The Magnificent Goldberg

How unusually accommodating!!!! Thanks. MG Imperfectly accommodating... "fatal error, technical garble garble" The buggers saw me comin', in't we eh? MG

How unusually accommodating!!!! Thanks. MG

A Jacquet basson number that was forgotten is "Bassoon blues" from the album "The message" Argo/Cadet. MG

I wonder if they'll reissue the four Milt Buckner albums MPS issued. MG

Eric Gale - Touch of silk - Columbia (CBS UK promo) Jimmy Forrest - Forrest fire - NJ (OJC) Idris Muhmmad - Turn this mutha out! - Kudu (Polydor UK issue) MG

Loving Sisters - Trying times - Peacock (Vogue France edition) Savannah Community Choir - Glad that you could be here - Creed orig Jackson Southernaires - Too late - Songbird orig MG

Francis Lai Michel Legrand Sleepy Labeef

I had a nice walk, very bouncy! Very interesting album in many ways. As the group has become more popular, many of the tracks have had a pounding bass or bass drum playing on the beat, as if to make it clear to all the white people where the beat is. And there is a bit more Zouk in this than before. So these are the bad points about this. On the other hand, the vocals are even denser, and more anthemic, than ever with an exultant joy conveyed by the way the group voices - and their multiple tracking until they are a huge choir - are arranged; not quite harmoniously, because I doubt that they're using our scales. And there are a couple of very experimental tracks in which there are attempts to incorporate the broken beat ideas being worked on by some London DJs into Zouglou mid-paced 6/8 rhythms. Unfortunately, these experiments have involved the beat, particularly its broken elements, being adhered to rigidly, thus losing the flow and inspiration that their music has had in the past. This is very disappointing for me, because I can almost imagine how this idea could work and be glorious. But in popular music these days, even a failed experiment is worth a hell of a lot. So this is an album on the edge - and pulled into the past as well as into the future. Sure is interesting to listen to! MG

I was waiting for them to say, in the small print at the bottom, "no pets, no children", but they didn't. Five wood burning fireplaces! And staff quarters, so you can employ your own live-in lumberjack to cut down half of Central Park Can you actually BUY firewood in Manhttan? MG

Funnily enough, I've just finished this Davidson has a long section, much of which seems to be based on a Hobsbawm book I haven't read, on the development of the nation state in Europe. This is a comparatively recent invention. I should think that, at the time your grandfather was on his travels, the process hadn't fully coalesced into what we now think of as nation states. And, of course countries like Germany and Italy WEREN'T nation states until quite some time after the 1830s. Same goes for the components of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Even within countries, as they existed then, there was considerable chafing at the "foreign" rule, which led to as much local autonomy as was possible/permitted being seized by whichever institution was locally strongest. Of course, one should not overlook the extremely practical use of these checkpoints in securing bribes from unwary travellers It should be remembered that much of Europe was at the time, or had been in the not too distant past, police states, overrun with secret police, as remote Ancien Regime governments attempted to keep lids on either socialist or nationalist revolution; sometimes both. Checkpoints and papers for travelling were considered, mabe correctly, very useful in that effort. Most people in eastern Europe were serfs in your grandfather's time and didn't, therefore, have a legitimate reason for travelling. These different reasons for checkpoints and travelling papers seem to have morphed into a general need for people to be able to identify themselves to all and sundry - and I'd guess that the natural desire of police and other government bureaucrats for something to make their work easier has prevailed over time. I don't think we'll ever manage anarchism MG

Dexter Gordon & Junior Mance - At Montreux - Prestige orig MG

So A&M means Agriculture and Mops MG

My wife swears by Lonely Planet. She's been to loads of African countries and says it's never let her down. I'm a Rough Guide man myself. In Japan or Africa, it's never let me down. Despite this, I think there is a bit to choose between them. From the reading I've done, Rough Guides are better if you're interested in the people and cultural aspects of the country you're visiting, Lonely Planet seems more focused on places and (from my wife's point of view), where you can go to see animals in the wild, and which. Though that's not to say that either ignores the other elements. (Er, yes, we have different holidays in different places for different reasons.) MG

Stirling Moss Jerry Moss Herb Alpert

Caiman just disgorged the newest album from Ivorien group Magic System. I'm going to have a little walk into Tonyrefail, with it on the walkman. (Or maybe I'll be dancing into Ton...) MG

Well, the new(ish) Magic System album, "Ki dit mei" just turned up. I was beginning to get a bit worried, as it was coming from Caiman. But here it s... (I see the price has gone down a bit at Amazon.fr since I ordered this. Oh well.)

Clare Fischer - First time out - PJ orig mono Ray Crawford - It's about time - Dobre orig MG

What does Aggie mean? I thought it was just a name... MG

And here's one for you, Jim. Do your bird in Luderitz prison. Prettiest prison I ever saw. Bet no one wants to escape (apart from the fact that it's in the desert). MG

You'd like Namibia, then Jr. This is in Luderitz, with a view over the Atlantic (and close to the pubs and bars). MG

Tony Allen Ogene Kologbo Lekan Animashaun

I think this is the reason Chris started the thread. I understand that only about 10% of Americans have passports. MG

( I finally figured out the multiple quote thingy...and the lifting of smilies from other boards thingy) Aha! I see how you do it! Thanks Rachel! MG

Well, maybe not you, but that's what happened to me. Seriously? MG

Ah, another lesson in the American language Over here, we call them Charity Shops. Good score, by the way. MG