Musings on the byways of popular culture
I’m currently sitting on the couch trying to enjoy an episode of the excellent Netflix series Is it cake too? but all I can hear is Def Leppard playing a gig in my local park. Nothing against the PSSOM hitmakers but blimey they are loud. What’s the shortest distance you’ve had to go to hear a gig?
Any afterworders been to gigs at Wembley stadium lately? I’m planning a family trip to a gig next summer so any tips on transport, hotels etc would be welcome.
Any of you lot contemplating a booze free start to the year? Loads of good non alcohol beers out there now. My own recommendation is Birra Moretti. Anyway I’m at the bar and I think the barman has spotted me so what are you having?
I know we like to be on the cutting edge of new releases on here so I just wanted to flag Maria McKee’s brilliant and slightly bonkers 1996 album Life is Sweet is now on Spotify. I think I had this copied from the library on one side of a C90 but I see it’s 50 minutes long so that would have been awkward.
I’ve noticed in the last few evenings around twilight we have bats in the garden. First time I’ve seen them around here.
A neighbour tells me there is a young deer in the field next to us.
Apart from an occasional fox that’s our lot round here.
How’s your local wildlife?
Happy Birthday to Paul Simon, one of the great songwriters of the pop era and one of the great wig wearers too.
Despite knowing and liking many individual songs I had never deliberately listened to one of his records until this week. After watching the doc about Bridge over troubled water I gave the album a go.
I could happily never hear the title song ever again but what an incredible run of songs:
Cecilia Keep the customer satisfied So long, Frank Lloyd Wright The Boxer Baby Driver The only living boy in New York
An amazing run of form.
Why do so many American albums of that era sound like they were recorded down a well?
Your recommendations for further listening please?
New album from the YIABW hitmakers is a beautiful thing. Full of woozy, unhurried, atmospheric sketches. In the style of a pretentious wine drinker I’m getting hints of Eno, a definite flavour of Air and a waft of Massive Attack. The reviews have been great. Could it be their best work after a mere 30 years together?
I got a video call today from one of my very nice colleagues. ‘Hang on’ I said ‘Let me just turn off my music here. I can’t hear you over Dusty Springfield’. Her face lit up. ‘Oh I love Dusty’ she said. ‘Which album is it?’ Me: ‘Dusty in Memphis’ Her: ‘Oh I’ll tell you a great album of hers…’ Me: leaning forward eagerly… Her: ‘Dusty Springfield’s Greatest Hits’
Anyone else had any good recommendations lately?
I’ve been enjoying some Lee Hazlewood tracks lately and stumbled over this on YouTube. Filmed as Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra performed a residency in Vegas it also features Ma Sinatra and various unintentionally hilarious flunkies and hangers-on. Lee is in great voice
Just noticed that Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense is on YouTube. It’s great to see the sheer pleasure they’re taking in making great music. Pity about the negative atmosphere around Chris Franz’s recent book. I haven’t read it but it seems he’s pretty bitter towards David Byrne.
https://youtu.be/4xL7Ilh1DFI
Not bad or boring records. Albums that literally make you go to sleep. I’ve just had a nice snooze through the Velvet Underground. Great album with Candy Says, Pale Blue Eyes etc but it makes me conk out. Ophelia by Natalie Merchant also does it. I love it but three tracks in I can feel the eyelids getting heavy. Any other contenders?
I mean what does your day look like at the moment? We’re still under semi lockdown here so none of the usual weekend stuff is happening – no trips to record shops, book shops, nice coffees, pub lunches etc. It was easier earlier in the year when the weather was nicer and you could get out to the park for a stroll but it’s a wild day today. So what are you and yours up to?
Howdy all. Occasional lurker, first time poster. Just noticed the mid 90s Richard Thompson tribute album Beat the Retreat is up on spotify. Very Afterword friendly. Best track for me is REM doing Wall of Death. I seem to remember the CD was in the flimsiest cardboard ever made. Shawn Colvin, David Byrne and Bonnie Raitt also give it a go along with some for the Where are they now file.
