mjazzg

David Cameron, Prime Minister

I heard at least two BBC presenters mention in passing when they'd seen Bowie live. I think the depth of coverage has been down in no small part to the producers of the programmes being of an age where they grew up with his music or its influence. The best analysis I saw was Paul Mason's piece on C4 news - really got to the heart of Bowie's musical, cultural and social impact Noticeably Eton boy could only comment on Bowie being a "Pop artist" not the most in depth analysis of his impact - surprising that........

Revisiting some old favourites since the news broke and I have to say amongst many other things he was a great vocalist

All the health rumours mean this is less of a surprise somehow. What is a shocking thought is that he is no longer there quietly observing everything that he has influenced over the years. A true original lost He meant a lot more to many people than he did to me but Young Americans will always be close to the top of my pile. Listening now to Dylan Howe's tremendous interpretation of the Berlin albums

I forgot to mention Valerian tea. This did help when my insomnia was more mild, drunk close to bedtime. Doesn't taste nearly as good as that coffee or glass of wine/beer but does have the opposite relaxing/calming, non-stimulative effect, I found

I have lived with it as part of a medical condition for over ten years now so I know how dreadful it can make you feel. Hopefully you'll only experience for a short period and find yourself clicking back into the old routine when the underlying cause passes. My insomnia manifests itself as taking an hour or two to get to sleep, four to five awakenings a night and when more severe awake at 3am with little chance of returning to sleep Things I've done that have helped is cut out caffeine totally. I still drink alcohol on an evening or two a week but will guarantee disturbed sleep if I do - it's the payback for some pleasure. I have a fairly strict late evening regime which includes a relaxation exercise and I find that not watching TV or using laptop/PC/phone right up to bed really helps to. It's about training my body into a habit of sleep. Bedroom temperature has been an important factor for me so I ensure it's as cool as possible (not great if your partner likes it warm ). Try and make the bedroom for sleeping so if you do find yourself wide awake, get up and do something non-stimulating like sit quietly listening to quiet music then return to bed when you feel yourself sleepy again - this does work and it avoids the lying awake getting frustrated and angry. Good luck and I hope it passes soon

Wise advice indeed. However as sure as eggs are eggs as soon as you refer to " "tease" game" a lot of men (and some posting here) will instantly disregard your other very important statement that "This is not to make the predator male the victim, nor is it about blaming the female victim" and will take the "tease" to mean exactly the opposite that the victim is indeed culpable. Any excuse gratefully grabbed.

"No means no. But a woman shouldn't be egging a guy on either unless she means "business." And finally after all the attempted justifications ......this quote is so revealing and helps me really understand the perspective from which you have written all your posts. I'd suspected as much but this statement really does confirm it all. Try just for once not seeing the male as victim to the female's actions. Just try the statement "no means no" and leave it at that. Stop scapegoating

I'm so pleased someone pointed that out. There is no such thing as assumed consent. Accompanying anyone to a hotel room is consent to do just that, no more. Consent can be withdrawn at any stage and if done so should be seen as no more than a change of mind that is perfectly within the rights of the individual to do so. and as for " But for me, the bottom line is the choice these women made to go alone with a married man. In my mind, that was a total screw-up on their part" I really fail to see how anyone's marital status really comes into this. So if he wasn't married it would've been completely different?

Happy Birthday Clifford Hope the back sorts itself out in time for you to celebrate. Doctor prescribes a good dose of rare Free Jazz, vinyl naturally, played at penetrating volume

Floating Points - Elaenia [Pluto]

with you on that. Two great CDs

continuing with Paul Bley - open, to love [ECM] Paul Bley - Fragments [ECM] the latter always surprises me. Surman seems an odd choice but does work whilst the combination of Bley and Frisell isn't always successful I feel. Might've been a very interesting trio of Bley, Motian and Surman

Paul Bley - Paul Bley with Gary Peacock [ECM] the opening with Ornette's 'Blues' is one of the most exciting opening statements in my collection

Paul Bley - Ballads [ECM] my favourite Bley. Encapsulates everything about his playing and approach as I hear it

What a long and great career. I can't think of a recording that doesn't merit close attention. Saw him once, solo. Unforgettable Thank you Mr Bley

I'd love to hear this band live. You certainly give a good insight into the performance Steve, thanks for posting

I don't doubt the music's good just the pairing. I can't see myself often thinking "now that was some fine GUO, what I need to hear now is some Carla Bley". Can't believe there wasn't a more sympathetic side 2 in that archive

Never really understood that release. Performances are 13 years apart and bands bear little resemblance to each other stylistically or otherwise. Struck me as being a bit of an attempt to ride the vinyl-fetish wave.

Yes, very interesting novel and an addictive read. Her latest novel is a sequel of sorts Yes, very interesting novel and an addictive read. Her latest novel is a sequel of sorts

I've yet to come across a bad GUO album

I always enjoy Maupin's album 'Penumbra' on Cryptogramophone. Acoustic and adventurous with some great bass clarinet playing Wish I'd partaken in this BFT. Looks like there was fine listening to be had

Joe McPhee - Graphics [Hat Hut]

that sounds well worth the visit. the opening of the Hermitage's treasures to travel has certainly been a positive by product changes in Russia. Yesterday I saw an excellent exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, "Giacometti-Pure Presence" concentrating on his portraiture both painted and sculpted. Very in depth investigation of his approach to both and his artistic development over 50 years

Peter Kay is very talented I think. His one man shows, that often crop up on telly, tend to be very funny too. I haven't seen Car Share but I like the premise and can definitely imagine how Kay's everyday humour and his everyman approach would fit the concept well