A Lark Ascending

a) British - legally, yes. Though I've always felt uncomfortable with that term. Too many imperial associations. b) English/Scottish/Welsh/Irish - Definitely English and very attached to the place; though my mum is Irish so I'm frequently drawn there (but would never claim to be Irish). c) European - yes. The more links the better. d) ethnic minority - no (unless being a Southerner trapped in the North Midlands counts me as one!).

I'm eagerly awaiting the Blue Notes box. Ogun was one of my initial routes into jazz in the mid to late 70s. I never had any of these records and knew the Blue Notes mainly by reputation or odd appearances on records by the likes of Robert Wyatt. Louis Moholo is still going strong - I saw him with a version of Spirit's Rejoice a couple of years back in fine form and he did a really interesting on stage interview. I think he lives back in South Africa now.

I've always thought the Canute of legend (rather than the real one) made a wonderful symbol of the collective British character - hopelessly trying to beat off the inevitable tide of change, be it decimalisation, the Euro, asylum seekers etc. Though we do seem to have embraced the Big Mac, the baseball cap and ordering coffee in a bewildering array of sizes and types with little resistance!

I thought bad teeth was meant to be a national characteristic.

Do you really think so, Bev? Because the primaries/caucuses/whatever have always had me completely baffled. It's incredibly hard to keep track of what goes on in even a handful of states - for me, at least - and different states have wildly divergent laws (customs, too). Sorry, seeline. I didn't make that clear...or spell caucuses right. I was alluding to the fact that I found the caucus system totally incomprehensible, but suggested royal succesion rules were even more so. There was a BBC radio broadcast from the New Hampshire primary which described people huddling in groups in some hall and then suddenly moving into different huddles. I remained non the wiser. There's something attractive about the whole improvised, backwoods side of this but I don't get it. Does it have any connection with The Caucus Race in Alice in Wonderland (where everyone wins and everyone shall have prizes)?

Lovely! Actually, MQofS' son became James VI of Scotland and then James I of England - so the present Queen does have a direct descent from MQofS. Can't recall what Mary's claim was. Now I will never forgive William Duke of Normandy for usurping the throne from Harold, Earl of Wessex in 1066. Or maybe it was Harald Hardrada who was the one badly done by. Or Edgar the Atheling! Royal lineage makes even the US caususes sound simple!

Well, the first disc of 'The Duke Box' (radio broadcasts) sounds stunning, given how far back these recordings go. Better than some of the studio recordings (or at least the transfers that have got to us). I even like the commentary, as corny as it is! Here's another magnificent Ellington set, Papsrus, that I've got on now as I'm cooking: Ella with the Ellington orchestra (and smaller units mainly build round Oscar P) in 1957 - 2 discs + a third of bits and bobs. You get Ella, you get Ellington plus lots of full solos from the likes of Webster. Ivy Anderson is the Ellington singer I like best but this set is magical. Along with the Rodgers and Hart, my favourite of her songbook records.

Avebury - to my mind, much more impressive than Stonehenge.

This is tied up with so many things - the way Britain has changed to become far more multi-cultural in the last 60 years; the increasing role and influence of the EC; some anxiety/fear/downright hostility over immigration (only a couple of years ago it was immigration from Africa, now Eastern Europe is the concern) and something of a jealousy with regard to the strong national identies that the Irish, Welsh and Scots seem to have developed (and a fear of the eventual disintegration of 'Britain', if Scotland and Wales decide to go for independence) . As usual the government is trying to do the impossible - create an identikit British identity, based on what they'd like Britishness to be. The trouble is they're torn between wanting what they see as the age old traditional values and their desire to reflect the new multi-cultural Britain. Whatever they come up with - and those of us who work in schools will be expected to inculcate this Britishness - I suspect it will be ignored by the bulk of the population - as in most countries there are multiple identities in Britain, identities that don't need spelling out or distilling into a simplified, standard-fit version. I'm a Cornishmen (or so I claim!) who has hardly every lived in Cornwall, very proud of my Irish half and a keen supporter of European integration! Try and fit that into the standard model. There is a good side though - English folk music has almost become cool again! Having seen the Scots and Irish whooping it up with their jigs and reels there seems to be a bit more sympathy for the English variety. Who knows, the words 'Morris Dancer' may soon not lead to instant guffaws!

Once again, thanks for the welcomes. I don't know whether to be polite and say thanks (thereby bumping this up and appearing to be seeking attention); or say nothing (and then seem unappreciative!). I'll risk the former!

You'll really enjoy the Hasse. I'm about ready to read it again! There's some good Ellington at e-music - you have to wade through oceans of cheapo compilations to find it but it's there. There are four double CD recordings of the Carnegie Hall concerts from the mid-40s, originally on Prestige. The sound is typical of live recordings from those times but I find them all perfectly listenable. These were big 'events' so I suspect they are not typical of live dates - lots of suite premieres including 'Black, Brown and Beige'. Very enjoyable. (Just seen that King Ubu has also recommended these while I was typing! Sorry to tempt you further, Papsrus!!!!)

The piano playing is quite wonderful. A great deal is made of Stan Tracey's Monk influence but listening to lots of Elington over the past week I can really hear his (frequently acknowledged) debt to Ellington as well. Nice and percussive.

Hi, King Ubu, It arrived this morning - I've never even had the Fargo so it's all new to me! Looking forward to wallowing over the next couple of weeks.

That is going to be some ride. I've had that Mosaic on the radar as well recently, but I need to wait a bit, digest what's on the way and save some pennies before making another large purchase. ... But that box looks very good. I'll be interested to read your thoughts on it. I think you have some of the Mosaic material, Papsrus. It was seeing your mentioning of one of the 'Duke's Men' Columbia sets that had me searching. They seem to be OOP with just a few copies floating round. Then I got the Mosaic magazine through the post....... Another one I'm very fond of is 'The Ellington Suites' with 'The Queen's Suite' on it. This was the first full Ellington album I bought c. 1976-7 when it first came out for public issue. 'Sunset and the Mocking Bird' is just sublime! ************* And Hi, Paul. Thanks!

Hi MG, I've missed the details of your trips into Tonypandy. Bev

I've been on an Ellington trip all week, working through the 40s recordings from the Centennial box of 2000. Papsrus is responsible - his enthusiasm elsewhere had me digging back. Led to me spending a fortune on Ellington material online - * The Duke Box - the 40s live material. * Piano in the Foreground - really want to hear more of the piano, having really enjoyed 'Money Jungle' the other night; and as a result of Stan Tracey's frequent ventures into Ellington territory. * The big one...god knows what customs are going to sting me for this....the late 30s small groups Mosaic. Over thirty years since Ellington first bit andhe still drags me back.

Yes, welcome. How about restarting your Brazilian music thread here? Yes please! Clave/seeline has done more than anyone to broaden my listening in recent years.

Thanks for the welcome, Jim. And hi...er...seeline! Get onto those Brazilian threads!

Thanks, folks. The welcome is appreciated.

Hi all, I've been away for a good 18 months. Found I was repeating myself between two boards so chose one with more members from my neck of the woods. Very unhappy with recent events there (don't ask!). Is it OK to rejoin here? Bev (a bloke! See I've been reading if not posting!)

'Somewhere Called Home' is the one I like best; 'Well Kept Secret' is good complement as it shows a different side to her. I love the Azimuths and her contributions to Kenny Wheeler's 'Music for Large and Small Ensembles.' I think she's a 'try before you buy'. She's my favourite jazz vocalist, but I know some people find she sets their teeth on edge. I've seen her many times, always captivating. She did the big Jazz Britannia Concert last year; also played a marvellous concert with Bobby Wellins and the Stan Tracey Trio at Appleby plus sang part on an e.e. cummings suite written by Alan Barnes. I believe there's a recording of the Wellins/Tracey group due in the future. There have been several rumours of discs floating around over recent years. I think she recorded one with large scale backing for Provocateur but that label is having financial problems. There was also an ECM with Ralph Towner slated at one time. I'm looking forward to seeing her at the Bath Jazz weekend in May. Her website has a new disc recorded in 2002 in Italy mentioned - I've not seen sight of it. It's the band who are playing at Bath: Norma Winstone: Chamber Music 1.Chamber Music 4:02 2. Panis Angelicus 4:28 3. Mirror, Mirror 5:50 4. Remember 4:22 5. Giocando 5:07 6. Fanfare 5:33 7. San Diego Serenade 3:.32 8. Until Tomorrow 5:19 9. Unborn 5:04 10. Trolls Party 4:51 11. Snowflakes 4:14 Norma Winstone Voice Glauco Venier Piano Klaus Gesing Sop. Sax & Bs Clt

I suspect most were on very different labels in the US. In the UK Island had a very distinctive image associated with these musicians who ranged from Brit-blues through psychedelia to folk-rock. That pink Island logo that used to be on the centre of the discs has a powerful nostalgic pull.

Anyone seeking a copy of 'Groon' (the B-side of 'Cat Food') who doesn't want to shell out on the most recent version of 'In the Wake of Poseidon' (which is otherwise identical to the previous version without the single tracks) might be interested in this recent release: A marvellous compilation from Island's glory years in the late 60s/early 70s: 1. Supernatural Fairy Tales - Art 2. Paper Sun - Traffic 3. Harpsichord Shuffle - Wynder K. Frog 4. Rainbow Chaser - Nirvana 5. Pearly Queen - Tramline 6. Sunshine Help Me - Spooky Tooth 7. Dusty - Martyn, John 8. Meet On The Ledge - Fairport Convention 9. Song For Jeffrey - Jethro Tull 10. Carpenter - Clouds 11. I Keep Singing That Same Song - Heavy Jelly 12. Black Mass - White Noise 13. Over The Green Hills - Free 14. Worry - Free 15. Giants - Quintessence 16. Queen Of Scots - Amazing Blondel 17. Feelin' Alright - Traffic 18. Sing Me A Song That I Know So Well - Blodwyn Pig 19. Sailors Life - Fairport Convention Disc: 2 1. New Day Yesterday - Jethro Tull 2. No Time To Live - Traffic 3. Three Hours - Drake, Nick 4. Lost In My Dream - Spooky Tooth 5. Stormbringer - John & Beverley Martyn 6. Strangely Strange But Oddly Normal - Dr. Strangely Strange 7. Notting Hill Gate - Quintessence 8. Banks Of the Nile - Fotheringay 9. Wild World - Cat Stevens 10. Painted Chariot - Incredible String Band 11. Cat Food - King Crimson 12. Groon - King Crimson 13. Northstar Grassman And The Ravens - Sandy Denny 14. Suite In C - McDonald & Giles 15. Siege Of Yaddlethorpe - Amazing Blondel Disc: 3 1. Knife Edge - Emerson Lake & Palmer 2. Thunderbuck Ram - Mott The Hoople 3. Northern Sky - Nick Drake 4. Thru The Night - Alan Bown 5. Dark Dance - Robin Williamson, 6. I Am The Walrus - Spooky Tooth 7. Glistening Glyndebourne - John Martyn 8. Fire And Water - Free 9. See My Way - Blodwyn Pig 10. See The World (Through My Eyes) - Vinegar Joe 11. Peace Train - Cat Stevens 12. Watercolour Days - Clouds 13. Low Spark Of The High Heeled Boys - Traffic 14. Song For Suzie - Heads Hands & Feet Some classic stuff; some interesting oddities; some pretty dreadful oddities!

Lovely music. Many thanks.

'Islands' is still my favourite KC studio recording (closely followed by Lizard). I've enjoyed the live ones from that era too. In some respects I owe those two albums (bought in in 1971 and 1972) for attuning my ear to jazz - my initial jazz purchases were follow ups to Tippett, Charig etc. I saw the Wetton/Muir/Cross/Bruford KS in late '72 (my first concert !) and the Muir-less band twice in '73. Stunning concerts. 'The Great Deceiver' is a marvellous way of getting into the '73-4 sound world. A cheaper (but equally glorious) way is 'The Nightwatch.'