A Lark Ascending

I've always found political songsters who just do political a bit wearing after a time. It can get so earnest, rather 'right-on'. What works for me is the singer who explores a range of human experience - the political can really pack a punch then. Martin Carthy is exemplary this way - most of what he does is traditional but the choices he makes often have political undertones. And then he can unleash a contemporary song that just floors you. Dick Gaughan is much more 'in your face' with his politics but can then do breathtakingly beautiful love songs or traditional tunes. Robert Wyatt also comes to mind. One thing I like about his political music is that it rarely sounds agitprop - in fact it comes across as extremely melancholoy, a sort of sadness at the failures of the socialist dream to to translate into political reality. I get the impression that Bragg felt his early career was getting a bit one-dimensional; as I understand it he broadened to much wider human themes.

Well, he defined it to the 80s generation. He was following in the footsteps of hundreds of others - McColl, Gaughan, Rosselson etc - people whose music he covered and acknowledged. I've never been too taken by him though I've heard one or two of his songs sung by others and they have sounded great (Levi Stubbs Tears as done by Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin for example). I feel the same about Springsteen - can't relate to the bombast but when Emmylou Harris has sung some of his songs they are very affecting. I like seeing Bragg on things like 'Question Time'. He's articulate and unstuffy. And a great champion of folk music all round.

I spent a year in Exeter doing my teacher training. I remember the Northcote (sp?) Theatre on campus and seeing Henry Cow at the Town Hall (I think!). I don't recall the Phoenix - probably opened since 1977.

And George Bush accused the Iraqis of possessing weapons of mass destruction!

..... Just 4 more weeks to go before the spring equinox, when it will be time to once again pop in Stravinsky's "Rite Of Spring" and if it's warm enough, open some damn windows! Try this one as an alternative. 'Enter Spring' works at that point when you think it's spring and then winter suddenly bites back for a few days...and then back comes spring... There's an inexpensive Naxos version: Which also sets you up for the following season!

Yes, I'm looking forward to that one. I'm hoping he tours it in the UK - both times I've seen his orchestra have been exceptional performances, leaving key moments etched on my memory. ******** I hope the late 70s/early 80s recordings get out eventually. Mike's Deram stuff has become quite well known again thanks to recent reissues. But I have a particular liking for thing's like 'Love/Dream and Variations', 'Mama Chicago', 'Goose Sauce' and 'On Duke's Birthday'. 'For the Record' has never reappeared either. The solo record, 'The Cortege' and 'Bright as Fire' are all that stands of this period.

Last time I looked (which was a long time ago!).

I assume that was 'a good dancer'?

Mike has a larger piece ready to roll as well as 'Art Wolf' called 'Turner in Uri' - "two vocal soloists, jazz & rock musicians, a 25 piece choir and the 30 strong Brass Band URI." Due in March 2006. 'Art Wolf' will be performed in some UK dates too including: April 21st 2005 St Georges, Bristol May 20th 2005 Kettles Yard, Cambridge June 17th 2005 Phoenix, Exeter Looks like your neck of the woods, Sidewinder. ********* You might like to know that 'Love Songs' which was planned for reissue as part of the Impressed Repressed series will now not be reissued; Mike does not want it reissued for some reason. However, it is avalable as a recent Japanese reissue - I doubt if it will be here long. I've got one paddling across the Atlantic at the moment from Dusty Groove.

Who is Beverly Stapleton? I'm a Bevel (weird Cornish name). ******* I agree; the place is generally very friendly. But there are times... I promise to bite my tongue for at least one month!

Elton Dean - I've enjoyed his playing since the Soft Machine days. He can move from providing interest in a jazz-rock context through relatively structured jazz compositions all the way to the totally free. And all points in between. I'm currently enjoying a disc by the Anglo-Italian Quartet with Harry Beckett, Enrico Fazio and Fiorenzo Sordini that works on the cusp between the latter two areas, more in than out.

Vera-Ellen was her name I believe. No doubt doomed to be known throughout the annals of film history as "the other one". Thank you. I would never have recalled that name. In fact I think I've already forgotten it...

I never could understand the excitement of Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and the other one (?) when they were sat on that train in 'White Christmas' and burst into: "snow....Snow....SNOWWWWW"!

Brad, And I have no problem with that. There are many threads I have no interest in here. Which does not mean they are not interesting threads to others. Which is fine too. I find AAJ covers the areas of jazz I enjoy most more comprehensively, so post mainly there. I don't feel the need to tell the people at AAJ about the sites I don't find interesting, however. I think that gets to the heart of my insider comment. I suspect you can't see it going on because you're so close. Believe me, as an outisider, it is striking how often the 'arn't we marvellous' comments crop up. I could point you to a classic example from the last few days...but won't so as not to take this further. Of course not. I'm just struck by the times when someone announces that X is about to appear and there is a flurry of 'welcomes'; contrasted by the unpleasant way that some newbies get mocked. Organissimo is enriched by having musicians, writers etc who have a deep experience of the music; just as AAJ is enriched by its guest musicians. I just think some members here could do with being a little kinder to those newbies who might take a bit of time to gain their balance. I'm not talking about those who roll in making outrageous or inflammatory statement who deserve all the get (an I can be just as caustic at AAJ to such people!). Again I completely agree. The insularity is not a reference to musical taste; just the above mentioned clubiness. Sorry about that one, Brad. I was amused by a comment that was made about my 'Anglo' hang-ups on the weekend thread. I was playing with that! Make no mistake, I find this to be a fine board and I have no beef whatsoever with those who run it. It would be the easiest thing in the world to sit back and make no comment at the points I find distasteful. But a big thing is made here about plain speaking - being prepared to speak your mind and take the flak that comes with it. So I'm expressing what I see in the full knowledge that it is a minority view.

Nearly all the schools in the area closed this afternoon...except the one I work in!

I seem to recall you suggesting newbies take themselves to AAJ as a starting point: Somewhere not terribly interesting is 'the place' for newbies? Anyway, I'm not thinking specifically of you but of a number of posters here who regularly feel the need to remind their fellow board members of the other boards they are disinterested by. ******* Of course you have an absolute right to say this. As I have the right to point out how precious it sounds. My problem? I just think it sad that an excellent board is blighted by this sort of self-congratulatory nonsense. As it is blighted by the way that an innocent novice to the board can be goaded by a pack of alpha males; makes an interesting contrast to the sycophancy that is unleashed whenever anyone who has written a book appears. I'm afraid what the insiders here see as the board's strengths are, to my mind, a weakness. An insularity that can lead some members to believe the myths they've created about themselves. But then I'm British. I never did Summer Camp bonding with the boys. I probably just don't understand the culture. [Apologies to the many posters here for whom these criticisms are completely inappropriate. It might also be noted that I'm making them at the board in question, not at a distance with a group of AAJ cronies] Edit: This might not quite link with your post now as you changed it between me first reading it and posting this.

I suspect some people who are very political might learn of him and be drawn to him by his ideas and then come to like the music (in the same way as Dick Gaughan or Leon Rosselson can attract politicos who then come to like the music). But Atzmon (to his great credit) tours constantly and makes a point of playing the smaller clubs in the UK. I know his politics are not welcome by some members of those clubs who have right of centre views. Personally I like the music primarily; I don't agree with everything he says politically but he does give me something to think about. All power to him. Jazz is a wide and varied music - there's room for political polemics alongside everything else. Anyway, anyone who is a mate of Robert Wyatt has to have something good about him! [Worth watching out for the Urban Jazz Ensemble on tour where he can be heard in a superb front line alongside Michael Buckley (from Ireland) and the great Peter King.]

And the reason why the world needs reminding of this every few days?

It got us today. Blizzard driving to work. Roads grind to a halt. World War III in the school quad on arrival. Then it started to melt so we wern't sent home. Further proof of the non-existence of God (unless he's an Old Testament bugger).

I'll plead guilty there too.

They're not nearly as clever or interesting as us, are they? ORGANISSIMO GROUP HUG!!!!!!!!! ********* It was out for a few hours last week having some upgrades. I'd imagine the same is true here.

Spring is here, why is your heart not dancing?...

Spring is a state of mind. To me, it is always spring! Why languish in winter when it might as well be spring? Have a daffodil.

I just thought it an opportune moment to remind everyone that it's about time they bought their Christmas Cards. Only 300 or so days...

Prokofiev! Well, I spoke too soon. It's been trying to snow here all day. Lots of air action but instant fizzle-out on hitting the floor. Must be Southern snow. Not that I'm complaining. The last place you want to be in a proper snowfall is in a building full of 2400 11-18 year olds!!!!