Heard
The two things that stick out from the month are jazz. Jeff “Tain” Watts - Family is a bright bop album, great tunes, great band. Also fantastic is Matthew Halsall’s On The Go, full of great grooves and meditative tunes.

Read
I’ve re-read for the umpteenth time a pile of Raymond Chandler - The Lady In The Lake, The Little Sister, The Big Sleep, Farewell My Lovely. I love the terse language, the sense of mission, the sense of duty. And I really enjoyed Ross Macdonald’s The Guilty Ones more a short story, but beautifully sketched characters, and smartly written. As our protagonist Lew Archer drops a client back at his hotel and bids him farewell, the chapter ends “...he looked like a displaced shadow from a dark dream. Not my dream, I congratulated myself”. The next chapter begins “Prematurely. Within an hour he had telephoned my office.”

I also read Granta 115 – The F Word. I have picked up the occasional Granta and meant to subscribe because I’ve always enjoyed them. This has a particularly moving piece by Julie Otsuka – The Children – about Japanese mothers in rural California seeing their children grow up and away.

Seen
I watched some of Glastonbury. To save getting grumpy, I followed the sage advice from several people here and didn’t watch acts that I knew I wouldn’t enjoy. I thought Janelle Monae was marvellous, and her band were following in the spirit of The Famous Flames – a high energy soul revue. I enjoyed Beyonce too, and while I am obviously years behind on this one I finally understood why people have been banging on about Elbow so much. On record, there is something in the mush-mouthed vocals that makes me think of a less good Shack, that “ch” sound, and I have struggled to get past that - but the tunes really came across live.

Elvis Costello’s Spectacle – the James Taylor show was interesting, with James being given the space to tell the story of writing Bartender’s Blues so he had something to sing like George Jones, then being invited to sing backing vocals on George’s recording of it. I do like Elvis’ interview style. And the show reminded me that Carol King wrote “I’ll Do My Crying In The Rain” for the Everly Brothers.

AOB
Still waiting for summer to arrive here in Scotland

Heard
I'm particularly enjoying the new Sea Of Bees album Songs For The Ravens. The new Gomez is great too.

Seen
Finally re-watching The Wire, having previously done the lot 3 years ago. This time, Mrs Presentable is along for the ride. Believe the hype.

Read
Still working my way through the original Sherlock Holmes books for free on my phone reading app (I'm using Adilko, which is like Kindle). Also enjoying Steve Martin's Born Standing Up.

Thanks to three weeks of vacation I've had plenty of time on my hands.
Heard:
I'm really enjoying the new album from Seun Anikulapo-Kuti & Egypt 80, From Africa With Fury: Rise. Funky modern afrobeat with a political content. Stay still if you can!
Also enjoying Director's Cut, the "deluxe" version so I could get the only two Kate Bush albums that I never bought at the time.
The Red Shoes is actually very good, The Sensual world not so much but has a few really high points. The same goes for Director's Cut.
Alexander is the singer from Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros and his solo album sounds a lot like his bands music. Rather good that is, except when it's rather bad... Very patchy.
Another highlight has been the Allen Toussaint compilation.
The new Foo Fighters album is as usual a lot of dullness sprinkled with a few really great tracks. Definitely a live band first.
All this plus Cab Calloway, Karen Dalton and a "Greatest Hits" from Grateful Dead. I bought it cheap second hand just to get the one song by them that I really like - Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion) - and to see if the rest was any good. Well, the hits were not for me, so thankfully I don't have to shell out for their back catalogue ! ;)

Read:
I had saved some neverending books for my holiday and I started by reading 880 pages of Stephen King, Under The Dome.
Well written as always, hard to put down made for many exciting sleepless nights, so I didn't really mind that the reason for the dome was a bit corny ( well, more than a bit actually ). That was just a small part of a very big entertaining ride and couldn't spoil it for me.
Stephen Fry's The Fry Chronicles was nowhere near as good as Moab Is My Washpot, he does go on ( and on, and on ). A less respectful editor could have fixed that problem.
I'm now reading David Sedaris, a book I had missed; When You Are Engulfed In Flames. Laugh out loud funny most of the time, as always.

Seen:
Foo Fighters in concert ( see Nights Out ).
Some DVD's that I finally had time to see. Up! was mostly great.
Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland was so awful that I had to stop watching quite quickly ( I lasted until the teaparty ).
I consoled myself with viewings of some classics; the original The Haunting and Swedish classic Mannen På Taket ( The Man On The Roof - a Martin Beck story ).

AOB:
Thanks to the heat, a long walk to and from a picnic wearing the wrong shoes and me being a viking and ignoring the pain two days in a row I am now confined to my flat hobbling about on one leg. I have a huge blister on the ball of my right foot and try to avoid walking on it so it can heal. Annoying as hell!
And I start working again on Monday... Ah, well.

Music
In the car can't take off Shack's 1999 stone wall classic HMS Fable. When I get rich I will devote myself to touring the world with 'Comedy' on a loud speaker attached to the roof of the car. An utterly beautiful song which should be better known.
Albums: Thanks to a Dougie J thread, Meet Danny Wilson and that band's leader Gary Clark's solo album 10 Songs About Love. Scotland really produces incredibly soulful music, doesn't it?
Been writing and proof reading some articles - that inevitably leads to instrumental or world music (lyrics that I can't immediately understand don't distract) so John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Boards of Canada, French hip hoppers Kalash L'Afro and Disiz la Peste.
I watched tonnes of Glastonbury, but had a very wonderful night with Beyonce. A proper star with a proper voice who has proper show biz chops. BTW when did 'a bit Vegas' become a criticism? What, so Sinatra in Vegas, Elvis Comeback in Vegas, Rat Pack and Debbie Reynolds in Vegas are now rubbish. Do me a favour.
A mountain of my usual podcasts - Candyman, The Bugle, BBC's Friday Night Comedy, Resonance FM's Bike Show podcast, Real Peloton with the below mentioned Ned Boulting and Matt Rendell, Kermode and Mayo, David Simon on Richard Bacon.
Special mention to mate Dave Candler's brilliant South Korean indie podcast, Korean Homesick Blues, where a Merseyside journalist finds himself quite bored living in a suburb of Seoul and as a response, starts making a podcast about the music he finds. I dubbed him the Korean John Peel, and the tag seems to have stuck. There is so much good music on it and it is a valuable insight into music in a culture quite unlike our own. There are 49 episodes for you to listen and download from at http://koreanhomesickblues.podbean.com/. He has a great voice for radio having spent 10 years in NYC.

Books
It's cycling season so loads - the Kindle has transformed my speed of reading. Ned Boulting's 'How I Won the Yellow Jumper' is a wonderfully disingenuous read. It pretends to be the work of an innocent (literally & figuratively) abroad - someone out of his depth reporting on something he didn't understand on his debut in 2003. However, it really is a picture perfect dissection of the enormity of the Tour as a spectacle and the difficulty faced by those who report on it. A really wonderful book.
Richard Moore's 'Slaying the Badger', about Greg Lemond's 1986 TdF defeat of Bernard Hinault (the nicknamed badger slayee) is one of sport's journalism's greatest books. Top interviews shed light on the murky world of cycling's internal politics, as Lemond strove to defeat Hinault a year after the latter had pledged to help him win the tour as thanks with a record equalling fifth win in 1985. Unfortunately, the obstinate, combative and enormously competitive Hinault couldn't quite bring himself to play second fiddle and constantly attacked Lemond, but to no avail. A breath taking book.
I bought and reread Paul Du Noyer's In the City on Kindle to put a few more pennies in the old boy's pocket and marvelled at such an exhaustive breakdown of London's musical history.
Finally, just downloaded the first Martin Beck mystery Roseanna by Maj Sjöwall & Per Wahlöö, the godmother and godfather of Nordic crime fiction. (Preface by Henning Mankell, Wallander fans). It's astounding that a book written in 1965 can seem so contemporary. I think it is because they are not in thrall to multiple asides about technology and the ephemera of modern life in the way of Steig Larsson and other more modern crime novelists. It is all about plot, characterisation and suspense.

TV & filmHaven't had much time for TV and films, and, regretfully, Treme hasn't held my attention as I had hoped it might. That might be down to work pressures. Three are stacked up for this week. So hopefully by August, I'll be back in my role as self appointed David Simon propagandist.

And finally
Started playing tennis - a ridiculously difficult and addictive game - as well as running and cycling again. That may be the reason I'm not seeing much TV.

Heard
Thanks to the review in the latest Word, I've been checking out the Mowest compilation, Our Lives Are Shaped By What We Love. It's not stunning - it's like a less good Motown Chartbusters record - but still a fascinating look at a label offshoot I knew nothing about at all.

Three classically trained session musicians with jazz backgrounds have come together to make a record. They're called The Stepkids, their self-titled record is out in September, and it's a fantastic psych-soul album. I can't speak for the whole Massive, but I think you'd enjoy it, and watch out for it in a couple of months' time.

Finally, I love the buttery biscuit base.

Read
I ploughed my way through Richard Milward's Ten Storey Love Song, the tale of a tower block in a deprived area of Middlesbrough and its inhabitants. It has its moments, but the entire book is one giant paragraph and it's nowhere near as clever or edgy as it thinks it is. There's also a real lack of warmth on occasions and I hope writers will one day realise that reading about acid trips is incredibly dull.

Last night I started Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island. I'm averaging around one LOL every 5 pages or so (or 0.2 LOL/p, in standard measurements) which is a pretty good ratio in my book (it's not my book, it's his, but you get the picture).

Seen
I rented Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona. It's an odd film where nothing gets resolved, but it's diverting enough to hold your attention. It's extremely stylish,, but the main feeling I took away was how boring and inadequate Javier Bardem's character made me feel. That may say more about me than him though.

Other than that, a tiny bit of Glastonbury (Beyoncé = amazing), a couple of hours of Wimbledon and a couple of episodes of TOTP '76. I even wrote an article about it. Hooray.

AOB
I'm going to Wireless tomorrow. I'm very excited to see Janelle Monáe. I also have a new job starting this month - go me.

HEARD

Various mingle CDs from massive people. Too many to list, frankly, but special mentions go to Bob for his Pop CD and Jolean for her soul CD, mainly because Mrs Ganglesprocket is particularly taken with those ones. Special thanks from me to the person who did the CD of early choral music (there's no name on it). It's a beautiful thing which I have loved. Thanks to Vorgongod as well for exposing me to De Dannan's version of Bohemian Rhapsody. Every bit as good as you'd imagine...

SEEN

I watched a film last week. The Kings Speech. It was OK, reckon it might do well. The bloke in it, Colin Forth? He's pretty good you know.

Also loads of Glastonbury. Next time I wont watch U2 even if there is a vague chance of a tax protest taking place. God Bono is a pranny isn't he? Still, Jimmy Cliff, Kool and The Gang, Beyonce, Elbow, Janelle Monae and quite a few others were great.

READ

Dream Boogie: The Triumph Of Sam Cooke - Peter Guralnick
This has been on my shelves for years and finally I have read it. Maybe a bit too much detail on contracts signed and individual takes of what seems like every recording he ever made but, apart from that, one of the single greatest books about a musician I have ever read. Especially good on the rise of the civil rights movement, the career cost of a musician becoming politicized (or indeed not) and just the dangers of being a musician touring the southern states of America at the time. Guralnick does not shrink from Cooke's squalid death and the more unsavory sides of his character, but nor does he overstate his importance either. Can't recommend it enough.

Decline And Fall - Evelyn Waugh
Do not read this book. It was published when Evelyn Waugh was 26. You will feel like the biggest talent vacuum in the world.

Will You Please Be Quiet Please - Raymond Carver
I haven't read this for years. It's every bit as brilliant sad and touching as I remember.

HEARD: Excellent new releases from Paul Simon - So Beautiful,so what.
Dave Alvin - Eleven eleven. Bon Iver and Gillian Welch. Special mention to the Dave Alvin album which has fantastic guitar playing, a beautiful balled in Black Rose of Texas and lovely duet with the late Chris Gaffney as its closing track.
Also been listening to Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers Beserkley collection which is perfect for Summer. And Dub Colossus - Addis through the looking glass.
However what has given me a lot of pleasure is the massive mingle compilations - special mention to the efforts by Hannah, Katyg, Five Centres and some great Costello bootlegs from Dog Faced Boy. As a result I am checking out Kristen Hersh back catalogue and getting all my Indigo Girls cds out for a digital update.

SEEN: Concerts by Nils Lofgren and Ron Sexsmith. The Lofgren gig was stunningly good. Films: The Boys are back and Winters Bone which I thought was chilling.

BOOKS: Just taken delivery of No Off Switch by Andy Kershaw who is a personal hero of mine. Will post a review after I have read it.

Heard
- Neutral Milk Hotel: In The Aeroplane Over The Sea. Fantastic album and one I missed first time round.
- Len Price 3. More additions to the Wish List.

Seen
Can't believe I've survived this long and never seen a full episode of 'Ripping Yarns'. This has now been rectified (currently being shown at 7am on UK Gold), and I'm sure that the boxset will soon be ordered

I may be alone in this, but I actually enjoyed U2 at Glastonbury. They did what was expected (ie the Greatest Hits), and did it pretty well too.

Read
Michael Caine: The Elephant to Hollywood. He's a good storyteller, and despite the presence of the "my great pals in Hollywood" stories, at no point did I feel he was gratuitously name-dropping. The biography reads like he's a normal bloke who got VERY lucky (it also got me watching Alfie & The Italian Job again)

Read - Alan Carr - "Look who it is" It was much, much better than I expected, perfect beach reading with lots of laugh out loud moments.

Watched - The complete box set of "Bodies" - Wonderful series.

Listening, nothing new, but my son Tom got me an OGWT triple compilation CD for fathers day, & that has been on virtually constant play in the car.
Some corking tracks, my personal favourite being the extended length (12 inch?) version of "Radar love".

Heard

Dig My Mood by Nick Lowe is fast becoming one of my all time favourite records. Wonderful songs that are beautifully played and sympathetically produced. I wish more albums sounded like this.

I've also been getting into The Red Robin & Fire Years by Tarheel Slim and Little Ann, Bootin' - The Best of the RPM Years by Rosco Gordon, Go Go Power - The Complete Chess Singles 1961-1966 by Sugar Pie DeSanto and The Very Best of Fontella Bass.

Saving the best for last, I have been revisiting the masterpiece that is Breakfast in America by Supertramp. God I love that record.

Read

Thoroughly enjoyed When The Lights Went Out by Andy Beckett, a brilliantly-written political and social history of 1970s Britain. It's a real page turner.

Having been in Italy recently I stocked up on loads of Diabolik and read it on the bus.

Whilst I was there I also bought Palestine by Joe Sacco (in Italian) which is absolutely magnificent. Informative, impassioned and heartbreaking yet extremely funny in places.

Seen

Watched Heath vs Wilson: The 10 Year Duel, a superb documentary examining their tempestuous political rivalry during the seventies.

Have also been in a major old school Doctor Who phase. Sutekh, Morbius, Davros and The Master have been rocking my world and Sarah Jane Smith has been breaking my heart.

AOB

I was in Italy for a few days for the communion of Shani, the daughter of my friends Paola and Ross. After the service we went to an agriturismo where there was an outdoor swimming pool. I wavered about going for a dip for ages but then decided to do so, and I'm so glad I did. I spent ages in there and it made me feel about 20 years younger.

Reading - my way through the Martin Beck series (Swedish 60s crime novels) - enjoying them;

Watching - Luther - best bit is watching the FPO jumping out of her skin;

Listening - Arctic Monkeys - I'm still sucking.

Listening To
Journey (sorry!) - seeing them at NEC has rekindled my interest in their stuff.
Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks - compilation of stuff that I made ages ago.
The Decemberists - The King is Dead. I heard 'Down By The Water' in a clothes shop (!) and was immediately attracted.

Watching
Rubicon - really well-produced U.S. conspiracy thriller with almost filmic quality - so well lit and photographed. Understated acting too.
Loads of HBO stuff on Sky Atlantic - Blue Bloods, The Listener, The Chicago Code - all relatively lightweight but always watchable.

Reading
George R.R. Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series - now on 4th book. Once again, got sucked in by 'Game of Thrones' on TV. Fantasy /SF is not normally my thing, but I'm happy to suspend disbelief for this one.
Has overtones of Frank Herbert's stuff in the constant intrigue and politics, but set in mythical kingdoms long ago. The whole setup is medieval with knights, ladies, serfs etc. Lots of brutal killing, pillaging and rape etc. This is all overlaid with the struggles of competing 'houses'/ families for the throne, a threat of supernatural beings and rievers from the frozen wastes of the north and an approaching 'Winter' (mini Ice-Age). It is narrated from the viewpoint of various individuals from different sides of the conflict, leaving the reader to take their own side. There is some magic, some nascent dragons and various visionaries/seers but this is not laid on too thick.
I keep reading to enjoy the shifts of power and twists and turns.

My interest in music seemed to come alive this month. a late half term saw me hit the local library and avail myself of (in order of preference) cds by
Robyn
The Vaccines
Marina and the Diamonds
British Sea Power
Elbow
Everything Everything
The Seekers
Miles Davis
Drive By Truckers
Haven't read much at all
Watched - old episodes of the Mentallist and Lie to Me.

Heard:
Lots of new listening but bought few. So starting with what I bought, the Battles album is really good - see review in the recent issue which I think tells you all you need to know. I've also been working my way through the Suede re-issues.

Much of my listneing has gone to listening to a huge pile of jazz recommende by EMH. Pleasantly surprised by how much I like - Alice Coltrane and Sun Ra in particular, but at the same time finding it challenging to take it all in.

Read:
Only succeeded in finishing the Bowie bio. The period from 1975 on is much less detailed than what comes before, but actually more readbale because of that.

Seen:
Not much, but did get the see the 'legendary' Beat Poets at the Glasgow Jazz Festival. A good night, I think hard ot tell if the band or audience had more fun.