The Afterword

Musings on the byways of popular culture

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Taken by Storm

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A documentary celebrating the work of the late Storm Thorgerson is to be released later this year. What, asks Bargepole, is your favourite album sleeve designed by the man ? (or alternatively designed by someone else if you really insist)

http://i1001.photobucket.com/albums/af133/PCortina/pink_floyd_wish_you_were_here_hands_black.jpg

When we were young

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Interesting couple of tweets today by David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd about his childhood friend – a few clues; the friend delivered his milk using a horse and cart, they played pontoon regularly for halfpennies and pennies, and he was briefly on the books of Accrington Stanley FC. Any ideas – and any other rock stars who had run of the mill jobs before stardom beckoned?

England NZ

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What a great couple of test matches – if an advert for that format was needed those two games were it. A drawn series was a fair result, but what a shame a third match wasn’t scheduled instead of the plethora of one day matches which now follow – not a fan of these two match series in early summer. Meanwhile England’s selectors and coach have some srious thinking to do before July 8th comes around!

No more Jack (for now)

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a serious shoulder injury means a long lay off for the Scottish master – any other fans of his work?

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc10/zulu928/Edinburgh%20to%20Glasgow/The-Singing-Butler1.jpg

Long Songs

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It’s Bank Holiday weekend so what better time to dig out your favourite long songs for a listen – fire away good people of The Afterword…

The concept album

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On Rick Wakeman’s birthday, what better time to celebrate this much maligned format. Traditionally the forte of the prog giants such as Yes, Floyd, Tull, Genesis etc but let’s not forget the more mainstream acts such as The Who, The Kinks and The Pretty Things among others. Any old – or even new -favourites out there?

A Decent Ride

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Author:Irvine Welsh

Welsh returns to the familiar setting of Edinburgh for this new novel, featuring as main protagonist ‘Juice’ Terry Lawson, who appeared as a lesser character in a couple of earlier works. The book follows his adventures as a taxi driver, encompassing a hurricane, the search for a missing woman and the acquisition of a rare bottle of whiskey, with some unlikely adventures on the golf course and of course in the bedroom thrown in for good measure.

Length of Read:Long

Might appeal to people who enjoyed…

This is not one of his very best works but it’s certainly ranks above average in his canon and is a decent read for a holiday. Doesn’t reach the heights of his very best work such as, say, ‘Skagboys’ or ‘Porno’, but an improvement on last year’s disappointing ‘Sex Life of Siamese Twins’. As with all his ‘Scottish’ books you have to be prepared to negotiate the local accent and dialect he gives to his characters, which can be hard work at times.

One thing you’ve learned

Much prefer Welsh’s novels set in Scotland to those set in USA. This book is not for the easily offended though as there’s lots of » Continue Reading.

Happy Birthday Thomas

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Thomas The Tank Engine has his 70th anniversary today – in years past the Bargepole residence was awash with his toys, books, videos etc. Anyone else have memories or a song to share to mark the occasion?

Yes – Progeny

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What does it sound like?:

Gather round all you Yes fans – others have permission to leave the room! A 14 cd set encompassing 7 shows from late 1972 taken from recently discovered and restored tapes. The set list is the same for each show, although there are minor variations in the performances of individual songs of course. Some of this material was used on Yessongs, but these cds, unlike that album, do not include any material from earlier tours – so favourites such as Starship Trooper, Long Distance Runaround and Perpetual Change are absent. What you do get is a run through of classic era Yes material with the band firing on all cylinders and at their improvisational best. The set is accompanied by an informative illustrated and detailed booklet with articles on the discovery and restoration of the tapes and the background to the album, and comes nicely presented in a box with new Roger Dean artwork.

What does it all *mean*?

A 2cd highlights set is available as well, but hardcore fans will want the full 14 cd 12 hour experience experience, which is a worthy addition to the catalogue.

Goes well with…

Classic prog from » Continue Reading.

Where did it all go wrong ?

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or right, depending on your point of view of course. Milliband seemed unable to connect with the ordinary voter, a Hampstead socialist perhaps better suited to policy making behind the scenes – seems he will resign at lunchtime. Ed Balls could have been Chancellor today, now he’s not even an MP. At lease George Galloway lost his seat!

Glasto 2015

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With the Who announced today as the final headline act, what are your thoughts on this year’s bill – and will anyone from here be there – Bargepole likes his creature comforts these days so will be strictly an armchair spectator.

Bob Seger

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70 years old today – odd he never had that much success in the UK and Europe, lack of touring perhaps, but still a great voice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgOA24hAe60

Best Of Mike Oldfield 1992-2003

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What does it sound like?:

Following on from the release late last year of the 7 cd box of Oldfield’s albums for Warners comes this 2 cd ‘best of’ covering the same period featuring key highlights plus a dozen or so rarities. Disc 1 concentrates on pieces released as singles, including several non-album remixes and closing with the rerecorded version of ‘Sailor’s Hornpipe’ from the 2003 version of TB. Disc 2 features rarities and remixes, and starts with a demo version of TB2’s ‘The Sentinel’. Billy Connolly gives the rundown of instruments on ‘The Bell’, also from TB2 instead of the more familiar Alan Rickman version – Viv Stanshall’s attempt at the same piece appears on CD1. Several B sides are given rare outings, but the remainder of CD2 harks back to the period when Oldfield’s music was adopted by the ‘ambient/house’ scene. Of the remixes offered in this genre, the best is The Orb’s ‘Orbular Bells’ mix of ‘The Sentinel’.

What does it all *mean*?

The first cd is a handy collection for the casual fan – the second is for the more hardcore completist follower of Oldfield.

Goes well with…

Prog fans will like most of the » Continue Reading.

England Test team

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Jonathan Trott announces his retirement from international cricket – not a surprise, but a sad way to end a distinguished career nevertheless. A mistake to try and return – esspecially as an opener and not in his preferred number three position? Echoes of the situation Marcus Trescothwick found himself in a few years ago.

Floyd at Fifty

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Mark Ellen interviews Waters and Mason in this morning’s Times to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary, and reveals a blue plaque is to be unveiled at the former Regents Street Polytechnic.

Jethro Tull – Minstrel In The Gallery 40th anniversary edition

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What does it sound like?:

The 40th anniversary of Tull’s eighth studio album is marked by the issue of this 2cd/2dvd set. The original album has been remixed by Steven Wilson, and is supplemented by the Summerday Sands B side together with three tracks recorded for BBC sessions (previously unreleased) and three early takes of tracks on the album, these also being released for the first time. The second cd is a Paris concert from July 1975, also unreleased until now. This shows what many would describe as the band’s definitive line-up performing at the peak of their powers.The tapes have been restored to pristine condition by King Crimson guitarist Jakko Jaksyk, who also remixed the recent ELP reissues. The two DVDs add various 5.1 mixes of the two albums, plus an unseen till now eight minute film of the band on stage performing the title track. The package is completed by a lavish illustrated 80 page book with numerous articles and interviews with those involved with the album, which is a great read.

What does it all *mean*?

As with the Passion Play and War Child rereleases, this album has really benefitted from being remixed and now has » Continue Reading.

Mick Ronson

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passed away this day in 1993 – your favourite memories of his playing ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_4PpB0TIN0