What does it sound like?: You've got to hand it to the Cheap Trick lads. Three out of the four original members are still banging out Rock albums, full of new original material, … [Read More...] about Cheap Trick – All Washed Up
The Afterword
Musings on the byways of popular culture
Nights In
The Rolling Stones – Black And Blue Superdeluxe Edition (5LP or 4CD) with Blu-Ray
What does it sound like?: Black And Blue was a minor detour for The Rolling Stones on their quest to find out what Rock sounded like when it grew up, a quest they'd embarked upon … [Read More...] about The Rolling Stones – Black And Blue Superdeluxe Edition (5LP or 4CD) with Blu-Ray
King Crimson – In The Wake of Poseidon / Lizard – 2025 Atmos mixes (Cd & Bluray)
What does it sound like?: Crimson’s second and third albums, which both originally appeared in 1970, are reissued as single cd plus bluray sets featuring new Atmos mixes by, you … [Read More...] about King Crimson – In The Wake of Poseidon / Lizard – 2025 Atmos mixes (Cd & Bluray)
Nebraska 82 Expanded – Bruce Springsteen
What does it sound like?: The story of the Nebraska album is pretty well known. Springsteen had reached a new level of popularity with The River album and it's subsequent tour … [Read More...] about Nebraska 82 Expanded – Bruce Springsteen
Nights Out
Simon Rattle & The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Venue: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Date: 10/11/2025 For her 89th birthday treat, I took my mum to see Simon Rattle's homecoming at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall with his latest … [Read More...] about Simon Rattle & The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
The Stranglers
Venue: Roundhouse Date: 01/11/2025 A tale of 2 bands tonight. The Stranglers supported by the Buzzcocks Both bands down to 1 original member, JJ Burnel and Diggle Buzzcocks were … [Read More...] about The Stranglers
One man, one woman and six guitars. It’s all you need.
Venue: The Pound Arts Centre, Corsham, Wiltshire Date: 01/11/2025 What a revelatory, serendipitous evening we had last night. Following last month's lovely Katie Spencer gig in … [Read More...] about One man, one woman and six guitars. It’s all you need.
Wishbone Ash
Venue: Islington Assembly Halls Date: 16/10/2025 There is plenty of talk at the moment about the lack of guitar bands. So, if you crave a night of blistering, brilliant … [Read More...] about Wishbone Ash
Features
Fifty Years Of The Last Record Album
Tiggerlion on The Last Record Album by Little Feat released 17/10/1975
Little Feat began as Lowell George’s band and were born out of a desire to enjoy the three classic pleasures of life: wine, women and song. George had been working for Frank Zappa, appearing on Weasels Ripped My Flesh, Burnt Weeny Sandwich and You Can’t Do That Anymore Vols. 1, 4 & 5. He also claimed to have played guitar on Hot Rats. Zappa was experimental and avant-garde regarding his music but conservative and autocratic when it came to running a band. Drugs of any kind were not tolerated. Zappa might have appreciated George’s first tune, Willin’, but not its sentiment. He suggested George should form his own band if he wanted to sing about dope.
Originally, Little Feat were a four piece with Richie Hayward on drums, Bill Payne keyboards and Roy Estrada, who had also been a Mother, on bass. The debut album is uncannily like an acid-fried The Band. There’s some Country, some Howlin’ Wolf, some hallucinations and some scorching slide guitar. Sailin’ Shoes is altogether smarter. It starts brightly with a pop song unashamedly about ‘nodding’ from cannabis, features a second reading of Willin’ » Continue Reading.
Films
Depeche Mode – M
Year: 2025 Director: Fernando Frias Have you ever wandered into an Irish pub that’s so small it feels like an elderly relative’s lounge? It’s warm and welcoming but the close … [Read More...] about Depeche Mode – M
I Swear
Year: 2025 Director: Kirk Jones I had been looking forward to this film since seeing the trailer. The trailer made this film look very good indeed and I had a little bit of a … [Read More...] about I Swear
1965 Thunderbirds Episodes In The Frickin’ Cinema!
Year: 2025 Director: Alan Pattillo, David Elliott, David Lane “Thank you, Meddings” After twenty minutes of ads firmly aimed at an under 12 audience*, I, and the fifteen other … [Read More...] about 1965 Thunderbirds Episodes In The Frickin’ Cinema!
Spinal Tap II – The End Continues (spoiler free)
Year: 2025 Director: Rob Reiner So can lightning strike twice? The original is of course up there with Airplane as the funniest film of all time, and it’s probably the film I … [Read More...] about Spinal Tap II – The End Continues (spoiler free)
Reads
Prophet Song
Author:Paul Lynch It takes something very special for me to write a review of a novel. I read a lot, and as this is at heart not a literary forum, I generally keep my thoughts on … [Read More...] about Prophet Song
This ain’t rock n’ roll: Pop music, the Swastika, and the Third Reich
Author:Daniel Rachel "This ain't rock n' roll..." (TARR) is a polemical history of the use of Nazi imagery and semiotics in rock music, particularly covering the 1970s onward. … [Read More...] about This ain’t rock n’ roll: Pop music, the Swastika, and the Third Reich
Giant Steps
Author:Derek Shulman The former Gentle Giant vocalist and indeed founding member, and latterly record company executive, takes us through the journey of his life in this … [Read More...] about Giant Steps
On Track – Iron Maiden, The Temptations 1960 – 1978 / The Making of Abba
Author:Steve Pilkington, George Haffenden, Joe Matera This is a revised edition of a book on Maiden that originally appeared in 2020, which has been updated to include their most … [Read More...] about On Track – Iron Maiden, The Temptations 1960 – 1978 / The Making of Abba
Noticeboard
Dick Gaughan – Live at the BBC: 1972-79
07/11/2025 As some may know around here, I've had the great pleasure of being involved in creating a Dick Gaughan box set this year, with tremendous crowdfunding support. But as … [Read More...] about Dick Gaughan – Live at the BBC: 1972-79
Miki Berenyi Trio, The Portland Arms, Cambridge – FREE
06/11/2025 I have one ticket for this going spare. My pal from Stuttgart was over in May, when the gig was originally scheduled, but it was then postponed until November. He … [Read More...] about Miki Berenyi Trio, The Portland Arms, Cambridge – FREE
Gaughan – ‘R/evolution: 1969/83’ – available for pre-order
22/10/2025 'General release' copies (in addition to those ordered via Kickstarter in April) of the Dick Gaughan box set I've been organising is now available to pre-order … [Read More...] about Gaughan – ‘R/evolution: 1969/83’ – available for pre-order
Northumbrian Blues: The Lost World of Big Pete Deuchar Vol. 1 (1933–60)
17/10/2025 Northumbrian Blues: The Lost World of Big Pete Deuchar Vol. 1 (1933–60) by Colin Harper Peter Deuchar (1933–88) was the biggest character on the Tyneside jazz scene … [Read More...] about Northumbrian Blues: The Lost World of Big Pete Deuchar Vol. 1 (1933–60)
Labyrinth: British Jazz on Record 1960-1975 – crowdfunded reprint!
15/10/2025 Sensational news - vintage jazz / folk / psych music mogul (books, records, everything) Richard Morton Jack is running a crowdfunder towards a reprint of his epic … [Read More...] about Labyrinth: British Jazz on Record 1960-1975 – crowdfunded reprint!
Hugh Taylor interviews Dick Gaughan on Celtic Music Radio
11/10/2025 Sensational stuff - CM Radio presenter Hugh Taylor plays songs from the soon-forthcoming Dick Gaughan vinyl LP 'Live at the BBC: 1972-79' and interviews Dick at a … [Read More...] about Hugh Taylor interviews Dick Gaughan on Celtic Music Radio
