I Can See The Light.

Finally! My lights are fixed. Well they were this morning after 10, i've been busy inbetween then. I wonder if my rant last night got the message through somehow to the subconcscious of my manager. This post is going to be quite abstract in comparison to others mainly because i just can't seem to do short posts, i need to provide sustinance to the blogging community.

Seasick Steve documentary (available now on BBC iPlayer - UK only) - most of this doc is going back to the early home territory of the fantastic blues player meeting up with old places and friends alike. It was more than interesting to see throughout the duration of the programme and in various interviews recently that even though he has obviously sold a lot of records and clearly a lot of money in his denim dungarees, he hasn't changed under the temptation of fame like so many so called popular music artists. Here is a man dedicated to his music, very humble and writing about simple things in life; which in comparison to songs in todays charts (which are equally simple) like the latest offerings from Britney Spears or Lady Gaga, seem a lot more important than being a womaniser or getting up to dance (yes of course miss spears you wrote it yourself didn't you, that's what it'll say on the album don't worry your fragile bald head about it). Spears or Gaga have nothing on Seasick Steve as they don't have the heart or memories to write genuinely moving music, and for this reason he should be like so many others the greater icons for younger kids today. And not just because he looks like a Southern Hillbilly. Say that to someone in countryside Memphis and you'd have a shotgun up your ass.

Radiolarians - just got a copy of Medeski Martin & Woods latest offering which is promised to be a three part series of albums which goes through an apparently different concept to most of their previous albums: Write music - Tour/Continue to write/Improve - Record - Repeat.

Maybe for this reason Radiolarians 1 is probably the most accessible personally of their albums i've had the fortune to listen to, the collection of songs is vast in influential styles but of course with funky improvisation always at the heart. Can't wait for the next two installments some time this year.

Definition of a Dog - god rest Esbjörn Svensson and e.s.t (Esbjörn Svensson Trio). He, Dan Burgland and Magnus Ostroms collaborations are sadly missed by me as i look over varying amounts of maths notes. Like The Bad Plus i will go over all their music sometime in a post, or maybe both together in comparison.. who knows. Live In Hamburg + Definition of a Dog (for 18+ minutes) = dribble worthy.

Guinness - on impulse yesturday i bought a four pack of Guinness original (damn Oswald Clark and James May! *shakes fist* - BBC Two see listings http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00grswy). Viewing the Dublin breweries and after not having Guinness in well over a year made me want to buy some again. It didn't disapoint, great tasting staut with the distinctive burnt coffee aftertaste. As revealed in the Oz & James Drink To Britain the master Guinness brewer in Dublin explained the specific way to drink stauts in general to get passed the bitter taste many associate with the type of beer. By sipping through the head which apparently is the bitter part you would taste, you can then get a chock load on your palette. A proper drink, unlike vodka and rum popalicious treaties on nights out (can't stand vodka, don't know why). Even though i'm on a student budget i think i can spare a few quid for something well worth the money in future. 1759 to 2009, happy 250th birthday Guinness!

Pole Dancing Children - well not children but dancing to children. News story of a devonshire college (South Devon College) now erupting to many complaints after the college brought in 'Art of Dance' a dance school ensemble to perform as part of the college's 'B-healthy' week. Seems fine enough but for one part of the demonstrations and questions there was a section of pole performance. But some of the parents now think this was an obvious act of pole dancing in the exposure of students ranging from young as 14 to 19. In my opinion this has been blown out of proportion. The whole demonstration saying it was pole dancing was silly and it can clearly be thought of in an innocent manner to show the strength and gymnastic abilities needed to traverse a grounded metal beam and support yourself.

I can why there is blame pointed towards the college because to subject younger children to something like that (i'd enjoy it..), in respect they should have notified parents beforehand saying these dance demonstrations will take place and will include pole performance. After that they could have then filed for the parents consent for ones that are willing for their kids to take part. On the other hand i don't exactly blame the school entirely as the younger children wouldn't think they want a lap dance or to afterwards by inspiration go and roll out for some hookers. They would obviously know the school wouldn't want to promote that kind of sexual activity but to merely highlight the physical ability involved. Considering also that the age range was from 14 to 19, what else could they do to keep the attention of older students *cough*.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/7859239.stm