That does sound familar… I'll have to look.

My pleasure. This summer's 'Twelfth Night' with Lupita and Junior Nyong’o, Sandra Oh, and Peter Dinklage – which I badly wanted to catch live, but never did – is also available on-demand now. But I wanted to make sure to see 'Hamlet' first before it's gone.

Solea Pfeiffer stands proudly and sings beautifully as Ophelia… and melts down explosively.

Hot damn, Hamlet's confrontation with Gertrude (Lorraine Toussaint) goes HARD in this production.

Free Shakespeare in the Park: still one of the most radically bad-ass things about New York City.

I actually found the records dry and impenetrable until I saw him play live! But afterward, every note and gesture took on a volition that felt exact and inevitable. I'm grateful for my dozens of Derek Bailey records now, but gladder still that I can relate them to the experience of seeing him play.

Then I'd end my Week of Wonders in London with gigs almost entirely antithetical to the Bailey ethos: singer/guitarist John Mitchell at Dingwalls in Camden on the 18th, and IQ (at last!!) at Islington Assembly Hall on the 20th.

But alas… twas not to be.

Miss you, Mr. Bailey. (5/5)

On Wednesday, Dec. 17, Thurston Moore and Mark Wastell play duos in the intimate downstairs space at Vortex. (I so very nearly bought a ticket for this, around which to plan a trip, only to realize I couldn't make the dates work.) www.vortexjazz.co.uk/event/rememb... (4/5)

That's followed by Company 2025 (for Derek Bailey), two evenings of improvisations by Bailey colleagues and newcomers, curated by John Butcher, Tim Fletcher, Ian Greaves, and Mark Wastell at @cafeotodalston.bsky.social. www.cafeoto.co.uk/events/compa... (3/5)

Up first (I believe) is So Watt Special: Derek Bailey - New Sights, Old Sounds, an afternoon of rare film and video newly restored, at the Barbican. www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/202... (2/5)

Bummer! Speedy recovery…

I attended numerous shows at Fitzgerald's – Swans, Jonathan Richman, 24-7 Spyz, Aquarium Rescue Unit, Guadalcanal Diary – but Super Happy Fun Land came along after I was gone.

Fantastic! Have you checked out Corima, the L.A. Zeuhl/Rock in Opposition-style band saxophonist @patrickshiroishi.bsky.social plays in? They're pretty great. corima.bandcamp.com/album/amater...

Thanks for the recs!! CoF in small doses only. They’re a gas live.

Jonathan Biss, no L.

Oh, wow, this is great!! Added to my wishlist for Bandcamp Friday shopping next Friday. feminazgul.bandcamp.com/album/no-daw...

Just added Liturgy's 'H.A.Q.Q.' to the playlist. Thanks for the prod.

One obvious omission is Krallice—but which album?

I admire Liturgy a lot, but run hot and cold on the music. Gaylord is mighty! And I need to discover Feminazgûl now. Where would you recommend starting?