Oct. 28th, 2021

jazzy_dave: (bookish)
Craig Clevenger "The Contortionist’s Handbook" (Harper Pernenial)





The Contortionist's Handbook introduces us to Daniel Fletcher who has just been admitted to the hospital after an overdose. As Daniel begins to tell his story to a hospital psychologist we discover that he is not who he is claiming to be.

This is the dark story of a man committed to a marginalized and isolated life on the edges of American society where illusion and reality mix and unravel with alarming ease. His story of survival is set against the backdrop of 1980s LA and paints a very real and harsh picture of the city's drug culture and life on the borderline of criminal society.

The main character is an escape artist, or as he calls himself a contortionist but not in the regular meaning. Instead, he escapes into other identities, chameleon-like, with unmatched skill. His story unfolds during a psychiatric evaluation following a drug overdose. It reminds me strongly of the movie "The Usual Suspects." If you're familiar with that movie and enjoyed it, I believe you'll enjoy this book.
jazzy_dave: (Default)
Craig Clevenger "The Contortionist’s Handbook" (Harper Pernenial)





The Contortionist's Handbook introduces us to Daniel Fletcher who has just been admitted to the hospital after an overdose. As Daniel begins to tell his story to a hospital psychologist we discover that he is not who he is claiming to be.

This is the dark story of a man committed to a marginalized and isolated life on the edges of American society where illusion and reality mix and unravel with alarming ease. His story of survival is set against the backdrop of 1980s LA and paints a very real and harsh picture of the city's drug culture and life on the borderline of criminal society.

The main character is an escape artist, or as he calls himself a contortionist but not in the regular meaning. Instead, he escapes into other identities, chameleon-like, with unmatched skill. His story unfolds during a psychiatric evaluation following a drug overdose. It reminds me strongly of the movie "The Usual Suspects." If you're familiar with that movie and enjoyed it, I believe you'll enjoy this book.
jazzy_dave: (Default)
More musical bifurcations from the mainstreams of life - more from my DJ gigs at the Northern Lights.

Margie Andeson - Haiti



Bridget Bardot - Je danse donc je suis



Jelly Roll Morton And His Red Hot Peppers - Dr. Jazz



T.Rex - Mambo Sun




David Bowie & The Lower Third - Can't Help Thinking About Me



ENJOY
jazzy_dave: (Default)
Another selection of grooves and curios -

Clifford Brown and Max Roach - Lands End



A Study in Brown is one of those great bebop jazz albums of the fifties. Dig it, man!

The Craftys - L.O.V.E



he Craftys - L-O-V-E / Heartbreaking World Doing a bit of research (so you don't have to) The Craftys was better known as The Halos and at one time included JR Bailey in their ranks who went on to release some mighty fine Soul 45s and one killer album in the 70s.

Al Bowlly - Close Your Eyes



Charlie Drake - You Never Know



Bizarre 7" by the diminutive comedian which features the talents of Peter Gabriel, Robert Fripp, Phil Collins, and Sandy Denny among others!

The King's Singers - Some Enchanted Wavelengths



This slightly better (upper class) harmony group recorded this tune to advise listeners how to change their BBC radio dials in 1978. It is a fun record that is a bit scratchy, sorry.

ENJOY
jazzy_dave: (Default)
And finally...

Baja Marimba Band - Madagascar



Pole - Rost



Georges Delarue - The Pumpkin Eater Theme



Martin Denny - Incents And Peppermints





ENJOY

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