Hello there,
This is a brief review of two books: The Tao of Pooh and The Te of Piglet, both by Benjamin Hoff. I got them in a nice one volume edition.
The Tao of Pooh is an absolutely charming, simple application of Winnie the Pooh (described as The Uncarved Block) and the other famous A.A. Milne characters to the central tenets of Taoism. Not being a Taoist or knowing anything about Taoism I cannot say how accurate Hoff's book is, all I can say is that it is a beatiful, easy read that I would recommend to anyone.
The Te of Piglet is a bit of a rant against the perils of *not* following the way of Tao. And as such loses most of the charm of the other book. Though I'm glad to say Piglet comes out of it well enough in the end :) I would suggest giving this book a miss, but if you read The Tao of Pooh, you may feel obliged to read this just like I did, regardless of reviews :)
Hope this helps anyone wondering whether or not to read these :)
Good luck,
Jim.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
William Dalrymple: The Age of Kali
Hi,
Through work recently I got to visit India for a couple of weeks. For the first time I got a bit of an understanding of what people mean when they talk about the 'contradictions' of the place. A huge mall right next door to a shanty town. Lovely, friendly people and then the caste system. Cows wondering along in the middle of a 3 lane highway :) Lots of memories from such a short visit.
While there I bought The Age of Kali by William Dalrymple to pass the time while also hoping to gain a little understanding of everything going on around me. And it is a brilliant read. It is a series of essays the author wrote over a few years in India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. An often dark and disturbing book (it is not a romantic view of India), it still manages to convey the beauty of the place, along with the friendliness and (frustrating to a European eye) contradictions of the people. The depth of knowledge Dalrymple has on each subject he writes about is astonishing, and never boring, and reflects an obvious deep love and respect for the subcontinent. I recommend this book unreservedly. After reading this I fully intend reading more of William Dalrymple's work and have just ordered Nine Lives, will report back here when I've read it :)
Slán go fóil, Jim.
Through work recently I got to visit India for a couple of weeks. For the first time I got a bit of an understanding of what people mean when they talk about the 'contradictions' of the place. A huge mall right next door to a shanty town. Lovely, friendly people and then the caste system. Cows wondering along in the middle of a 3 lane highway :) Lots of memories from such a short visit.
While there I bought The Age of Kali by William Dalrymple to pass the time while also hoping to gain a little understanding of everything going on around me. And it is a brilliant read. It is a series of essays the author wrote over a few years in India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. An often dark and disturbing book (it is not a romantic view of India), it still manages to convey the beauty of the place, along with the friendliness and (frustrating to a European eye) contradictions of the people. The depth of knowledge Dalrymple has on each subject he writes about is astonishing, and never boring, and reflects an obvious deep love and respect for the subcontinent. I recommend this book unreservedly. After reading this I fully intend reading more of William Dalrymple's work and have just ordered Nine Lives, will report back here when I've read it :)
Slán go fóil, Jim.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Artist For Today: Michael Nyman
I am a huge fan of Michael Nyman's soundtracks. Some more than others I have to admit, so here's a rundown of those I have in my collection, in order of preference.
The Piano
If you are going to get any album of Michael Nyman's this is the place to start. A hauntingly beautiful, evocative score, it has been my choice of hangover music since I first discovered it :) He captures so much emotion in this music that it is almost overwhelming. This album would be my number one desert island disc.
Wonderland
And in joint second with Gattaca, comes this wonderful score - of which I have never actually seen the film, which might give some idea how good this music is to stand alone. Sensitive, simple, intense, I am repeating myself in each of these reviews I'm afraid, but Nyman's ability to stir up emotions with his music is just unsurpassed. This soundtrack relies a lot more on strings (the previous two concentrating more on piano) and, well, I'm a sucker for strings done so beautifully :) For many people this is actually Nyman's career highlight.
The Claim
In third place, a score for a film that, once again, I have not seen! This score at times feels more expansive that the previous three, as if we have gone outdoors. I don't know if this makes any sense, purely a personal feeling :) Maybe the music is a little more outward looking. But like the previous three, it still conveys emotions tenderly and simply, but without touching me *quite* as deeply as the previous scores. That said it is *still* a beautiful, emotive score, just not quite at the level of the previous three - for me anyway :)
The End of the Affair
This is the last of this particular style of Nyman soundtrack that I own. Melancholic, romantic music again in a beautiful, relaxed, simple style and pace. All these scores have almost an ambient feel. Similar to the previous score, I really like this album, but it does not (for me) reach quite the heights of the previous soundtracks.
The Cook, the Thief, his Wife and her Lover
This is a slightly disturbing, eclectic, dark and lovely soundtrack that demands a totally different mood and more effort from the listener than the previously listed scores. I would like to associate the music with the film, unfortunately it has been many years since I saw it, so I have no real recollection (other than that it was a *strange* movie, and I kinda liked it) of what it is Nyman's score is describing. And unlike the previous scores I list here, this score I think would benefit from that extra little bit of input :) All that said, this is still a worthy addition to any Nyman collection!
A Zed & Two Noughts
Almost everything I mentioned about the previous score, I could say about this one. A disturbing, strange score, best described by a reviewer (on that amazon link) who said 'demented fairground music gone wrong'. I might not go that far :) but it certainly requires effort on the part of the listener; that said, this effort *will* be rewarded, and once again a lovely piece of music will emerge!
As I find more of his soundtracks, I will add them in here.
Slán! Jim.
Hmmm ... Updated 02 November 2009: Wonderland has moved up to joint number 1 with The Piano - it really is a *lovely* soundtrack :)
The Piano
If you are going to get any album of Michael Nyman's this is the place to start. A hauntingly beautiful, evocative score, it has been my choice of hangover music since I first discovered it :) He captures so much emotion in this music that it is almost overwhelming. This album would be my number one desert island disc.
Gattaca
This soundtrack comes a very close second. Once again, a haunting, minimalist score, chilling at times to reflect the sanitised world the movie inhabits. But romantic and beautifully heart tugging :) As with most of Nyman's music, it is so easy just to immerse yourself in it.
This soundtrack comes a very close second. Once again, a haunting, minimalist score, chilling at times to reflect the sanitised world the movie inhabits. But romantic and beautifully heart tugging :) As with most of Nyman's music, it is so easy just to immerse yourself in it.
Wonderland
And in joint second with Gattaca, comes this wonderful score - of which I have never actually seen the film, which might give some idea how good this music is to stand alone. Sensitive, simple, intense, I am repeating myself in each of these reviews I'm afraid, but Nyman's ability to stir up emotions with his music is just unsurpassed. This soundtrack relies a lot more on strings (the previous two concentrating more on piano) and, well, I'm a sucker for strings done so beautifully :) For many people this is actually Nyman's career highlight.
The Claim
In third place, a score for a film that, once again, I have not seen! This score at times feels more expansive that the previous three, as if we have gone outdoors. I don't know if this makes any sense, purely a personal feeling :) Maybe the music is a little more outward looking. But like the previous three, it still conveys emotions tenderly and simply, but without touching me *quite* as deeply as the previous scores. That said it is *still* a beautiful, emotive score, just not quite at the level of the previous three - for me anyway :)
The End of the Affair
This is the last of this particular style of Nyman soundtrack that I own. Melancholic, romantic music again in a beautiful, relaxed, simple style and pace. All these scores have almost an ambient feel. Similar to the previous score, I really like this album, but it does not (for me) reach quite the heights of the previous soundtracks.
The Cook, the Thief, his Wife and her Lover
This is a slightly disturbing, eclectic, dark and lovely soundtrack that demands a totally different mood and more effort from the listener than the previously listed scores. I would like to associate the music with the film, unfortunately it has been many years since I saw it, so I have no real recollection (other than that it was a *strange* movie, and I kinda liked it) of what it is Nyman's score is describing. And unlike the previous scores I list here, this score I think would benefit from that extra little bit of input :) All that said, this is still a worthy addition to any Nyman collection!
A Zed & Two Noughts
Almost everything I mentioned about the previous score, I could say about this one. A disturbing, strange score, best described by a reviewer (on that amazon link) who said 'demented fairground music gone wrong'. I might not go that far :) but it certainly requires effort on the part of the listener; that said, this effort *will* be rewarded, and once again a lovely piece of music will emerge!
As I find more of his soundtracks, I will add them in here.
Slán! Jim.
Hmmm ... Updated 02 November 2009: Wonderland has moved up to joint number 1 with The Piano - it really is a *lovely* soundtrack :)
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Albums For Today: Sasha & John Digweed Northern Exposure Series
Hello :)
Just cúpla opinions on Sasha & John Digweed's Northern Exposure mix series.
Volume 1
This is rightly recognised as a classic. Absolutely superb. Beautiful, mellow, seamless trance mix that hasn't aged a bit in 12 years. Flawless. Not much more to say really. It's hard to find, but if you can find it - get it! For me, this is the cream of the crop, the next volumes in the series, though fine in their own right, fall just short of this one. Though this may be because it was it was the first I heard many moons ago :)
Volume 2 (West Coast Edition)
Volume 2 (East Coast Edition)
I just love Sasha & Digweed's ability to select and mix tracks, and it is showcased once again here :) ! Two seamless mixes, with more of a dance feel than Volume 1. Lovely late night driving music, though not quite reaching the standard of tracks that appeared on Volume 1.
Volume 3 (Expeditions)
I like this mix, but I do find that there are a few moments where things seem a little ... flat I suppose is the best word. Maybe it is because it is just a different, more spacey ambient sort of mix. That said - there are moods where this fits nicely, right now being one :)
As you might guess, my preferences would run Volume 1, 2 and 3 in that order.
Slán, Jim.
Just cúpla opinions on Sasha & John Digweed's Northern Exposure mix series.
Volume 1
This is rightly recognised as a classic. Absolutely superb. Beautiful, mellow, seamless trance mix that hasn't aged a bit in 12 years. Flawless. Not much more to say really. It's hard to find, but if you can find it - get it! For me, this is the cream of the crop, the next volumes in the series, though fine in their own right, fall just short of this one. Though this may be because it was it was the first I heard many moons ago :)
Volume 2 (West Coast Edition)
Volume 2 (East Coast Edition)
I just love Sasha & Digweed's ability to select and mix tracks, and it is showcased once again here :) ! Two seamless mixes, with more of a dance feel than Volume 1. Lovely late night driving music, though not quite reaching the standard of tracks that appeared on Volume 1.
Volume 3 (Expeditions)
I like this mix, but I do find that there are a few moments where things seem a little ... flat I suppose is the best word. Maybe it is because it is just a different, more spacey ambient sort of mix. That said - there are moods where this fits nicely, right now being one :)
As you might guess, my preferences would run Volume 1, 2 and 3 in that order.
Slán, Jim.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Bad Science, by Ben Goldacre
Howdy reader,
I have just finished reading this book. And it is a cracking, stimulating, depressing and also funny book. Ben Goldacre tackles big pharma, vitamin pill manufacturers (I had no idea how huge this industry is), MMR and MRSA controversies, anti-oxidant truths and a whole plethora of misinformation we are fed by journalists in search of the big headline. All written in a very friendly, readable style.
He explains how research should work and gives the reader the lowdown on thinking in terms of evidence based medicine. He explains how to recognise when a 'sciencey' newspaper article really is just bullshit. And it really does make you view these articles in a totally new (and unfortunately cynical) light. I say cynical because the quality of science journalism since reading this book really does seem to be of a desperately low standard.
Many of the examples he uses are funny, but I actually found it depressing to see how successful big pharma/the multibillion dollar vitamin pill industry/journalists are in manipulating research data to sell their drugs/pills/newspapers.
So this really is a marvellously interesting read. Fair play to him for his efforts in debunking these news stories and explaining to us how we can debunk them ourselves in the future.
So I highly recommend this to you. Go for it.
Cheers,
Jim.
p.s. The Bad Science web site is always worth a read.
I have just finished reading this book. And it is a cracking, stimulating, depressing and also funny book. Ben Goldacre tackles big pharma, vitamin pill manufacturers (I had no idea how huge this industry is), MMR and MRSA controversies, anti-oxidant truths and a whole plethora of misinformation we are fed by journalists in search of the big headline. All written in a very friendly, readable style.
He explains how research should work and gives the reader the lowdown on thinking in terms of evidence based medicine. He explains how to recognise when a 'sciencey' newspaper article really is just bullshit. And it really does make you view these articles in a totally new (and unfortunately cynical) light. I say cynical because the quality of science journalism since reading this book really does seem to be of a desperately low standard.
Many of the examples he uses are funny, but I actually found it depressing to see how successful big pharma/the multibillion dollar vitamin pill industry/journalists are in manipulating research data to sell their drugs/pills/newspapers.
So this really is a marvellously interesting read. Fair play to him for his efforts in debunking these news stories and explaining to us how we can debunk them ourselves in the future.
So I highly recommend this to you. Go for it.
Cheers,
Jim.
p.s. The Bad Science web site is always worth a read.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Artist For Today: The Jimmy Cake
Howdy,
I have liked Irish band The Jimmy Cake since I came across Brains. A slow burning, gentle, experimental instrumental album, which could probably slide into the post rock genre if one felt like labelling it. The (usually 9 piece) band play instruments varying from accordion, clarinet, glockenspiel, tenor sax, banjo, and found percussion as well as straight-up guitars, drums and bass. Verging on ambient at times, this is a cracking album, very hard to find but well worth the search.
Their next album Dublin Gone Everybody Dead was louder, heavier, darker and (for want of a better word) angrier. Many folks seem to prefer it over its predecessor. I say each to his own, it's a good album in its own right, but I prefer the more laid back tone of Brains.
But now to the reason i thought I would write this: their new album Spectre & Crown. I am listening to this as I write. And it really is a step up from what came before. A beautiful, melancholic, epic album, with beautiful, powerful melodies. Influences vary from classical to hints of pop brass to jazz - actually at times the band that springs to mind while listening to this album is Jaga Jazzist (an excellent band I will have to write a review on soon).
Anyways, I'm not much of a writer really, suffice it so say Spectre & Crown would be a lovely addition to any music collection. Very Good indeed. And as another reviewer pointed out - it would also make an excellent name for a pub :)
Cheers, Jim.
I have liked Irish band The Jimmy Cake since I came across Brains. A slow burning, gentle, experimental instrumental album, which could probably slide into the post rock genre if one felt like labelling it. The (usually 9 piece) band play instruments varying from accordion, clarinet, glockenspiel, tenor sax, banjo, and found percussion as well as straight-up guitars, drums and bass. Verging on ambient at times, this is a cracking album, very hard to find but well worth the search.
Their next album Dublin Gone Everybody Dead was louder, heavier, darker and (for want of a better word) angrier. Many folks seem to prefer it over its predecessor. I say each to his own, it's a good album in its own right, but I prefer the more laid back tone of Brains.
But now to the reason i thought I would write this: their new album Spectre & Crown. I am listening to this as I write. And it really is a step up from what came before. A beautiful, melancholic, epic album, with beautiful, powerful melodies. Influences vary from classical to hints of pop brass to jazz - actually at times the band that springs to mind while listening to this album is Jaga Jazzist (an excellent band I will have to write a review on soon).
Anyways, I'm not much of a writer really, suffice it so say Spectre & Crown would be a lovely addition to any music collection. Very Good indeed. And as another reviewer pointed out - it would also make an excellent name for a pub :)
Cheers, Jim.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Carna, Connemara and Saint Mac Dara
Hi,
I wanted to write this as there just isn't a whole lot of information on the subject of Féile Mhic Dara.
My wife is from the town of Carna in Connemara in the west of Ireland. Connemara is a beautiful, remote area, not good for farming, so it never boasted much of a population, and due to it's remoteness, the English never quite managed to take it over. A good portion of the people here speak Irish as a native tongue. It boasts a beautiful coastline and rugged, stony, boggy countryside with climbable mountains which reveal spectacular views.
Mac Dara's Island - a small island off the coast of Carna - was home in the sixth century to St. Mac Dara, Connemara's most respected saint. He built a one-room chapel here, with a dirt floor, walls of huge stones and a steep stone roof. In 1975 the church was restored and today it is considered one of the finest early Christian oratories in Ireland. It is unique in the archaeological record because of the architectural features of its roof.
Féile Mhic Dara is held annually on the 16th of July in Carna. A long tradition of pilgrimage to the church on the island exists on this day for Mass and celebration (people also take picnics and go for strolls around the island if the weather is good). The local fishermen give of their time and their boats by ferrying people out to the island in the morning and back in the afternoon. Others make their way out by canoe, currach and hooker. Afterwards there is a regatta for Galway Hooker's and also Currach racing.
A lovely tradition dates back to the seventeenth century whereby sailors off the Connemara coast show their reverence for their patron saint, Mac Dara, by dipping their sails three times when passing the island.
Irish music plays a big part on the pier as one leaves and returns, and later on that evening in the pubs of Carna. All in all, a truly, truly memorable event :) !!
In 2005 I took these photos of the day, hopefully they might give some inkling of the flavour of things :)
Slán go fóil, Jim.
I wanted to write this as there just isn't a whole lot of information on the subject of Féile Mhic Dara.
My wife is from the town of Carna in Connemara in the west of Ireland. Connemara is a beautiful, remote area, not good for farming, so it never boasted much of a population, and due to it's remoteness, the English never quite managed to take it over. A good portion of the people here speak Irish as a native tongue. It boasts a beautiful coastline and rugged, stony, boggy countryside with climbable mountains which reveal spectacular views.
Mac Dara's Island - a small island off the coast of Carna - was home in the sixth century to St. Mac Dara, Connemara's most respected saint. He built a one-room chapel here, with a dirt floor, walls of huge stones and a steep stone roof. In 1975 the church was restored and today it is considered one of the finest early Christian oratories in Ireland. It is unique in the archaeological record because of the architectural features of its roof.
Féile Mhic Dara is held annually on the 16th of July in Carna. A long tradition of pilgrimage to the church on the island exists on this day for Mass and celebration (people also take picnics and go for strolls around the island if the weather is good). The local fishermen give of their time and their boats by ferrying people out to the island in the morning and back in the afternoon. Others make their way out by canoe, currach and hooker. Afterwards there is a regatta for Galway Hooker's and also Currach racing.
A lovely tradition dates back to the seventeenth century whereby sailors off the Connemara coast show their reverence for their patron saint, Mac Dara, by dipping their sails three times when passing the island.
Irish music plays a big part on the pier as one leaves and returns, and later on that evening in the pubs of Carna. All in all, a truly, truly memorable event :) !!
In 2005 I took these photos of the day, hopefully they might give some inkling of the flavour of things :)
Slán go fóil, Jim.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Albums For Today: Stephane Pompougnac's Hotel Costes series
I like cool chillout lounge music compilations (especially for long car drives), but I very rarely find such albums that work for me consistently. So I was delighted recently when I took a chance on a couple of albums from Stephane Pompougnac's Hotel Costes series. Classy, sensual and ultra-cool, they really are the bees knees when it comes to chilled out music. They nicely slip into that space half way between the foreground and background (Volume 2 is playing as I type) which I find perfect for driving. I can also imagine this playing at any future parties I might be having.
The only real issue I might have is they are not cheap. But then again - you are getting quality.
So, these albums are all very good so far (Volumes 1, 2 and 3) and I'm looking forward to trying more of the series out.
Peace :)
Jim.
Update 12 July 2009: Now have a flake of the volumes (1 to 10) and the series continues consistently good. Happy to have these.
The only real issue I might have is they are not cheap. But then again - you are getting quality.
So, these albums are all very good so far (Volumes 1, 2 and 3) and I'm looking forward to trying more of the series out.
Peace :)
Jim.
Update 12 July 2009: Now have a flake of the volumes (1 to 10) and the series continues consistently good. Happy to have these.
Friday, May 15, 2009
The Wheel Of Time ... goes ever on and on ... and on ...
The Wheel Of Time series ... by Robert Jordan
When I first started this series of books sometime back in another age (that became legend and then became myth etc. etc.) I really enjoyed them. It's hard for me to believe that now. I have just finished book 7 (at least 4 more to go - argh!!) and it was the most tedious so far. The only way I could get through it was by literally skimming the pages (sometimes *skipping* the pages), stopping at the very rare bit that looked like it might catch my attention. (Usually I was wrong though and it was not worth stopping and I could get back to skimming.) My wife doesn't know why I persist and at this stage I'm not sure myself - just stubbornness I suppose. And at the heart of it I like the story - I still want to know what will happen in the end. If only he had made a trilogy instead of a 12(or so)-ology of it.
I think the reasons I'm writing this (besides the fact that it's sometimes good to rant a little) are as a warning to anyone yet to start this series, and to make you feel better about just skimming through it like I do :) ! So if you have not started this series yet - consider yourself forewarned! But if you are already ensnared in the series (and there's a good chance you'll feel obliged like myself to try and finish it), don't feel like you're missing much if you read it like I did - skimming over 90% of it :)
Maybe someone sometime will make a single summary novel out of it and it may become an enjoyable read again :)
Anyways, just my bit of a rant for today ... :) !
Slán go fóil, Jim.
Update 05 June 2009: Well I've just finished book 9 and we actually have a slight improvement - finally something good happens! I won't say any more to spoil it, but it is definitely easier to read a book when it is *not* all impending doom and gloom. That said, the book could probably have been shortened to about 200 pages without losing anything. Onwards to book 10, nearly there :) !!
Update 06 July 2009: Book 10 is finished - and nothing happened. Or at least, nothing happened plot wise. Loads of characters did loads of unimportant things. Worst book so far. Could've been summarised in one chapter, and that would've been pushing it. Anyways - at last, book 11 ...
Update 23 July 2009: Book 11 done ... and it wasn't half bad! The plot actually moved on a little. The talk of Tarmon Gaidon approaching is finally giving the impression of an end on the horizon.
BUT ... I just heard that what is to be the final book ... is to be split into three volumes!!! Argh - it just never f*&king ends!
When I first started this series of books sometime back in another age (that became legend and then became myth etc. etc.) I really enjoyed them. It's hard for me to believe that now. I have just finished book 7 (at least 4 more to go - argh!!) and it was the most tedious so far. The only way I could get through it was by literally skimming the pages (sometimes *skipping* the pages), stopping at the very rare bit that looked like it might catch my attention. (Usually I was wrong though and it was not worth stopping and I could get back to skimming.) My wife doesn't know why I persist and at this stage I'm not sure myself - just stubbornness I suppose. And at the heart of it I like the story - I still want to know what will happen in the end. If only he had made a trilogy instead of a 12(or so)-ology of it.
I think the reasons I'm writing this (besides the fact that it's sometimes good to rant a little) are as a warning to anyone yet to start this series, and to make you feel better about just skimming through it like I do :) ! So if you have not started this series yet - consider yourself forewarned! But if you are already ensnared in the series (and there's a good chance you'll feel obliged like myself to try and finish it), don't feel like you're missing much if you read it like I did - skimming over 90% of it :)
Maybe someone sometime will make a single summary novel out of it and it may become an enjoyable read again :)
Anyways, just my bit of a rant for today ... :) !
Slán go fóil, Jim.
Update 05 June 2009: Well I've just finished book 9 and we actually have a slight improvement - finally something good happens! I won't say any more to spoil it, but it is definitely easier to read a book when it is *not* all impending doom and gloom. That said, the book could probably have been shortened to about 200 pages without losing anything. Onwards to book 10, nearly there :) !!
Update 06 July 2009: Book 10 is finished - and nothing happened. Or at least, nothing happened plot wise. Loads of characters did loads of unimportant things. Worst book so far. Could've been summarised in one chapter, and that would've been pushing it. Anyways - at last, book 11 ...
Update 23 July 2009: Book 11 done ... and it wasn't half bad! The plot actually moved on a little. The talk of Tarmon Gaidon approaching is finally giving the impression of an end on the horizon.
BUT ... I just heard that what is to be the final book ... is to be split into three volumes!!! Argh - it just never f*&king ends!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Album For Today: Aphex Twin / Selected Ambient Works, Vol. 2
Aphex Twin / Selected Ambient Works, Vol. 2
This is probably my favourite ambient album. I remember reading a quote once that ambient music is as much about the silence between the notes as the notes themselves and that defines this album. Each haunting, alien note resonates and works its way around your head before the next slowly insinuates its way in. The music can settle into the background if required, but it is so much more satisfying to leave it in the foreground :)
I will be listening to this when I'm 90 if I get that far :) !
Excellent, Excellent :)
Slán, Jim.
This is probably my favourite ambient album. I remember reading a quote once that ambient music is as much about the silence between the notes as the notes themselves and that defines this album. Each haunting, alien note resonates and works its way around your head before the next slowly insinuates its way in. The music can settle into the background if required, but it is so much more satisfying to leave it in the foreground :)
I will be listening to this when I'm 90 if I get that far :) !
Excellent, Excellent :)
Slán, Jim.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Artist For Today: Anouar Brahem
Hi,
I'd like to start this off with my favourite album from this lad.
Anouar Brahem / Le Voyage De Sahar
This is a gorgeous album. It puts me sitting in a tent in the desert watching the moon rise every time I listen to it. The Anouar Brahem trio consists of an oud (played by Anouar himself), an accordion (Francois Couturier) and piano (Jean Louis Matinier). Rich, textured, warm ambient jazz (with strong French and Arabic influences). Once again ECM is a fitting label! It's really hard to describe this album objectively I am so impressed by it :)
I have a few other albums from this trio, Le Pas du Chat Noir is very similar in style to this with the same trio. Thimar has a trio with John Surman on clarinet and saxophone and Dave Holland on double-bass, while Conte de l'incroyable amour has a quartet (Barbaros Erkose on clarinet, Kudsi Erguner on the nai - a Middle Eastern flute, Lassad Husni on bendir and darbouka - Middle Eastern drums).
All these albums have a lovely languorousness - as if the weather is too warm to do much but listen to beautiful music :) I know I'm waxing lyrical here, but all the albums are wonderful. Though for me the peak is (for the moment anyway) Le Voyage De Sahar.
So, excellent all the way here, you cannot go wrong with any of these. This reminds me I have been meaning to get a hold of Astrakan Cafe for a long time. Time to go do it ... :)
Slán go fóil, Jim.
Update 17 September 2009: Well, Astrakan Cafe has lived up to my (very high) expectations, a lovely trio of oud, clarinet and drums, intensely atmospheric, supremely evocative of what I imagine to be the atmosphere of a Middle Eastern café :)
I'd like to start this off with my favourite album from this lad.
Anouar Brahem / Le Voyage De Sahar
This is a gorgeous album. It puts me sitting in a tent in the desert watching the moon rise every time I listen to it. The Anouar Brahem trio consists of an oud (played by Anouar himself), an accordion (Francois Couturier) and piano (Jean Louis Matinier). Rich, textured, warm ambient jazz (with strong French and Arabic influences). Once again ECM is a fitting label! It's really hard to describe this album objectively I am so impressed by it :)
I have a few other albums from this trio, Le Pas du Chat Noir is very similar in style to this with the same trio. Thimar has a trio with John Surman on clarinet and saxophone and Dave Holland on double-bass, while Conte de l'incroyable amour has a quartet (Barbaros Erkose on clarinet, Kudsi Erguner on the nai - a Middle Eastern flute, Lassad Husni on bendir and darbouka - Middle Eastern drums).
All these albums have a lovely languorousness - as if the weather is too warm to do much but listen to beautiful music :) I know I'm waxing lyrical here, but all the albums are wonderful. Though for me the peak is (for the moment anyway) Le Voyage De Sahar.
So, excellent all the way here, you cannot go wrong with any of these. This reminds me I have been meaning to get a hold of Astrakan Cafe for a long time. Time to go do it ... :)
Slán go fóil, Jim.
Update 17 September 2009: Well, Astrakan Cafe has lived up to my (very high) expectations, a lovely trio of oud, clarinet and drums, intensely atmospheric, supremely evocative of what I imagine to be the atmosphere of a Middle Eastern café :)
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Artist For Today: Tord Gustavsen Trio
Tord Gustavsen Trio / Being There
Beautiful, slow-tempo, contemplative jazz, melodic, simple but most importantly: never boring! Very reflective of jazz on the ECM label in general. Can sit nicely in the background, but also rewards putting in a bit of effort - like a serious bout of headphone listening, yum!
This is a perfect album when hitting the sack :)
Excellent.
Tord Gustavsen Trio / The Ground
This album is very similar in style, a little slower moving, with a more melancholic vibe, but also very beautiful and I can recommend it just as highly.
Excellent.
Slán,
Jim.
p.s. It really is genuinely hard to go wrong with any music from the ECM label. In my very humble opinion :)
Beautiful, slow-tempo, contemplative jazz, melodic, simple but most importantly: never boring! Very reflective of jazz on the ECM label in general. Can sit nicely in the background, but also rewards putting in a bit of effort - like a serious bout of headphone listening, yum!
This is a perfect album when hitting the sack :)
Excellent.
Tord Gustavsen Trio / The Ground
This album is very similar in style, a little slower moving, with a more melancholic vibe, but also very beautiful and I can recommend it just as highly.
Excellent.
Slán,
Jim.
p.s. It really is genuinely hard to go wrong with any music from the ECM label. In my very humble opinion :)
Monday, May 11, 2009
Album For Today: 310 / Downtown & Brooklyn Only
310 / Downtown & Brooklyn Only
Lovely, fairly minimal, electronic beats with urban found sounds - creating a dense and vaguely foreboding atmosphere. I downloaded it from Leaf a couple of days ago and can't stop listening to it.
I hate trying to give exact ratings (9/10 or such like) as they can change almost by the hour depending on what I'm in the mood to listen to, so just assuming simple ratings like shite, ok, good, excellent, then this rates excellent :) !
Cheers,
Jim.
Lovely, fairly minimal, electronic beats with urban found sounds - creating a dense and vaguely foreboding atmosphere. I downloaded it from Leaf a couple of days ago and can't stop listening to it.
I hate trying to give exact ratings (9/10 or such like) as they can change almost by the hour depending on what I'm in the mood to listen to, so just assuming simple ratings like shite, ok, good, excellent, then this rates excellent :) !
Cheers,
Jim.
Hattrick
Howdy, very first post on this blog :)
A lot to figure out!
I was on the following site earlier, have had a team on it for a year or so now, so thought that it might as well be my first post here... Hattrick is an online football (soccer) management game. And it is free. It is also real time - you play a league match once a week on a Sunday, with an optional midweek friendly. And you may also be part of your country's cup competition. Even the matches take the full 90 minutes! It is fairly deep and complex the further you delve into it, as a manager you can decide how much you really want to put into it.
I just yesterday got promoted to Div III in the Irish leagues, and that is why it is on my mind right at the moment :)
Slán, Jim.
Update 17 September 2009: Demoted again to Div IV, it was tough going in Div III!
P.S. I'm the Connemara Cookies - if ya ever want a friendly!
A lot to figure out!
I was on the following site earlier, have had a team on it for a year or so now, so thought that it might as well be my first post here... Hattrick is an online football (soccer) management game. And it is free. It is also real time - you play a league match once a week on a Sunday, with an optional midweek friendly. And you may also be part of your country's cup competition. Even the matches take the full 90 minutes! It is fairly deep and complex the further you delve into it, as a manager you can decide how much you really want to put into it.
I just yesterday got promoted to Div III in the Irish leagues, and that is why it is on my mind right at the moment :)
Slán, Jim.
Update 17 September 2009: Demoted again to Div IV, it was tough going in Div III!
P.S. I'm the Connemara Cookies - if ya ever want a friendly!
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