What does it sound like?: When Bargey asked me if I wanted to review this album, of course I said ‘yes.’ They’re ‘my band’, after all. Little did I realise how tough a task it … [Read More...] about Big Big Train – Welcome To The Planet
The Afterword
Musings on the byways of popular culture
Nights In
The Chemistry Set – Twenty Bars
What does it sound like?: I first came across my friend Pete Pawsey when the bass player in our band brought to me a track called ‘Postcard’, which involved some late night jazz … [Read More...] about The Chemistry Set – Twenty Bars
Robbie McIntosh Fortuneswell
What does it sound like?: The two albums by The Robbie McIntosh Band, released either side of the millennium, were critical records for me. Emotional Bends and Widescreen are … [Read More...] about Robbie McIntosh Fortuneswell
Kyle Shepherd : After the Night The Day Will Surely Come – solo piano improvisation
What does it sound like?: After The Night The Day Will Surely Come - the hope of us all after these horrible couple of years.The lockdowns that people across the globe have … [Read More...] about Kyle Shepherd : After the Night The Day Will Surely Come – solo piano improvisation
Nights Out
Bicep
Venue: Forum Date: 03/12/2021 The Hummingbird, no the Carling Academy, no the 02 Academy, no the Forum lives again. Its latest incarnation is heavily skewed to club culture. … [Read More...] about Bicep
Public Service Broadcasting
Venue: Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Date: 30/10/2021 An outstanding night with PSB in Aylesbury, my first time seeing them live. The setlist was a good mix from their four albums, … [Read More...] about Public Service Broadcasting
Cassandra Jenkins
Venue: The Louisiana, Bristol Date: 10/11/2021 Well, this was terrific. Long term KD watchers will know that her album from the beginning of the year bowled me over, and it's … [Read More...] about Cassandra Jenkins
Richard Thompson
Venue: Birmingham Symphony Hall Date: 30/10/2021 Possibly the artist I have seen live more than any other, Covid provided the longest gap I can recall between seeing one of his … [Read More...] about Richard Thompson
Films
The Doors
Year: 1991 Director: Oliver Stone This isn't so much a review of the film itself, but more just that I want to scribble down a few thoughts after watching this for the first time … [Read More...] about The Doors
Spencer
Year: 2021 Director: Pablo Larraín What I was expecting: 1.) A solid biopic with a decent-enough performance from the Pope of Mope, Kristen Stewart -- basically a big-screen … [Read More...] about Spencer
Dune
Year: 2021 Director: Dennis Villeneuve I am surprised that no-one has yet reviewed Dune, so here we go. We saw it at the IMAX in Birmingham and would certainly recommend that you … [Read More...] about Dune
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…)
Reads
The Second Cut
Author:Louise Welsh I have to confess I didn’t have particularly high hopes for this novel initially, but boy, was I wrong! This gritty thriller is set in the seedy Glasgow … [Read More...] about The Second Cut
On Track – Status Quo (The Frantic Four Years) & Korn / Decades – Dylan in the 1980s / 1970 – A Year in Rock
Author:Richard James, Matt Karpe, Don Klees, John Van der Kiste I was a regular attendee at Quo shows from the mid seventies to the mid eighties, where you were always guaranteed … [Read More...] about On Track – Status Quo (The Frantic Four Years) & Korn / Decades – Dylan in the 1980s / 1970 – A Year in Rock
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Author:Emerson, Lake & Palmer Like the Ian Anderson book, this is another lavish publication, in large ‘coffee table’ format on top quality paper. It’s the first official … [Read More...] about Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Silent Singing
Author:Ian Anderson Appearing much later in the year than originally planned due to a combination of Covid, Brexit and the Suez blockage, this is a superbly presented lavish … [Read More...] about Silent Singing
Noticeboard
Sarah McQuaid – Jan-Feb UK tour
My pal Sarah McQuaid, whose usually strings two or more months of UK dates together at this time of year, has just about managed 10 bookings this time. These are hard times for the … [Read More...] about Sarah McQuaid – Jan-Feb UK tour
Anna Grindle – ‘The Turning’
My pal Anna has just released an album. Here is the PR blurb: Reflective songs for uncertain times, The Turning offers a timely pause between memory and prospect. Track Listing: 1. … [Read More...] about Anna Grindle – ‘The Turning’
I’ve done one!
This is one of two albums I made during the lockdown. It's available on all the major streaming services. Digital Blues by Blue Grey. The second one is out on Friday 19th … [Read More...] about I’ve done one!
Nucleus: Live at the BBC
I've had the great pleasure of curating this fabulous 13CD set, due in November. Amazon UK and Germany, and JPC, are advertising it already. UK price is £70 - an amazing price, in … [Read More...] about Nucleus: Live at the BBC
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
