There are lots of versions of this, but my favorite remains the one I bought in 1964 (which I still have, amazingly enough) by the Robert Shaw Chorale–in this case, just the […]
wufnik
Christmas Music (1)–Best Traditional Carols
For most people who celebrate Christmas it means the usual things–family, a time to reflect, presents, feeling really full, that sort of thing. But for some of us, it has a deeper, more personal meaning. Specifically, it means “OK, now I get to go out and buy more Christmas music.” So here is an updated list, in no particular order and to be received in the spirit in which it is offered, of some of my favorite stuff, organized by highly arbitrary categories, because it’s a highly arbitrary list. There are 24 of them, and we’ll do it like an advent calendar–one installment a day–although we’re starting a couple of days early.
Does Rupert Murdoch have an Internet strategy?
As a follow-on to Dr. Denny’s post on Rupert Murdoch way back on 29 August, there have been further developments worth noting in this space. There has been a flurry of headlines […]
Why are we in Colombia?
There has been a pretty steady drumbeat of news coming out of Latin America recently surrounding the possibility of war between Venezuela and Colombia. In most of this media coverage, the blame […]
Sustainability, localism, community and the dignity of work: In praise of Wendell Berry
Here’s what Ken Kesey had to say about Wendell Berry: “Wendell Berry is the Sargeant York charging unnatural odds across our no-man’s-land of ecology. Conveying the same limber innocence of young Gary […]
Happy Birthday to The Commonwealth: could this be Britain's future?
I was surprised to learn that 2009 is the 60th anniversary of The Commonwealth—the association of former British colonies that still, amazingly, continue to work with each and talk to each other […]
Fixing what isn't broken
We have this great little library around the corner, which is very convenient. In London, there are lots of libraries, but it’s such big city geographically that it’s not always the case […]
Unsolicited Music Review – Choralism in London
The past couple of weeks have been pretty interesting musically–we’ve been to a number of choral concerts, and they ranged from the truly boring to the magnificent. But what most characterized them […]
Unsolicited art review: Turner and the Masters

The Tate Museum has the finest collection of the works of J. M. W. Turner in the world, and from time to time they feel the need to refresh the public with […]
Tony Blair, President?
Henry Kissinger is said to have once remarked, when asked if he was planning to consult with Europe on something or another, “Who do I call?” Well, there may soon be an […]