A Lark Ascending

Found it hard, when I first started listening to jazz in the late 70s, with music before about 1950. Part of this was that restoration techniques were not what they became in the 80s and there were a lot of dubious things on sale with no real effort. I had a Charlie Parker/Miles Davis LP that put me off trying Parker for another ten years. Restoration does miracles nowadays and I've generally acclimatised to the sound of earlier years - you just adjust within a few minutes of listening. But to untutored ears I know it can sound totally off-putting. You need to have motives to persevere.

More multiple monks... And mirror images too!

I must admit I find it very hard to concentrate for any length of time on a show - even normal 2 hour detective shows lose me. Give me Columbo, so I know whodunnit at the start! I tend to restrict my lengthy drama watching to Saturday nights. If it interests me than a disappear into it. But I can't do it often - too much music to listen to! The TV doesn't get turned on during the week (mainly because I fall into bed at 9.00!) I started noticing my impatience with 'pacey' TV programmes with 'Spooks'. I quite enjoyed a couple of series but then everything started happening at breakneck speed - one episode had enough in it to make a whole series. I look back to things like 'State of Play' or 'GBH' which gradually unfolded. That's why I liked The Killing.

Maybe they'll also stop polishing off entire novels in one 90 minute episode too!

This reflects exactly what I've felt about TV for the last ten years or so: BBC article

Anyone heard this? Any good?

Well, in the last Age of Austerity we had carrot cake and Woolton Pie. Toast sandwich for this one.

Annoying child:

Over the top London.

Stars!

Programme 2. Excellent.

I always wonder how many of those who adopt the moral high ground on these issues can put their hand up and say that they have never bought a bootleg. Yes, there's a difference of degree between buying something you know is unauthorised and making money selling music you might not have a right to. But given the moral absolutes being declaimed here... Always seems like there's more than an element of US protectionism involved in these debates. The 'Open Door' was only ever intended to swing one way.

Stars!

Pirate boats!

Look, it was on a weather mission...

Big Ben in supporting role:

Steering away from dangerous ground, another 'artist' with red hair: