What does it sound like?: David Bowie emerged from the eighties a rich man but in the wilderness as an artist. A period of relative anonymity as a band member of Tin Machine, and … [Read More...] about David Bowie – Brilliant Adventure (1992-2001)
The Afterword
Musings on the byways of popular culture
Nights In
Hawkwind – Dust of Time
What does it sound like?: Those who like Hawkwind can be pretty uncritical, whereas those who don't definitely compensate for that generosity of spirit. This compilation is … [Read More...] about Hawkwind – Dust of Time
A Night in with Irvine Welsh: Crime
What does it sound like?: Wow! You’ve maybe seen the hype and read the largely glowing reviews, yes? But it’s on that Britbox, yet another wretched add on pay per view channel. … [Read More...] about A Night in with Irvine Welsh: Crime
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – Raise The Roof
What does it sound like?: This is a superlative album. The songs are carefully selected, the arrangements exquisite, the production beautifully balanced, the musicianship … [Read More...] about Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – Raise The Roof
Nights Out
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
Albert Lee
Venue: Half Moon, Putney Date: 13/10/2021 This was my fourth gig of the last four weeks and comfortably the best. I didn't really know what to expect. I've never seen Albert … [Read More...] about Albert Lee
Features
12 Bowie albums in 12 months: Lodger
Dave Amitri on Lodger
Believe it or not I’m at month 11, the penultimate look into 12 David Bowie albums having never heard one before. I’ve arrived at Lodger the third of the much vaunted “Berlin Trilogy “ despite there being a whole two years between “Heroes” and Lodger. ( Did Bowie run for cover during punk?) . There’s Bowie prostrate on the ground on the cover like an extra from Silent Witness and just one track I recognise. Can it follow the recent high watermark of the real trilogy (regardless of where they were made) of Station To Station, Low and Heroes? Does Lodger make it a foursome? Well no it doesn’t it’s very different. Gone are the ambient, electronic sweeps of sound and glory replaced by an edgy, angular post punk sound right in the middle of the post punk era. This is not Bowie looking to the future or the past, this is Bowie slap bang in the middle of where it’s at. The first listen brought many familiar sounds from the era popping round my brain. So, much like my reimagining of Aladdin Sane as a 1973 episode of Top of the Pops this review will » Continue Reading.
Films
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…)
Another Round (“Druk”)
Year: 2021 Director: Thomas Vinterberg This is a mighty, marvellous film starring the mighty, marvellous Mads Mikkelsen. I was going off movies a bit recently, with no real … [Read More...] about Another Round (“Druk”)
Reads
My Life in Dire Straits
Author:John Illsley Along with Mark Knopfler, bassist John Illsley was the only constant presence in the line up of Dire Straits until the band went on indefinite hiatus after the … [Read More...] about My Life in Dire Straits
Beyond The Hallowed Sky
Author:Ken Macleod Every since his debut The Star Fraction Ken Macleod has made it his mission to write the future of Scotland into his work, and so it is here in what is one of … [Read More...] about Beyond The Hallowed Sky
Fear Stalks The Land
Author:Thom Yorke & Stanley Donwood What a curious item this very short book is! Stanley Donwood is an old school friend of the Radiohead front man, and designed artwork for … [Read More...] about Fear Stalks The Land
The Flaming Cow
Author:Ron Geesin Subtitled ‘The Making of Pink Floyd’s Atom Heart Mother', this is the long awaited large format paperback edition of this book which originally appeared in … [Read More...] about The Flaming Cow
Noticeboard
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
Askwith (Steve Clarke) new 7 track album “Song Cycles”
Hello AW massive. Hope you are all keeping well. I finally got off my arse and released some music on Bandcamp. Take a listen. Buy a copy if you like. Let me know your … [Read More...] about Askwith (Steve Clarke) new 7 track album “Song Cycles”
Twang’s been at it again
Hi all, bit of shameless self promotion here. I've been messing about with a collection of folky/country tinged numbers for a while and here they are to brighten up what's left of … [Read More...] about Twang’s been at it again
