What does it sound like?: A bit of a Christmas curiosity, a first time vinyl release of a 2 cd set that originally appeared way back in 2002. Stevie’s run of albums in the … [Read More...] about Stevie Wonder – The Definitive Collection
The Afterword
Musings on the byways of popular culture
Nights In
Marillion – This Strange Engine – deluxe edition
What does it sound like?: This album, originally released back in 1997, was the band’s ninth and their first after parting company with EMI. It’s now reissued in the same book … [Read More...] about Marillion – This Strange Engine – deluxe edition
Laura Nyro – Hear My Song: The Collection 1966-1995
What does it sound like?: Three years ago, when Madfish issued American Dreamer, an 8 LP box of her first seven studio albums plus an extra platter of bonus material, Laura Nyro … [Read More...] about Laura Nyro – Hear My Song: The Collection 1966-1995
George Harrison – Living In The Material World 50th Anniversary Edition
What does it sound like?: Living In The Material World is a lovely, lovely LP that defined the George Harrison sound for the rest of his career. From conception to execution, it … [Read More...] about George Harrison – Living In The Material World 50th Anniversary Edition
Nights Out
Christine Collister
Venue: Honiton Beehive Date: 21/11/2024 I first discovered Christine Collister in the 80s via her collaborations with Clive Gregson, and always loved her stunning voice. She was … [Read More...] about Christine Collister
Bonny Light Horseman
Venue: The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Date: 20/11/2024 The singing-relationship between Eric D. Johnson and Anais Mitchell is something special. They are both on the half-turn, … [Read More...] about Bonny Light Horseman
Welsh Wizards Wow Wiltshire With Witty, Wildly Wonderful Work
Venue: Wilshire Music Centre, Bradford Upon Avon Date: 08/11/2024 Last year I was lucky enough to join Sam Lee one evening in the woods of Gloucestershire, where we traipsed at … [Read More...] about Welsh Wizards Wow Wiltshire With Witty, Wildly Wonderful Work
Squeeze 50th Anniversary Tour
Venue: The Hexagon, Reading Date: 07/11/2024 I have seen Squeeze on many occasions since the 1980s but this was the best I have ever seen them. Support was from Badly Drawn Boy … [Read More...] about Squeeze 50th Anniversary Tour
Features
70 Years Ago Today
Colin H on ‘Melody Maker’ 1/1/55 – what fun was Britain having 70 years ago?
Films
Wallace & Gromit – Vengeance Most Fowl
Year: 2024 Director: Nick Park We watched this on yer ‘flix a couple of nights ago. It was a shared family experience of the kind that happens very rarely these days. The … [Read More...] about Wallace & Gromit – Vengeance Most Fowl
Daisies
Year: 1966 Director: Vera Chytilova There are good films that are good, good films that are hard work, and a very small subset of good films that are profoundly irritating. While … [Read More...] about Daisies
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
Year: 1927 Director: FW Murnau This is the 11th best film ever made, according to the 2022 Sight and Sound poll, and the latest in my sporadic walk through the lesser known … [Read More...] about Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
Blitz
Year: 2024 Director: Steve McQueen Oh dear. “A masterpiece” gushed, apparently, The Independent, leaving me to wonder within what context. Possibly of hype? It is possible it … [Read More...] about Blitz
Reads
Rock Classics – Californication / Thank You For The Days
Author:Matt Karpe, Chris Kocher I wouldn’t personally describe Californication as a rock classic, although it is perhaps the album that revitalised the flagging career of the Red … [Read More...] about Rock Classics – Californication / Thank You For The Days
Rock Classics – The Dreaming / Philip Lynott – Renegade / Ghosts – Journeys to Post Pop
Author:Peter Kearns / Alan Byrne / Matthew Restall Perhaps not the most obvious choice from Kate’s back catalogue for this series, The Dreaming is one of her more difficult … [Read More...] about Rock Classics – The Dreaming / Philip Lynott – Renegade / Ghosts – Journeys to Post Pop
Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld
Author:Paul Kidby The artist Paul Kidby was Terry Pratchett’s long term collaborator, bringing his fantastical visions to life with his beautiful and inventive illustrations. For … [Read More...] about Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld
Night & Day
Author:John Connolly Just in time for Halloween, Connolly has produced this sequel to his previous short story collections Nocturnes and Night Music. Actually, this is something … [Read More...] about Night & Day
Noticeboard
SOUNDING THE CENTURY: THE EXHIBITION (MANCHESTER CENTRAL LIBRARY)
28/01/2025 Sounding the Century: The Exhibition gathers paper ephemera, record sleeves, photographs and original artwork to highlight the life and achievements of Bill Leader, … [Read More...] about SOUNDING THE CENTURY: THE EXHIBITION (MANCHESTER CENTRAL LIBRARY)
Madfish Music present…
20/12/2024 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYMt-1DrGrs My good pal Mark Case has created this seasonal promo for recent releases on the splendid Madfish imprint. I was delighted … [Read More...] about Madfish Music present…
The Dawn Chorus 20 year anniversary show
19/07/2025 My Christmas has come early with the announcement of a reunion show by Fareham's finest septet. Their two proper albums have made it to Spotify, final odds-and-sods … [Read More...] about The Dawn Chorus 20 year anniversary show
A 14 LP coloured vinyl Pentangle set (no, really)
25/04/2025 Pentangle: The Albums: 1968-1972 boxset to be released on vinyl for the very first time via Svart Records on 16th April 2025 1968 to 1972, saw the release of 6 studio … [Read More...] about A 14 LP coloured vinyl Pentangle set (no, really)
Re-Play Papworth comes out of hibernation
23/11/2024 My monthly vinyl playback sessions in the village cafe were paused in early 2020 by the great unpleasantness. The cafe is pretty small and is a lot busier since then, … [Read More...] about Re-Play Papworth comes out of hibernation
‘Infodemic’ by The Eisenhowers
In a longstanding tradition dating all the way back to 2021, the release of an Eisenhowers album is followed shortly thereafter by a collection of songs which, for one reason or … [Read More...] about ‘Infodemic’ by The Eisenhowers
