Hi from Lisbon

[misterharrison]

I've just realised that I registered a while back but never said hi.

So hi!

I'm a teacher, hence the username, and I'm English, but I've been living in Lisbon for the last 6 months. Before that I was in Sao Paulo for 4 years. Obviously, while in Brazil I developed a taste for their music, with a particular soft spot for that period in the seventies when samba, bossa nova, rock, funk, soul and disco all merged into one happy melting pot of perfect groove. I'm a (former) DJ, for my sins, so my other musical tastes cover the range from soul, funk and disco (LOTS of disco - I don't think many people realise how much incredible underground disco was made) to early electronica, deep house and techno and god knows what else. In fact, recent purchases have included Crosby, Stills and Nash, Seals & Crofts and many other acts with AND in the their name. Sadly it's an affliction that sees no signs of abating. To give you an idea of how bad it is, I recently gave in and bought a Loricraft PRC4 record cleaner. Yes, I know.

As a DJ I developed a soft spot for the Technics SL1200 Mk2 and since reaching an age where I seem to have had more disposable income (no, no children yet) I've been enjoying following the Techie upgrade route (made so easy by Dave) that seems to be so popular here. So without further ado, here's my rig "from groove to ear", so to speak:

1. 2 x Technics SL-1210Mk5 w/Timestep PSU/ Isonoe feet/ SDS Isoplatmat-Funk Acromat sandwich.
2. 1 x Ortofon 2M Black for listening, 2 x AT440MLa for mixing.
3. 2 x SME 309 on Dave's excellent plates.
4. Graham Slee Gram Amp 2SE w/ PSU upgrade.
5. Original Bozak CMA 10-2DLA mixer/preamp fully refurbed/modded by Isonoe (aka "my baby").
6. Bryston 2BSST amp.
7. Original JBL L65A "Jubals".

The excellent (if not always prompt at replying to emails ;) ) Dave Cawley has supplied me with many of the above items. I do have his Techie-specific Herbie's mat, but the jury's still out on whether it betters my SDS/Funk combo. And I'm trying not to look (too much...) at the various bearing-upgrade threads. :stalks:

I have a couple of questions about using the SME 309s (alignment issues, headshell connections) that I'll post on a separate thread when I get some time. I see there are a few other members here who use a 309 on their Technics, so I'm hoping they may be able to help.

Anyway, I'll see y'all around.
In the meantime, if you want to check out what I play, you can hear bits and bobs over on my (rarely updated) blog: http://www.harrisonfraud.com

:dance:

[Barry]

Hello Mr Harrison (Sir),

Welcome to AoS. Do you have a first name? We like, where possible, to address one another by our first names - it makes for a more friendlier forum.

You have some good kit there and of course using a Technics deck will make you feel at home with the many 'Technicistas' we have here. I have heard Dave Cawley's 'worked on' Technics decks and they are very good.

Good to see that you enjoy a wide range of music. I'm looking forward to you perhaps recommending some modern Latin artists; I'm afraid all the Latin American music I have is some Astrud Gilberto, Charlie Byrd (not sure if he is South American) and Santana (which is probably stretching things a bit!). Clearly I need educating.

Enjoy the forum

Regards

[misterharrison]

Do you have a first name? We like, where possible, to address one another by our first names - it makes for a more friendlier forum.

Hi Barry. The name's Will.


I'm looking forward to you perhaps recommending some modern Latin artists; I'm afraid all the Latin American music I have is some Astrud Gilberto, Charlie Byrd (not sure if he is South American) and Santana (which is probably stretching things a bit!). Clearly I need educating.

Err, modern Latin artists... not sure I can help you there! To be honest, after living in Brazil for four years I can honestly say that nothing contemporary that I heard could touch the older stuff for depth, quality, musicianship, feel or even songwriting. To add insult to injury, the vast majority of the younger Brazilians I met were fairly ignorant of their own musical heritage, at least when it comes to that 70s era I was talking about.

Anyway, here's a mix of Brazilian stuff (http://idisk.mac.com/misterharrison-Public/wills_mixes/brazilian_beauties.mp3) to give you an idea of what I like/do.

[Spectral Morn]

Hi Will


Welcome to AoS. Enjoy the forum and have fun.


Regards D S D L

[Alex_UK]

Hi Will, and good to see you've found your voice (well, typing fingers) - I joined about the same time, and have made up for at least 2 extras so don't worry about being quiet!

Welcome to Aos, and get that posting average up as soon as possible!

[Mike Reed]

Hello, Will.

I note that you are a teacher, and that you're English. Are you also a teacher of English, b.t.w? Just my thought processes; English teacher; Brasil, Portugal (guess you're au fait with Portuguese by now). What do you teach? Science? I'm asking from the viewpoint of a retired English teacher and teacher of English (E.F.L.).

Do you teach in a school or privately? I missed my chance to globetrot with an E.F.L. qualification 'cos I was too old so am quite envious !

[misterharrison]

Hi Mike

I'm actually that rarest of beasts, a male Primary school teacher. I'm UK trained and worked in a pretty tough South-London primary school for a few years before realising that there were thousands of International schools all over the world that might be pleased to have me, so off I went!

I loved Brazil, but just felt too far away from friends and family back home, so Portugal is kind of a compromise - nice weather (but not right now *brrrr*), continue to learn Portuguese, but easy to pop home for the weekend or have visitors over. The Portuguese are totally different from the Brazilians though - very polite and quite reserved. Almost English!

[DSJR]

Oooooh, JUBALS - yummm!!!!!!! :eyebrows:

I have very fond memories of the above, the JBL excesses of the time well tamed in these I thought, although they should have been made as mirror-image pairs IMO.....

Most of us parents have little to no idea of how difficult and responsible a teaching post is. I love my TA work in primary schools though, but trying myself for a degree fills me with dread although the OU may help here...

[Themis]

Welcome to AoS, Barry. :)

Impressive setup indeed. :stalks:
And nice Blog, too. ;)

[misterharrison]

Welcome to AoS, Barry. :)

Impressive setup indeed. :stalks:
And nice Blog, too. ;)

Hi Dimitri and thanks!
Oh, and I think Barry's called Barry, but I'm called Will. :doh:

[Themis]

Hi Dimitri and thanks!
Oh, and I think Barry's called Barry, but I'm called Will. :doh:
Sorry Will... a long working day, today... :doh:

:cool: