fuzzyness

9 Dec 2011

15 Oct 2011

I never much liked Charlie Parker

Paul Desmond and Art Pepper, my 2 favourite alto saxophonists of all time. Interestingly, the only 2 players of their generation not influenced by Charlie Parker.

And yes, I never much liked Charlie Parker.

14 Oct 2011

The gifts just keep on coming

If you're labouring under the misapprehension that you have the loveliest cat in the whole world, stop! Let me assure you, you don't. We do.

This gorgeous creature's name is Gomez. Below is just 1 example of the many (many many many) leaves and other assorted leafy gifts he thoughtfully brings in for us on a daily basis.

This morning he dragged this particular fine specimen in, dropped it at my feet and then casually laid there, admiring his handiwork (whilst probably angling for some more biscuits).

At least they're not mice, eh.

13 Oct 2011

I need to hide a body

Damn, I really want to upgrade to an iPhone 4S now!

http://shitthatsirisays.tumblr.com

12 Oct 2011

Like it says on the box...

Check out Josh Topolsky's brilliant iPhone 4S review - especially the last question he asks Siri...

9 Oct 2011

Genius: Paul Desmond

If I ever learn to play even a tenth as well as Paul Desmond I'll be deliriously happy. Pure genius.

9 Oct 2011

Archie Pelago: Turntable Meets Cello, Sax, Laptop

I've been loving playing the saxophone again recently. While I've been digging back into old school swing and jazz for inspiration (the late, great Art Pepper is my sax hero), I can't help thinking that there are new ways to use the saxophone that don't just emulate playing styles from 60 years ago.

I'm thinking of the possibiities of mixing sax with Ableton Live, non-traditional ways of playing and composing that don't just rely on furious scales-based virtuosity and emulating Messrs. Parker, Coltrane, et al.

Really pleased, then, to stumble across Brooklyn-based Archie Pelago doing some really interesting (but highly listenable) stuff with traditional instruments like sax and cello along with laptops, mixers, Ableton Live and turntables.

There's a great article on CreateDigitalMusic.com, an in-depth that's well worth checking out, on how they're pulling it all together for some marvellous 21st century performance techniques.

Archie Pelago have a ton of stuff on their Soundcloud page; some video goodness on their own site; a free download of their latest EP here; and the recent Chocolate Waveplates EP streamable here too.

Great find.