Coming Through Slaughter (1976) by Michael Ondaatje

Roland’s choices

Devil’s Dyke Tavern on Thursday 15th June 2023 @ 7:00 pm

Theme: *Jazz*

A car crash was not a great start to our annual cycle up to Devil’s Dyke however, that aside, it was another lovely evening of great weather, companionship and a great ride there and back.

Roland is renewing a lapsed teenage acquaintanceship with Jazz. Poets Corner delights in his sax playing. With all this in mind,  it was time to dig a bit deeper in the world of Jazz. Nice

READ:  Coming Through Slaughter (1976) by Michael Ondaatje

Michael Ondaatje was an established poet when he wrote this short experimental debut novel about Buddy Bolden 

The real Buddy Bolden was an early 20th century New Orleans jazz cornet player. No recordings exist of Bolden's playing, and very little is known of his life beyond the fact that he had a breakdown during a Mardi Gras parade and died years later in a Louisiana asylum.

Roland described it as hard work.

Nigel felt that the Buddy who emerges is an unsympathetic figure about whom we gain no real insights. Other character's like Bolden's wife Nora Bass, policeman friend Webb, and prostitute photographer Bellocq remain similarly opaque.

Hamish called it disjointed but a real jazz novel that he intends to immediately read again 

Nick found it sporadically compelling

Robin labelled it Dickensian

Keith asked, what was the point? No sense of jazz to be found here, before announcing he was not taken with it

Tristan declared it was probably more fun to write than to read before quoting some nonsensical sections. He then asked, what was fact and what was fiction? What indeed?

Nick 8 / Tristan 5.5 / Nigel 3 / Keith 4.5  / Roland 6.5 / Robin 7.5 / Hamish 10

LISTEN: Black To The Future (2021) by Sons of Kemet

Sons of Kemet were an interesting accompaniment to the book, especially as they represent a more modern incarnation of jazz

WATCH: Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool (2019) dir by Stanley Nelson Jr. (Netflix)

To varying degrees we were all impressed. Robin didn’t watch it though and Keith, whilst pleased to have seen it, was actually not impressed. Ever the contrarian

HBG endorse it: 19 May 2023 -> 15 June 2023

Victorian Seance - Brighton Fringe 2023

Lex Fridman Podcast #275 – Rick Rubin: Legendary Music Producer 

Gap Finder - Mark Neale from Mountain Warehouse (BBC Sounds)

Empire of Light (Disney+)

Herculaneum (Italy)

Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland (BBC iPlayer)

Marianna in Conspiracyland (BBC Sounds)

Reel Stories: Pet Shop Boys (BBC iPlayer)

The Eight Mountains (2022) dir by Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch

Michael Jackson on Fire Diorama by Bobby Fingers (YouTube)

Victoria Melody: Pigeon Fanciers (Brighton Festival)