Undecided… I have this Keith Fullerton Whitman fetish when it comes to proofreading. Thought I was over it but apparently not, if last night is anything to go by. It’s amazing music - just not very good for anything other than proofreading imo.

But that’s different work than sorting your washing and cleaning your bathroom. ANY music that you do that sort of thing to is, by definition, wonderful music and tis the highest compliment to play an album while painting your bedroom walls in nowt but a pair of dungarees.

Posted by Gracelette on August 3rd, 2004 at 7:48 pm

is terry riley good music for getting back to me about being a sub editor for plan b? Why don’t you press play and give it a try?

Posted by merek on August 4th, 2004 at 2:38 am

Cheeky Merek. Put that bear’s head back on. Anyway, I would just like to point out that Simon Bookish’s ‘Terry Riley Disco’ is most definitely unsuitable for doing any kind of work to, whatsoever, in any way. Even if you work in a disco, at the zoo, or as a nightfighter of the highest repute.

Posted by Sophie on August 4th, 2004 at 11:29 am

Grace, I do actually agree with you about work music being a complimentary thing to call music. It’s just that I remember a friend of mine recently made an album that I think is really wonderful, and especially wonderful to put on while clearing up and organising stuff. And I told him this, and he looked slightly offended. I think musicians want to hear something more profound than that, like their music transcends such things. Whereas I think making music that’s good to have around your day to day life is a huge, huge skill. As long as it’s not too nice.

Posted by Frances May on August 4th, 2004 at 12:06 pm

Oh! And Terry Riley Disco by Simon Bookish is fantastic. Fanstastic. Yes. I reckon you could do some gentle housework to it though! It’s just that the only times I’ve heard it were when I was indeed at the disco and working on nothing but dancing my socks off. Bookish, if you’re reading, send me a copy and I’ll test out its suitability as Music For The Home…

Posted by Frances May on August 4th, 2004 at 12:09 pm

dearest sophie,
as i told you the other night, i am not the bloodthirsty bearslayer that you think i am. it was my friend–I would never do such a thing. and besides, i am now the proud foster parent of a very lovely bear called Chester. we are great friends.

Posted by merek on August 4th, 2004 at 12:55 pm

Productivity through serialism? Sorry to be picky but is Terry Riley actually twelve tone? I was under the impression that minimalism was actually very tonal.

Okay, okay, I’ll get my anorak…

Posted by iotar on August 4th, 2004 at 2:57 pm

I bow low and wipe my thick-lensed specs on the hem of my tank top!

Posted by iotar on August 5th, 2004 at 11:29 am

You are so right. Look, I just changed it! In your honour!

Be proud of your anorak.

Posted by Frances May on August 5th, 2004 at 12:10 pm

Not that I know any of her friends, but once said to a friend of Frances’ that his music was really good to put on mixtapes and he gave me a similarly disappointed look. Granted, I was drunk, a little star-struck and really trying to eat pasta in a dignified fashion but it was intended as very high praise indeed. Too often I offer similar praise and it never sounds as wonderful as it should: great to cook to; great to play in an other room while you’re in the shower; great to fall asleep to etc etc etc.

If music really does soundtrack your life, then this should be inevitable I suppose.

Posted by Jim Cassius on August 10th, 2004 at 2:50 am

I agree, to dispute it is pretentious

Posted by shane moritz on August 11th, 2004 at 1:53 am