A Lark Ascending

Those of you seeking the Surman Derams should take a look over at AAJ at a thread called 'Surman Releases in May'. The Dutton Vocalion label would appear to be releasing John Surman and Tales of the Algonquin plus a host of other mouthwatering discs from that era. Look under New Releases, Recommendations, Reviews I don't want to steal the informants thunder by just posting here.

I came out of Reading in 1976. I might not be Kate Winslett but I think I'm half-decent! Some very nice biscuits came out of Reading. The M4 and the main east-west railway line comes out of Reading. Sutton's seeds came out of Reading. An awful lot of wasted rockers came out of Reading each August in the 70s. However, only Kate Winslett would fit that badge description.

Are you sure she wasn't indicating a lust for a town to the west of London? On second thoughts, I lived there for three years. This is most unlikely.

Ditto Limeys

Good luck with the move. Hope it all goes smoothly.

Expect Kelloggs to file for royalties from the last few minutes of Atom Heart Mother.

Yes, that was one of my two recent spottings. Great afternoon.

The reissue of 'Metropolis' on BGO was faulty but this was corrected last year (you can send back duff copies and they'll replace). Citadel is well deserving of reissue - one of my favourite Westbrooks. I believe McRae returned to NZ in the 70s or 80s. I agree that he is a very distinctive voice - I love his contributions to Matching Mole's 'Little Red Record'. I'm not too keen on the calypso side of 'John Surman' - sounds a bit 'Light Programme' to my ears. Can't say I've noticed Marshall getting more solo space than most drummers of the 60s/70s...you should have attended a Collosseum II concert if you wanted drum solos!!!! I do know he remains a marvellous drummer - I've seen him twice in recent years with Surman and both times he's contributed to stellar band performances. I don't even remember if he took solos...I expect so. It wasn't what stuck in the mind.

Rod Stewart - despite his many, many sins from the mid-70s onwards - deserves a place in this emerging list.

Did you see Tom Jones on the UK episode of the Scorsese 'The Blues' series? Made me realise what a fine singer he was.

Good to hear that, Mike.

Sorry! Didn't mean to touch a nerve!

Track down a copy of Soweto Kinch's recent jazz single, 'Jazz Planet' - a funny, tongue-in-cheek, completely pro-jazz yet unsnobby approach to this issue. Great fun.

Absolutely - the existing CD is OK but a bit flat. It could well do with opening out.

At least they've got a rousing song. "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooklahoma....! All you've got is a spelling song.

In general I prefer studio recordings. Live recordings are not the same as being at a live performance; and I suspect alot of the excitement of a live performance comes not just from the musical quality but the sense of occasion. But there are times when things I've heard done live on the radio sound overcooked in a studio recording. Fortunately we don't have to choose. We get plenty of both.

Why did you let one of your kids scribble on the sleeve? Take more care with your possessions! I know what you mean. His regular interviews with the UK music press were pretty wild too. He always came across as some sort of guru with an insatiable sex drive. As a 17 year old I lived in constant envy of what he claimed to be getting up to.

Ah! I see. It's the bit of Texas that really belongs to Oklahoma. I'd always assumed it was by the sea. Many thanks.

Hi Bev, When you use "panhandle" as a geographic term, it refers to any long land protrusion of a US state. Texas isn't the only state to have a "panhandle" - about 8 states do - including two in West Virginia. The name comes from the long handle that is on a pan that you use to cook with on a stove. The term "panhandle" can be used as a verb, too. In this case, it refers to the method of approaching strangers and begging for money. Thanks rotsasi, Is it the bit south of San Antonio?

Took 50 kids to Wales this weekend. Result? The return of winter - Freezing temperatures, light snow, sleet, rain. Snowdonia looked spectacular, however, when the sun chose to pop its head out!

Thanks, Jim.

Tried to PM you re: this Jim but your mailbox is full! Time for a spring clean!

They certainly wern't for my shaving skills!

My new look, courtesy of a Comic Relief stunt... Subsequently I have been invited to join EST on tamborine.

Almost certainly ! Are you going to the 'Ornette' at Cheltenham or at the Bath Fest this year? If so, I'll say 'hi'. B-) PS - The lineup for Bath looks quite intriguing, with the F-IRE Collective, Human Chain and Misha Mengelberg solo recital in the Guildhall. Yes, I'm doing my annual pilgrimage to both festivals, for the weekend in both cases. I'll be at the Ornette - it would be nice to say hello. At Bath I'm easier to spot - I'm the bloke who keeps going to that amazing CD stand by the bar! (A few years back I was the bloke who set the book he was reading alight with one of the candles on the cafe tables!!! I have a strange way of attention-seeking.)