Gloves

Well it had to happen to a girl, eh?
My fawn gloves I from Accessorize @ Monsoon (I think that's how you spell it) when I plucked up the courage to go in their in person, developed a hole. So as many of you in the UK know it's been kind of cold lately I had to get a replacement pair sharpish and got a pair of white 'thermal ones from McColls Newsagents of all places in one of their bargain clearout bins. McColls have branches in most parts of Cheshire including the poor districts like what I live in (we're not all Millionaires) although when next go to the City I may pay Monsoons another visit.

Kanon

This was a four disc region 1 dvd set I got for Christmas and have been watching recently.
The story is narrated through Yuichi who hasn't seen his cousin Nayuki in years. Upon his return seemingly all his knowledge of ever visiting has vanished. He senses something vaguely familiar around his surroundings trying his best to adjust but his memory gaps haunt him as time grows ever short.
He sees in time the pieces of this puzzle, the mysterious girl with the winged backpack, a sword wielding dragon slayer and an eerie silent beauty with blazing tresses but it's up to Yuichi to discover how all these pieces of the puzzle fit together.

The Sea

No! We're not going to the seaside although that would be rather fun but it's the name of Corinne Bailey Rae's new album issued in the UK on Virgin today.It's been a good while in the making from S/T which sold four million copies world-wide and picked up several awards through the untimely death in 2008 of her partner. Many of the songs such as the opener 'Are You Here' are built on insistent bass riffs and another 'The Blackest Lily' is driven by heavy bass and rock guitar solo a reflection of her past involvement in rock.Stylistically many of these songs are slow reflective pieces with some uptempo numbers added to avoid the drift toward the maudlin.'I Would call It Beauty' is a gorgeous slow piece.
Of the ballads 'The Sea' a piece inspired by the downing of her Grandfather, has lush beatlesque qualitys and closes the album on a high. My copy was the digipak but really it's more a mini lp style gatefold sleeve minus a inner sleeve.
I'd grade it three and a half out of five which may sound low but this album is heads and shoulders above much of what R&B divas come up with lyrically and stylistically and is a slow grower.

Moisturizer

Well wouldn't you know it it's back to winter and the snow today?
Well time to talk skin care eh?
I use Simple's light moisturizer available from drugstores like Boots as I've sensitive skin. Because it's free from fragrances and harsh ingredients it doesn't irritate me but it has stuff in their to repair my skin from such things as the weather and the Big Grinder (aka the shaver!) leaving the face feeling much smoother.
I also keep some Atrexia cream on me in the Kitty Bag for my hands although I use a bit on my legs after doing them.
What you use is pretty much your choice here but I think it's worth saying using some does pay dividends in terms of your appearance and how you feel about you.
God know enough of us have issues around that so we might as well make better those aspects we can.

Meddle

I've always had a soft spot for the Pink Floyd but most of my albums went by the late 80's. Recently Todber (Dan) let me have this the Canadian copy (Harvest/Capitol SMAS 832) for free as it needed a bit of a clean and he had 3 other copies of this title ready to sell.
This copy uses American stampers with JAM "Mastered By Capitol" and while not being quite as open as say a good UK pressing, is pretty good actually with impressive bass. Canadian vinyl is very quiet because they use better quality materials compared to that in the States.
I'd play grade the first side VG+ as there are a small number of minor scuff marks that leave the odd 'pop' during One Of These Days while side two is EX (I'm using Goldmine grading)

In the pink.

This is hardly the most dazzling item of fashion ever but I'd consider it a staple so I bought this crew neck t shirt recently which can be wear as is (anyone noticed the large number of pink t shirts for 'bob' too? ) or under a jumper/sweatshirt.


























Also I recently bought this mini skirt from Death kitty. The Camilla net has a base of Pink netting with a black upper layer.
It's probably no secret to the 'Angelic Folk' that I like short skirts - the Avatar is a bit telling - and I just love this which can be worn with tights or over the knee socks.

Just the thing for the office party with a few accessories this Sophie Gray sleeveless dress is ideal and available from BHS in black and purple.

Sophie Gray Ottoman Dress 

• 72% polyester 28% viscose
• Lining 100% polyester
• Machine washable
• Centre back length 92cm/36" 

The Doobie Bros on Mofi

Recently one of Americas greatest rock bands from the 70's The Doobie Brothers had a couple of their albums re-issued as a hybrid SACD and regular cd layered disc by Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs (Mofi) in Chicago USA.They are playable on all machines.

This title first released in 1972 features the tracks Jesus Is Just Alright, Rockin' Down Highway and Listen To The Music perhaps the best example ever of FM rock from the 70's with smooth vocals and first class musicianship this side of Steely Dan.

This album issued March 1973 is a long term favourite of mine having gone through 8 track tape, record (West German pressing) and the regular CD issued in the 90's.
It's an eclectic mix of hard rock, folk and soul that somehow just gels together seamlessly.Some even say it's their best studio album ever.
Amongst the eleven tracks it contains, Without You, China Grove and Long Train Running are the stand outs.

Presentation wise Mofi have gone for a mini lp style replicating much of the look of the original lp sleeves, put in a soft cd sleeve to keep it clean and the card sleeve is very tactile.
As for sound frankly I haven't heard these albums sound better in decades thanks to Rob LeVerde's work on carefully transferring the original analogue tapes to digital with very little noise and no digital glare or harshness creeping in.Strongly recommended.

Taking It To The Streets was originally issued in 1976 and this version came out in May 2010 on Mofi sounding bolder than ever although unlike the 2006 JPN edition it only has monochrome pictures for the gatefold.

In 2013 Stampede originally issued in 1975 was released by Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs and interestingly the original CD4 discrete quadraphonic mixes issues for all four albums have never had a commercial release not withstanding HD media such as sacd and dvd/blu-ray Audio have the capability and the capacity for it.