly suspect that things are going to get worse before they get better. Stores where you can go and buy music will continue to disappear. More CDs will go out of print, and those that are still in print will be harder to find. For real music lovers who want more than compressed MP3 files of this week's hot new releases, or who love shopping for vintage recordings on small labels, it looks like we're entering a new Dark Ages.

Our message to you is, DON'T DESPAIR! Don't decide to stop caring about music! Don't be one of those old curmudgeons who doesn't listen to any music made after 1973 because "Nobody's making good music anymore"! When you do that, the idiots who put the music industry in this mess in the first place win. They don't give a crap what music fans (or indie retailers, for that matter) want, as long as they make a buck. It's up to all of us to be the thorns in their side. If you want to be able to buy CDs as well as download music, then don't stop buying CDs. If you don't want to have to go to Amazon or Wal-Mart to find CDs, then support your local music retailers. But don't stop letting your voices and your wallets be heard!

And if you're looking for some good CDs by a recently deceased artist to buy (because, hey, who doesn't like to buy music by someone who just died?).... here's our little tribute to the Hardest Working Man In The Shoe Business -- er, Show Business!

We're not going to presume that we can add anything substantial to the millions of words that have been written about James Brown over the years, let alone all the boring yakety-yak that untold bloggers have been spewing since they heard the news of his death. But if there's one thing we do know, it's CDs. And here are a few of Mr. Brown's recordings that go beyond the standard hits compilations, and are worth your time and money:

LOVE POWER PEACE - Recorded live at L'Olympia in Paris in 1971 for a proposed live album that never surfaced until 20 years later. This is the only full-length live recording by Brown with the legendary JB's, the backing band that only stayed with him for a year but helped him to create some of his most legendary recordings. Explosive and intense from start to finish.

FOUNDATIONS OF FUNK: 1964-69 - One of a series of double CD sets chronicling the Godfather's entire career. This covers the period when he virtually reinvented soul music, from groundbreakers like "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" through funk workouts like "Say It Loud, I'm Black And I'm Proud."

I CAN'T STAND MYSELF - The majority of these tracks have been reissued elsewhere, but in its original running order, this LP is unquestionably some of the funkiest music recorded by Brown. "I Can't Stand Myself When You Touch Me," "There Was a Time," "Get It Together," and the instrumentals "Funky Soul #1," "The Soul of J. B.," are all included.

SOUL PRIDE :THE INSTRUMENTALS (1960-1969) - 36 tracks culled from various singles and albums, these tracks showcase the "Godfather's" backing bands, as well as Brown's organ playing. This stuff is hot stuff, this stuff. (This one is out of print and pretty hard to find, but we'll do a search for it if you're interested enough.)

SOUL ON TOP - Definitely not your typical James Brown album. This 1968 excursion into jazz was recorded with Louie Bellson's orchestra, with arrangements by Oliver Nelson, and features Brown tackling everything from standards like "That's My Desire" to Hank Williams' "Your Cheatin' Heart" to a big band workout on his own "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag." The highlight is a bizarre but thrilling version of "September Song." Also recommended: Gettin' Down To It, in which he's backed by a small jazz combo and sings mostly Sinatra classics.

IN CLOSING, WE LEAVE YOU WITH THIS:

Stay tuned next week for our list of OUR FIVE FAVORITE ALBUMS BY GERALD FORD!

Happy New Year from your friends, current and ex,
Tony and Sal
aka Sal and Tony

STOP THE PRESSES! IT'S ROB'S TOP TEN AND THE STAFF TOP TEN!

Since we published our top ten lists, hardcore NYCD fans have been asking "Hey, what about Rob's top ten?" To which we responded, "Aaahh, Rob only listens to Grateful Dead records." Obviously, we were mistaken, because here's his Top Ten for 2006!

10. NEKO CASE - FOX CONFESSOR BRINGS THE FLOOD
9. TWO TIMIN' THREE - PAYIN' THE PRICE
8. STANTON MOORE - III
7. RACONTEURS - BROKEN BOY SOLDIERS
6. ELVIS COSTELLO/ALLEN TOUSSAINT - THE RIVER IN REVERSE
5. BOB DYLAN - MODERN TIMES
4. THE LITTLE WILLIES - THE LITTLE WILLIES
3. JAMES HUNTER - PEOPLE GONNA TALK
2. WAYNE HANCOCK - TULSA
1. GOMEZ - HOW WE OPERATE

And now, using our trusty abacus and some old IBM punchcards, we've managed to tabulate the NYCD Top Ten for 2006, incorporating all our picks based on an arcane and complicated mathematical formula that's been in the family for generations. Hold onto your hats, people!

10. WILLIE NELSON - SONGBIRD
9 . WAYNE HANCOCK - TULSA
8. BELLE & SEBASTIAN - THE LIFE PURSUIT
7. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - WE SHALL OVERCOME
6. BECK - THE INFORMATION
5. RACONTEURS - BROKEN BOY SOLDIERS
4. STANTON MOORE - III
3. ELVIS COSTELLO/ALLEN TOUSSAINT - THE RIVER IN REVERSE
2. JAMES HUNTER - PEOPLE GONNA TALK
And the best album of 2006, as chosen by the NYCD staff...
1. BOB DYLAN - MODERN TIMES

Order them from us! Buy with confidence -- they all get the official NYCD seal of approval!

AND THE LISTS JUST KEEP ON COMING

Here's NYCD Blog reader Kevbry's TOP 10 of 2006!

1) Long Winters – Putting the Days to Bed

2) Red Hot Chili Peppers – Stadium Arcadium

3) Snow Patrol – Eyes Open

4) Bonnie “Prince” Billy – The Letting Go

5) The Hold Steady – Boys and Girls in America

6) PJ Harvey – BBC Sessions

7) Raconteurs – Broken Boy Soldiers

8) Sparklehorse – Dreamt for Light Years…

9) Sufjan Stevens – The Avalanche

10) The Zutons – Tired of Hanging Around

And here's Jay B.'s TOP 10, along with commentary.

10. Cuff the Duke – A gentleman from Vancouver told me to buy it and
then told me to eat Salmon Benedict! Win Win!

9. Belle and Sebastian – The Life Pursuit. They pissed me off in
college, but this album ain’t their typical twee college try.

8. Yo La Tengo – I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass. A
fine, fine album from the band who rescued Hanukkah and VU style jams
for all the world to hear.

7. Benevento-Russo Duo. – Play Pause Stop. Superb soundscapes from two
awesome musicians.

6. Donald Fagen – Morph the Cat. Terrific. Just as Lou Reed’s New
York painted the vivid images of late 80s city in crisis, Donald
Fagen’s third part in a trilogy is beautiful and haunting. Too bad,
the last Steely Dan album sucked!

5. The Essex Green – Cannibal Sea. You guys recommended this album and
I’ve never looked back.

4. Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood. The Country and Pop
chanteuse brings the goods.

3. Eccentric Soul – The Big Mack Label. Some of the best Soul you’ve
never heard.

2. Wilco – Kicking Television. I made a New Years resolution to stop
listening to live tracks, unless I was at the show. But this is one
hell of a live band and one hell of a live album.

1. Elvis Costello/Allen Toussaint – The River in Reverse. So good, so
good. And their show in Oakland was the best show I saw all year

Don't forget, all these CDs can be ordered from us, so email or call us at (212) 244-3460! What better way to show your loved ones that you care this holiday season than to buy them some kickass music?

A COOL LIST FROM A COOL JERK

Here's Peter R.'s year-end faves, along with his always welcome, stream-of-consciousness commentary:

10. GRAM PARSONS- The Complete Reprise Sessions
9. DRIVE BY TRUCKERS - A Blessing & A Curse
8. QUANTIC- An Announcement To Answer
7. ALICE RUSSELL- Under The Munka Moon II
6. CHARANGA CAKEWALK - Chicano Zen
5. LILA DOWNS - La Cantina
4. BOOZOO BAJOU- Juke Joint III
3. JAMES HUNTER- People Gonna Talk
2. DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND- What's Going On
1. ELVIS COSTELLO & ALLEN TOUSSAINT- The River In Reverse

Special mention, 'cause it's from 2005, DWIGHT YOAKAM- Blame The Vain, and NICOLE WILLIS & THE SOUL INVESTIGATORS- Keep Reachin' Up (this would be 10 if you can't count the Gram Parsons) NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE - Live At the Fillmore East (not sure if old new albums count or maybe this would be 10) and the first two J.Geils Band albums 'cause I've been listening to them again and they are so good and these guys don't get enough respect.

AND TWO GREAT CHRISTMAS ALBUMS
Soul Christmas
It's Christmas Time Again

SUPER SPECIAL MENTION
Any mixes by Sal N.
Any mixes by Steve F.

(editor's note: NYCD had nothing to do with this)

I'm sure I'm forgetting something and all musical lists, no matter what, (except worst of) should include OTIS REDDING- Otis Blue.


Thank you, Peter.

THE READERS SPEAK!

Our first entry if from Ed. A fine man, a loyal customer, and from what I hear, a damn good Snooker player. Here is Ed's TOP TEN CDs of 2006.

10. THE MAGIC NUMBERS- Those The Brokes
9. LOS LOBOS- The Town & The City
8. GOLDEN SMOG- Another Fine Day
7. I SEE HAWKS IN L.A.- California Country
6. THE RACONTEURS- Broken Boy Soldiers
5. DIXIE CHICKS- Taking The Long Way
4. ELVIS COSTELLO/ALLEN TOUSSAINT- River In Reverse
3. JAMES HUNTER- People Gonna Talk
2. THE MINUS 5- The Gun Album
1. DEADSTRING BROTHERS- Starving Winter Report.


This next list is from the "other" great man named Dylan. NYCD and Dylan #2 don't always agree. Take a look at his 10 faves of the year and see what you think.

10. ELVIS COSTELLO/ALLEN TOUSSAINT- River In Reverse
9. OUTKAST- Idlewild
8. CRACKER- Greenland
7. ROBERT RANDOLPH- Colorblind
6. ARCTIC MONKEYS- Whatever They Say I Am...
5. RATATAT- Classics
4. PRINCE- 3121
3. TREY ANASTASIO- Bar 17
2. GNARLS BARKLEY- St. Elsewhere
1. BENEVENTO-RUSSO- Play Pause Stop

Keep them cards and letters coming, folks.

HOLIDAY NEWSLETTER: THE YEAR-END LISTS!

NEWS FLASH: CDs MAKE BETTER GIFTS THAN DOWNLOADS!

SAL & TONY'S YEAR-END LISTS!

YEAH YEAH, HO HO, SANTA'S ON THE PIPE....

And now... THE NEWSLETTER! (SPECIAL YEAR-END VERSION)

It's that time again, dear readers. Time for eggnog, mulled wine, cats choking on tinsel, and of course, NYCD'S TOP TEN RECORDS OF 2006.

Both Tony & Sal have put together their faves, as well as some honorable mentions. So here we go!

TONY'S TOP TEN:

10. THE LEMONHEADS - LEMONHEADS. Yes, Evan Dando is a stoner nincompoop, but he's also an excellent performer and songwriter, and he proves it on his best and most exciting album in over a decade.

9. ELVIS COSTELLO & ALLEN TOUSSAINT - THE RIVER IN REVERSE. This album flopped big-time; I can almost hear the would-be record buyers saying "I like Elvis Costello, but why's he dressed like a pimp on the cover? And who's the black guy next to him?" It's a shame so many people passed it by, because it's a beautiful, heartfelt and passionate tribute to New Orleans by two brilliant musicians.

8. YOU AM I - CONVICTS. Think Paul Westerberg crossed with Pete Townshend with a bit of young Paul Weller thrown in for good measure. Australia's finest band rock harder than ever on their eighth album, but on first listen it seems like the power pop magic that fuels their finest music is missing. Give it a couple of chances, however, and the melodies and hooks creep in amidst the buzzsaw riffs and screaming vocals. They've still got it.

7. THE RACONTEURS - BROKEN BOY SOLDIERS. My favorite thing about this union of Jack White, power-popper extraordinaire Brendan Benson, and the rhythm section from garage rock greats The Greenhornes is that you really can hear strong elements of all three -- it's not a vehicle for any one artist. Somehow, they manage to combine their strong personal styles and fuse them into a great group effort. I don't know if I'd want them to give up their day jobs, but this is a great side project.

6. GNARLS BARKLEY - ST. ELSEWHERE. Every year or two, there's a record that's so undeniable that everyone loves it -- hip-hoppers, alt-rockers, Top 40 fans, the classic rock crowd... everyone. This year that record was Gnarls' "Crazy," and the rest of the album is damn near as good.

5. THE ESSEX GREEN - CANNIBAL SEA. Indie pop meets '60s pop, and this Brooklyn band does them both perfectly. Catchy as hell, but with a cynical edge that makes it clear this is no dewy-eyed nostalgia act.

4. JAMES HUNTER - PEOPLE GONNA TALK. There's a big, big difference between doing an album that sounds like it was recorded in 1962 and one that sounds like a great lost album from 1962. This is definitely the latter -- great songwriting, fluid, supple guitar playing, and soulful vocals that sound like Sam Cooke crossed with Georgie Fame. The only disappointment about it is that his live performances show how much more he's capable of.

3. BELLE & SEBASTIAN - THE LIFE PURSUIT. I never understood the appeal of these tweesters when they were conquering the alt-rock world, but now that they've gotten a little more peppy and beefed up the instrumentation, they've revealed themselves as an absolutely brilliant pop band. This album may have been roundly ignored upon its release in February, but I kept coming back to it all year long, and it holds up.

2. BOB DYLAN - MODERN TIMES. At age 65, Dylan's not only in peak form, he's selling more records than he has since the '70s. He's still able to toss off lyrics that any songwriter would kill to think up, and his band is able to make the music stand up to the words. If you've ever liked Dylan, then this album is worth picking up.

1. BECK - THE INFORMATION. He hasn't been Mr. Zeitgeist for a while now, but Beck's records have gradually been improving, and this is his best yet. At last, a cohesive fusion of all the stylistic hats he's tried on in the past -- from ironic slacker to sensitive folkie to party animal, to name a few -- and the result is a wall-to-wall display of the man's genius. Great packaging, too.

SAL'S TOP TEN:

10. THE RACONTEURS- BROKEN BOY SOLDIERS. Jack White left his Stripes behind to join forces with pop-craftsman Brendan Benson, and the killer rhythm section from Cincinnati, The Greenhornes, for a record of psych-pop, hard rock, and hummable melodies.

9. JAMES HUNTER- PEOPLE GONNA TALK. This wunderkind has blessed us with a perfect throwback to the heyday of 1960s British R&B. Part Sam Cooke, part Van Morrison, all amazing.

8. SCISSOR SISTERS- TA-DAH! This is like listening to your favorite '70s and '80s mix tape. After a solid debut, the Sisters' sophomore release has more hooks than Mike's Bait & Tackle on Emmons Avenue. Elton, Bowie, The Bee Gees, Donna Summer, T.Rex -- they all show up in spirit on this fun-filled CD.

7. CORINNE BAILEY RAE - CORRINE BAILEY RAE. Could have easily been dismissed as another Norah Jones wanna be, or the British Darling du jour. Thankfully, Corinne Bailey Rae is neither. She is full of charm and talent, and her songs are full of melody. An acoustic soul record that overrated artists such as India Arie and Mary J. Blige wish they could have made.

6. IRMA THOMAS- AFTER THE RAIN. The Queen Of New Orleans released some of the greatest R&B of the 60's, with the help of songwriting genius Allen Toussaint. But over the last 25 years, Miss Thomas has had more misses than hits -- until now. Inspired and moved after losing everything to Hurricane Katrina, "After The Rain" is an understated but powerful record, featuring some of the New Orleans finest musicians backing Miss Thomas on her best record in 35 years.

5. BOB DYLAN- MODERN TIMES. The greatest living songwriter completes his trilogy that began with "Time Out Of Mind" and continued with "Love & Theft." A record that sits right up there with his best.

4. WILLIE NELSON- SONGBIRD. Nelson's umpteeth release is his best in years, thanks to solid production and song selection from Ryan Adams.

3. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - WE SHALL OVERCOME: THE SEEGER SESSIONS. A joyous and emotional romp through American folk classics. The Boss drives home many a message with the help of a stellar big band.

2. ELVIS COSTELLO/ALLEN TOUSSAINT- THE RIVER IN REVERSE. Two legends collaborate on a post-Katrina gift to New Orleans. Consisting of mostly Toussaint songs originally recorded by Lee Dorsey, as well as some Costello originals, The River In Reverse is a truly inspired creation.

1. STANTON MOORE- III. Quite possibly the funkiest record since Sly Stone's heyday, New Orleans drummer-extraordinare's third solo release is as much a party record as it is a groove record, much like the brilliant jazz releases of Grant Green & Jimmy Smith. Chock full of chops, Moore's drumming will knock the wind out of you.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

NEW ORLEANS SOCIAL CLUB- SING ME BACK HOME. One of the many New Orleans/Katrina tribute CDs released this year, this is the cream of the crop. With a core band featuring members of the Meters and the Neville Brothers, Henry Butler, and Raymond Weber, this group convened in Austin, with vocalists Irma Thomas, John Boutte, Marcia Ball and more, for the most hearfelt tribute to the great city.

BOBBY PREVITE- THE COALITION OF THE WILLING. A longtime figure in N.Y.'s downtown music scene, drumming genius Previte releases his most accessible album to date. With the help of Charlie Hunter, Stanton Moore, Jamie Saft and DJ Logic, Previte crosses jazz, funk, fusion and surf for a jovial, yet challenging listen.

ROSANNE CASH- BLACK CADILLAC. The loss of Miss Cash's parents inspired this beautiful work, which is arguably the best of her of distinguished career.

TWILIGHT SINGERS- POWDER BURNS. Greg Dulli's Afghan Whigs are no more, but thankfully he continues his hard rocking soul with The Twilight Singers' newest release, Powder Burns. The music is riff-heavy and packs a punch, yet Dulli's vocals can, at times, sound like he's crooning a soul ballad right in the middle of it.

THE BEATLES - LOVE. Not sure if this really counts as a "new" album, but the chance to hear these songs in a new context and jaw-dropping remastering is worth mentioning regardless.

FRANK SINATRA - VEGAS (BOX SET). Four CDs and a DVD of previously unreleased nightclub performances from 1961-87 that will convert the unconverted, raise the dead, bring about world peace, you name it. An astonishingly good collection that's not for fans only.

THE BEE GEES - THE STUDIO ALBUMS 1967-68 (BOX SET). Record Label Of The Year goes to Rhino, hands-down, for continuing to release beautiful, well-thought-out box sets like these in the face of a declining CD market. If you've never heard the Bee Gees' lush, Beatlesque late '60s albums, then you need to check out this box. Six CDs of pop bliss, and even the outtakes and alternates on the bonus discs are first-rate.

NAT KING COLE - STARDUST (BOX SET). It'll cost you an arm and a leg, but you won't miss 'em once you hear the 11 CDs worth of pop and jazz brilliance in this box, containing everything the King recorded between 1955-59. Classic albums, rare singles, and even a dozen or so previously unreleased gems, with an enormous hardcover book included to guide you through it all.

IRVING FIELDS & ROBERTO RODRIGUEZ - OY VEY... OLE! Tony never misses an opportunity to mention Irving Fields, one of the last cocktail pianists from the '40s and '50s who's still active. He's still going strong, too, as this fantastic fusion of Cuban and Jewish music proves. Assisted by Rodriguez's red-hot band, you'll be on the floor, whether you're dancing a rhumba or the hora.

And because Tony is a list-making machine and just can't stop... here's another list!

TONY'S FIVE FAVORITE CHRISTMAS ALBUMS!

5. FRANK SINATRA, DEAN MARTIN & SAMMY DAVIS, JR. - CHRISTMAS WITH THE RAT PACK. A great mix of three of the heppest cats around singing some of your favorite Christmas songs. Apparently someone forgot to remind Sammy that he was Jewish, because he chimes in with a couple of Yuletide carols as well.

4. THE FAB FOUR - CHRISTMAS WITH THE FAB FOUR. An anonymous studio band does letter-perfect hybrids of holiday classics crossed with Beatles songs. They've got the accents and the instrumentation down perfectly, and... well, you've got to hear it.

3. VARIOUS ARTISTS - CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS, VOL. 1. The kings and queens of '50s and '60s E-Z listening doing straight and not-so-straight versions of holiday classics. Which means you'll get "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" by Dean Martin alongside "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer Mambo" by Billy May. Volumes 2 and 3 are great, too!

2. VINCE GUARALDI - A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS. It wouldn't be Hanukkah in my home without Guaraldi's classic album adding to the holiday cheer. If you've heard it, you don't need me to tell you how great it is. If you haven't heard it, you've obviously been in a coma for the last forty years. The album has just been reissued with unreleased bonus tracks added, by the way.

1. VARIOUS ARTISTS - HIPSTERS' HOLIDAY. One of the only things I like about December is that it gives me the opportunity to play this CD again. Amazing swing, jump blues, rock n' roll and jazz by legends like Louis Armstrong, Eartha Kitt, and Lambert, Hendricks & Ross alongside fantastic unknowns from the '40s and '50s.

If you've got a top ten list you'd like to submit, email it to us at HEYNYCD@aol.com and we'll post it on the blog. First come, first served!

CDs MAKE GREAT GIFTS!

Once you've checked out our lists, get your orders in for those stocking stuffers and under-the-menorah gifts (nothing like a Corrine Bailey Rae CD for day 6!).

And since we're here, why not a little bit of NEW RELEASE INFO!

GWEN STEFANI - SWEET ESCAPE. The harmless followup to Love, Sex, Angel, Shoes contains the usual assortment of slickly produced, all-style-no-substance la-di-dah beloved by music industry tools.

FRANK ZAPPA - MOFO PROJECT/OBJECT. Official album #78 from the Zappa camp features the original stereo vinyl mix of the legendary debut album "Freak Out," along with a second disc featuring unreleased sessions and alternates.

ELVIS COSTELLO & ALLEN TOUSSAINT - HOT AS A PISTOL, KEEN AS A BLADE (DVD). Two-plus hours of concert footage and more, captured earlier this year in Toronto. This DVD features Costello faves and Allen Toussaint hits reworked with a New Orleans R & B flavor. This is a good one!

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER...

VARIOUS ARTISTS - RHYTHMS DEL MUNDO. This project brings together the legendary surviving musicians of the Buena Vista Social Club (which at this point is one guy named Jose) with Chris Martin (Coldplay), Dido, Franz Ferdinand, Sting, Bono, and Radiohead among others, performing collaborations on some of their classic hits. We've heard their version of Radiohead's "High & Dry," and it doesn't sound as funny as the actual description. As a matter of fact, it was damn good.

DON'T FORGET, WE CAN GET YOU ANYTHING MENTIONED HERE PLUS ANY OTHER CDs OR DVDs YOU'RE HANKERING FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! CALL (212) 244-3460 OR EMAIL US AT HEYNYCD@AOL.COM!

SELL US YOUR OLD CDs & DVDs! COME ON, WE KNOW YOU NEED THE CASH FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS! CALL OR EMAIL!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

UNTIL NEXT WEEK, WE LEAVE YOU WITH THIS:

What's the difference between James Dolan and e.coli?

No difference.

Your friends,
The bags under Jeff Van Gundy's eyes