Amsterdam Russ

Half past four in the morning and I'm awake. Still, the view out the window makes it worthwhile.

Absolutely stunning images courtesy of the finalist in the Nature TTL Photographer of the Year 2021 competition. Winning image, which is actually a reflection in water and titled The World is Going Upside Down, below. Source: BBC News / © Thomas Vijayan Link to photos here: https://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-57335458

Really sad to hear. As has already been said, condolences to his family and friends.

Looks like a female sparrow hawk.

Another excellent job. Well done!

Mixcloud is, in many respects, the modern day equivalent of tape swapping. And where once upon a time the audience for your selection was limited by the number of tapes you recorded, posting a mix online can attract a much bigger audience - although looking at the number of listens of some of my mixes, that isn't always true.

If I had to choose one song to typify 'Northern Soul' - bearing in mind it's not a music genre but a term that labels what was once upon a time a youth/underground culture - it would be this one. A purely subjective choice, of course.

I guess we’ll never know why. 😆😎

It reads to me as self-deprecating humour - in the sense that stereotypical dimwit Americans aren't great at world geography, and that if a place isn't in the States then it must be in the UK. Bob was mocking his own kind - his fellow American citizens.

Balcony view this evening...

Yes, exactly so. The only difference between gospel music and soul music is the lack of the 'godly' element in the latter. Otherwise they're one and the same. Thanks a lot for giving my mix a listen - that's really appreciated.

In a good way or a bad way?

A selection of early R&B and gospel sounds including a number of tracks, possibly unknown/unreleased, taken from acetates. 1 The Hammer - Faye Adams (Herald) 2 Josh-ico - A Ram in Mexico (Ensign) 3 Money Honey - Betty O'Brien (Liberty Fr) 4 He's So Jolly - The Jolly Man (Acetate) 5 Troubles of the World - Gospel Pearls (Liberty Fr) 6 If Anybody Ask Me - Black Nativity - (Stateside Fr) 7 Elijah Rock - Mahalia Jackson - (Philips Fr) 8 Tone the Bell - Harmonizing Four (Vee-Jay) 9 The Madison - Billy Wade (Pathe DE) 10 Dyspepsia Boogie - Dr Rennie (Acetate) 11 They Don't Know - 5 Royales (King) 12 The 1109 - Lucky Carmichael (Dillie) 13 I'm Gonna Run it Down - 5 Royales (King) 14 Do It - The Jolly Man (Acetate) 15 Shame on Me - The Rumblers (Acetate) 16 Boom Boom - Five Keys (Capitol) 17 I Don't Believe You Put Me Down - 5 Beltones (Acetate) 18 Zindy Lou - The Mariners (Cadence) 19 Water Boy - Evelyn Freeman (UA)

Read this on the news earlier today. Absolutely awful, heartless and stupidly selfish. I really do hope those responsible are caught and punished severely.

Something a little different, but still photography... It's a fine selection of aerial photographs taken mainly in the 1920s and 30s of British seaside towns and which feature in a new book England's Seaside Heritage from the Air, written by Allan Brodie. Story and images here: https://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-56929622 Source: BBC News / © Historic England Archive / Aerofilms Collection They're well worth checking out.

I've pretty much stopped buying rare soul records over the last year as prices have become too prohibitive. And even with cheap items postage often doubles the cost, which sours their financial attractiveness. If you've got the money to spend, great. And if you have records that are nowadays fetching these exorbitant prices, then also great. I no longer have the money to throw at a market that has seen prices often quadruple in just a few short years, and also can't see the financial value in doing so - even if I did have the cash to spare. I love the music and always will, but ownership of original rare soul vinyl (or styrene) is a club to which I can no longer afford to belong.

Just this minute spotted the first swallows of the year from our balcony - a most welcome sight. Didn’t look as though they were stopping, but hopefully more on the way - and summer with it!

Bob Abrahamian collection goes to Stax museum View full article

First trip out somewhere for absolutely ages. Went to the Dutch seaside town of Scheveningen on what was a lovely afternoon. Had fish and chips and a stroll along the beach. Not too many people there, which was great. Just tonight the Dutch government announced the end of curfew and the opening up of Café/bar terraces - that’s after close to seven months. It’s a start, and hopefully means we can get out and about a bit more. A few pics from our afternoon out...

Of course, it could just be that I used Photoshop to delete my surname and address from the pic.

Hurray! Can't believe it took so long for someone to say that. 😜

Yes. Wish I'd taken any of them!

Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year Award All absolutely cracking images - this is one of Nardini's winners. Source: BBC News / © Dylan Nardini Check out the winners here: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-56688163

It is the English language version ala the US WB release, although I do think a Spanish version would sound celestial.