Umbrella Blog

Bi-weekly articles on a variety of topics

Latest articles

I thought It would be fun to run through a few nice constructions in English. We might hear these all...

A glance at which radio programmes people like to listen to and what music they stream only confirms...

Art Tatum (1909-1956) sounds like he’s constantly out to impress and take the listener’s breath away...

The early silent films were accompanied by a cinema pianist improvising before the screen, playing a...

Let me share with you an overview of the music of the great Maurice Ravel (1875-1937). I’ve highlighted...

Sam Harris’ hero In the fascinating exchange between Sam Harris and Jordan Peterson that many of you...

TRAVEL

Not your classic tourist guides (“top 10 places to see” etc), but just my impressions and background notes on the places I visit

CULTURE

Music (classical music and jazz), the Visual Arts (paintings, architecture, sculpture), Literature, Films.

PARIS & ENVIRONS

I currently live in Paris, so I’ll collect here some notes this wonderful city and places you can easily get to by car or train.

PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS & ECONOMICS

Who was Spinoza? What did Pascal have to say? Geopolitics and Economics.

CUISINES & COOKING

Quick guides on different cuisines, and what you can make with what you have in the fridge or larder and a “key ingredient”.

ODDS & ENDS

Nature, languages, non-fiction books, and whatever takes my fancy.