It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Ravi Shankar, sitar maestro and composer at the age of 92. We saw Ravi Shankar in 2011 at Birmingham Symphony Hall, it was one of the most jaw dropping musical events we have attended – simply brilliant. Ravi, a gentle slightly frail man alternatively caressing and thrashing the sitar with gusto and creating, with his fellow musicians, an all-enveloping sound. We will never forget that evening, and wish to extend our sympathies to those who knew, cared and worked with him, over the years.

Here is an obituary of his life and work.

The clip here is from Sidney, Australia 2011, from the same concert tour that we saw in Birmingham, so gives an slight flavor of the evening that we had.

If you want to listen to more Ravi Shankar playing, I can suggest the albums that he did with the virtuoso violinist Yehudi Menuhin as a great starting point. Shankar wrote the violin parts for Yehudi in the Indian style and the collaboration is a fine example of two masters of their instruments creating something even greater than parts. If you wish to hear a more traditional Indian sound with lazy gentle sitar, or fast climatic sitar do not know what you are looking for then think ragas – you will see on some track listings Afternoon Raga slower gentle piece, or Evening Raga mostly faster – I know, for those who know (Rasikas), that this is overly simplistic, but works for me.

For regualr readers I am very much hoping that the next post on this blog should be SF or book related, rather than an obituary to a someone who has inspired or touched us with their life and work.

It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Patrick Moore astronomer, television presenter and writer.  Sir Patrick was an inspiration to many people, and an entertaining presenter to many more. We will miss him from the Sky at Night very much, and wish to extend our sympathies to those who knew, cared and worked with him, over the years.   

In the last week we have added a further 50 books to our online inventory.  The newly listed books include a number of good Fantasy hardbacks, including some first editions. There are also some interesting biographical books, for instance about Graham Greene, or a cigar! We also have a nice condition autobiography of Jack Hawkins, the actor, which was published after his death, with the final (upsetting) chapter written by his widow.  Jack Hawkins was a very masculine looking actor who played the stage prior to the war. After the war he starred in films but is mostly known today for his character roles in successful films like The Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, Lord Jim, and Oh! What a Lovely War.

I am currently working on a couple of future blog posts featuring a couple of interesting books (one SF the other an artistic puzzle book) that have come to light from our existing stock.  So hope you will check back in the next week, or two to have a look at them.  

We have also being busy sourcing some additional stock, the more interesting of which I shall detail in further post, soon. 

Have a great week, cheers!

Ian

It was with great sadness that we learned of the Death of two great men recently.

Firstly the sad passing of Harry Harrison on 15th August 2012.

As many of you will know Harry was a great author of Science fiction stories, often with big helpings of fast adventure, dangerous planets, and humour. I remember the joy of finding a new Harry Harrison story at second hand book shops when I was a very young man, as I knew that I was about to read an exciting tale.  I read Make Room, Make Room which had a profound impact on me, ensuring that I sought out other authors who wrote about overpopulation. 

Reflecting on this, it now appears that whilst still enjoying the straightforward adventure SF this was a turning point for me to reading a wider range of writers, dealing with the effects of technological and social change. 

We send our condolences to those who loved and knew him.

A full obituary written by Christopher Priest, can be found here

Neil Armstrong passed away on 25th August 2012.

There is little to say about him that has not already being said.  There is no accolade too great to express what he and his fellow crew members achieved in July 1969.  For myself, I have very hazy memories of a lot of people, my family, grandparents and some neighbours, in our living room watching either the actual landing programme or the news of the landing.  Neil Armstrong, not long after returning from the moon, predicted that men would go to Mars in the 1980’s.  At least he lived to hear a commitment from a President towards fulfilling that goal.

A full obituary can be found here

Being writing copy for the Durdles Books web site – definately an orangey bit in the middle … Site nearly built .. excitement growing! Ian