tonym

That's fair enough, thanks for clarifying that point Clem. I'm just about to do a Google on Kvass; never heard of it but I'm curious to try all things alcoholic. Actually I'm ahead of myself, getting carried away, it may be alcohol free.

Well Clem, I missed out completely on Lloyd's 'hippie' phase, I have not even decided to search back there. As I can't really hear any overt 'spirituality' in his sound as a tenor player or in his ideas, I therefore don't associate any 'spiritual' overtones with his playing. What I do hear is a gorgeous (IMO) tenorman's sound, one that I would try to emulate if it wasn't for me striving to achieve a sound like Getz's. I hear Lloyd interpreting a melody with the least possible ornamentation bu relying upon that hollow, woody tone. Then at other times I hear lavish glissandi and seemless harmonic invention. Like a less raucous Hawkins. I hear Mehldau. And this Mehldau is playing in a band, a first for me as prior to getting this recording I had only heard him in his trio setting. He seems to be actually, the perfect accompanist. I also like the way the band, much in part due to Higgins, shift briefly from limpid balled into light swing, as on Black Butterfly. Obviously there will be those who think the date doesn't swing at all. The light latin number Figure In Blue glides along effortlessly as all light latin numbers should. For me a bonus is the duet between Mehldau and Lloyd on The Monk & The Mermaid which has both a playful and intense feel. Interesting how you chose to qualify some ECM recordings for your preferred listening pleasure as I don't associate any one sound with the label, much as I can't attribute any given sound to Verve or any other label for that matter (except of course many, many 60's Blue Notes). I accept that much of the album is contemplative, lacking in that punch in the gut bravado or freshly squeezed juice on the morning of a hangover that many more zestful albums possess. It does, though, communicate some wonderful musical ideas to me. One tune, Lady Day, is for me one of the most lyrical and beautiful tunes I've ever heard. It literally makes the hairs on my back stand up. And I'm a cold hard bastard. Lastly, I don't want to be picky, but when was is suggested that "groundbreaking", "controversial" or "classic" the criteria upon which albums should be picked?

I'm the guy who, at customs and excise back from holiday, walks straight through with a case full of tobacco and alcohol. Me. Nothing to declare.

So that's why I wear a black turtleneck sweater, shades, and a beret to all my jazz concerts (and talk loudly throughout the performances). do you snap your fingers repeatedly and say "cool, man...dig?" yeah, daddy o! Hmmm. Just made me think of something.

During college I took a job at the local multiplex cinema as a popcorn popper. Initially, the job was supposed to be part time only say for 4 hours on an afternoon a few days a week. The hourly rate was shocking. During the interview the guy asked if I wanted to stay 'til 6pm, I said OK but I couldn't do that every day. He said fine. The reason for this was the guy who I had taken the job from had been 'promoted' and he was now selling the stuff downstairs rather than making it. I started the process: Coconut oil, sugar and corn. More coconut oil, sugar and corn. Bagging each one up 'til the stockroom was full. The manager came in and said "can you stay 'til midnight?". I peered through the smoke and thought hang on, I've got oil running down through my armpits into the waistband of my jeans, I stink and I'm ready for my supper. "You can bugger off", I told him and walked out. As I passed through the lobby and past the vendors I noticed the spotty youth who's job I'd taken being instantly 'demoted' as the manager gesticulated to him telling him to get back upstairs. Ah... good times.

Gary has kindly given me the nod to provide the next AotW. I have decided to go with this for a few reasons. This is the last album I really fell in love with. Many may think it's a good album but not great. However, it's definately become one of my old slippers . There may be Lloyd detractors out there; Coltrane - 'lite' as I've heard it put before (I hope Gary isn't offended) and sure Mehldau has his fair share of critics. I think they're made for each other, in the best possible way. The way the whole band gels and the shifting textures provided by some of my favourite musicians. Great tunes, gorgeous harmonies and superb expressive playing --- ECM sound ? I don't know if there ever was one but this album let's you hear Billy Higgins literally putting his whole self behind the band. I hope it is a good choice.

My first two homes were in run-down 'cardboard' council estates. They were both notorious nationally because of their off- the-scale figures for crime, suicide and unemployment. In the North East of England, in the '70's (Labour's winter of discontent, pre-Thatcherite era) My family was greatly affected by the social climate; my Grandad was 'taken in' by the local Police on several occasions due to his West Belfast background and his vocal nature on all things nationalist at a time when IRA activities in Ireland were frequent. This helped marginalise my family somewhat. Having a dad in the Parachute Regiment didn't help, especially around the time of the Derry conflict --- let's just say, they didn't see eye to eye. Just before he left us we were given an opportunity to move to Iran of all places; he was due to be stationed near Tehran. Obviously, the changes over there at that time saw to it we didn't go. Living there without a dad left us vulnerable and my mother was attacked visciously on a couple of occasions. Times weren't that enjoyable to be honest. Looking back I would have preferred to have lived in a caravan than there. Everywhere you looked was daubed with hateful graffiti and trash. Houses were boarded up every other week and schools were vandalised on a regular basis. The majority of folk were moved around by the authorities so had little respect for their environment. Fortunately the experience give me an appreciation of where I live now, and lots more. My son is now 3 and a half and was born in this quiet village. He will never have to witness a childhood like mine.

They're kidding me, right? Not the Debbie McGee, surely? What would Paul Daniels say... Isn't she lovely though...

And I always thought you had to 'choke the chicken' ... not cut it's bloody head off!

From iTunes (didn't think initially I would ever use it) the un-issued tracks from Miles' Quintet box; Water On The Pond etc. Stuck them straight on the iPod in amongst the rest of my 'owned' stuff.

Plus, bitching about other board members.

Great news. I loved this album and played it many, many times when it first came out (was it '94 - ish?). Then it went missing from my collection - possibly lent out to college friend... I'll be on the lookout for this one. Cheers.

Kleenex....

Will do. Up for this afternoon, Olé, Giant Steps and My Fav Things --- all obvious choices but for the right reasons).

This is funny because I've never actually kept count, but having spent the last month filling my iPod up (that is going to hold about 450 albums), I've realised that I must have well over in jazz releases. The iPod is currently about 80% jazz, which is probably similar to my collection in general. I haven't even thought about which Stax and Motown I'm going to put on

That reminds me, when were kids, we used to have pig's trotters (before the corrective surgery ! ). You could still see those little hairs. Uck.

Or you could take one of these, , keep it in the dark allowing it only to feed on millet, grapes and figs until it's four times its normal size, drown it alive in Armagnac (nice French liqueor), cook it to a burnt out crisp. The secret is entirely in theeating. First you cover your head with a traditional embroidered cloth. Then place the entire four-ounce bird into your mouth. Only its head should dangle out from between your lips. Bite off the head and discard. L'ortolan should be served immediately; it is meant to be so hot that you must rest it on your tongue while inhaling rapidly through your mouth. This cools the bird, but its real purpose is to force you to allow its ambrosial fat to cascade freely down your throat. When cool, begin to chew. It should take about 15 minutes to work your way through the breast and wings, the delicately crackling bones, and on to the inner organs. Devotees claim they can taste the bird's entire life as they chew in the darkness: the wheat of Morocco, the salt air of the Mediterranean, the lavender of Provence. The pea-sized lungs and heart, saturated with Armagnac from its drowning, are said to burst in a liqueur-scented flower on the diner's tongue. Enjoy with a good Bordeaux. Then blow up some small atoll in the South Pacific for parlour games.

This thread is fascinating. I remember in a geography class a video showing the Fray Bentos factory in Argentina(???) making Corned Beef. Everything apart from nipples and eyelids I believe. Tame in comaprison maybe to some of the stuff mentioned earlier.

I too had SearchTown replace my home page for months until I read somewher that SpyBot may cleanse my setting and stuff. Worked a treat, you can download it from loads of sites but I think I used Downloads.com Best of luck.

An octave jump up from bottom D to middle doesn't seem like the hardest thing in the world does it? But, yeah, I know exactly what you're talking about.

I'm sure that the more technologically aware board members out there will be able to give me an answer to this one either along the lines of: no way José or yes, you do it like this.... Q. Can I upload my recent batch of RVGs onto my iPod (via iTunes, or other if necessary)? I've tried and it only allows me to 'play' the album. Am I missing something really obvious here or are they resistant to copy? Help. The least listened to albums in my collection, ie. newest, aren't able to go portable. Thanks.

Warm, sunny, cloudless skies --- pretty much what we've missed during August and the school holidays.

Exactly! Thank you for saying what I was trying to say with an equanimity that I was unable to muster. Oh right....that's what you were trying to say.

Steady on Jim. Firstly, no, we don't happen to have a great many Purto Rican immigrants in North Yorkshire, I'll have a drive around though and have a look, I'm bound to notice any that are here by their attire. We do though have a vibrant salsa and merengue scene in the many village halls and community centers but they tend to be the domain of the elderly or those desperately in need to find friendship. I wasn't saying that his music wasn't real because of the get-up, I was commenting upon his get-up. Much like it bugs me when I see local lads, who having turned 18, proceed to dress for the rest of their lives in tweeds, checked shirts, flat caps and twills...oh, and get a Range Rover while you're at it. The female requirements are even more horrifying. Or worse, the Brits abroad on the Costas in their footie shirts and Union Jack shorts. As for men in suits. Of the many jazz acts I've seen in this county, country and overseas, I can honestly say I can't recall what they were wearing, they may have had suits, I do not know. However, saying that this band are more adventurous than ones who do wear suits is, well, crap. And of course, the cultural 'vibe' in downtown, or wherever, New York is very different, not a little, to that of our sleepy countryside. So yes, I probably am reacting to the stereotype, you know the one that was indelibly portrayed outside of Minton's in the 1940's -- gotta say though, it must have been dead cool then. And remember, I did listen to the music, I found it dull, a bit like a bunch of tired old bebop cliches over a latin groove. If I ever hear any more of this stuff (let's face it I've got 30 odd years to trawl through), and I like it, I promise, I'll let you know.