mjazzg

It was surprisingly diverse club-wise wasn't it? You'd expect RM, Barca, PSG, Bayern (and maybe Atletico or Man City) to have more representatives in a WC final. Probably the Croatia effect, not so many of their players at the top rank clubs

I don't know about the final (my brain gave up) but the 3rd place play off was like a Spurs training match there were so many of them on the pitch This has long been a bugbear of mine for ages. The inability for English players to see beyond the Channel. I'm convinced our national team would have performed so much better over the years if more had exposed themselves to other cultures, footballing or otherwise. There really hasn't been any notable exports since the days of Lineker, Gascoigne, Waddle etc that I can think of However, only yesterday I was reading an encouraging article that listed at least six players from recent England age-group winning squads that are now playing in Europe, perhaps most notably Ademola Lookman at RB Liepzig. With opportunities for first team match time so limited at most Premiership squads I'm hoping this becomes a greater trend and that we see the the positive outcomes in the national team as soon as possible. I'm confident that Southgate's a manager who would encourage such development.

Me too. Once I heard it was them rather than some drunken fans I applauded the action from afar

That just makes my flesh crawl. Deserve each other but sadly neither of the countries that they "represent" deserve them. In all the football mania of the WC I for one was guilty of taking my eye off the huge propaganda coup it has been for Putin.

Thanks, onto the "investigate at some point" list it goes

Often wondered about that one. How is it?

surely you've missed one team off that list, Brad?

Conjoint - Earprints {Source Records] more Karl Beger with his Techno friends

Just listened, very good. Not sure a physical copy is a justifiable import given the price, sadly

Always good to read of recognition for this kind of music. McPhee's got to be a worthy winner, he's still releasing albums that surprise and stimulate. I only know Alcorn through one Halvorson album.

Yes, all over now. Very enjoyable competition. Thanks Brad for all your very informed posts through the competition. I've enjoyed this thread (mostly) for its enthusiasm, insights and fair-handedness (mostly). Now I can go and concentrate on a real summer sport...Test cricket. Anyone fancy a new thread? deafening silence ensues

Really enjoyed that. Fifteen minutes of absolute magic from France sealed it for them. Croatia tried their hearts out but that French defence is very, very good. Feel sorry for Modric who would grace any team

Lloris seems to want to even things up a bit or join in the fancy football

France have definitely woken up at last. Lovely goal,made and scored by Pogba

France haven't been allowed to get started yet and still they lead

Yes, Croats looking tired again...

Charles 'Bobo' Shaw & Lester Bowie - Bugle Boy Bop Shaw has to be one of my favourite drummers

and, thank you Mr. Lineker for articulating so well what that song and phrase, that has seemingly upset so many, means over here. Couldn't have put it better myself “Football’s coming home is a fun song highlighting the lack of success of our football team for decades. No one really thought we’d win it. I totally get why you might think it was arrogance, but it’s more our self-deprecatory sense of humour.”

I'm really hoping Mbappe sets the final alight but also respect Modric very much as a footballer and would like to see him win a WC. But, on balance Allez Les Bleus!

Johnny Lytle - Soulful Rebel [Milestone]

Your use of the phrase "Johnny Foreigner" in this context says so much more about your perspective than all your other well chosen words.

I've always been impressed by Wallen on the all too rare occasions I've seen him. On a very non-Jazz note I saw a jaw-droppingly good performance by Godspeed You! Black Emperor accompanying the Holy Body Tattoo dance group. Not for the faint-hearted.

new discovery. Lovely summer sounds

Done. Thanks for keeping this space open, up and running. Very much appreciated, Jim

Thanks for posting. Good to have news of new Seim and Gustavsen albums