Thursday, August 06, 2009
Flying south…
We are planning a short visit down under to visit friends and family in NZ in October and to show Jamie around some of the sites (he wants to do the Sky-Jump and Zorbing). So we will try and set a date when we are in Auckland
Where has the sunshine gone…?
I know we shouldn’t expect too much of the British Summer but our hopes were initially lifted by a good spring and the promise by the forecaster’s of a BBQ Summer. Now that June and July have been predominately wet and gloomy the forecaster’s have revised there predictions for the worst.
On the plus side the wet weather has meant that we have not had to water the allotment, though we have not had much time outside and we are getting fed up with the wet and cold. We do have the occasional day of sunshine and heat, but it is unpredictable and short lived as another shower passes through to dampen our enthusiasm. Oh well, I guess it will soon be Christmas!
More banjos than is healthy…
We went to another festival recently, though on a much smaller scale and restricted musical theme as a local village held its 9th Surrey Mini Bluegrass Festival in the village hall. We have been to folk festivals, jazz festivals and now a bluegrass festival, and it seems there are similar types of people at each, just wearing different ‘uniforms’. It was a small, intimate and friendly atmosphere and we did hear some very talented musicians, and I even enjoyed one so much I bought their album.
Wood, Wire and Words are a family trio of husband and wife and wife’s dad who played a more accessible style of bluegrass that was centred on the lyrics of the young lead singer.
Wood, Wire and Words are a family trio of husband and wife and wife’s dad who played a more accessible style of bluegrass that was centred on the lyrics of the young lead singer.
Mad for Womad…
Our now regular trip to the Womad festival was not hampered greatly by the British summer weather and we managed to dress accordingly and shelter when necessary as the rains came and went. The site was prey good again though the organisers suffered problems with the toilets, and we mourned the lack of the Pieminister food stall and the small Little Italy Tent.
Again we saw and amazing selection of artists that most of us knew nothing of. There seemed to be a jazz influence to this year’s line-up culminating in the foremost Acid Jazz performer – Roy Ayers.
Some of the acts we saw included:
Caravan Palace downloaded their album)
Rachel Unthank and The Winterset (on my wish list)
Sarah Savoy & The Francadians (would love to get something of theirs)
17 Hippies (on my wish list)
Victor Deme (on my wish list)
Hindi Zahra
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
Mec Yek
Solomon Burke
Roy Ayers
Youssou N’Dour
Spiro
Nneke
Ethiopiques
Los Desterrados
Long days (and nights) of prolonged drinking and festival atmosphere did produce some amusing incidents, like putting an order in for tea & toast in the middle of the night under the name of ‘fudgy-foo-foo’ and having another late night cuppa in a chi tent as kids inhaled ‘laughing-gas’ from balloons and a single mum smoked a joint as her baby slept in a pram nearby.
It was such an education for us innocents abroad in everyway.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Gently does it...
Titsey Place - House and Gardens
After an entertaining and excessive party recently we woke up gently the next day at our friend’s house to bright sunshine and a bacon butty. Paul, one of those celebrating a birthday, lived here and he took us out to where he worked at the grand and historic Titsey Place near Oxted. He spends most of his time out in the gardens and use his woodman skills to create impressive arches and other woven wood structures for the kitchen garden. It was a wonderful place with lovely different garden areas to stroll through and to slowly recover from a hard night before.
After an entertaining and excessive party recently we woke up gently the next day at our friend’s house to bright sunshine and a bacon butty. Paul, one of those celebrating a birthday, lived here and he took us out to where he worked at the grand and historic Titsey Place near Oxted. He spends most of his time out in the gardens and use his woodman skills to create impressive arches and other woven wood structures for the kitchen garden. It was a wonderful place with lovely different garden areas to stroll through and to slowly recover from a hard night before.
Poynter Pointing Party…
We enlisted the help of Sue’s family (the Poynter’s) to fix the mortar pointing around the windows at the back of the house that had been left neglected for many years and had crumbled away in areas exposing large gaps that let the weather in. Sue’s brother Dave and his eldest son Nick did the work as they have experience in building work, while I acted as gofer. Sue and her mum did domestic chores and prepared a sumptuous meal for us in the evening when Sue’s other brother and his wife joined us.
Writing unblocked...
I have finally got around to more writing, this time it was a short (2000 word) story for the Guardian Short Story Competition. I did rework something that I had started a few years ago, but after the initial fear about putting pen to paper again, I found I quite enjoyed the process. Hopefully this won’t be the end of things now. I will have to keep my eye out for other competitions where the deadline and restrictions give me focus.
A Picnic in the Park...
Reigate Priory
We took an afternoon off recently and went for a picnic in this delightful park on a Sunday. It is a large space with a variety of areas for perambulating, sports, children, views and lolling about. It was nice to see so many people out and about, families together, groups of friends and work colleagues and couples.
We took an afternoon off recently and went for a picnic in this delightful park on a Sunday. It is a large space with a variety of areas for perambulating, sports, children, views and lolling about. It was nice to see so many people out and about, families together, groups of friends and work colleagues and couples.
I know wot I like….
I have been asked to make a few musical recommendations on folk music. I can’t say that I am an authority on any genre as I tend to dip into many different styles of music, but I know what I like. These that I have chosen here a generally English folk, though they are more modern than traditional and so are influenced by the country’s more cosmopolitan nature.
Musical Recommendations – English Folk
Underneath the Stars by Kate Rusby
The most traditional of the four albums selected here, Kate has a clear and sweetly regional accent that lends itself well to the gentle and clean sound that she creates. This is a beautiful album for either background music or quiet contemplation. I would say this is a good album to introduce you to the folk style.
The Imagined Village
This is something quite different in that it is a determined attempt at moving the genre along to better represent the modern world. A great collective of people mixing folk stalwarts such as Martin and Eliza Carthy, The Copper Family, Chris Wood and Billy Bragg, with new borrowed cultural music from Sheila Chandra, rock influences like Paul Weller and Trans Global Underground and even poetry from Benjamin Zephaniah. This might not be for the old traditionalist, but it is very relevant to the new audience of today.
‘The Imagined Village is an ambitious reinvention of the English folk tradition, embracing modern-day culture in all the diversity. Classic folk songs are skilfully reworked with the sounds and voices of today, updating the tradition for a new generation.’
The Boy Bands Have Won by Chumbawamba
Folk has always had its political and protesting side to it and this band, like the Imagined Village, have set out trying to push the genre forward into the future. They are a very considered and thoughtful group who have a point to make even when you don’t realise it as you listen to the catchy tunes and often humorous lyrics.
‘The boy bands have won, and all the copyists and the tribute bands and the TV talent show producers have won, if we allow our culture to be shaped by mimicry, wether from lack of ideas or from exaggerated respect. You should never try to freeze culture. What you can do is recycle that culture. Take your older brother’s hand-me-down jacket and re-style it, re-fashion it to the point where it becomes your own. But don’t just regurgitate creative history, or hold art and music and literature as fixed, untouchable and kept under glass. The people who try to ‘guard’ any particular form of music are, like the copyists and manufactured bands, doing it the worst disservice, because the only thing that you can do to music that will damage it is not change it, not make it your own. Because then it dies, then it’s over, then it’s done, and the boy bands have won.’
Burlesque by Bellowhead
This is a big band with a big sound that is quite a contrast to the gentle sounds of Kate Rusby, as they relish the wall of sound that the mixture of instruments can achieve. They are all about entertainment and they take the traditional folk songs and add colour and lights to the sound.
‘M’Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure – oh yes – to present these rare and glittering gems, these dazzling and delectable delights, these precious sparkling stones from the gilded coronet, the diamante tiara that is indeed the English music tradition.
So without further ado, pray sit back, recline and repose whilst we entertain and edify you, courtesy of the bold and brazen brass, soothing soniforous strings, rich and resplendent reeds, pantechnicon of outré percussion, and of course, vivacious, nay, effervescent vocals, that conjoin and coalesce to form the truly singular sui generis that is: Bellowhead!’
Musical Recommendations – English Folk
Underneath the Stars by Kate Rusby
The most traditional of the four albums selected here, Kate has a clear and sweetly regional accent that lends itself well to the gentle and clean sound that she creates. This is a beautiful album for either background music or quiet contemplation. I would say this is a good album to introduce you to the folk style.
The Imagined Village
This is something quite different in that it is a determined attempt at moving the genre along to better represent the modern world. A great collective of people mixing folk stalwarts such as Martin and Eliza Carthy, The Copper Family, Chris Wood and Billy Bragg, with new borrowed cultural music from Sheila Chandra, rock influences like Paul Weller and Trans Global Underground and even poetry from Benjamin Zephaniah. This might not be for the old traditionalist, but it is very relevant to the new audience of today.
‘The Imagined Village is an ambitious reinvention of the English folk tradition, embracing modern-day culture in all the diversity. Classic folk songs are skilfully reworked with the sounds and voices of today, updating the tradition for a new generation.’
The Boy Bands Have Won by Chumbawamba
Folk has always had its political and protesting side to it and this band, like the Imagined Village, have set out trying to push the genre forward into the future. They are a very considered and thoughtful group who have a point to make even when you don’t realise it as you listen to the catchy tunes and often humorous lyrics.
‘The boy bands have won, and all the copyists and the tribute bands and the TV talent show producers have won, if we allow our culture to be shaped by mimicry, wether from lack of ideas or from exaggerated respect. You should never try to freeze culture. What you can do is recycle that culture. Take your older brother’s hand-me-down jacket and re-style it, re-fashion it to the point where it becomes your own. But don’t just regurgitate creative history, or hold art and music and literature as fixed, untouchable and kept under glass. The people who try to ‘guard’ any particular form of music are, like the copyists and manufactured bands, doing it the worst disservice, because the only thing that you can do to music that will damage it is not change it, not make it your own. Because then it dies, then it’s over, then it’s done, and the boy bands have won.’
Burlesque by Bellowhead
This is a big band with a big sound that is quite a contrast to the gentle sounds of Kate Rusby, as they relish the wall of sound that the mixture of instruments can achieve. They are all about entertainment and they take the traditional folk songs and add colour and lights to the sound.
‘M’Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure – oh yes – to present these rare and glittering gems, these dazzling and delectable delights, these precious sparkling stones from the gilded coronet, the diamante tiara that is indeed the English music tradition.
So without further ado, pray sit back, recline and repose whilst we entertain and edify you, courtesy of the bold and brazen brass, soothing soniforous strings, rich and resplendent reeds, pantechnicon of outré percussion, and of course, vivacious, nay, effervescent vocals, that conjoin and coalesce to form the truly singular sui generis that is: Bellowhead!’
More of wot I have seen…
Public Enemies
We recently saw this movie in the small cinema in Reigate. It relies a lot on the action and momentum to carry it along, which it does apace. The characters were fun too, if a little two dimensional, but that fitted with the almost cartoon feel to the story
We recently saw this movie in the small cinema in Reigate. It relies a lot on the action and momentum to carry it along, which it does apace. The characters were fun too, if a little two dimensional, but that fitted with the almost cartoon feel to the story
Fiddly French fingers…
Seen recently at the Dorking Folk Club was this artist who had amazing skills in guitar finger-picking. The intros to the songs were longer than the songs themselves. He was also a nice guy with a good sense of humour.
‘Claude Bourbon - A breathtaking fusion of Blues, Folk, Jazz, Classical and Spanish guitar. This accomplished artist offers tender, compelling performance through highly developed precision and instantly creates ambience – from haunting Spanish moods to lyrical, romantic jazz.
A formidable performer, Claude may have his roots in the blues, but he is inspired by music from all around the world, taking these sounds and weaving them into a performance of melodies that defy a label, all delivered with a gravely voice that has given him the nickname of "The Frog with the blues".’
‘Claude Bourbon - A breathtaking fusion of Blues, Folk, Jazz, Classical and Spanish guitar. This accomplished artist offers tender, compelling performance through highly developed precision and instantly creates ambience – from haunting Spanish moods to lyrical, romantic jazz.
A formidable performer, Claude may have his roots in the blues, but he is inspired by music from all around the world, taking these sounds and weaving them into a performance of melodies that defy a label, all delivered with a gravely voice that has given him the nickname of "The Frog with the blues".’
More wot I have read…
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
This was the second book from the same author that Sue enjoyed and suggested I read. Like the first one it too was slow to start and the author spent a lot of time setting the scene and fleshing out the characters. This story spanned several time periods and geographical locations but was nicely resolved. A good period drama.
‘Before her eyes the garden changed. Weeds and brambles, decades in the growing, receded. Leaves lifted from the ground, revealing paths and flowerbeds and a garden seat. Light was permitted entry once more…
1913
On the eve of the First World War a little girl is found abandoned after a gruelling ocean voyage from England to Australia. All she can remember of the journey is that a mysterious woman she calls the Authoress had promised to look after her. But the Authoress has vanished without trace.
1975
Now an old lady, Nell travels to England to discover the truth about her parentage. Her quest leads her to Cornwall, and to a beautiful estate called Blackhurst Manor, which had been owned by the Mountrachet family. What has prompted Nell’s journey after all these years.
2005
On Nell’s death her granddaughter, Cassandra, comes into a surprise inheritance. Cliff Cottage, in the grounds of Blackhurst Manor, is notorious amongst the locals for the secrets it holds – secrets about the doomed Mountrachet family. But it is at Cliff Cottage, abandoned for years, and in its forgotten garden, that Cassandra will uncover the truth about the family and why young Nell was abandoned all those decades before’
This was the second book from the same author that Sue enjoyed and suggested I read. Like the first one it too was slow to start and the author spent a lot of time setting the scene and fleshing out the characters. This story spanned several time periods and geographical locations but was nicely resolved. A good period drama.
‘Before her eyes the garden changed. Weeds and brambles, decades in the growing, receded. Leaves lifted from the ground, revealing paths and flowerbeds and a garden seat. Light was permitted entry once more…
1913
On the eve of the First World War a little girl is found abandoned after a gruelling ocean voyage from England to Australia. All she can remember of the journey is that a mysterious woman she calls the Authoress had promised to look after her. But the Authoress has vanished without trace.
1975
Now an old lady, Nell travels to England to discover the truth about her parentage. Her quest leads her to Cornwall, and to a beautiful estate called Blackhurst Manor, which had been owned by the Mountrachet family. What has prompted Nell’s journey after all these years.
2005
On Nell’s death her granddaughter, Cassandra, comes into a surprise inheritance. Cliff Cottage, in the grounds of Blackhurst Manor, is notorious amongst the locals for the secrets it holds – secrets about the doomed Mountrachet family. But it is at Cliff Cottage, abandoned for years, and in its forgotten garden, that Cassandra will uncover the truth about the family and why young Nell was abandoned all those decades before’
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Drunken legs…
The night before the longest day we went to a BBQ at our allotment that was hosted by a couple of guys who had rebuilt their impressive shed after vandals had burnt it down. They were expressing their thanks to all of those who offered assistance and support and the Allotment Holders Association promoted it as a gathering of tenants to get to know one another.
It was a pleasant evening and everyone enjoyed themselves meeting people that they previously had only seen the backsides of from a distance as they bent over their plots attending to their crops. There were young families with children running around, middle-aged people of all professions, older couples with their home made elderflower cordial, and an elegant woman who had been on the site since 1964.
As the evening drew in a core group of revellers were left, of which we were two. It was then that the flavoured vodkas emerged – home made infusions of Fennel, Mint, Strawberry and Vanilla. Sue was more sensible than I, who had never had vodka before (and by now was less inhibited by the application of red wine), to consume all of the shots. I knocked them back and even finished some of Sue’s. We were sitting around the shed having a laugh and a good time as it got later. We had planned to walk back to Westcott (which meant a 2 mile trek across the fields, through a wood and along a main road), so Sue suggested we get on our way as we had plans for the following morning. It was then that I noticed I had drunken legs, and as soon as tried to stand I was on my backside again. We mumbled apologies, thanks and goodnights and staggered off into the gloom. It wasn’t the last time I fell over, and Sue had a hard time keeping me upright – berating me as I swayed close to the road ‘If you get run over I will kill you!’
Needless to say the next day was mostly spent in a haze as I endeavoured to set up Sue’s Aunt’s Broadband and Video package.
I don’t think I will be trying vodka again in a hurry… …though the boys have promised to invite us back for their cider making enterprise!
It was a pleasant evening and everyone enjoyed themselves meeting people that they previously had only seen the backsides of from a distance as they bent over their plots attending to their crops. There were young families with children running around, middle-aged people of all professions, older couples with their home made elderflower cordial, and an elegant woman who had been on the site since 1964.
As the evening drew in a core group of revellers were left, of which we were two. It was then that the flavoured vodkas emerged – home made infusions of Fennel, Mint, Strawberry and Vanilla. Sue was more sensible than I, who had never had vodka before (and by now was less inhibited by the application of red wine), to consume all of the shots. I knocked them back and even finished some of Sue’s. We were sitting around the shed having a laugh and a good time as it got later. We had planned to walk back to Westcott (which meant a 2 mile trek across the fields, through a wood and along a main road), so Sue suggested we get on our way as we had plans for the following morning. It was then that I noticed I had drunken legs, and as soon as tried to stand I was on my backside again. We mumbled apologies, thanks and goodnights and staggered off into the gloom. It wasn’t the last time I fell over, and Sue had a hard time keeping me upright – berating me as I swayed close to the road ‘If you get run over I will kill you!’
Needless to say the next day was mostly spent in a haze as I endeavoured to set up Sue’s Aunt’s Broadband and Video package.
I don’t think I will be trying vodka again in a hurry… …though the boys have promised to invite us back for their cider making enterprise!
More wot I have read…
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
This was a book that Sue enjoyed and suggested I read. I found it slow to start but the ending was nicely resolved without being too cutesy. A good period drama.
‘Summer 1924
One the eve of a glittering society party, by the lake of a grand English country house, a young poet takes his life. The only witnesses, sisters Hannah and Emmeline Hartford, will never speak to each other again.
Winter 1999
Grace Bradley, ninety-eight, one-time housemaid at Riverton Manor, is visited by a young director making a film about the poet’s suicide. Ghosts awaken and old memories – long consigned to the dark reaches of Grace’s mind – begin to sneak back through the cracks. A shocking secret threatens to emerge, something history has forgotten but Grace never could.
Set as the war-shattered Edwardian summer surrenders to the decadent twenties, The House at Riverton is a thrilling mystery and a compelling love story.’
This was a book that Sue enjoyed and suggested I read. I found it slow to start but the ending was nicely resolved without being too cutesy. A good period drama.
‘Summer 1924
One the eve of a glittering society party, by the lake of a grand English country house, a young poet takes his life. The only witnesses, sisters Hannah and Emmeline Hartford, will never speak to each other again.
Winter 1999
Grace Bradley, ninety-eight, one-time housemaid at Riverton Manor, is visited by a young director making a film about the poet’s suicide. Ghosts awaken and old memories – long consigned to the dark reaches of Grace’s mind – begin to sneak back through the cracks. A shocking secret threatens to emerge, something history has forgotten but Grace never could.
Set as the war-shattered Edwardian summer surrenders to the decadent twenties, The House at Riverton is a thrilling mystery and a compelling love story.’
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The history of Ranmore village…
We recently went on an evening walk around what was the village of Ranmore. The shops, cottages and church served the nearby Denbies estate and were built by the then landowner who went on to become the 1st Lord Ashcombe. The shops, post office, dispensary, school and rectors house are now all private residences, but we were allowed a closer look at some of them and were allowed to walk across part of the Denbies estate to see where the grand old house used to stand and the views it commanded over the local area.
Gardens in bloom…
We have been spending more time out doors in gardens now that the weather has improved. We have planted much of our allotment even though the ground is still poor and we are not expecting a great yield – the strawberries are going great guns at the moment and Sue has made jams and frozen the excess that can’t be eaten fresh. Around home the garden is looking good and we are seeing where we can move some plants around next year to improve the display. We have also been helping out with the Westcott in Bloom preparations by clearing approaches to the village of overgrowing verges and helping plant out display beds that should improve our chances of getting an award.
Recently we also joined the Gardeners Club in an outing to Parham House in West Sussex to walk around their lovely free-form gardens and the historic 16th C house. The gardens have a variety of ‘rooms’ within the large walled area and outside that is the please gardens with lake, maze and parkland. The house has a great collection of paintings, artefacts and a very grand long gallery. Still privately owned and occupied Parham House and Gardens is well worth a visit.
Recently we also joined the Gardeners Club in an outing to Parham House in West Sussex to walk around their lovely free-form gardens and the historic 16th C house. The gardens have a variety of ‘rooms’ within the large walled area and outside that is the please gardens with lake, maze and parkland. The house has a great collection of paintings, artefacts and a very grand long gallery. Still privately owned and occupied Parham House and Gardens is well worth a visit.
More wot I have heard…
Wishful Thinking by Hot Club of Cowtown
This was the album that the band was promoting as part of their tour that we caught in Brighton recently. We have an earlier album (Continental Stomp – 2003) and this new one is similar but with a few more variations and is very enjoyable – I listened to it twice through on the way home on the weekend.
******
I have been into some aspects of the jazz genre for a while as my dad introduced me to traditional acts and I found acid-jazz/jazz-fusion later on. A friend in NZ gave me a list of his top jazz albums and I have recently tracked them down and bought them online.
Brilliant Corners by Thelonious Monk
This was the first album to be delivered, and it is described as challenging, provocative and disturbing. I know some jazz can be pretty weird, but I can’t say found it this album all that bad, in fact I found it was perfectly fine as background music.
Kind of Blue by Miles Davis
This is probably my favourite of this jazz classics group, and the one I was most familiar with. It has a smoky, late night club feel to it and is great to let it flow over you.
A Love Supreme by John Coltrane
I lot of these artists were familiar with each others work and often collaborated together and Coltrane features on the Miles Davis album. This, though, is one of his most celebrated albums and where it is a bit more ‘out there’ it is still well worth a listen to and has a lot going on in it.
Mingus Ah Um by Charles Mingus
Another very interesting jazz classic album, and for those keen on the genre it is full of really good stuff.
Also recommended by my jazz loving friend is this interesting album…
The Very Best of Play Bach by Jacques Loussier
I was unaware of his work until it was pointed out that he performed the ‘Hamlet Cigar’ music. This album is an easy listening joy that washes over the listener and gently carries them away. It is an antidote to the other albums above that require more active concentration on the behalf of the listener to get the most out of them. Where they are smoky jazz dive beats, this is a sophisticated cocktail bar soundtrack.
******
Made in Dakar by Orchestra Baobab
We saw these guys at the last Womad we went to and were impressed with their Afro-Cuban rhythms and beautifully orchestrated instruments and harmonious voices. For anyone who has an interest in World music and expanding their listening horizons this group would be high on my list along with the Buena Vista Social Club.
Sweet Fast River by Suntrap
We saw this group at our local folk club and were very impressed with their lovely songs. You can also find them on their own MySpace site.
This was the album that the band was promoting as part of their tour that we caught in Brighton recently. We have an earlier album (Continental Stomp – 2003) and this new one is similar but with a few more variations and is very enjoyable – I listened to it twice through on the way home on the weekend.
******
I have been into some aspects of the jazz genre for a while as my dad introduced me to traditional acts and I found acid-jazz/jazz-fusion later on. A friend in NZ gave me a list of his top jazz albums and I have recently tracked them down and bought them online.
Brilliant Corners by Thelonious Monk
This was the first album to be delivered, and it is described as challenging, provocative and disturbing. I know some jazz can be pretty weird, but I can’t say found it this album all that bad, in fact I found it was perfectly fine as background music.
Kind of Blue by Miles Davis
This is probably my favourite of this jazz classics group, and the one I was most familiar with. It has a smoky, late night club feel to it and is great to let it flow over you.
A Love Supreme by John Coltrane
I lot of these artists were familiar with each others work and often collaborated together and Coltrane features on the Miles Davis album. This, though, is one of his most celebrated albums and where it is a bit more ‘out there’ it is still well worth a listen to and has a lot going on in it.
Mingus Ah Um by Charles Mingus
Another very interesting jazz classic album, and for those keen on the genre it is full of really good stuff.
Also recommended by my jazz loving friend is this interesting album…
The Very Best of Play Bach by Jacques Loussier
I was unaware of his work until it was pointed out that he performed the ‘Hamlet Cigar’ music. This album is an easy listening joy that washes over the listener and gently carries them away. It is an antidote to the other albums above that require more active concentration on the behalf of the listener to get the most out of them. Where they are smoky jazz dive beats, this is a sophisticated cocktail bar soundtrack.
******
Made in Dakar by Orchestra Baobab
We saw these guys at the last Womad we went to and were impressed with their Afro-Cuban rhythms and beautifully orchestrated instruments and harmonious voices. For anyone who has an interest in World music and expanding their listening horizons this group would be high on my list along with the Buena Vista Social Club.
Sweet Fast River by Suntrap
We saw this group at our local folk club and were very impressed with their lovely songs. You can also find them on their own MySpace site.
More wot I have seen…
We went to see Hot Club of Cowtown recently with a couple of friends and we had one of the best nights ever as the band ripped up the club with an enthusiastic foot-stomping show. They are – as their name suggests – a band that incorporates the Hot Club of France sound with Country music into a hugely entertaining fusion. All of members of the band are amazingly talented musicians with the guitarist taking the Django Reinhardt role, the violinist the Stephane Grappelli, and the double bassist slapping out a thumping beat with support of the drummer.
The venue was an interesting and deceptive Komedia club in Brighton that is host of a variety of gigs including comedy, music and cabaret. It was a lively place with a mixed audience and a well stocked bar. Downstairs they have a coffee bar and a café that looks well patronised.
The venue was an interesting and deceptive Komedia club in Brighton that is host of a variety of gigs including comedy, music and cabaret. It was a lively place with a mixed audience and a well stocked bar. Downstairs they have a coffee bar and a café that looks well patronised.
More wot I have read…
My Name is Daphne Fairfax by Arthur Smith
I rattled through this book as it was a very entertaining read. I could hear Arthur Smith’s distinctive voice in the words as I read about his interesting life.
'My name is Arthur Smith, unless there's anybody here from the Streatham tax office. In which case, I'm Daphne Fairfax'. This has been Arthur's opening line at hundreds of stand-up comedy performances. In fact, he is neither Daphne nor Arthur. Friends and family know him as Brian. One of the 'alternative comedians' who shook up light entertainment in the eighties and nineties, Arthur (and Brian) is also a broadcaster, an opening bat for Grumpy Old Men, a West End playwright (his plays include An Evening with Gary Lineker) and a guest on innumerable radio and TV panel shows. In "My Name is Daphne Fairfax", he reflects on the nature of comedy and his days as a scruffy kid on the bombsites of Bermondsey, a wild-haired undergraduate, a road sweeper, an English teacher, a failed rock star, a boozed-up sexual adventurer and an intensive care patient who has been told never to drink again. Hilarious, scandalous and rude, his memoir incorporates a tender tribute to his parents and a vigorous account of the peculiar business of being alive.’
Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer
The fourth book in the series that ties up the storylines for all the major characters nicely. This book got some bad press from the puritans as it celebrates the union between boy and girl, though I can’t see a problem with it as there is nothing graphic and the passion is highly romanticized.
It is an easy read, written as it is for young adults, but it is still entertaining and compulsive. Different in its approach from the previous books it allows the story to viewed from two characters point of view fleshing the second character out more while giving us a relief from the insecurities of the lead.
‘Don’t be afraid,’ I murmured. ‘We belong together.’
I was abruptly overwhelmed by the truth of my own words. This moment was so perfect, so right, there was no way to doubt it. His arms wrapped around me, holding me against him…It felt like every nerve ending in my body was a live wire.
‘Forever,’ he agreed.
I rattled through this book as it was a very entertaining read. I could hear Arthur Smith’s distinctive voice in the words as I read about his interesting life.
'My name is Arthur Smith, unless there's anybody here from the Streatham tax office. In which case, I'm Daphne Fairfax'. This has been Arthur's opening line at hundreds of stand-up comedy performances. In fact, he is neither Daphne nor Arthur. Friends and family know him as Brian. One of the 'alternative comedians' who shook up light entertainment in the eighties and nineties, Arthur (and Brian) is also a broadcaster, an opening bat for Grumpy Old Men, a West End playwright (his plays include An Evening with Gary Lineker) and a guest on innumerable radio and TV panel shows. In "My Name is Daphne Fairfax", he reflects on the nature of comedy and his days as a scruffy kid on the bombsites of Bermondsey, a wild-haired undergraduate, a road sweeper, an English teacher, a failed rock star, a boozed-up sexual adventurer and an intensive care patient who has been told never to drink again. Hilarious, scandalous and rude, his memoir incorporates a tender tribute to his parents and a vigorous account of the peculiar business of being alive.’
Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer
The fourth book in the series that ties up the storylines for all the major characters nicely. This book got some bad press from the puritans as it celebrates the union between boy and girl, though I can’t see a problem with it as there is nothing graphic and the passion is highly romanticized.
It is an easy read, written as it is for young adults, but it is still entertaining and compulsive. Different in its approach from the previous books it allows the story to viewed from two characters point of view fleshing the second character out more while giving us a relief from the insecurities of the lead.
‘Don’t be afraid,’ I murmured. ‘We belong together.’
I was abruptly overwhelmed by the truth of my own words. This moment was so perfect, so right, there was no way to doubt it. His arms wrapped around me, holding me against him…It felt like every nerve ending in my body was a live wire.
‘Forever,’ he agreed.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Under canvas…
We had a long weekend away camping at Hollands Wood in the New Forest with a bunch of friends and we were lucky with unusually bright and hot Bank Holiday weather. Much of the time was spent sitting around the site drinking copiously, but we did manage a few short walks and one long (and painful) bicycle ride in the forest.
We were impressed with the site and its location in the middle of the forest was ideal, though you had to be careful to move any foodstuffs and not leave any out in the campsite when you retired at night as the ponies would be around in the morning rooting through it for their breakfast.
We were impressed with the site and its location in the middle of the forest was ideal, though you had to be careful to move any foodstuffs and not leave any out in the campsite when you retired at night as the ponies would be around in the morning rooting through it for their breakfast.
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