What does it sound like?: Another expensive four disc retrospective, much like Year Of The Cat earlier in the year, but this time with better extras. The sound quality is very … [Read More...] about Time Passages Deluxe Edition – Al Stewart
The Afterword
Musings on the byways of popular culture
Nights In
The Beatles – Let It Be Special Edition Super Deluxe
What does it sound like?: The plan for the Get Back/Let It Be project was ambitious, even for The Beatles. They intended to write songs from scratch, rehearse them and then … [Read More...] about The Beatles – Let It Be Special Edition Super Deluxe
The Virus Diaries – Hartnoll and Young
What does it sound like?: The first pandemic concept album is here. Wait! It's not like that at all. Half of Orbital and marmite poet/writer etc Murray Lachlan-Young (yes he!) … [Read More...] about The Virus Diaries – Hartnoll and Young
Starry Eyed & Laughing – Bells of Lightning
What does it sound like?: Forty-six years after their last album, Starry Eyed & Laughing are back, back, back. “So what?” you say. “Who?” you say? SE&L were a … [Read More...] about Starry Eyed & Laughing – Bells of Lightning
Nights Out
Albert Lee
Venue: Half Moon, Putney Date: 13/10/2021 This was my fourth gig of the last four weeks and comfortably the best. I didn't really know what to expect. I've never seen Albert … [Read More...] about Albert Lee
A Night Out With Nick Cave and Warren Ellis
Venue: Symphony Hall, B'ham Date: 02/10/2021 If I was a religious man I would say I had had a religious experience. I'm not, but I can sort of see the appeal. Sure, it's the … [Read More...] about A Night Out With Nick Cave and Warren Ellis
Steve Hackett plays Seconds Out
Venue: The Playhouse, Edinburgh Date: 25/09/2021 Some context is in order, I think. Seconds Out, by Genesis (a live double album, as was the fashion), was my first proper album … [Read More...] about Steve Hackett plays Seconds Out
Two Nights Out In Easton
Venue: Maverick Festival, Easton Farm Park, Suffolk Date: 03/09/2021 Well, this was a delight! Straying out of my more familiar folkie fields, I doffed my stetson and shined my … [Read More...] about Two Nights Out In Easton
Features
12 Bowie Albums in 12 Months: Low
Dave Amitri on Low
Month 9 of 12 Bowie Albums in 12 Months. Bloody hell, how did that happen? Three quarters of the way through this dive into Bowie having never listened to one of his albums before. After the high of “Station To Station” the next album “Low” had something to live up to. I try to limit my research as I want to come to these albums as fresh as possible. Coming to this knowing he was off the drugs living in Berlin and experimenting musically was encouraging yet slightly worrying at the same time. What would clean arty Bowie cone up with? Let’s see, or hear, whatever…..
It starts with “Speed Of Life” an instrumental, not the last as I would discover later but with all the build up it’s a pretty basic straight up rock n roll number that does include some Human League style keyboards. I found myself making up lyrics that Mick Jagger might have sung as it reminded me of 80’s Rolling Stones in the style of “Under Cover Of The Night”.
“You done me young you won’t do that twice cos,
I’m moving on at the speed of life.
I won’t » Continue Reading.
Films
No Time to Die (No spoilers in the review at least…)
Year: 2021 Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga Mmmm. I went to the new Bond with high hopes after a few friends had warmly recommended it, especially after its predecessor, Spectre, … [Read More...] about No Time to Die (No spoilers in the review at least…)
Another Round (“Druk”)
Year: 2021 Director: Thomas Vinterberg This is a mighty, marvellous film starring the mighty, marvellous Mads Mikkelsen. I was going off movies a bit recently, with no real … [Read More...] about Another Round (“Druk”)
Woodstock 99: Peace, Love and Rage
Year: 2021 Director: Garret Price I knew prior to this documentary that Woodstock 99 was a bit of a shitfest, but I had no idea just how big a shitfest it was. To paraphrase … [Read More...] about Woodstock 99: Peace, Love and Rage
Godzilla vs Kong
Year: 2021 Director: Adam Wingard In the dark cinema and in a very comfortable reclining seat, I had a moment that I think will make me a happier person all round. You see, I was … [Read More...] about Godzilla vs Kong
Reads
A Carnival of Snackery
Author:David Sedaris Those familiar with David Sedaris’ live readings will know that the highlight of the night is often his diary entries, which come sandwiched between the … [Read More...] about A Carnival of Snackery
Like Trying To Catch Lightning In A Bottle
Author:Martin Terefe This sumptuous book is a history of Eastcote recording studios in London, from 1980 to 2020, lovingly put together by music producer Martin Terefe. The book … [Read More...] about Like Trying To Catch Lightning In A Bottle
The Man Who Died Twice
Author:Richard Osman So here is the sequel to last year’s million selling The Thursday Murder Club, once again featuring the four familiar elderly protagonists. This novel picks … [Read More...] about The Man Who Died Twice
Decades – Genesis in the 1970s / On Track – Jefferson Airplane / Porcupine Tree
Author:Bill Thomas / Richard Butterworth / Nick Holmes I think we can all unanimously agree that the seventies is the ‘go to’ decade as far as Genesis is concerned. That period … [Read More...] about Decades – Genesis in the 1970s / On Track – Jefferson Airplane / Porcupine Tree
Noticeboard
Tull Benefit Box
Jethro Tull’s 1970 classic Benefit will be celebrated in a brand-new 4CD/2DVD set, featuring remixes by Steven Wilson, an abundance of previously unreleased material, packaged … [Read More...] about Tull Benefit Box
Re-Play Papworth – 1969
31/10/2021 Picking up what should have been 29th March 2020. Abbey Road, Let It Bleed and something else from 1969 (suggestions please) played from remastered vinyl on a … [Read More...] about Re-Play Papworth – 1969
Askwith (Steve Clarke) new 7 track album “Song Cycles”
Hello AW massive. Hope you are all keeping well. I finally got off my arse and released some music on Bandcamp. Take a listen. Buy a copy if you like. Let me know your … [Read More...] about Askwith (Steve Clarke) new 7 track album “Song Cycles”
Twang’s been at it again
Hi all, bit of shameless self promotion here. I've been messing about with a collection of folky/country tinged numbers for a while and here they are to brighten up what's left of … [Read More...] about Twang’s been at it again
Caravan
18th August 2021: Prog legends Caravan announce the release of their new album It’s None Of Your Business to be released on CD format on 8th October 2021 and as a vinyl LP, on 8th … [Read More...] about Caravan
Angry Boy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TID8Jhv5nUo Video representation of a track from the multi-platinum award-winning* album ‘Judge a man by the company he keeps’ by The Eisenhowers. … [Read More...] about Angry Boy
