Links
Lately, I've become obsessed with Thelonious Monk's goofy and wonderful jazz, especially obscure live recordings. Monk's family have started releasing recordings from their private archives, including previously bootlegged shows. Their Monk in Paris is truly exquisite and it never leaves my disc player these days. Despite the absolutely hideous web design, Monkzone is essential.
The family of another deceased jazzman, Vince Guaraldi, has finally done something good for him online. The site includes rare photos, samples of previously unreleased (but soon to be released) music and details on their upcoming archival projects. There are lots of photos of his ridiculous handlebar mustache and a glimpse of what he looked like in the 70's. Not to be missed.
Sherlock Holmes needs no introduction, of course, and it warms the cockles to know that he and Dr. Watson have a fantastic home on the web, namely that of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London. All the usual fan ephemera is here: listings of books, films, t.v. There's a brief video of Conan Doyle himself, which surprized me. Lovely design, too.
If you'd rather laugh than go sleuthing, but want to keep that English sensibility, I recommend P.G. Wodehouse's Jeeves and Wooster. The website is a useful reference point for the stories, novels, t.v. productions and all that sort of thing.
If you want to laugh and unravel complex capers, Donald Westlake's comic novels, especially the Dortmunder series, are hard to beat. He's one of few living writers to have a decent website. This one lists his complete output, including work using his various pseudonyms, and presents the material with his usual dry wit.
Candlewick Press has just published Sock Monkey Goes to Hollywood, the first kids book by Cece Bell, an old friend and Salemite. Its humor is effective with its intended young audience and the illustrations are in keeping with the hip cartoony-style of today. One of the great things about hanging out and playing music with her older brother Ashley back many years ago was seeing Cece's latest kooky art projects around the house.
While you are reading about Sock Monkey what better music to listen to than Shibuya Pop? Shibuya Link is devoted to the fantastic pop music that came out of the eponymous Tokyo district, and listing as many artists and releases as its webmaster can find out about. It's fun to look through the cd cover art and wonder if you'll ever hear any of this music. Tokyo Record Hunting Service can help you live that dream because they specialize in used cds by Japanese artists. They ship to the US, have great prices, don't overcharge for postage and handling, and accept PayPal.
Speaking of things you'll probably never hear or see, who among us has actually seen an episode of Adam Adamant Lives!? Not I certainly. Yet, this big influence on Austin Powers has a fanbase. This site lists as much information as seems available (i.e. not much), has a few music downloads, episode details and the like. Apparently, it was the BBC's answer to The Avengers, the greatest show of all time. You'll probably never own a 1960's Jaguar either, but it's fun to look at these.
If you are interested in recordings from a considerably earlier time and, like me, are a sucker for wax cylinder recordings Tinfoil is a must. Great archive of very early recordings and photographs of ancient recording sessions.