What does it sound like?: Hard to believe it’s more than 30 years since Uncle Tupelo released No Depression and defined the alt-country / Americana movement, at least by … [Read More...] about Son Volt – Electro Melodier
The Afterword
Musings on the byways of popular culture
Nights In
Gary Crowley’s Lost 80s Vol 2
What does it sound like?: After finishing the “Young Americans” review I mentioned how I needed something new to listen to. I needed snapping from my melancholy. The very next … [Read More...] about Gary Crowley’s Lost 80s Vol 2
The Exciting sounds of Menahan Street band
What does it sound like?: Every once in a while I come across an album by accident that blows me away. This is one such album. I was browing the Daptones site as am a big fan of … [Read More...] about The Exciting sounds of Menahan Street band
King Crimson – The Elements Tour Box 2021
What does it sound like?: What began as an intended one off release in 2014, when the current line up of the band began touring again, has become something of an annual event in … [Read More...] about King Crimson – The Elements Tour Box 2021
Nights Out
The Black Crowes
Venue: DTE Music Center (Pine Knob) - Detroit, Michigan Date: 29/07/2021 The music rocked. The whole of Shake Your Moneymaker followed by a smattering of hits. Chris Robinson … [Read More...] about The Black Crowes
Folk by the Oak 2021
Venue: Hatfield House, Hertfordshire Date: 18/07/2021 It was no surprise that the 2020 Folk by the Oak was cancelled, but more of a surprise that this years was able to go ahead, … [Read More...] about Folk by the Oak 2021
White Flowers
Venue: Yes, Manchester Date: 05/06/2021 A few years ago I went to a Heavenly Records showcase gig in Hebden Bridge and saw a two-piece band from Preston who I was very taken … [Read More...] about White Flowers
Ben Elton
Venue: Civic Theatre, Auckland Date: 26/05/2021 Ben Elton now lives in Australia most of the time and when the NZ:AUS bubble became a reality - a tour of NZ venues happened … [Read More...] about Ben Elton
Features
12 Bowie Albums in 12 Months: Young Americans
Dave Amitri on Young Americans
I’ve been looking forward to this album since I started this project back in January. I’ve often heard how it was Billy Mackenzie’s favourite Bowie album so I thought this would be full of nods to the weird and wonderful world of The Associates. I asked on “The Affectionate Bunch” The Associates Facebook fan page for opinions and hoped that Alan Rankine may share a story or two. In the end an old friend of Billy’s answered…
“I don’t know if it was a favourite but I know he took my newly bought Young Americans in King Buyers in Dundee and traded me 2 Sensational Alex Harvey Band LP’s”
Which proves something I suppose. Nothing from Alan unfortunately. I tried really hard to find something that linked the album to Billy or The Associates. Maybe one song I’ll cover later hinted at some vocal stylisation I recognised but not much more. What I did hear was a sax heavy, smooth, jazzy album that brought to mind artists from the early / mid eighties being so heavily reliant on female backing singers and a saxophonist . On to the album….
The title track is ubiquitous » Continue Reading.
Films
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
Mick Fleetwood and Friends – A celebration of the music of Peter Green
Year: 2021 Director: Mick Fleetwood Like live shows add an extra dynamic, so too does seeing a movie of a concert in a cinema rather than at home on the box. Alas for most of … [Read More...] about Mick Fleetwood and Friends – A celebration of the music of Peter Green
From The Manor Born – The Story
Year: 2020 Director: Rob Reed and Paul Harris Definitely not for everyone, this. But thought it was worth flagging here for people who are interested. Basically, it's a four hour … [Read More...] about From The Manor Born – The Story
Reads
On Track – Roy Harper / The Incredible String Band / The Damned
Author:Opher Goodwin / Tim Moon / Morgan Brown Roy Harper must rank among the most underrated and overlooked British songwriters by the general public at large. In his eighties … [Read More...] about On Track – Roy Harper / The Incredible String Band / The Damned
God Is In The Radio
Author:Barney Hoskyns Subtitled ‘Unbridled Enthusiasms 1980 – 2020’, this book collects together the cream of the author’s work from the last forty years. Regular readers of Mojo, … [Read More...] about God Is In The Radio
Decades – The Sweet in the 1970s / On Track – Elvis Costello, Peter Gabriel, Tom Petty
Author:Darren Johnson, Georg Purvis, Graeme Scarfe, Richard James The Sweet seem something of an odd choice for a book of this type, although the seventies was unarguably their … [Read More...] about Decades – The Sweet in the 1970s / On Track – Elvis Costello, Peter Gabriel, Tom Petty
Thank You and Goodnight
Author:Rob Ford We’ve all got a mate who we have, upon finishing his anecdote about that time he got trapped in a Portaloo with Wendy James, suggested that he ‘…write a book’. I … [Read More...] about Thank You and Goodnight
Noticeboard
D Rothon – Memories of Earth
28/05/2021 My new album on Clay Pipe Music is open for pre-orders this Friday (28 May). Available on CD and vinyl. I know there are one or two fans of the label here...Sound … [Read More...] about D Rothon – Memories of Earth
All about ME… (that is, a Bristol band called ME, now collected on CD)
16/07/2021 I've posted hereabouts before on the psychedelic pop splendour of ethereal Belfast/Bristol personality Francis Kane O'Kane, with his current collective OTHERISH. … [Read More...] about All about ME… (that is, a Bristol band called ME, now collected on CD)
Tinnitus and Covid Online Webinar
26/05/2021 A 90 minute session, 17:00 to 18:30 UK time. To quote: "This event is open to members of the public and healthcare professionals who would like more information on … [Read More...] about Tinnitus and Covid Online Webinar
The Electric Brae – free album on Soundcloud
Apologies if this posts twice, but I just tried to post this about an hour ago and it doesn't seem to have worked, so trying again. I've made a wee album and posted it on … [Read More...] about The Electric Brae – free album on Soundcloud
Helstock 2021
20/03/2021 There will be a virtual festival on the evening of March the 20th. It is a grab-bag mystery line up of international artists of the acoustic alt-country and … [Read More...] about Helstock 2021
Reading & Leeds Festivals
27/08/2021 Reading and Leeds are going ahead, apparently. Everyone will be vaccinated by then, of course. Hmmm... Two main stages mean no clashes. I have to say, the lineup … [Read More...] about Reading & Leeds Festivals
