I am excited about jazz. I know what I've written so far on the subject has been vague. I don't know much but I know I love it?! Some of the cds I've been listening to include:

Coltrane For Lovers
Straight, No Chaser (Thelonious Monk)
Mingus and Friends in concert
Basie's Best
The Legendary Sidney Bechet
The Rough Guide to Classic Jazz

I've gotten many of the ken Burns jazz cds from the library, and listened to jazz tracks I had on soundtracks including Guinevere, One Night Stand and Seven. I think Kansas City deserves a special mention - it's an incredible soundtrack. Such a big sound, so many talented performers, old and young. You can't help but move to it.

Some of my favorite jazz singers are Johnny Hartman, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, and Louis Armstrong. I think they've all got unique voices, and prove that the voice is an instrument too. It's sometimes difficult for me to figure how what classifies as jazz and what doesn't. For example, I like the voices of Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, and Nat King Cole, but it seems that most of their material does not fit the genre. Can the word genre even be applied to music? Oh well.

I realised this week that I could rarely listen to albums straight through, unless it's a soundtrack, compilation or classical music. When I do buy a cd by a single group or artist, I usually use them for mix tapes and become familiar with certain tracks on the cd, but not all. Listening to jazz cds, I seem to find something interesting about each track. The spontaneity makes it compelling. Because the performers are not tied down to compositions Jazz is always new. In many cases, they're making it up as they go along. It really is the only true American art form.

Anyway, I hope that wasn't too tedious or pretentious. I'm looking forward very much to continuing this journey of discovery, to listening and learning. Experiencing jazz is like making love to a beautiful woman...

I finished Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer this week. It's been compared to Harry Potter, and while I don't think it's that good, it certainly was interesting. It's basically about a 12 year old evil genius wo tries to swindle some fairies out of their gold. Nicely drawn characters, good pacing, and ocassionally very funny, it would be a good book for those eagerly awaiting the next in the Harry Potter series.

While on the subject of HP, I'm appalled by the movies, and their popularity. I hate to sound like Drew Barrymore here, but the books were magical, the movies are simply formulaic. It's so sad that the majority of people will not read the books cos they've seen the movie. It's even sad that those who do read the books will have those idiotic little twits in mind when reading about the major characters. Speaking of characters, what the hell have they done with Dobby?! They've turned the cutest, most adorable character into some Yoda-cockroach hybrid! Oh, Hollywood, sometimes I hate you.

I was saddened to learn of Richard Harris' death. He was such a great actor, it's a pity he'll be remembered for one of his least effective roles (Dumbledore in Harry Potter). See Trojan Eddie, This is the Sea, Unforgiven or The Field, and you'll know what a great actor is. As a sidenote, I saw Igby Goes Down recently, and it was chilling how much Jared Harris resembles his father. Some may remember him as the titular character in I Shot Andy Warhol.

I finished The Woman Who Gave Birth to Rabbits. This is a collection of short stories which were fashioned around snatches of history and folklore. It's a fascinating concept, brilliantly executed by Emma Donoghue. I also recommend her other books:
Stir Fry - probably the least intense of her books, I enjoyed the portrayal of life in Dublin, and the sweet story of self-discovery.
Hood - a moving and soothing story of love and death, set in 80's Dublin.
Kissing the Witch - updates on classic fairy stories, many told with an erotic twist.
Slammerkin - I'm currently halfway through this tragic story of a teenage girl in 18th century London.

So yeah, read some books by Emma Donoghue. You know you want to.

What I've been enjoying in...

-Music

Sheryl Crow's C'mon C'mon from the library - it's a grower.
Also, more jazz - mp3s by Chet Baker and Ben Webster, the soundtrack to The Bridges of Madison County, the compilation Pure Cool, and cds by Charles Mingus, Count Basie and Sidney Bechet. Plus Coldplay, Elbow, and my latest mix tapes.


-Movies

La Pianiste - disturbing, compulsive, entertaining
Bloody Sunday - brilliant, stark, sad

-TV

Beginning to feel like daily Felicity is too much - I wish they'd play them weekly instead. Oh well. Buffy and Angel were okay this week. The Practice was interesting. And the Sopranos... so that's what they've been building up to. This week's episode was quite eventful. And Tony's new chick is hot.

-Books

Enjoying the excellent Emma Donoghue again. I'm almost finished 'The Woman Who Gave Birth to Rabbits' and I've started Slammerkin. I highly recommend this author - I have yet to be disappointed by her. I'm also reading one False Move by Harlan Coben, and the fabulous 'The Land of Laughs' by Jonathan Carroll.

-Internet

I've been good and didn't even check mail Tuesday and Wednesday. So I had a lot to get through today. otherwise all I've done lately is print out track listings for library cds I've copied.

-Life

I've been a little depressed lately. Work's been horrible, we don't have enough money. Victoria is my only comfort. I wish I could wrap myself up in her and not have to face the world.

Reading Jonathan Carroll's 'The Land of Laughs' is like making love to a beautiful woman. I didn't want to stop, but I was enjoying it so much I wanted to extend the joy of it. Today, work was even worse than usual, but I felt better because I had this incredible book to delve into between calls. I don't remember feeling this strongly about a book since reading Enid Blyton as a kid. Thanks to Byron for this and all the books you've sent.

Finished L.A. Requiem by Robert Crais, which was great. I do like mystery novels. Looking forward to getting the latest by Harlan Coben - Gone for Good.
Listening to Count Basie, Charles Mingus, Miles Davis and um, Sheryl Crow! Hey, I still listen to regular music too!
And today we saw Bloody Sunday, which was a very good movie. The events of a tragic day in Irish history are presented here in a documentary style. The movie stars James Nesbitt who's excellent in the role of a civil rights leader. The film is shockingly realistic, reminiscent of Welcome to Sarajevo and Black Hawk Down. If you're interested in fiction centered around the conflict in Northern Ireland, I can recommmend the following movies:

Nothing Personal
This is the Sea
Some Mother's Son
In the Name of the Father

and books:

Cal - Bernard MacLaverty
Eureka Street - Robert MacLiam Wilson
Everything in this Country Must - Colum McCann
Divorcing Jack - Colin Bateman