2013-06-18T23:28:05-04:00 David V.H. Ellis http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/index.php?author=david-vh-ellis Copyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for David V.H. Ellis Good old fashioned elbow grease. tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3071746 2013-04-12T15:45:56-04:00 2013-06-12T05:12:01-04:00

David V.H. Ellis http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-vh-ellis/
Liane Carroll is a little like Diana Krall without the bitch and it works for her. Ballads, released April 15th, is practically malice free and consequently, extremely affecting.

From the off, Carroll's arresting vocal rises from the speaker in a soft smoke, till it seems you're breathing it in. Saying so can only give the slightest hint of the intimacy she invites over these eleven tracks: even with a full orchestra behind her, masterfully arranged by Chris Walden, her voice peels up from the rest of the track, sticking only to the meaning of the lyric. You've Changed holds the line 'There's no need to tell me we're through' and from someone else, the delivery might have come sharpened with spite but Carroll loosens the stiff upper lip, resigning herself to a letdown lover, and its a stirring moment. One of many.

The other delight in these performances is how genuine they sound; true to form, Carroll mercifully side-steps the all-too-common affliction which sees other modern jazz singers treat vowels as if they're a New Jersey cabbie. With a delightfully unmannered performance, most lyrics hit as sincere, believable episodes from her life: these could be her words, even if they do come from an offbeat selection of writers, including Buddy Holly and Carole King. Curiously -despite their authorship- the album is arranged and produced so well and Liane's performances so nuanced and easy, pressing play feels like discovering a gem time buried away.

Ballads is aptly titled. The album is midnight blue, never lively but not lacking for this. It is a heartbreak record too, for the most part. Largely, it is a triumph in this; perhaps the only fault is too much guitar, which makes much less of an impact than the delicate piano. The exception is Two Lovely People, which works into a gorgeous, fluttering guitar solo. Some songs also miss the mark - the album starts on the wrong foot and Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow has been more flatteringly interpreted. Consider these blips.

So often it's said that a singers voice is wonderful when it cracks and thins with emotion. But how much better when a vocal swells and grows rich when it chokes up. The most poignant moments on this record are also its finest and throughout, the arrangements build magnificently; these are endings to stop conversation and put pauses between breaths.

This is an album to listen to time over, to soundtrack your memories with. Forget your water, leave the rocks in the bucket - Ballads is a record to cut whiskey with.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2664756 2013-02-11T17:31:04-05:00 2013-04-13T05:12:01-04:00

David V.H. Ellis http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-vh-ellis/



It is wet for the first time in a few days and my shoes, out of shape, begin to complain of the rain. My girlfriend is admirably much more resilient. We're finding rum house 'Portside Parlour' and though it's a long chat from Bethnal Green tube, a bar with a lavatory for an entrance is intriguing enough to stay us on course.

Downstairs from popular bar 'Off Broadway' (a long way 'off', it's Mexican), we reach a Victorian cistern, pull the chain and are greeted by a flushed, smiling face opening a wall till it becomes a door. Portside Parlour is a pop-up rum bar, a Captain's Quarters of the East-End, docking in its present home until April Fools' Day. The smiling face raises her voice above the rock n' roll slithering from the speakers and shows us to a communal bench, hands us two books and tells us she'll be back to take our order.

Neither book turns out to be classic - no points lost; it's a bar, not a bibliothèque - and the menus stuck inside the front cover are brief but comprehensive. As we choose, a bottle of water arrives with two glasses, a subtle display for rum giant Appleton Estate, who back this project.

We exchange our plastic for a tab; in this instance, an old cigarette card (detailing the rise of light-heavyweight John Henry Lewis, since you ask). It's a nice touch -something we find ourselves repeating: Portside is a parlour of particulars; oil burning gas lights, a cartoonish party of revellers on the walls, the cut-glass cocktail bowls. My favourite is a lamp; the body is a ships throttle -set to 'Full Steam Ahead.' I point it out, we nod. Nice touch.

And the drinks? Sean on the bar recommends the Old Fashioned, a reasonable £10. 'In an old fashioned, the drink really leans on the spirit', he says, stirring the sugars into one, 'The [Appleton] 12 year old is great for it. It's just fantastic rum.' We save that for next time and decide on a Sweet Palmetto and the popular Pearl Diver's Punch which comes with a half-lime flaming- from the smell, I'd guess Wray and Nephew's. £9 buys a pleasingly strong cocktail here, though our Punch required a vigorous stir before drinking. The Palmetto had the novelty of being barrel-aged on the premises; there's no new born to compare with so I can't draw conclusions on the effects of the woodwork, but it was a rich, soft drink and it went rather too quickly. Someone had keenly run an orange peel on the rim of the frosted glass too, another mark of excellent 'tending.

But were there a checklist for bars that are pleased with themselves, Portside Parlour would have ticked most; a pop up, single spirit, 'quirky' décor, low ceilings, music at a volume to kill conversation. But it isn't pleased with itself. And not just because there's a thankful absence of 'ironic', arsehair moustaches. And not just because the whole gang working seem to actually enjoy the place. And not just because the music is good and the drinks don't pretend. It's to do with those communal benches: Portside is having a party. You're in with mates, whether you've known them for years or just a drink ago. People smile, pass mixtures for communal sips, brave jokes and break that cardinal rule of London (never, ever talk to strangers.)

Next to us, two lads banter about their travels and receive two ice-lolly orange Senor Papas (perhaps the only let down - too sweet and summery), both with a huge hunk of ice in them. "Hey," I say, "I guess that's what the cocktails looked like when the Titanic went down." We all smile, and chat as best we can over the music. Then, times up, we have to leave early, and a couple come into to take our place and make these friends on the communal bench. Nice touch, that.

Open: Wednesday-Sunday, from 5 until late into the night

Prices: cocktails from £8, shots from £6. Wine £6- £7 a glass, from £25 a bottle.

There's also the option to buy a bottle of rum, from £60 up to £200 and keep it behind the bar, in "Davey Jones'" locker, where it gets its own name tag and can be drunk from with no extra charge - unless you fancy a cocktail with it, where it'll cost £3 a pop.

Any specials?: The bar offers desserts too, around £7-8 and hosts special 'Rum Clubs' on Wednesdays with a £10 entrance fee. A brand ambassador for a rum will come in, give a run through of their product and all will taste, and drink, and try new cocktails and be merry. The first is Feb 20th, and features Sean Duprey of Angostura Rum & Bitters.

The scoop: The team may be headed for water and setting up their own Tiki bar on a barge. London's coolest bar could happen... you heard it here etc.

The final word:

From co-founder Charlie Otth, "A cocktail bar without the usual wank that comes associated with them..."

From me? 4/5. Will revisit.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.2351923 2012-12-22T12:04:37-05:00 2013-02-21T05:12:01-05:00

David V.H. Ellis http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-vh-ellis/
I had the frequently deeply unpleasant experience of tasting all the inexpensive bottles on the high street and compiled a list of those actually drinkable. Did I suffer through supermarket 'value' and 'basic' own brands? Yes I did. Are they on the list? No. They were, for the most part, appalling stuff, the kind that give instant hangovers - our cats seemed to positively stamp about the room - and every drink was met with a face all screwed up in the shape of an X.

However, the drinks below are good. Not just comparatively good, or surprisingly good, but actually good. Flavoursome, yummy, appetising. Most shone when mixed into cocktails or met with a scoop of ice. While there are better drinks out there, most check in at around twice the price.

All bottles 70cl unless otherwise stated.

Bourbon
Western Gold - Lidl, £11.49 (in London but varies store to store so could be cheaper!)

Thoughts: Though I watched a recommendation from Ralphy, I remained extremely dubious ...but I opened it up, gave it a sniff and - was shocked, not surprised. There wasn't that horrendous note of alcohol-plastic-medicine as it smoked up into my nose. On tasting? Even better: cheap booze tends to be a mouthful of (negligible) flavour which washes away to a mouthful of sugary alcohol. Not so with this; it tasted like, though not identical to, Jim Beam but perhaps a little sweeter and smoother, which makes it a winner in my book. Ideal for cocktails or over ice.

Any awards? IWSC Silver Medal, 2010 / International Spirits Challenge 2010, Gold.

Another excellent choice: Clarke's Kentucky Bourbon - Aldi, £11.49. Much the same.

Scotch
Grant's Scotch whiskey (Family Reserve) - £11, Sainsbury's.

It has to be blended Scotch at this price and Grant's do it best - their whisky has a little character whereas most other blends at this price point are dull, thin and a waste of time. This blend is a cut above any own brand offering at this price point and, indeed, is one of the best blends under £20.

Any awards? Lots - 2009 International Wine and Spirit Competition - Gold, 2009 International Spirits Challenge - Silver, 2008 International Wine and Spirit Competition - Bronze, 2008 International Spirits Challenge - Bronze, 2007 International Wine and Spirit Competition - Siver, 2007 International Spirits Challenge - Bronze. Jim Murray of the 'Whisky Bible' described it in 2007 as "A glass of genius. It defines the odds for quality."

Another excellent choice: None for £11.

Gin
Oliver Cromwell 1599 Premium Gin - Aldi £9.49 (50cl)

Aldi's premium Gin has been around for a while and if a chance arises for getting a bottle and a glass and putting the two together, take it. 1599 is fresh, excellent on its own over ice and even better with bitter lemon or tonic. The price tag is misleading - this is the best gin I've had under £20. It's no Tanqueray 10 or Martin Miller's Westbourne but it's light, fresh, heavy on the juniper in a good way - I'm turning into a drinks bore but the point stands.

Any awards? It won the Gin and Vodka Association Trophy in 2010 as being the very best (beating all branded items), Quality drink awards 2011 winner, IWSC Gold 2011 best in class,

Another excellent choice: Gordon's is on at £12 on offer most places - the sturdy old favourite is good stuff. For something not on offer, Greenall's gin does the trick too.

Vodka
Putinoff Vodka - Lidl £7.99

"Oh. God. £7.99 vodka. I may as well be sick now." says your brain. Set those thoughts aside and try this stuff. I do not favour vodka in any situation but this - I drank it and found it far exceeding Smirnoff or Absolut in quality, leaving other supermarket own brands stumbling behind. It appears I'm not alone.

Any awards? Internationaler Spirituosen Wettbewerb 2010 Silver, IWSC 2010 Silver, International Spirits Challenge 2010 Commended.

Another excellent choice: why bother? Just stick with this.

Rum
Mount Gay Rum- £13, ASDA

At this price, it's an absolute steal. Mount Gay has a rightly deserved reputation for being excellent stuff and though it's more expensive than anything else on this list, it's worth the extra couple of quid. Get some while it's still at this price.

Another excellent choice: Lamb's Navy rum - around £11. Maybe it isn't excellent - it's an odd flavour (it smells almost like it's savoury) but it's interesting and works well with mixers.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.2251105 2012-12-07T19:00:00-05:00 2013-02-06T05:12:01-05:00

David V.H. Ellis http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-vh-ellis/
For most of us, we'll end up on an overcrowded, overheated train, sitting in the aisle on top of our suitcase, praying the refreshments trolley has a flat tyre.

So it isn't going to be fun - that much is a dead cert - but there's no reason you need to spend all your Christmas budget on travelling. There are ways to get home cheaply.

Book now
It's already quite late and ticket prices are taking off like they dream of working at NASA so book immediately before they skyrocket once more. Don't put it off; as it gets closer to your departure date, the prices go up by a couple of quid every night.

Better yet, pick a date and sort out your return journey to uni or you'll pay over the odds twice. Besides, the New Year invariably greets us all with a hangover and a price hike: early January is not the time to be paying more than you need to be.

If you want to avoid all this palaver for journeys in the future, make the most of that underused organisational streak you've been hiding and book up well in advance. Usually, the earlier you book up, the more money stays in your wallet.

You're looking at a maximum of 12 weeks before you travel , which is when Network Rail are legally obliged to announce their timetables. Because tickets don't always go on sale exactly 12 weeks in advance (it's not a science) it's well worth making a bookmark out of this National Rail calendar which fills you in on the earliest you can book up for a journey.

...or the night before
If you've forgotten all about booking and are travelling soon, don't think 'Holy baubles batman, I've missed my chance.' You haven't. You can always pick up an 'advance' ticket at the last minute; most companies offer them up to 6pm the night before you travel and some even later than that. It might only be a couple of quid you save but hey, use it for a much needed coffee on the way home.

Split the fare
One curious way of getting from to A to B without splashing out is to split the fare and buy tickets for separate parts of the journey. No, it shouldn't work but it does, it's just one of those beautiful little mysteries of the world.

It works like so: find out the route your journey takes (a quick google does wonders) and jot down what stations the train stops at. Spend ten minutes and rather than pay for a return ticket, price it by singles. Then think about getting more than one single for the journey - so if you're going Sheffield to Reading, try buying a 'Sheffield to Banbury' ticket and then a 'Banbury to Reading' ticket for the same service.

Try it now; we booked up for this evening and saved the best part of £6. For an off peak fair, this can look more like £30 and if you book up those crucial 12 weeks in advance, you could save £100s over a walk-on fare. We've found this great little site which should help out.

Look out for deals
Around Christmas time, there's usually a few deals running around because the ticket sellers are jostling to get your custom. Red Spotted Hanky have just teamed up with Student Money Saver to give away 30,000 £10 ticket vouchers on a first come, first served basis so students can save a little extra on their fare -or even get a ticket free. These sort of deals tend to be short lived (this one is ends tonight) and a fairly rare so if you see one, jump on it.

Pick up a railcard
A young person's railcard is £28. But it'll save you 1/3 on all your train journeys, so you'll almost certainly make your money back within a couple of hours. Just be sure to always carry your railcard with you as ticket inspectors tend not to understand if you've forgotten yours - and they will charge a penalty.]]>