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Ten CD's Pristine would grab if her house (and every record store on earth) was burning to the ground simultaneously (Jan 23, 2005)
1.Orlando Gibbons Selected Harpsichord Works Richard Egarr Harpsichord and virginal music has the ability to sound indistinct even to the trained ear. Richard Egarr's excellent recording of Orlando Gibbons's music on both a harpsichord and virginal built after 17th century Andreas Ruckers's design exhibits a chaste command of tempo rubato, baroque ornamentation, and an unmatched improvisational invention. Egarr is one of the few people who, in my opinion, has been able to restore the baroque sense of mystery into the pieces. Combined with the music of this Elizabethean keyboard virtuoso/ composer, this recording	Go To Richard Egarr's Discography at the Netherlands Record label GLOBE
2. Byrd Gibbons Sweelinck - Glenn Gould Touted by Glenn Gould for many years as his favourite album of his playing, this recording provides a modicum of pieces by Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, William Byrd and Orlando Gibbons. Gould shines on Byrd's Sellinger's Round, with a fantastic ornamental thrill on measure 14 of Section 2 is to die for. Like a Borgesian Aleph, I saw an entire microcosm of an Elizabethean society in that split second's flourish.	Sony Classical Website
3. Birth of the Cool Miles Davis Surprise! I didn't pick Kind of Blue! No, I don't have "overplayed" or "overrated" as an excuse, because that would be a false reason not to select a record. When many people talk about Miles Davis's records, they often talk about how it was all the rage to own and play it when it came out. I wasn't around then, so I can't say, but for me, there is an aura around the sound of Birth of the Cool. I'm not exactly sure where I got it. It's a postmodern theatrical black-and-white splices filled with images by Louis-Dahl Wolfe, John French, Norm Parkinson, and Clifford Coffin, images of Audrey, Capote, McCullers, Slim Keith, Babe Paley, CZ Guest, big jalopies, strappy lugs in porkpie hats, suspenders, and New York City. As the record comes to an end, it's usually be nuzzling close up against a brawny brute on the bench seat of his Studebaker with one hairy arm around my cardigan draped shoulder.
4.Gregorian Chants Benedictine Monks of the Abbey of St Maurice & St Maur, Clervaux Luxembourg I used to check out this vinyl record from our local library. After a while, I look at the check-out card and it had my name on it for three consecutive years. You can imagine my joy when Philips decided to release it on compact disc. One of the favorite pieces that was on the record was missing from the CD. So I wrote Philips and prodded, begged, held my breath until I turned purple for them to come out with the other recorded pieces from this group that I knew they were hiding from me. I wrote such an impassioned plea, Philips eventually releases a double disc set with the complete recordings. Oh how gorgeous it sounds! You can actually hear the monastery bells tolling and the birds singing in the trees in the background (during Te Deum). This is one of the few recordings of Gregorian Chants that include an organ accompaniment, thereby enriching the harmonic texture of the singing. Another excellent group who does this is The Benedictine Sisters at Ryde, Isle of Wight.
5.You Must Believe In Spring Bill Evans I once said online that the early music of jazz pianist Bill Evans (with the trio featuring Scott LaFaro) was a like walking through a shimmering glass bead curtain. But the music of later Bill Evans ("the introspective 70s period" as many of his fans term it) is like a drop of water being released onto the center surface of a quiet lake. Almost every Bill Evans fan I know intrinsically understand this reference the moment they hear it. I still remember a Japanese man writing me to thank me for this image.
6.The Best of FashionTV Joe T. Vanelli I went to Milan Italy to see this DJ spin. Unfortunately scheduling conflicts prevented me from attending one of his gigs. Vanelli has the definitive sound of 90s fashion runway supermodel music that exists in all our minds when we think of Linda Evangelista not getting out of bed for anything less than a Hostess Ding Dong. Of course, the actual fashion runway music these days is sparse, outrageous, and as extreme as the cut of the couteriers they are associated with..	Joe T. Vannelli's website Fashion TV's website
7. Word of Mouth Jaco Pastorius When I first bought this record from the bassist's bassist, I was unimpressed. I gave it off to someone else. Almost a decade later, after Pastorius passed away, someone lent the disc to me and I listened to it beginning to end. It remains one of the most intense listening experiences I've had to date. The entire second side, beginning with Bach's Chromatic Fantasy, leading into Blackbird, Word of Mouth, and finally, closing with John and Mary is simply astonishing. A complete universe, the birth and continuum of jazz history, experimental, classical, pop, rock, Hendrix, Beatles, Broadway, filled with dazzling technique, a sense of excitement, warmth, and a great love for all that is around us: children laughing, dogs barking, swaggering distorted riffs and harmonicas, lone whimsical pianos, steel pianos, you name it. The closing sustained bowed note takes on a prescient mysticism of Jaco's farewell that haunts me to this day.I wept with joy and sadness hearing this record with adult ears. What a great loss to the jazz community.
8.Foxbase Alpha Saint Etienne The very first magical album by my favorite band, Saint Etienne. I first heard the instrumental 12" of Only Love Can Break Your Heart (HVN 212) in the dancefloors of Glasgow and Edinburgh back in 1990. I instantly fell in love with the oboe sample playing over the heavy dance beat. I sang the song to record store proprietors all the way to Brighton Beach where someone finally identified them as Saint Etienne. So Tough is a strong contender for this spot, but Foxbase Alpha has the most authentic St. Etienne "feel" of their masterly mix between experimentation and pop that came to be known as their signature throughout the nineties. I think they loss some of their nerve along the way, and it became more about Sarah wooing her adoring Asian fans with her voice alone.. The recklessness is all caught and balanced on this adventurous album.
9. Verve Jazz Masters 9 Astrud Gilberto  The indolent, understated voice of Astrud Gilberto is the sweet sadness that tinges the coastal evenings of Copacabana and Ipanema. I know this is a collection, but it seems that every collection of Gilberto's records have the same selections. I found this particular one the best, because it has Vivo Sonhando, A Certain Sadness, The Gentle Rain, and The Shadow of Your Smile. Four songs that are superior to the "Garota de Ipanema," (The Girl From Ipanema) a piece that has become synonymous with Astrud Gilberto's name. One listen to this album, and you shall never again look at elevator muzak the same way. I guarantee it.
10. Making Movies - Dire Straits I'll always remember Roy Bittan's lovely piano that carries Tunnel Of Love out of the quiet romantic passages in the middle. I used to stay up late for the Don Kirshner's Rock Concert TV program in the wee hours of the morning. One night I saw an alternate video of Tunnel Of Love, shot in the canal locks of Amsterdam. There were polaroids mulled over between star-crossed lovers. It was all terribly romantic. I never saw that version again, as the standard video is shot entirely inside a studio. Pick Wither's crisp drumming really carried the album, but what makes this record especially memorable in Dire Straits's discography, is that the beginnings of Knopfler's soundtrack-geared musical mind started to reveal itself.
If I had three more seconds to pull three more CD's off the shelf, it would be these:
a. Strangely Beautiful Club 8 I adore this sometime labeled "triphop" band from the Sweden. They are apparently quite big in Asia. I found out about them when someone recommended them after hearing my love of Saint Etienne. Strangely Beautiful is a favorite, as When Lights Go Out is a magical and lovely song for me. I always imagine my romantic diary will have this song playing soundtrack as the pages turn. This is The Morning and The Beauty Of The Way We Are Living are also memorable pieces.
b. Greatest Hits NWA I always got NWA mixed up with 2 Live Crew in the news as a kid. When I finally did hear NWA though the video Express Yourself, I loved it! The Remix version, which I like better than the original, appears here with a better version of 100 miles and runnin'. Along with If It Ain't Ruff...these three really show how Dr. Dre is a master old school craftsman in the studio. The expressiveness of each rapper's voice in 100 miles and runnin' really put the piece over the top. MC Ren's vocal timing and tremendous swing in the stanza immediately after the "this one goes out to the brothers" radio announcement has got to be the finest definition of a "funky groove" I've ever heard. Anyone who dismisses gangsta rap as mere posture should have a listen to this record.
c. Let There Be Rock AC/DC A lot of my favorite music is about posture. Not the musicians' posture, but the gyroscopic+pendulum essence of swagger. Fashion runway music has it, rap, even classical. I can almost see a person working it down the street or across the street. Good music is like good sex: You don't have to work too hard, after a while, the momentum just takes over and the act becomes a thing all by itself. Bad Boy Boogie and Problem Child has that instantly recognizable undulating swing to it. And of course, Angus Young and his SG made me want to play electric guitar as a child.

Friends & Interesting People

Lilian's Shemales Around The World
Richard Evans Lee
Toby Art Siegel : Laughing Tranny

Sounds (Dance Music)

Carl Cox Fabulous Brit Trancer who is one of the precious few club DJ's who understands the rhythmic roots of trance music.
Satoshi Tomiie Japanese DJ whom I first heard playing the trendiest catwalk-style piano riffs on the Frankie Knuckles remix of Ace of Bass's Lucky Love (1995). I heard Vanessa Daou's Sunday Afternoon segued into Lucky Love on the late night Hot 97. It was magical!
Saint EtienneMy most beloved dance-pop band, which I first heard in the dance clubs of Inverness and Glasgow, when SE was breaking into the scene with their instrumental remix of Neil Young's Only Love Can Break Your Heart.
Resident Advisor DJ PagesA good index of current DJs on the scene.
Joe T. VannelliExcellent Milanese DJ who's fashion runway eurodisco is captured by Fashion TV's CDs.
Fashion TV ItaliaFashion TV of Italy

Trans clubs and bars in New York City

This is an abbreviated list of the places I've consistently heard mentioned and visited in the past years. New York City is generally a safe public space for trans people. Thanks to drag queens who represent, guys who are even thinking of saying anything live in fear of a verbal beat-down. Still, play it safe, keep your eyes alert, and don't let 'em see you sweat it. Practice safe sex and ALWAYS have the courage to say NO to the guys who won't respect your limits.

Ina's at the Silver Swan
The Silver Swan (under the red awning) 41 East 20th Street (betw. Broadway & Park) New York, NY Every Saturday, 11pm onwards.
The place I recommend any and every girl who wants a night out mingling with special gals or in search of a beau. This bar has stayed remarkably free of professionals. The relaxed atmosphere is friendly, the admission is modest, and there is a changing room. The area is safe, and the surrounding businesses are acquainted with Ina's clientele. And no, I don't work there and haven't visited in many months. And remember to say hello to Ina!

Karalyn's Oasis 20 Warren St (between Church St and Broadway, just west of City Hall) Saturday 10pm onwards Parking (garage located at 50 Murray St just west of Church Street.  Park 5:00 PM-5:00 AM for 10.00. Free admission with parking stub)

I have still to locate Karalyn's Oasis. (So guys and girls, be nice to that mousey girl when you see her coming through the door!) Although located downtown, Miss Karalyn surely will not fail to disappoint, as she holds the distinction of being the original host at The Silver Swan. Keep in mind that you'll be doing a good turn for the folks and businesses down at the financial district, post 9/11.

The Gay Center 208 West 13th street
There's always something happening at the Gay Center, whether it's a transgender forum, and all out drag ball, or just a relaxing dance. We've pulled off a successful transprom this year, and plan to do an even better one next year. Check the schedule at the Center's Events Calender. Everyone's welcomed, and transfolk are especially encouraged to represent.

Marion's Continental (354 Bowery, opposite from CBGB's, one block uptown)
Gay hotspot with a drag and trans-friendly bar at Slide upstairs, Saturdays midnight(?) onwards.

Club Edelweiss (This Bar has been Closed)
(137 Seventh Avenue South near 10th Street)
The bar that Rudy couldn't shut down is once again shut down. Originally located on 43rd st, 11th ave, it then moved to the West Village area just north of Christopher Street Park on 7th ave.

Nowbar (This Bar has been Closed)
22 7th Ave. S, Open Wed - Sun from 10pm - 4am. Subway: 1, 9 to Houston St.
Originally located opposite Thompkins Square Park, Trannie Chaser, with resident hostess Glorya Wholesome kicks it with girls who work it at this West Village location.

Lucky Cheng's
24 first Avenue (bet Houston & 2nd street)
Drag and trans restaurant and bar. This is an all-week touristy spot, but the locals go to the bar downstairs, all the way to the rear, it's fairly casual and quaint. The tourists head upstairs to see waiters dress like waiters. So I've heard. If you want genuine cuisine, you go outside and around the corner and eat lamb vindaloo with the cabbies in one of those sunken carry-away joints on Houston!

The Web
40 East 58th St. Between Madison and Park Ave.
Here is a cozy underground dance club where queens are often served in two primary flavors: Rice and potato. Neither of whom wear dresses. But people of the cloth are welcomed. Fridays is a particularly good night for drag performances from Asian queens.

Lips
2 Bank Street/ Greenwich Ave (between 7th and 8th ave)
A week-round touristy spot where Fodors will direct out-of-towners to go see drag queens. Expect screaming girls behaving like men offstage cheering on screaming men acting like girls onstage. Get tanked up at the ArtBar around the corner on 8th ave with the happy knowledge that the hospital is just round the corner.

Trannyshack (Splashbar) 50 W 17th St Sundays
Free tea 4pm, $6 beer blast, raffle prizes, DJ Spin Search downstairs. Trannyshack NYC at midnight-outrageous performances w/ Sherry Vine and DJ Max Rodriguez, this is a gaybar week-round with special events from day to day. A girl about town needs to check for an occasional lunging drunk gay guy when their double-closeted hetero transloving self is teased to the surface with the happy hour drinks on Sundays!

Honorable Mentions- all these east village bars are transfriendly, if you need to pop in for refreshments. Also, I have seen a girl or two on occasion,

Pyramid 101 Ave A (Sixth St)

Phoenix 447 E 13th St (Ave A)

Nowhere 322 E 14th St (First Ave)

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My Favorite Things

© 1998-2004 Pristine Ann Gee

Ten Things That Make Me Happy

1.Lemonade stands.
2.The lambent light of early evenings.
3.Little girls squeeze-testing stuff animals at supermarkets.
4.The extra noises on my piano that become audible when I play too softly.
5.Kissing people, stuff animals, pillows.
6.Shooby Taylor's shra la la's.
7.My visible ribcage.
8.Being gracious to strangers.
9.White chocolate.
10.Getting another chance every morning.

People Who Inspire Me

1. Jorge-Luis Borges
2. Glenn Gould
3. George-Bernard Shaw
4. Martin Amis
5. Richard Egarr
6. Merce Cunningham
7. John McLaughlin (the guitarist)
9. Johnny Sanchez
10. Pablo Picasso
11. Clifford Coffin

Works That Inspire Me

1. Desiderius Erasmus In Praise of Folly
2. Vincent Van Gogh The Complete Letters

Favorite Current Songs

(2005)

All The Sad Young Men Roberta Flack

Samba SaravahFrances Lai Un Homme et Une Femme Soundtrack

When Lights Go Out Club 8

We're Simple MindsClub 8

Groveley RoadSaint Etienne

Paradise CityGuns and Roses

Moon RiverAudrey Hepburn and Henry Mancini

Groove it Carl Cox

 

 

 

(2004)

1. Hear My Name Arman Van Helden
2. Mirage Paps'n'Skar
3. Lola's Theme Shapeshifters
4. You're Mine DJ Demo
5. Poor Butterfly Isobel Campbell
6. We're Simple Minds Club 8
7. Domenico Scarlatti K.87 Clara Haskil
8. Le Louvre Prezioso and Marvin
9. You're Mine DJ Demo
10.Underworld Born Slippy

Favorite All Time Songs

1. Hovern Enkan - Hovsepian Vatchi (or Anthranik Askarian(?))
2. Robert Dowland Allemande Paul O'Dette
3. Verdis Quo Daft Punk
4. Antonio Caprioli: E d'un bel matin d'amore The Hilliard Ensemble
5. Louie Louie The Kingsmen
6. Sellinger's Round Glenn Gould
7. Moody BPT vs. Danny Tenaglia
9. It Never Entered My Mind Miles Davis
10.Who Do You Think You Are Saint Etienne
11.Maurice Ravel: Pavane Pour Infante Defunte Anne Queffelec

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