Electric Eden

This book by Rob Young is a work of genius. Am taking it slow because the content is so fascinating . The chapter about Vashti Bunyan is worth the price alone. Am reading about William Morris , Arnold Bax and all kind of stuff that sets the mind racing. The chapter is called " Orgy on the Green" . Amazing insights into the work of Cecil Sharp ,Vaughn Williams,  Holst and a host of English musicians  and artists.
In this technology driven age it would appear we might just be missing something important. Maybe we may need to look backwards to move forward?

In other news there have been some awesome sunsets recently.

august

August. The busy month when time flies by. I always have a feeling of anticipation because September is in the wings. In the days of innocence I remember long hot summers that seemed endless.School a distant memory. Days filled with cricket or football ,  bird watching, cycle rides eight miles to the nearest outdoor swimming pool.There were only one or two buses a day and we couldn't afford the fare anyway. Haymaking. Finding a lapwing's nest. What a gang we were. Stew Robert, Screwy Naylor, Ray Horan , Peter Outram , Morphy Richards, Chalky White, Smoky Ashton, Graham Ollerenshaw ,Nobby Clark. Evenings in the hay meadows just laughing ,playing hide and seek , cowboys and indians....sitting by the river watching the rainbow trout as they jumped for midges. The sun would set behind Mam Tor, the summer stars would slowly appear like magic before our young eyes. Beautiful . In the days before television , in the days before rock and roll- the 1950's.

reading: "electric eden"unearthing Britains visionary music by rob young

listening: "complete vanguard recordings" bill evans

Bakewell Arts Festival 2010

Showing "Keefagonal 2".....

latest playlist and reading

books. Charles De Lint "The Onion Girl" ( I have been saving this title for the right time, high summer seem to be good), "Follow the Music" the story of Electra Records...( really fascinating to see how Jac Holzman created this legendary label. Sadly I dont think it would be possible today).

I have had The Beatles "White Album " on constantly...I'm supposed to sing a number from the record in a session soon... "happiness is a warm gun" should do it?

9 ladies, a caterpillar, hobbit and solstice gifts at the Oak Tree

Stanton Moor is a magical place whatever the weather....

recent music and reading

JOY!  A LOVELY HARDBACK COPY OF "MUSE and REVERIE' by the wonderful CHARLES De LINT has been my companion for two weeks. Another journey to Newford and all those incredible residents...I often imagine the bookshop to be situated around Lower Crowsea!


Superb albums from "Telling the Bees".  A blend of dark English psyche/folk with a lovely progressive feel. Great songs and production, quite unique!

And pebble painting in the garden as the sun goes down.........

olafur arnalds

The post" Low Horizons" fallow period continues... One wonderful highlight was a trip to Bridgewater Hall with Nicky to a concert featuring the Royal Northern College of Music Orchestra performing with one of my favourite Icelandic composers Olafur Arnalds. What a superb night. A string quartet playing Radiohead tracks from "kid a" greeted us in the foyer, The R.N.C.M. performed Jonny Greenwood's "popcorn superhet receiver" followed by the amazing Dyad Percussion Duo . Stravinsky "Rite of Spring followed ...this was truly mindblowing. The evening ended with the premier of Olafur Arnalds'  "and they have escaped the weight of darkness". Truly magnificent