Perfect Insanity (draconid) wrote, @ 2004-04-18 18:41:00

Yet more expense.
I hadn't planned on spending more money this month, other than on the essentials.  But I really couldn't help it.

You see, I was walking around HMV (dangerous at the best of times) and Rat pointed out a CD to me.  I'd already managed to successfully walk past a Counting Crows CD that I don't have, without picking it up.

But yes, Rat pointed out that there was actually a section for Juliet Turner in the Pop/Rock section.  I try not to go on about the little known Irish singer too much, but she is one of my favourite ever singers (and unfortunately one of Rat's least favourites). She has one of those "unique" voices, not to mention unique styles.

I came across the singer because an Irish girlfriend (now ex-girlfriend) of one of my best friends had a CD of hers given to her from her dad. She didn't particularly like Juliet Turner and so was happy to give me the CD. The CD I had was called Burn the Black Suit (her second CD, good job HMV didn't have her first one or I'd have spent a fortune) and is, well, awesome. I didn't like it at first, but after listening to it several times I decided I loved it.

This was one of two CDs that was sitting under her name on the shelf before me. The other (as I've already mentioned) wasn't her first album. And since I only knew of two albums it occured to me that this must be a new one (the yellow sticker saying "Chart Album" on the "index card" then confirmed this idea, as did the copyright date of 2004 on the back). The CD was only a tenner, how could I resist? I've been waiting for her to bring out something new for close to four years now.

We actually shopped around first, found it for £12 somewhere else, and so headed back to HMV and bought it.

I've listened to it three and a bit times so far. It's very different to her second album, and yet very the same. The old album has a youthful, crispness to it (I'm crap at describing things, but these words seem right). The new album is more "grown up" and a little old fashioned. There are obvious Jazz and Easy Listening roots to some of the songs. They also have much richer backings to them. But her accent and strange way of singing is (mostly) the same. I haven't yet investigated the words - I haven't had the chance to listen carefully or check the inlay - but they seem a little less weird than the other album. But I guess time will tell on that one.

Well, my conclusion is that it was an excellent buy. Although I'm sure Rat will be sick of it soon. I've been listening to it whilst trying to catch up with my accountancy studies. I figure that each time I sit down to work if I put a CD on that can be my timer, as an hour is a pretty good time to work for solidly, and most albums are around an hour long. Plus I get nice music to listen to rather than sitting in silence.

The other incredibly exciting event of the weekend is that today Rat (with my assistance) is in the process of cooking some more of those muesli bars.

I'm also looking for a recipe for houmous. I have one that asks for a tin of chickpeas, but I only have dried. And I have to use them somehow. Plus it wants me to use tahini which I can't find anywhere (although I have found other recipes that leave out the tahini). If anyone can recommend a decent recipe for houmous that I can do from fresh/dried chickpeas then let me know.

thursday_next 2004-04-19 04:37 (link)

Sounds as though you might like Kieran Goss - he is a wonderfully talented modern Irish singer/songwriter/guitarist. Do I need to explain how to cook chickpeas? I'm assuming I don't, but let me know if I'm wrong. Cook up a batch of chickpeas (I tend to do as many as possible at once, since it's such a long process, and then freeze what I don't need straight away). Chop or squidge the garlic, and if you don't want it to be too overpowering fry it gently in a little olive oil. Add the garlic to the chickpeas, put in blender, and keep adding olive oil and lemon juice till you get the consistency you want. You probably won't need extra salt if you've already cooked the chickpeas with it. It's falling-off-logs simple, and you don't need tahini if you don't want it. :-) (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: draconid 2004-04-19 07:19 (link)
	Thanks! That sounds fairly simple. The chickpeas have instructions on them for cooking, so I *should* be okay. So, I suppose I'd better go buy myself a blender. Do you reckon a handblender would be okay, or shall I go the whole hog and get a proper one? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: thursday_next 2004-04-19 08:25 (link)
	I use a hand blender - works for me. :-) (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)