Now in UK cinemas and by far the finest fiction film I’ve seen this year, About Dry Grasses is utterly characteristic of the longer, more recent works by the great Turkish writer-director Nuri Bilge Ceylan; at the same time it’s so engrossing throughout that it feels remarkably fresh from beginning – a brazenly Ceylanesque long … Continue reading ‘About Dry Grasses’: the superb new film by Nuri Bilge Ceylan
The last couple of months have seen ECM release four wonderful albums by some of my favourite jazz musicians. There was September Night with the late, great trumpeter Tomasz Stanko, his Polish quartet – its members later the Marcin Wasilewski Trio – recorded at their peak in a Munich concert in 2004. (I recall seeing … Continue reading A Musical Cornucopia: Five Great New Jazz Releases
When, in early 2020, I wrote a piece about a rather marvellous installation by the great Spanish-Basque filmmaker Víctor Erice, I wasn’t, I confess, very optimistic that we’d ever see any more movies by him. Imagine my pleasure, then, when I learned a couple of years later that he was about to embark on the … Continue reading ‘Close Your Eyes’ – the latest film from the great Víctor Erice (this one you can certainly see!)
A few days ago, I read a post by Richard Williams on his excellent blog, The Blue Moment; he was reviewing Orchestras, the new double album by renowned guitarist-composer Bill Frisell, which I’ve subsequently listened to and certainly agree is excellent. I’ve been happy to check out Frisell’s music ever since I first heard him … Continue reading Musical Goodies from Bill Frisell… and Michael (Mike?) Gibbs
Anyone who caught my best-films-of-2023 list - either here, or in the annual Sight and Sound poll – was probably a little mystified by the title in the top spot: That They May Face the Rising Sun, by the Irish filmmaker Pat Collins. Understandably so, given that the film hadn’t been released; indeed, it had … Continue reading A Real, Rare Gem of a Film (see it while you can)
It’s emphatically a reflection not of their musical quality but of how busy I’ve been recently that I’m only now writing to pass on my enthusiasm for three rather wonderful albums released by ECM in January and early February. I’ve been listening to each of them a lot, but due to work I was so … Continue reading But is it jazz? (Yes!) Three more musical gems
As anyone who has seen Decasia (2002) or Dawson City: Frozen Time (2016), by the New York-based artist and filmmaker Bill Morrison, may be aware, there can be something strangely beautiful about film –film, the physical entity – decomposed by the passing of time. Even before I saw the former title, I’d already been intrigued … Continue reading Deciphering film’s decadent beauty: Bill Morrison’s Village Detective
For some years now I have been a regular attendee at concerts by the estimable Nash Ensemble, chamber ensemble in residence at London’s Wigmore Hall; their themed seasons of programmes are consistently intelligent, wide-ranging and illuminating, the level of musicianship dependably excellent. At one such concert, in November 2018, I was intrigued to see, sitting … Continue reading Viola, viola (II): the remarkable Timothy Ridout
Somewhat belated happy New Year! At the end of 2023, as usual, I posted about my best movies, music, etc, of that year. I mentioned there my uncertainty about whether Nitai Herszhkovits’ Call on the old wise should have made my top five jazz/folk/other CDs. For what it's worth, I’m still undecided about that (should … Continue reading Holdovers: Belated January additions to my best of 2023.
As you may be aware, I’ve posted my personal ‘best of the year’ lists ever since I started writing here in 2016, and each time I’ve felt moved to mention the parlous state both of the UK and of the world in general. This last year saw no improvement on either front, which means that … Continue reading My best movies, music, books, etc, of 2023
notes and observations by Geoff Andrew 