And The Winner Is...
:: Posted by Sid Smith on Fri., Jul 29, 2011
Congratulations to Holger Klein in Franfurt. For telling me that Tony Levin played bass on Fernando Kabusacki & Samalea's album, al limiti del mundo, he not only wins a copy of said album, but also Luck by FK and a T-shirt! Thanks to everyone who took part and stay tuned for another fabbo giveaway.

JFC Chart Toppers
:: Posted by Sid Smith on Fri., Jul 29, 2011
A Scarcity Of Miracles topped the playlist charts over at the Gagliarchives. Meanwhile the album has received some more reviews. Having wondered if JFC was "EZ listening for aging glam rockers?" HomeTechTell concludes "No, its much more than that". Total Music Magazine suggests the album might be considered "lovers prog" whilst DangerDog Music Reviews tells its readers "I would advise not playing this on some shit stereo system."

Sea Of Tranquility describes the album's slow-burn qualities thus "Don't expect this CD to jump out at you on first listen, but give it a few tries and all the rewards will surely reveal themselves to you. Beautiful stuff." Finally, ProgSphere says "One of the best albums of the year."

7 Things They Didn’t Tell Me When I Started Guitar
:: Posted by Sid Smith on Thu., Jul 28, 2011
My thanks to Ryan Tassone for spotting this article in which some advice for an aspiring musician from Robert Fripp is included. 

Bill's Book Deluxe
:: Posted by Sid Smith on Tue., Jul 26, 2011
Bill Bruford’s autobiography is getting a deluxe collectors make-over that includes a double viny album! Find out about it here. Meanwhile, Bill’s news page goes into the making of the double album. Elsewhere, Bill can be seen on the BBC making a short, sharp point about the British attitude to rhythm!

The Doctor, The Digit & The Fripps...
:: Posted by Sid Smith on Tue., Jul 26, 2011
Patricia Fripp has posted this tale on her website.

People In Glass's House...
:: Posted by Sid Smith on Tue., Jul 26, 2011
My thanks to Anil Prasad of Innerviews for spotting this piece about Spotify on the Glass Notes blog. The really interesting quote comes in the penultimate paragraph. "Even-handedly I descirbed this scenario to a music-loving 88 year old friend of mine today, being careful to mention the end-user benefits of the service. He grasped the essence of the problem immediately. I said "This Spotify gives you, in your pocket, unlimited access to most every recording in the history of music."  To which he responded, "But it also means you have no future. Who wants to live in a world with no future."

Mister Stormy's Monday Selection
:: Posted by Sid Smith on Mon., Jul 25, 2011
Mister Stormy has unearthed a lovely run-through from the ITCOTCK sessions at Wessex studios in 1969. Recorded just over 42 years ago and heard here for the first time and sounding frankly wonderful! Get it here. 

Fernando's Giveaway!
:: Posted by Sid Smith on Mon., Jul 25, 2011
There’s a chance to win not one but two albums by Los Gauchos Alemanes/ Electric Gauchos member, Fernando Kabusacki.

The albums are

Starless And Bible Black Featured Album
:: Posted by Sid Smith on Mon., Jul 25, 2011
Stuart Maconie's Freak Zone show on BBC6 Music showcased Starless And Bible as their featured album this week. Available for another seven days on the BBC's iPlayer you can listen to the show here. Stuart played five tracks though interestingly when it came to The Great Deceiver, the lines "Health food faggot" and "Gin shop slag" had mysteriously edited out. One presumes this was done to protect the nation's morals.

Over the years, the "faggot" reference in the song has been taken to be a derogatory gay reference when in fact, lyricist Richard Palmer-James was referring to a falafel, it being a vegetarian equivalent of the traditional faggot.

Phew, thank goodness Stuart didn't play the live version of Easy Money!

KC Family Reunion
:: Posted by Sid Smith on Sun., Jul 24, 2011
You can read more about the Two Of A Perfect Trio tour (including a full list of dates) over on Lori Hehr's blog.