The Music Book Reader Bulletin at Caught By The River

And here's a link to my latest review for The Music Book Reader Bulletin.....

http://www.caughtbytheriver.net/2013/03/the-music-book-reader-bulletin-10/

Harold Battiste Jr & Ernie K-Doe

Believe it or not there are still a good many books about music that originate in the U.S. and are never published here in the UK. Wherever possible I will try and draw attention to these books that deserve a wider audience. Here's a review, by Joe Nick Patoski in the new issue of the Oxford American magazine, of two books that will be of great interest to devotees of New Orleans music......

http://www.oxfordamerican.org/articles/2013/mar/22/book-review-unfinished-blues-and-ernie-k-doe/

Wild Geese That Fly With The Moon On Their Wings

1. Slim Chance at the Square & Compass, Ashill, Somerset.
   This is normally the kind of gig I would steer well clear of. Slim Chance without Ronnie Lane? But I really do love his records, not just for the songs and his delivery, but also for the musicians he had backing him and the wonderful collective spirit they brought to the music. When I learned that this version of Slim Chance includes Steve Simpson, Charlie Hart, Steve Bingham, Alun Davies and Colin Davey I decided it was worth a look and a listen. One of the most enjoyable gigs I've been to in years. Their rendition of Ooh La La brought a lump to my throat.
2. The Passing Show – film about Ronnie Lane.
   Affectionate and moving tribute.
3. The Island Review - “an online magazine dedicated to great writing and visual art that comes from, is inspired by, celebrates or seeks to understand the extraordinary appeal of islands, as places and as metaphors.” www.theislandreview.com.
4. An Antidote To Indifference No.5.
   Caught By The River's printed 'fanzine' although this stylish issue is a proper magazine, beautifully produced, and is a collection of people's favourite posts from the past year. The quality of the writing is impeccable.
5. Landfill Harmonic. An orchestra of young people in Paraguay playing instruments made from rubbish. Inspired and inspiring. See the video here : http://vimeo.com/52711779
6. Books, Baguettes & Bedbugs by Jeremy Mercer.
   Amusing and poignant reminiscences of Mercer's time living and working at the renowned Paris book store Shakespeare & Company. He weaves the history of this eccentric establishment into his narrative and had me researching for more information. And at a time when independent book stores everywhere are in danger of extinction this book is as compelling an argument for their continued support as I can think of.
7. The Paris Magazine.
   I discovered this via the Shakespeare & Company web-site. It started in 1967, there have been just four issues, and the latest one was published in June 2010! Looks really good though.
8. Harry Dean Stanton – Partly Fiction
   A documentary film about the great actor from last year which has had very limited release. Not available on DVD here yet. Here's the official trailer to whet your appetite – www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2-QZ35P_yY.
   I once saw Harry Dean Stanton singing a couple of Mexican songs from his Paris, Texas period with Ry Cooder's band.
9. Sid Griffin & The Dreaming Spires perform the music of David Crosby.
   For anyone, like me, who considers Crosby's first solo album, If I Could Only Remember My Name, a masterpiece this is irresistible. Griffin has played only one date so far, at The Lexington in London in early February, but he would love to play more. This clip gives you a good idea of what you could expect. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nus6m0vAsJ0
10. New issue of The Blizzard.
    Issue eight is out now and has the usual mix of in-depth features on world football the likes of which you won't find anywhere else. So far I've read Philippe Auclair's interview with Brian Glanville and Roy Henderson's article on Mourinho's Cult of Personality. As The Blizzard is a quarterly I have to ration myself.