renaissance man
We went for a walk at Castle Rising, after my afternoon shift today. Very nice.
I thought we might walk to the Castle itself. But we didn’t. Instead we walked down a lane, eventually reaching a bridge (below), and then turning back.
‘Twas a very pleasant stroll. And something I think we all needed and enjoyed.
Wow! The tidal wave of ‘new’ music continues. New to me, that is. Most of it, like this, is ages old. So far I’ve just listened to the opening few minutes. But they were very promising. I look for’ard to really digging in…
I’ve just ordered a few Airto CDs, from Japan, inc. this ‘un.
Krautrock…
More Krautrock…
This third one, I’ve seen and heard discussed many times, esp’ in music mags. Don’t quite know why. But that’s always made me want to avoid it! Today, hearing it recommended by one of the guys in Keanu Reeves’ band Dogstar, I finally caved in. It’s on order.
I found out about this lot whilst exploring the music of Airto Moreira and Hermeto Pascoal. A singer called Googie Coppola features on a recording by one or both of those Brazilian artists. She’s the lady surrounded by three hirsute guys, above.
That video/link should take you to a playlist of their entire 1971 album. I’ve not listened to it much, as yet. Could be a steaming pile of kack! I hope not. I was intrigued… and aim to follow this initial post up with a proper listen, as soon as time permits.
Well, I really wasn’t expecting to go down this particular rabbit hole. But that’s the internet. It started with this me stumbling upon this video:
I love Louis Cole. Along with Jack Stratton and Vulfpeck, and Scary Pockets, and a bunch of other stuff, these young cats are showing that – whilst ‘The Biz’ may now have evolved into an awful zombie monster – music itself remains alive and well.
Some of Louis’ choices don’t overlap with my own tastes that much (although they still intrigue me). But others do. For example the jazz and fusion stuff: Herbie, Billy Cobham, Miles, etc.
Interesting hearing how Cole’s fave stuff on Miles’ Live Evil is the same stuff I love best, namely the two Hermeto Pascoal ballads, ‘Selim’ and ‘Nem Um Talvez’. Hearing them, and hearing Louis talking about his love for them, I can suddenly get how they’ve influenced some of his more ethereal stuff.
Matt Berry was unexpected. I didn’t think the Yanks would know who he was. His tastes and mine overlap in several areas. And it was great to hear him talking about Zappa, and Cluster.
I’d forgotten that Rick Ashley started out as a drummer. Watching him rhapsodise about music he likes is terrific fun. And it was particularly nice to see him talking about Rock (AC/DC) and Prog (Camel and Genesis). Rick, you are a gentleman!
I was very impressed with Keanu and his Dogstar bandmates. They were the perfect mix of enthused and candid/down to Earth. And their selections were great.
Keanu himself has shot up in my estimation, having watched this. Okay, he should’ve known Neil Peart was Rush’s lyricist. But his open-minded broad-ranging appetite, not just for music, but music-related stuff (his comedy choices were fascinating!) is wonderful.
He mentioned several things, about shopping in a record store which I totally connected to: nostalgia, and connecting with the past; exploration, finding something new; and just plain enthusiastic fun.
*‘Aren’t there things you’ve heard about, but never really experienced?’
I was a little worried Lars might let the team down. But he didn’t.
Having watched all of the above, I have a bunch of stuff I feel I ought to get, from Big Star’s No 1 Record, to Def Leppard and The Cure!
Well, I desperately want this to be a 1972 recording. When I first encountered it, it was presented as such. But it turns out it was recorded and released in 1973.
Never mind! It’s still excellent. And I love it. And, intriguingly, whilst I came for Joni, and John McLaughlin, in the end I also love a lot of the other material.
I got the above photo from here. That looks worth reading…
Today two CDs arrived from Dutton Vocalion. Don Sebesky’s Giant Box, and Grover Washington’s Soul Box.
The Dutton Vocalion label is known for reissuing older musuc, and doing so with due reverence. Both of these releases are from the label’s SACD line. I’m looking for’ard to hearing these albums in the none too distant future.
My adalimumab finally arrived today. I’m now about a month behind, injections wise. Most annoying! I used to have Humira, as pictured above. I’m now on Amgevita. But still using needles, not pens.
Whilst looking for pictures of the drugs I stumbled upon this, an interesting article about patient consent, re the changing from Humira to ‘biosimilars’. Something that I believe has happened to me.
Also arrived today, the above. Part three of N. A. M. Rodger’s epic history of Britain’s Navy. I got this with a voucher from Pat, who also arrived today! Thank, Pat.
We watched a couple of the Peter Sellers Pink Panther movies, and had Duck Soup, using Xmas dinner leftovers. Delish’! I came up to bed at 7.30 pm. Early, as is my wont these days.
Before I embark on the third and final instalment of Roger’s mammoth history, I’m reading this:
This is the only Tintin album I’ve been missing, all these years. I even have the unfinished Alph Art. Lake of Sharks isn’t actually part of the official canon (it’s not written by Hergé, or his studio). At least not anymore.
I’ve never seen the animated film version, either. So this is kind of ‘totally new’, at least to me, despite its age (1973, nearly as old as me).
Well… just finished Lake of Sharks, and it’s alright. Although it’s not an official Hergé creation, it captures the spirit of his work (and had his blessing, so to speak). Albeit slightly altered by the different style of the backgrounds.
All told, it’s okay. I’d give it three and a half, or maybe four stars. I’ll do a ‘proper’ review another time…
Well, well, well… I’m just beginning to realise that I love the music of Grover Washington Jr.
I had Mr Magic and Feels So Good on vinyl, since my teens. And I loved both albums. But I never took that interest any further.
What kind of fool am I? What glorious sounds I’ve been missing out on. Currently playing on the car stereo, is 1976 recording A Secret Place. And, by gum, it’s reet good!
All killer, no filler would be about right. Or just what it says on the cover of this excellent two-fer: ‘Two All Time Great Classic Albums’. For once the hype is right.
To my ears A Secret Place could be a pitch perfect dictionary definition of the phrase ‘make a joyous sound’. It makes me smile, glad to be alive.
As track three, ‘Not Yet’, a Grover original, neared its end, I was typing the ‘all killer no filler’ bit, above, and hoping fervently that the final fourth track wouldn’t let the team down.
‘Love Makes It Better’, which closes out this extraordinarily good recording, turns out to be an original by drummer, Harvey Mason. And it certainly doesn’t disappoint.
What a dream team they put together for this album. It’s utterly wonderful, from start to finish. And damn hard to follow…
I think I’ll re-listen to all of the tracks on this CD, before coming back to write up anything on All The King’s Horses. Rather oddly they’ve put the four tracks of later 1976 release, Secret Place, first.
This is as good a place as any to make a list of Grover albums I’m interested in:
Inner City Blues, 1972 (Kudu)
All The Kings Horses, 1972 (Kudu)
Soul Box, 1973 (Kudu)
Mr Magic, 1975 (Kudu)
Feels So Good, 1975 (Kudu)
A Secret Place, 1976 (Kudu)
Live At The Bijou, 1977 (Kudu)
Reed Seed, 1978 (Motown)
Paradise, 1979 (Elektra)
Skylarkin’, 1980 (Motown)
Winelight, 1980 (Elektra)
I’d like to have all his Kudu releases – I’m only missing Feels So Good and Live At The Bijou – and perhaps Winelight? Reed Seed, Paradise and Skylarkin’ I’m less fussed about.
Before we set off, for Dad’s, Teresa called me upstairs to see Chester. Bagpuss was the reason. Very sweet!
We had a fab’ spag’ bol’ type meal. Teresa contributed some veg. It was really lovely. With plenty of grated cheese, and garlic bread. Delish’!
Attempted some normal aspect ratio photography. And got a couple of usable pics. We then tried numerous attempts at some panoramic snaps. Most turned out pretty badly. This is the best we got:
After eating we exchanged pressies. Which was fun. We also played a bit of random ‘who wants to be a millionaire’, but just as a quiz. Later on we watched a few different bits of TV.
About 4.30 pm, we left. I’m just totally zonked, as ever. I was in bed at home by 6.30 pm. Which is where I am now, as type this…