A Lark Ascending

Some performers have tried to present a CD in two 'sets' or more. Several of Richard Thompson's and the last Robert Wyatt, for example. Though I'm too lazy to set the CD player to just play those sections.

To my mind, that's the only disadvantage of the CD over LP. Programming over two 20 min LP sides gave you the equivalent of two acts, both of a length where the average listener could sustain concentration. There were four points where maximum impact could be made - the start and end of each side. Programming over a 60+ span is much harder. Even the most focused listener finds it hard to maintain concentration that long. In some respect, the order of tracks becomes even more important with CD. I'm not sure it ever compensate for the natural pause of the LP side change.

Yes. A great pair of discs. I think it captures Bollani's extrovert, slightly surreal side well - you don't see much of that on the recent ECMs.

They are on e-music (at least the UK version) if you're not averse to downloads.

I got hooked a couple of years back after hearing an excellent BBC series on the Cuban influence on New York jazz. This compilation, in particular, has never ceased to thrill me. And this one will have you leaping round the house: Long jams with lots of jazzy soloing and dense percussion.

I spent 3 weeks in Sweden a while back with that as my only word of Swedish! Never had to spell it! I recall Zig Zag from around the mid-70s. Remember the Frame trees from there - one was used on the cover of a Fairport Convention complilation circa 1973:

Ian Anderson who wrote the review came up in the next decade as a blues/jazz/folk player, from the scene the 50s spawned (I recall seeing him in a group called Hot Vultures in the early 70s) - he later broadened his interests way out and has been a leading figure in promoting World Music since the 80s. So he really knows that period - if he's impressed, we can expect a good read. [He's not a man easily impressed - he can be extremely caustic about music that doesn't fit his prejudices].

I've heard nothing but praise for this but missed it. A colleague at work has the DVDs so I'm waiting until she's seen them. I really liked 'The Green Room' - somewhat slapstick but quite unpredictable.

That blurb does look uninteresting, MG. The two reviews in FR paint a much more interesting picture. Here's the opening of Ian Anderson's editorial: Rest here: http://www.frootsmag.com/content/issue/edsbox/ BBS, As my Swedish goes no further than 'Tak'I might have to give your recommendation a miss!

Gets a huge thumbs up from Ian Anderson and the Froots crew. Blurb: The Froots review plays up its coverage of music beyond the mainstream - the skiffle, jazz, folk, blues etc scenes. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Restless-Generatio...9137&sr=1-1 Looks life a goodee. (if you've never seen a Pete Frame Rock Family Tree try this one: http://www.well.com/~cjfish/chart.gif

And didn't 'Till Death Do Us Part' migrate to the US as 'All in the Family'? I always assumed that 'Juke Box Jury' was homegrown, but Anita O'Day mentions a version in the States in the 50s in her autobio.

It works both ways. US series have been used as a starting point for British programmes too. I've never seen the US version of 'The Office' - I would say the makers of 'The Office' in the UK did something else that could be emulated widely. Made a perfect sequence and then stopped instead of flogging it through 'Office II', 'Office - Return of the Nerd' etc. I suspect a fair bit of the deadpan humour of the UK office just wouldn't translate to the States. I'm currently working my way through 'Weeds' on DVD - I cannot for the life of me see that working in a British version. Though I can see only too well what it would turn out like if they tried! They'd probably have Dawn French or Penelope Keith playing the Mary Louise Parker character!!!! Has 'The Royale Family' ever screened in the States? - one I'd have thought would not travel well.

What a beautiful picture.

More than you'd ever need to know: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hill_of_Tara And here's an old compilation I have in my collection:

The hill of Tara perhaps. I recall something like that. It's where the high kings of Ireland were supposed to meet. Irish motorways are quite a new development - some toll based. The main 'motorway' from Dublin to Galway in 1989 was single lane with a hard shoulder to pull across to if someone behind wanted to overtake. ******************* Last time I looked house prices in the south-west of England were falling quite sharply whereas the East Midlands was holding its own. If that keeps up for a few more years I could realise my dream and return from whence I came (sort of).

I recall driving round Ireland in 1989 and seeing 4 bedroom bungalows with lots of land going for the same price I bought my two bedroom terrace with small garden a couple of years later. Subsequent visits have shown Ireland to be a building site with estates and individual houses springing up like mushrooms. Sounds like a lot of people are going to get caught out.

Brits of a certain vintage might be interested in a 2hr doc due to be screened on BBC4 this Friday. Seems to be a DVD already: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Who-Amazing-Journe...s/dp/B000WBP282

'L'Ascension' is beautiful - there's also an organ version. You can get a chunky box of Messiaen's organ music played by Jennifer Bate for sixpence. I've had it two or three years and have only just skimmed the surface - a fine investment: http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/product//RRC6001.htm (It may be out of print or heading that way - I'm sure it was cheaper than the pirce here).

I know Tony Russell from radio broadcasts - he comes across as a real enthusiast who has done his homework. In a genre with oodles of recordings where I'm pretty adrift, I've found this very helpful when wanting to locate something suitable. But then, I find most guides useful as a starting point - I quickly learn what to pay attention to and what to ignore. I really liked Charles Shaar Murray's blues guide - like the Penguin jazz guide, it's idiosyncratic but the humour and tastes of the writer come through. Makes an entertaining as well as useful guide.

Marvellous with David Binney on recent albums (and played a storming set with him at Cheltenham a couple of years back). I really like his Criss Cross albums too.

Yippee!!!! No more holding breath for the Mosaic to arrive only to be greeted with a card saying please collect and pay customs (+ handling fee!).

I've had it since it appeared (2006 if I remember correctly!). Blues is a minor sideline rather than a major interest for me - this book does what I need with yards to spare.

Can I be the first to say that I don't think 'The Grid' is anything like as good as the old Web. There's something cold, clinical, unnatural about it it - I much prefer the warmer, human feel of 'The Web'. I do hope some networks keep the Web going for those of us who appreciate things of proven, lasting value. The good news is that Neil Young is refusing to allow any of his work to be marketed via 'The Grid' because of its inferior technology.

"I think I'll have the pheasant. Though could I come and note down its dying cries as you neck it."

Really enjoying this - built from a series of interviews with Konitz + short interviews with other musicians about him. He comes across as someone with a clear vision of what he wants to do, is not afraid to express his disinterest in things he does not like, even criticises...yet always does it humbly and with a sense that the music he does not care for is seeking different goals rather than being 'wrong'. Very open about his own initial hostility to music which he later came to understand.