Doing a dance about architecture...
The first record I owned was “Twist & Shout” by The Beatles. The first album I bought was “Smiley Smile” by The Beach Boys, in 1967. The first jazz album I bought was “Filles de Kilimanjaro” by Miles, in 1968. The first CD I bought was “Gaia” by Marilyn Crispell, in 1989. I haven't yet paid to download an MP3... I started writing about jazz in 1992 when a friend asked me to be the jazz columnist for Murdoch's TODAY newspaper. (Thanks, Nick.) TODAY closed down late in 1995. Since then I have written for many print-based and web-based media, although I have an uncanny knack of writing for publications that close down! (The Independent Catalogue, Rubberneck, Avant, Opprobrium, One Final Note, Paris Transatlantic, BBCi ...) As well as AAJ, I currently write for The Squid's Ear -- currently in good health! For recreation I enjoy improvising on alto or sopranino saxophone, being a regular participant at AMM drummer Eddie Prevost's weekly Friday evening Workshop. When reviewing an album, I do not start writing until I am sure--usually after at least ten listenings. I could never write a review after one or two listens. If I really don't like an album, I'll usually leave it be. I would prefer poorer music to be neglected and fade away gracefully than to be panned. If I'm not 100% sure, I'll include some suggested improvements.
