Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Orlando Lopez

News of another death in music today. Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez, the bassist for the Buena Vista Social Club died in Havana. It was a joy to see these superb musicians in concert in Liverpool a few years ago. Sadly, Lopez is not the first of that group to die. I feel privileged to have caught them in that marvellous Indian summer, largely brought about by the work of the estimable Ry Cooder. The group were the subject of a film by Wim Wenders. We will not see their like again.

Monday, February 09, 2009

Blossom Dearie

Sad to hear today of the death of Blossom Dearie, whose work I have admired for years. She was still working in her late seventies in a New York club. A very evocative voice, by no means technically brilliant, but somehow appropriate for the songs she chose- and her piano accompaniment was always brilliantly judged. Here, someone has put on Youtube her version of the fine Michael Barr song "Try Your Wings" with lyrics by Dion McGregor, from her Verve album of 1957 (and my favourite) "Give Him The Oo-La-La" Its visual accompaniment is from Breakfast at Tiffany's, one of my favourite films, with the peerless Audrey Hepburn.

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Little Monsters in paperback



So now there is no excuse for not buying this extraordinary first novel by Charles Lambert. Go on - you know you want to.