Emily Cat 176

Johann Sebastian Bach  Was he the greatest composer ever? This is the music l have been listening to this week. It's great music, but, l have one thing l don't like about it: the harpsicord. I know that's what was around then, no pianos in those days. Even knowing that l have to say l don't like the sound of a harpsicord. Bach came from a musical family and, in turn, several of his children also became composers. It's so much fun listening to all this music. Who said classical music was boring? Me and l was so wrong.

I'm talking about films today.  There seems to be a particular type of film that show constantly in the cinemas this year.  I like seeing films in a cinema. I also have a movie club. So far this year has been a disappointment. The cinemas have been full of, what l call, franchise films. You know the ones. Part3/4/5 of the same film. The Devil wears Prada 2 came out this year something like 16 years after the first one. Marvel and all those types of films. If you like that kind of film go and see them. I'm not saying that they shouldn't be made, but, what about the rest of us who want something different. It's like the film makers have run out of new ideas. I had such a good film year last year. This year is different, a complete disappointment.

Do you belong to a book club?  I keep hearing that people aren't reading books anymore, that there are more authors than readers. This got me thinking about book clubs. Are they still popular? I'm one of those who don't read anymore. Audiobooks is what l do. Instead of reading the book myself l listen to someone else read it. That's what l call reading now. It suits me as a non driver. When l'm out and about do l want to be carrying a heavy book with me? No l do not, and, l swear the book gets heavier the longer the day goes. So let me know if you are in a book club.  ** There is now a section where you can leave a comment. Please do as l would like to hear from you.

I need some names.  I love the jazz from the 1920's, but, don't know much about the current jazz scene. If you are a jazz lover you must know who the current names in jazz. Please let me know who they are so l can look into them. That's half the fun; listening to all this wonderful music. Lot's of names please. Let's start a conversation.

I had seen this flyer a few days before.  I was in Frankston on Thursday and thought why not. As it was l was late because l couldn't remember the start time. So l crept in 15 minutes late. It was a good crowd and they enjoyed the show. This choir was a U3A choir which means that the singers are older, but, they still all sang in tune. The human voice does change as we age, but, the program suited the singer's voices. There's something wonderful about hearing voices sing in unison. There was even a small interlude from a jazz band. All in all a good performance. All this cost me a gold coin donation. That's all they asked.  Can l suggest to you that you get out and look in your suburbs. The arts thrive in Melbourne suburbs, but, l'm sure you will be able to find something where you live. Music, and the arts, are all around us.

Considered her masterpiece this book is 100 years old this year.  Agatha Christie may not have been the best writer, but, she came up with some great plots. This book starts with Hercule Poirot retiring to the country to grow vegetable marrows. He is neighbours with Dr Shepperd and his sister Caroline. Roger Ackroyd is the man who will be murdered. Ackroyd is a wealthy man whose partner has taken her own life. Dr Shepperd has been visiting Ackroyd, stayed for dinner and then left after the last post has been delivered. He goes to back to his house. He's not long home before he gets a phone call from Parker (Ackroyd's butler) telling him to come back quickly as Ackroyd has been killed. Shepperd goes back to the house to find that Parker made no such call and the library door is locked. When they finally break down the door Roger Ackroyd is lying in his chair dead. That's the start of the novel. It was the first time this style of writing had been done. When this book first c...