Category: music and radio

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More stuff coming soon

I’m back. I’m really busy, but I’m back.

When time permits, a post on:

  • Leiden
  • Arrow Jazz FM
  • Kraak en Smaak
  • Miffy
  • Utrecht
  • a David Lynch moment
  • Maastricht
  • Pruevenemint
  • the Atomium
  • Antwerpen-Zuid, and
  • why EuroTunnel is doomed
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Good listening

Things on Radio 4 that you may have missed:

Radio 4 is, I think, producing some of the best programming I have ever heard right now. Whatever would we do without Radio 4?

UPDATE: I forgot to include:

  • Unseen China. I don’t normally enjoy Peter White’s radio style (I remember when he was on South Today, 15-odd years ago), but this series is excellent.
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When a book would be better than the Internet

I’ve just seen a lovely bumblebee in the garden. I like these fuzzy-bottomed creatures, but I’ve never seen one quite like this one – a slightly tapered bum (abdomen, I think) with three distinct amber-coloured stripes around the tip. The problem I have is that I’d like to know what type of bumblebee it is and whether I’ve spotted something rare or unusual. It’s this sort of thing that shows the limitations of the internet. If I had a book of insects, I could open the page of bees and compare all the different sorts until I spotted an illustration that best represented the creature I saw. However, the net relies on me making a search using the name of the creature I am seeking (looking for "bumblebees" is too vague). Wikipedia only offers a detailed description of the most common species.

Any suggestions? I’ve had a similar problem when I’ve spotted an unusual butterfly or moth. Birds are another group of creatures where I go straight to the bookshelf first.

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Soundtrack

There is a lot that I should be writing about here at the moment, but time pressures prohibit me from doing so. I’m travelling to the Netherlands this week, so if you’re lucky you might get some airport blogging.

In the meantime, here is a current playlist (aside from several CDs that are getting a lot of rotation time):

  • Lupe Fiasco – Kick Push
  • Amerie – One Thing
  • Hird – Love Again
  • People Under The Stairs – The Dig
  • The White Stripes – Blue Orchid
  • Ladytron – Soft Power
  • Go! Team – Ladyflash
  • OMD – Sealand
  • Curve – Coast is Clear
  • Bass-O-Matic – Fascinating Rhythm (12" version)
  • Editors – Munich
  • Jazzanova – Bohemian Sunset
  • Ladytron – Fighting in Built-Up Areas
  • Neotropic – Under Violent Objects
  • Siouxsie and the Banshees – Dear Prudence
  • Zombies – Time of the Season
  • Amon Tobin – The Lighthouse

Willfully eclectic?

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Weekend

Quick post:

  • thanks to Charlie and The Peet for my excellent Neotropic CD.
  • thanks also to the Uborka Two for Winter Chill 2.
  • thanks to family for gifts of cash, clothing and olive oil – all appreciated.
  • thanks to Hels for Gnarls Barkley, clothing and cake.
  • spent Friday at Wakehurst Place – thoroughly enjoyable another opportunity to put the buggy through its paces (it passed with flying colours).
  • Friday evening involved a fantastic meal out – if anyone needs a recommendation for a fabulous meal in East Sussex, drop me a line.
  • Saturday was spent gardening, painting and erecting trellis for the most part.
  • Sunday was spent at Pashley Manor Gardens for the Plant Fair – not one of the best that I’ve had there, but I think some lessons were learned that will lead to changes before August.