The Afterword

Musings on the byways of popular culture

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RSD How was it for you?

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Went to my local store 15 mins before opening and got what I wanted. Namely Tweedy and Dylan, also licked up Trout Mask Replica. Then went to a much more popular store where I had to wait outside for 45 mins (in lovely weather), got Pink Floyd mono for a friend, with a free Canadian only Rolling Srones album.

Would still like to get Van Morrison alternate Astral Weeks if I see it, maybe 1 or 2 other things, but I did ok.

Dismal Lyrics in Pop Music

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Was listening to Kate Bush’s “interesting” cover of Rocket Man earlier and was struck by this couplet:

“Mars ain’t no place to raise your kids, In fact it’s cold as hell…”

What? Wrong on every level. We could probably dedicate this thread to dear Bernie Taupin, but I am sure there are other examples ….

https://youtu.be/6g8v2RNLHr0

Sex Pistols to Reform For Orchestral Tour

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I suppose yet another reformation was inevitable, as it is well known that Johnny needs the money. The 2 part show setup is intriguing however. Part 1 being a showcase for the songs that influenced them and inspired them, I am hearing that there will be attempts at Syd Barrett era Floyd, Beatles and early Hawkwind.

Bringing the full orchestra on after the interval for Never Mind the Bollocks in full would appear to be a travesty though. Have they no shame? Nevertheless I will be attempting to get tickets for one of the Royal Albert Hall shows when they go on sale later today …

Should I see Morrissey live?

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I have been a Smiths fan since the first album, also a Morrissey completist up to the mid 90s or so. I have never seen either live.

He hasn’t played in Canada for many years for political reasons (the seal cull), but has now announced a tour of major cities. Tickets are selling like hot cakes, most are sell outs or very close. I abhor his political opinions and have no interest in his recent recorded output, but part of me wants to finally witness the Moz live experience. What to do?

How much did you spend on recorded music in 2018?

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A bit related to the HMV news I wonder how much a site of music obsessives spends on music these days. I see people counting down their top 30 physical re-releases and top 50 new ones of the year and wonder of they bought them all or have been listening on Spotify or Apple Music or whatever. I am feeling a little guilty about the amount I spend and a New Year’s Resolution to spend (much) less in 2018 did not last long.

I need to stop going to certain music sites and jumping on perceived “bargains” of stuff I don’t really want or need. Exhibit A: Roxy Music Special Deluxe Edition. I have also started sorting through my vinyl in order to sell a large part of it.

So my New Year’s resolution, buy nothing that I have already, a shiny vinyl re-release, a box set of demos and average live stuff I will listen to once.

My 2018 tally in comments.

Not sure I like listening to music any more

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I still like going to concerts, I am still buying lots of stuff (mostly reissues) but I probably listen to most of it once or twice and then file it away. I look at people listing 40 or 50 favourite albums of the year and wonder how they do it.

I seem to work up to 11 hours a day, and then when I get home I am more likely to make some food and slump in front of the TV than put a record on. Weekends I concentrate on spending time with my daughter and watch a fair amount of sport.

In the car I am more likely to listen to podcasts or talk radio than music where as people like @Tiggerlion seem to be reviewing multi disc box sets on a weekly basis while also hearing lots of new stuff. Where do they find the time?

This has been going on for years off and on so unlikely to be a temporary thing. Can anybody help me with this problem? Am I a lost cause?

An Evening with Fleetwood Mac

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Venue:

Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON

Date: 03/11/2018

A chilly evening in the Ottawa suburb of Kanata, which is also where I currently reside. My first time seeing any version of Fleetwood Mac, not just this rather controversial one.

Expectations were not extremely high, I was persuaded to go by a friend of mine who is no fan of the post mid seventies line-up. He is, however, the biggest fan there probably is of the sadly recently departed Danny Kirwan (a member from 1968-72 who later slid into a desperate world of alcoholism and homelessness). Just one of a number of grim tales regarding this band’s ex guitarists. Word on the street was that a Kirwan song would be played.

A decent turn out in the hockey stadium, we settled into our lofty seats in the 300 section and first up was The Chain. Instantly it seemed the harmonies were present and correct and the switch to the instrumental passage at the end ( “Grand Prix” theme music as I will always know it) was genuinely thrilling. Mike Campbell’s guitar work being superb.

A good start, next up stepped Christine McVie somewhat nervously, but beautifully took the lead on » Continue Reading.

Band that you were surprised by

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Growing up in the UK I only knew Chicago by their soppy ballads that were huge in the charts, the definition of MOR, not something that interested me. On moving to North America I started hearing them on the radio, it was not the stuff that I had heard previously, much more horn based, interesting lyrics and fantastic productions. I still don’t own anything by them (yet), but always a breath of fresh air whenever I hear some of that early stuff.

Which other bands have you misunderstood?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uy0ldI_1HA

White Album 50th Anniversary Set

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Various formats:

6 CDs + 1 Blu-ray 3 CDs 2 LPs 4 LPs

CD 1 1. Back In The U.S.S.R. 2. Dear Prudence 3. Glass Onion 4. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da 5. Wild Honey Pie 6. The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill 7. While My Guitar Gently Weeps 8. Happiness Is A Warm Gun 9. Martha My Dear 10. I’m So Tired 11. Blackbird 12. Piggies 13. Rocky Racoon 14. Don’t Pass Me By 15. Why Don’t We Do It In The Road? 16. I Will 17. Julia

CD 2 1. Birthday 2. Yer Blues 3. Mother Nature’s Son 4. Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey 5. Sexy Sadie 6. Helter Skelter 7. Long, Long, Long 8. Revolution 1 9. Honey Pie 10. Savoy Truffle 11. Cry Baby Cry 12. Revolution 9 13. Good Night

CD 3 1. Back In The U.S.S.R. (Esher Demo) 2. Dear Prudence (Esher Demo) 3. Glass Onion (Esher Demo) 4. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da (Esher Demo) 5. The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill (Esher Demo) 6. While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Esher Demo) 7. Happiness Is A Warm Gun (Esher Demo) 8. I’m So Tired (Esher Demo) 9. Blackbird (Esher Demo) 10. Piggies (Esher Demo) » Continue Reading.