I am Ashley Elsdon

someone who's doing some things

Category: People

This category is about people. Sometimes people I know, sometimes people I’m just interested in.

So there is something new coming from Mr Sylvian

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Playing the Schoolhouse by David Sylvian
Playing the Schoolhouse by David Sylvian

Well this is great news from Confrontrecordings …

“Scheduled for a mid-September release on Confront Recordings; Playing The Schoolhouse, a new CD EP length composition by David Sylvian recorded in March of this year in Norway. Based on an improvisation by Jan Bang and Sylvian it also features contributions from Otomo Yoshihide and Toshimaru Nakamura. More news to follow soon. www.confrontrecordings.com“

I was really pleased to hear this. His last work with Jan Bang was amazing, although it required some very close and concentrated listening. However, it was immensely worthwhile. I’m hopeful that this will be the same.

More sad news Tod Dockstader passes away

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Obviously a lot less well known that Mr Nimoy, but no less sad. I remember first hearing about Tod Dockstader in an interview he gave to The Wire. I found his work and his past truly inspirational when I first read that. And I still do.

So today I’m spending some time listening to his work. I think that’s the best tribute I could give to him today, and I must find that interview in The Wire again. I think it would be good to read that once more.

I haven’t read a book about Feynman in ages now

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Mr Feynman is a big hero of mine. He was such a larger than life character, so full of energy and fun and with an incredible intellect as well. I really enjoyed “Surely You’re Joking Mr Feynman”, and “What do you care what other people think”. So when I was given this graphic novel about him I was over the moon.

It’s was great to have something new to read about him. I’m looking forward to enjoying it.

So sad to hear about Steve Strange

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How sad was yesterday’s news? I’d been listening to some of the new Visage stuff on spotify only recently and thinking it was quite good really. So it was a real shock to hear he’d passed away so young. I think he still had a lot of creativity left. Still had songs to sing, and music to make, so it really is our loss.

I think I have to listen to a lot of Visage now.

Goodbye Mary

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So sad to hear this morning that Mary Tamm has died aged 62. I don’t really have the right words for this sort of thing, it’s probably best to just say that I think I need to watch the entire Key to Time story again now.

Daphne Oram – Private Dreams and Public Nightmares

Posted by on in History, Music, People

I think that this is one of the most interesting and mesmerizing albums I’ve listened to in ages. Inspiring and difficult at the same time. It’s great to listen to while working, but also strangely distracting at times.

I’m tentative about recommending it as I know it won’t appeal to many people, but it will appeal to some, who’ll love it.

Private Dreams and Public Nightmares - Daphne Oram, Andrea Parker & Daz Quayle