A Lark Ascending

Overcast today - a bit welcome, to be honest. Just as long as it's a short break.

Plan to be at St Ives!

Probably should be in the politics section but: http://ww1.stopwar.org.uk/ The letter is also in the latest Jazzwise.

Probably the TV series I've enjoyed most in the last ten or so years. I saw a fair bit of series 1 when it was first broadcast on TV in the 90s but only saw all 3 via DVD. I especially enjoyed series 2 with Maria's son emerging as a Stockhausen like figure in the turbulence of the 60s. Yeah, I saw all 3 series when they were broadcast over here and was able to view repeats on video for the whole of Series 1 when it was first broadcast. It will be nice to digest the whole thing again 'at leisure'. Series 1 in particular was an absolute highlight of 1980s television, along with 'Das Boot'. Superior to anything generated on these islands, for sure. For anyone interested in these boxes - Fopp has them for £15 (Series 1 and 2) and £20 (Series 3). Fill your boots ! Thanks, sidewinder. I might well indulge. That's a good investment.

And again... CD 1: The Original Album And It Stoned MeMoondanceCrazy LoveCaravanInto the MysticCome RunningThese Dreams of YouBrand New DayEveryoneGlad Tidings CD 2: (all tracks previously unreleased) “What do we call this, Van?”Caravan (Take 1)Caravan (Takes 2-3)Caravan (Take 4)Caravan (Takes 5-6)Caravan (Take 7)Caravan (Take 8)I’ve Been Working (Early Version, Take 1)I’ve Been Working (Early Version, Take 2)I’ve Been Working (Early Version, Take 5)Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out (Outtake)I Shall Sing (Take 1)I Shall Sing (Takes 2-3)I Shall Sing (Takes 4-6)I Shall Sing (Take 7)I Shall Sing (Takes 8-12)I Shall Sing (Take 13) CD 3: (all tracks previously unreleased) Into the Mystic (Take 10)Into the Mystic (Take 11)Into the Mystic (Takes 12-13)Into the Mystic (Takes 14-16)Into the Mystic (Take 17)Brand New Day (Take 1)Brand New Day (Take 2)Brand New Day (Take 3)Brand New Day (Take 4)Brand New Day (Takes 5-6)Brand New Day (Take 7)Glad Tidings (Take 1)Glad Tidings (Takes 2-4)Glad Tidings (Takes 7-8)Glad Tidings (Take 9)Caravan Redo (Takes 1-2)Caravan Redo (Take 3) CD 4: (all tracks previously unreleased) Come Running (Take 1)Come Running (Take 2)Come Running (Takes 3-4)Come Running (Take 5)Come Running (Rolling on 4)Moondance (Take 21)Moondance (Take 22)Glad Tidings (Alternate Version)These Dreams of You (Alternate Version)Crazy Love (Remix)Glad Tidings (Remix 1)Glad Tidings (Remix 2)Glad Tidings (Remix 3)Caravan (Remix)These Dreams of You (Remix)I Shall Sing (Mix) There are also 1 CD and 2 CD versions.

Probably the TV series I've enjoyed most in the last ten or so years. I saw a fair bit of series 1 when it was first broadcast on TV in the 90s but only saw all 3 via DVD. I especially enjoyed series 2 with Maria's son emerging as a Stockhausen like figure in the turbulence of the 60s.

Started the 11 season box last August and just finished this week. I'll really miss it. Wonderful the way they manage to send up the arty-farty pretensions of Frasier and Niles yet still keep them as characters you really care for.

Too early...needs to start 24th July! Bloody impossible trying to keep kids on task in this weather! God help the schools who get an OFSTED visit in the next week!

4 more please.

Keith ain't alone: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22780812 I saw a performer handle this brilliantly last summer. A few songs into his set Chris Wood (brilliant British folk singer) noticed someone filming his performance. His words, roughly, were "Please stop filming me. Let's keep this between you an me, an intimate event. We don't want it shared with the world on some crappy Youtube clip." Round of applause from the audience. The offending party was shamed into desisting.

He still sounds wonderful to my ears. One of those sounds you can detect very easily.

Don't think I've been since the 80s. I want to look at the big naval paintings again now I feel like I've been a tar after several Patrick O'Brian novels.

Really looking forward to it. Tippett was a formative influence on my listening. Especially looking forward to the trio set; the last time I saw him in a small group setting (Mujician) had me reeling. And hearing Julie live. Never caught her before. I was listening to one of the recent records she has made with a Sheffield improviser, Martin Archer, and her voice has lost none of its power or texture. Even reading poems or using a speaking voice it's so musical. And like the very different Norma Winstone, very, very English. Two wonderful musicians who have always ploughed their own furrows.

Well, I'm due a trip to London (I keep meaning to go back to the Greenwich Maritime museum) so it was either this weekend or the following with... http://www.cafeoto.co.uk/sun-ra-arkestra-marshall-allen-five-night-residency.shtm

Something nice for the summer. I've booked for the 2nd and 3rd nights. First trip to The Vortex. Thu 15 Aug: Keith Tippett & the Elysian Quartet The Elysian Quartet will perform Keith Tippett's string quartet (commissioned by the Elysian in 2008). After the interval, Tippett will join the quartet to perform his piano quintet (Linuckia), which was commissioned by the Kreutzer Quartet in 1995. Emma Smith .. violin Jennymay Logan .. violin Vincent Sipprel .. viola Laura Moody .. cello Fri 16 Aug | 8.30pm: Keith Tippett Octet World Premiere: The Nine Dances of Patrick O'Gonogon (Commissioned by Richard Wiltshire) Performing with his Octet, Keith Tippett presents brand new contemporary jazz pieces in three movements. Fulvio Sigurta .. trumpet/flugel Sam Mayne .. alto sax/clarinet/flute James Gardner-Bateman .. alto sax/flute Kieran Mcleod .. trombone Rob Harvey .. trombone Tom Mccredie .. bass Peter Fairclough .. drums/perc Keith Tippett .. piano/composer "Nine Dances" was created for a jazz ensemble and one male dancer. Tonight will be performed without dance. In the first half, the trio of Tippett/Fairclough/Mccredie will perform. Sat 17 Aug Keith Tippett, Julie Tippetts & members of the Elysian Quartet A premiere - An evening of spontaneous composition. With: Vincent Sipprell .. viola Julie Tippetts .. voice/percussion Jennymay Logan .. violin Laura Moody .. cello Keith Tippett .. piano This special collaborative performance brings together some of the most open musical thinkers of our time, challenging ideas of form and performance.

Excellent writer - I remember reading his stuff in the rock press in the early 70s (and he presented a TV album-rock show called Disco 2 which eventually became The Old Grey Whistle Test). He frequently annoyed me because he regularly attacked the prog-rock I liked. I especially remember an article he wrote comparing prog-rock with Stan Kenton - I hadn't a clue who Kenton was but got the jist of his barbs. Many, many years later I wrote a review of this collection: He was gracious enough to send me a post card of thanks (and admit to being the writer of the prog/Kenton article). I started 'The Blue Moment' a few years back and got distracted from it. Must give it another go. Thanks for the link. Always good to have some thoughtful places to visit.

Fresh from the 'Uhhh' thread.

Nice article in Jazzwise this month. Like the 'Bringing it All Back Home' photo!

Yes, he was a regular at Appleby for many years. Also on some of the early Steam Tracey albums.

Remember reading about this Don Weller led 'jazz-rock' band in the mid-70s but never heard them. I believe it was initially a limited release. http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-First-Cut-Major-Surgery/dp/B00AF1H6QA/ref=pd_sim_m_h__2

Though there are superior interpretations of the score.

Not bad here in the distant North. Fair bit of light cloud but plenty of sun. First lengthy bit of time in the garden for about a month.

I love it when MG does these binges. Makes me feel my record buying habit is relatively modest. I can go and download a couple more today without any feeling of guilt.

The 4 programmes are on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbNH4JBQiSY A lot of first hand testimony including musicians. The sections describing the shock of the first migrants at the coldness and hostility of the British are very sad. And the third programme that includes the New Cross fire really intrigued me - there was so much going on in the 70s that I was only distantly aware. Good taken alongside this book: My interest in reggae is marginal but I found it fascinating. A lot about music in the UK alongside the dominant Jamaican focus. I use the Lord Kitchener 'London is the Place for Me' in school (he's interviewed in the Phillips series) and the kids love it.