Good Morning

Book 72 - Alberto Manguel "Packing My Library"

Alberto Manguel "Packing My Library" (Yale University Press)





The main arc of the packing and moving tale is interrupted by 10 digressions in which Manguel ponders libraries in general and the purpose and goals of a National Library in particular. Bibliophiles will love it.


The framing device for the short work is the need to pack his home in France (for reasons he refuses to discuss, which I found oddly frustrating and even a bit hypocritical coming from someone who has spent his entire life consuming the revelatory writings of others), including the library in the rebuilt country barn. This project initiates a series of ruminations and digressions on various topics focusing on what it means to pack a library. Each section is individually interesting, but I found the ten digressions disruptive of flow of the central narrative.
Bibliophiles will love it.


Manguel suggests that his age coupled with the fact that his library is packed and stored and no longer available for his consultation, as well as his new responsibilities as head of the Argentine national library (a post once held by his mentor, Jorge Borges), he may have reached the end of his writing career. That would indeed be a shame.

In Town and So On

Well, what a glorious day for not doing much. Sunbathed in the afternoon as the temperature in the garden sweet spot here at Waterstone Place reached 25 C!

Lunch was beef madras curry today. Hot spicy food for a hot day lol!

Popped into town as I had a small rebate cheque from a mis-sold insurance on a previous credit card to put into my bank. Well, any sum is better than no sum.

Perused around the charity shops but nothing grabbed me.

John and Helen from our place were enjoying coffee al fresco in one of Faversham's many independent coffee shops when I arrived in town. Had a small chat with them.

Watched the latest episode of the quiz The Chase and now listening to some Miles Davis.

Basically, a rather uneventful day.

So, back to the grind tomorrow.

Musical Musings

Another musical smorgasbord-


New York Composers Orchestra - Prodigal Son Revisited

Robin Holcomb - Deliver Me

From her solo album of the same name on Elektra Musicians 1991.
Wife of Wayne Horwitz.


New York Composers Orchestra - New Waltz

New Waltz
Written by Wayne Horvitz
Performed by the New York Composers Orchestra on the album "First Program in Standard Time"

Bill Frisell - One Of These Days

...from the "Nashville" 1997. Nonesuch Records
The vague country elements long dwelling on the fringes of Bill Frisell's music rise to the forefront on Nashville, an exquisitely atmospheric collection recorded in Music City with the aid of dobro legend Jerry Douglas, Union Station members Adam Steffey and Ron Block, and Lyle Lovett & His Large Band's bassist Viktor Krauss. Produced by Wayne Horvitz, the record is both genuine and alien -- while played with real affection for the country form and without any avant posturing, its sound is original and distinct, a cinematic variation on C&W tenets. While primarily instrumental and comprised largely of Frisell originals, Nashville does welcome vocalist Robin Holcomb for a pair of more traditional numbers -- Hazel Dickens' "Will Jesus Wash the Bloodstains from Your Hands" and the Skeeter Davis hit "The End of the World" -- as well as a cover of Neil Young's "One of These Days."

Wayne Horwitz and Robin Holcomb - Buttermilk Hill

John Zorn's Naked City - The Sicilian Clan

John Zorn - alto saxophone
Bill Frisell - electric guitar
Fred Frith - bass guitar
Wayne Horwitz - keyboards
Joey Baron - drums


Enjoy.

Just Wondering

What makes you bored?

Is there something about you might be considered old fashioned?

What are three things in nature that you find beautiful?