Apologies but I couldn't seem to find correct template for a review (has something changes of late Mods??) so just done a standard post What does it sound like? This band is … [Read More...] about Once and Future Band – Deleted Scenes
The Afterword
Musings on the byways of popular culture
Nights In
Barbara Thompson – Live at the BBC
What does it sound like?: This can only be the most impressionistic of reviews, because the quantity of music is immense and I don’t have the requisite muso ‘chops’ to critique … [Read More...] about Barbara Thompson – Live at the BBC
Grateful Dead – American Beauty – 50th Anniversary Edition
What does it sound like?: Most bands would be happy releasing one classic album in their lifetime, let alone two in the space of just five months. That’s exactly what the … [Read More...] about Grateful Dead – American Beauty – 50th Anniversary Edition
Iggy Pop – Dirty Little Virus
What does it sound like?: Iggy's laconic baritone comments on coronavirus. Rocky, a bit jazzy, , mid-paced as warrants his seniority, but there is still no doubt, he's the … [Read More...] about Iggy Pop – Dirty Little Virus
Nights Out
He Was In Heaven Before He died – A Tribute to John Prine
Venue: The Jazz Cafe, Camden, London Date: 09/12/2020 A night out you say? In London? In late 2020? Well, yes. Thanks to cabaret style table seating, table service for drinks and … [Read More...] about He Was In Heaven Before He died – A Tribute to John Prine
Chester Folk Festival Online!
Venue: Nowhere, yet everywhere Date: 29/05/2020 Nights Out? Are you serious? In the tradition of Russian election results, this is part announcement and part review in that we … [Read More...] about Chester Folk Festival Online!
Womad NZ -was this the last music festival of the year?
Venue: New Plymouth Botanical Gardens, North Island, New Zealand Date: 13/03/2020 New Zealand is the first country of size to herald in the new year.This year it may have been … [Read More...] about Womad NZ -was this the last music festival of the year?
Pat Metheny , Auckland Town Hall
Venue: Auckland Town Hall, New Zealand Date: 10/03/2020 I've never been a fan of Pat Metheny. In fact, I have never been a fan of jazz guitar though there are notable exceptions. … [Read More...] about Pat Metheny , Auckland Town Hall
Features
Thompson Twins: Out of the Squat and Into The Gap
Dave Amitri on Thompson Twins
Most of us remember the Thompson Twins from their mid 80s pomp. Big hair, cartoon image, percussive excess, out of context whoops, wails and whizzes, drum machines, synths and generally everything you either love or hate about the music of that period. In the recent podcast I subconsciously picked Thompson Twins as the band I would choose as an example of just how far I would go to defend the honour of 80’s music. In that moment had I suggested that they were indefensible such was their total eightiesness? I thought long and hard about that comment and decided to revisit, reassess and reappraise Thompson Twins (not THE Thompson Twins as I learned) this is that story….
I need to go back first, back to April 1983 when I was on a train from Staines to Ashford clutching my WH Smith’s bag and inside was the 12 inch version of “We Are Detective”. I’d chosen what I thought was an empty carriage but no, there behind a seat I heard voices of two post punk lads who I’d known but avoided at school. They spotted me. “What’s in the bag?” they snarled. I shyly answered » Continue Reading.
Films
A Streetcar Named Desire
Year: 1951 Director: Elia Kazan Damn. My NY resolution is to consume more of the classics in one form or another, and the project began strongly with films of A Man For All … [Read More...] about A Streetcar Named Desire
American Utopia – the movie!
Year: 2020 Director: Spike Lee Stop Making Sense directed by Jonathon Demme is on many people's list of best music concert films. Mine too. This is different to SMS but it is … [Read More...] about American Utopia – the movie!
Phillip Lynott: Songs for while I’m away
Year: 2020 Director: Emer Reynolds I’m surprised that there hasn’t been a film about Phil Lynott made before now. There are a fair few documentaries on Thin Lizzy but there was … [Read More...] about Phillip Lynott: Songs for while I’m away
Ronnie Wood – Somebody Up There Likes Me
Year: 2020 Director: Mike Figgis Is there a more cheery, affable figure in the world of rock than Ronnie Wood? This film would certainly suggest not, lauded by friends, family … [Read More...] about Ronnie Wood – Somebody Up There Likes Me
Reads
A River Called Time
Author:Courttia Newman Courttia Newman has written a novel in which lots goes on. It’s an alternative future history of London and by implication the UK and Africa too. There’s … [Read More...] about A River Called Time
The Coffin Maker’s Garden
Author:Stuart MacBride Scottish crime writer Stuart MacBride temporarily puts aside the long running and highly successful Logan McRae series and here returns to the relatively … [Read More...] about The Coffin Maker’s Garden
Derek Taylor – For Your Radioactive Children
Author:Andrew Darlington Subtitled ‘Days In The Life of The Beatles Spin Doctor’, this is the first biography of arguably one of the most enigmatic and important figures working … [Read More...] about Derek Taylor – For Your Radioactive Children
On Track – Roy Wood:The Move, ELO, Wizzard
Author:James R Turner Not perhaps the most obvious choice for one of these books, but Roy Wood’s career has had plenty of high points. I suppose he’s most often thought of now, … [Read More...] about On Track – Roy Wood:The Move, ELO, Wizzard
Games
Game help!
Platform:XBox, PC/Mac Age Rating:3+ Year of Release:2019 Review:I'm in need of a new game or two. This year I have played - 1 PUBG - I like it generally but I feel that I'm up … [Read More...] about Game help!
Nier 2: Automata
Platform:Playstation Age Rating:16+ Year of Release:1949 Review:This batshit crazy Japanese manga-esque RPG explore-and-destroyer has been a game that’s broken through into the … [Read More...] about Nier 2: Automata
Noticeboard
Celtic Connections Online
15/01/2021 Celtic Connections has a special place in the heart of many musicians. It is the festival whose namechecks sound most genuine. Collaboration and cross-pollenation … [Read More...] about Celtic Connections Online
A friend in need
I wasn't originally going to post this on the Afterword, because it isn't related to music, books, TV, Richard Thompson, progressive-rock, etc. Plus, in these times, we *all* have … [Read More...] about A friend in need
Judge a man by the company he keeps
... is the third album by The Eisenhowers. The music might best be described as adult-oriented (by that, I mean middle-aged) pop/rock, drawing on influences like David Bowie, Elvis … [Read More...] about Judge a man by the company he keeps
The Man Who Sold The World Twitterparty January 1st
01/01/2021 Hello all - just a heads up that I'll be hosting a Twitter listening party on January 1st at 7pm GMT with esteemed author and Pushing Ahead Of The Dame blogger Chris … [Read More...] about The Man Who Sold The World Twitterparty January 1st
A Factory Records Special
17/12/2020 At 5:00 p.m. (UK time) Songs From Under The Floorboards presents a Factory Records Special programme, travelling on a journey from the first record on that label in … [Read More...] about A Factory Records Special
Songs From North Of The Border
(with profuse apologies for not giving advance notice) "Following radio programmes with music from Manchester and Sheffield, we travel north of the border, and make a round-trip … [Read More...] about Songs From North Of The Border
