Royal Oak

I can't believe I forgot "Django", and "I Remember Clifford"

Ordered this from an Amazon recommendation, which doesn't happen often, given the sometimes odd nature of their suggestions. Enjoying it so far.

'It could happen to you' is a strange song. It's generally sung or played as a ballad and this does bring out the beautiful melody. But it's sung too slowly for you to comprehend the words as a whole statement - which is witty and humorous. When I got Dakota Staton's album 'Dynamic' in which she sings the song at a pretty up tempo, I realised that the words NEED to be sung fast, so you can get that message. But you don't get the beauty of the tune. I wonder if anyone knows how the song was intended to be performed - or how it was on its first appearance? MG Well, here I must admit I'd never heard a vocal version of the song until watching the clip posted above. I was thinking of the J J Johnson version from "The Eminent..." album. As a result, I've always heard bitter-sweet, with the emphasis on bitter. Interesting, the way one projects.

One that springs to mind is "It Could Happen To You", but I think, like Bill, I may be hearing the harmony rather than the melody. I like "Amazing Grace" and "Abide With Me" for the same reasons. Is it the melody of 'All The Things You Are' that pleases the ear or the chord sequence? It's the chord sequence that pleases me. Chop the melody statements off and the magic's still there. My old man loved "All The Things You Are", especially the end of the "B" section leading back into the final "A". ISn't the last note of the "B" the same as the first note of the final "A", but it somehow sounds different because of the modulation? Something like that anyway.

Another hot day today.

Interesting story. The idea of tipping in a sandwich shop is laughable here in the UK. Any sandwich shop receiving a £130 order would probably be thinking they'd hit the jackpot anyway. I'm glad there isn't a culture of tipping here.

Coltrane, Ayler and Sanders?

No

Like it!

In my experience, all hospitals are "haunted"! I worked nights for 2 years, never saw anything remotely supernatural. I recall seeing a mouse run across the day room floor one night, and drunks walking past the windows on weekend nights........

Couple of pics from the hospital where I worked 1995-1997. And another, where I used to park my car.

About 40 minutes ago, we had the heaviest hail storm I have ever seen, summer or winter. Lasted about 10 minutes, hail the size of marbles. The pavements and gardens were carpeted with ice, the streets resembled streams. All quiet now, the flood water starting to recede, the sun is out and there are shredded leaves everywhere. Bill, did you get it?

Threshers Victoria Wine Bargain Booze

Mark Spitz David Wilkie Duncan Goodhew

Horace Silver Andrew Gold Tintin

Claude Greengrass The Gaffer Selwyn Froggitt

I went to the Manchester gig of the Dave Brubeck tour in 1998. Were you there Bill? Bridgewater Hall, as I remember.

Britain continues to bake like it's 1976.

I like them right enough in a roast dinner, but like the runner bean, I find them to have limited scope. Hence their underappreciation. IMO of course.

Think it's a tram

Prince schmince. I can't believe there are people out there who give a shit. I mean, people take time out of their lives to go and hang out at the hospital, or in the Middletons' home village. What the fuck for? What the fuck could it possibly have to do with you? Excuse the profanity, but the UK populace's interest in the Royals has always pushed my buttons. Phew

Roasting again today, more heavy showers forecast for tomorrow.

Kerblamm!