I’ve missed the start, but caught the end, twice. Luckily it is on BBC Sounds.
Radio 4 seems to be having a hot summer of music documentaries, with Talk Talk and Depeche Mode amongst the subjects.
Musings on the byways of popular culture
I’ve missed the start, but caught the end, twice. Luckily it is on BBC Sounds.
Radio 4 seems to be having a hot summer of music documentaries, with Talk Talk and Depeche Mode amongst the subjects.
Obituary
Probably the first TV producer I was aware of, even before I knew what a producer did.
Also: I had assumed she’d already died years ago.
Obituary
Jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine, famous for her huge vocal range and wide musical repertoire, has died at the age of 97.
The Creator Remuneration Working Group agrees to up the payments to musicians from pitiful to bugger all.
Features Raye (real name Rachel Keen).

Venue:
Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
Date: 19/07/2025
20 years ago a band of trainee school teachers formed in Fareham. They released two albums of “South Coast Indie-Folk”, slogged round the toilet circuit in a van during the school holidays, and drank too much (often the only payment for a pub gig). I loved ’em, fed and watered them, and put them on five or six times in various Cambridge pubs over four years. I’d do the sound for them whenever I could. After seven years of support tours with the likes of Frank Turner, they were exhausted and called it to a halt before they all fell out.
Last December they met up for a 40th birthday seven-a-side footy match and decided to reform for one night only in their hometown venue. Saturday night was the night in question.
Saturday lunchtime saw me my my youngest offspring set off in driving rain, heavy traffic on every road south, finally to arrive at the Portsea Island, exhausted, 10 minutes after doors opened. Our chance to socialise with the band beforehand had been eaten up by the Chichester ring-road.
I only caught two songs by Kat Meredith and her band, featuring » Continue Reading.
A two-day weekend at Cherry Hinton with multi-venue gigs, a la Celtic Connections, in the weeks before and after.
I’ve used Windows since 1991. I’m reasonably computer-savvy, installed W10 when my desktop PC’s SSD failed, that kind of thing.
Four years ago I bought an ex-business Dell Precision 5520 laptop (i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) and it has done me fine. I don’t do a lot – web browsing, email, WAV file editing in Audacity, plug in my USB audio interface*, watch the occasional get_iPlayer video when I’m away in Norfolk.
Anyhow, Windows 10 will go unsupported in October, my laptop can’t do Windows 11, the hardware still works fine, and I am a tightwad.
I’m thinking of installing Linux, but where do I start? There are so many options.
(*) sadly my lovely Arturia audio interface only supports Windows or Mac, so I’m going to have to move my little W11 desktop PC into the music room when I need to do vinyl ripping.
Obituary
“Mission Impossible theme composer”
And many more – my fave is Bullitt.
A trailer over on Talking Heads social media proclaims “June 5, 2025”.
It isn’t the SDE of More Songs About Buildings And Food, which has already been announced, and which I will doubtless spring for once it halves in price.
New album? Reunion tour? One-off gig in the Cambridge Portland Arms (I can but hope)?
Obituary
Smash Hits editor and one of the nicest men in pop.
Feagal Sharkey has been treated for prostate cancer.
Yer man from Fell Audio – grandson of Peter Tyson – was interviewed on R4 at lunchtime today.
It’s nice to see a UK-designed and UK-built brand take off, but it is a crowded market (Audiolab, Rega, Creek, et al).
They do an integrated amp with phono, line and digital inputs (and, unusually, a Class D power amp) for £600, a £500 CD player (or £1000 as a bundle) and a £500 streamer is imminent (again, a crowded market and the App user interface makes or breaks the success of the hardware).
I wish them well, but it is a competitive world out there and I’m glad I’m approaching the end of my career and not at the beginning of it.
37 years after going missing, a bust of Jim Morrison was found in Paris by French police.
I didn’t ever join up to the monthly record club as it reminded me too much of the Britannia Music Club. And me being UK based, and them being US based, prices were steep. But many of the releases were interesting and top-quality.
Sadly, I know some people who are owed quite a bit of money.
Obituary
Jill Sobule, a groundbreaking American songwriter whose hit I Kissed a Girl is widely considered the first song with openly-gay themes to crack the Billboard Top 20, has died in a house fire in the US city of Minneapolis, her publicist has said.
Obituary
“Roy Thomas Baker, whose intricate work on multiple albums by Queen — including “Bohemian Rhapsody” — the Cars, Foreigner and others made him one of the most successful and influential producers of the 1970s and ‘80s, has died. No cause of death was announced; he was 78.
“Bohemian Rhapsody,” from Queen’s 1975 album “A Night at the Opera,” is currently the most streamed song to have been recorded in the 20th century and was named by the Guinness Book of Records as the top British single of all time.”
I think I saw Kate Mossman in the cafe of a National Trust estate this afternoon.
She was with family so I didn’t ask her for I.D.
4 LPs (£95) or 4 CDs (£90) and an expensive-looking full-colour hardback.
I have yet to open the Richard Morton-Jack book I bought myself for Christmas.
Obituary
“It is with profound sadness that we relay news of the passing of our beloved friend and bandmate Clem Burke following a private battle with cancer. Clem was not just a drummer; he was the heartbeat of Blondie. His talent, energy, and passion for music were unmatched, and his contributions to our sound and success are immeasurable. Beyond his musicianship, Clem was a source of inspiration both on and off the stage. His vibrant spirit, infectious enthusiasm and rock solid work ethic touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Clem’s influence extended far beyond Blondie. A self proclaimed “Rock & Roll survivalist”, he played and collaborated with numerous iconic artists, including Eurythmics, Ramones, Bob Dylan, Bob Geldof, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, Chequered Past, The Fleshtones, The Romantics, Dramarama, The Adult Net, The Split Squad, The International Swingers, L.A.M.F., Empty Hearts, Slinky Vagabond, and even the Go-Go’s. His influence and contributions have spanned decades and genres, leaving an indelible mark on every project he was a part of. We extend our deepest condolences to Clem’s family, friends, and fans around the world. His legacy will live on through the tremendous amount of music he created and the countless » Continue Reading.
“Restore your vinyl collection to its original glory with the Flatten it vinyl record flattening machine. Designed for audiophiles and collectors alike, this device repairs warped records and enhances your listening experience.
Flatten it is designed to restore your warped records with precision and care. It gently and safely flattens your vinyl, improving playback quality by eliminating skips, pops, and distortion. Compatible with all sizes and thicknesses of records, it features premium heated aluminium plates for even heat distribution, ensuring consistent results.
With precise temperature control and a low temperature hysteresis of just 2°C, you can trust that your records are being treated with the utmost attention. The easy-to-use machine boasts a solid aluminium construction, offering durability and long-lasting reliability.
Made in Europe, Flatten it is the perfect solution for vinyl enthusiasts looking to bring their collection back to life.”
Obituary
“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of one of the true pioneers of music, guitarist, songwriter, and true gentleman, Brian James.
Founding member of The Damned, writer of the first ever UK punk single, New Rose, Brian was the principal songwriter of the band’s debut album, Damned Damned Damned, which was released in February 1977. Parting ways with the Damned following the release of their second album, the Nick Mason-produced Music for Pleasure, Brian created the short-lived Tanz Der Youth, before he formed The Lords of the New Church with his friend and fellow rocker Stiv Bators.
In a wave of excitement, headed by the twin powers of Brian James and Stiv Bators, three successful studio albums followed for The Lord of the New Church, spawning singles such as Open Your Eyes, Dance with Me, and Method to My Madness. Always looking for new challenges and keen to work with different musicians, over the years that followed, Brian formed The Dripping Lips and guested on different records, while creating the Brian James Gang and working on his solo albums. Incessantly creative and a musical tour de force, over a career which spanned more than six » Continue Reading.
“After over 40 years at the rock ‘n’ roll coalface, Edwyn Collins has today shared the poignant news of his last ever U.K. tour.
‘The Testimonial Tour – A Last Lap Around The U.K.’ will see Edwyn & band play nine shows round the U.K. including performances at Glasgow’s Theatre Royal and The Royal Festival Hall in London.
TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY 7 MARCH 2025 AT 10:00″
20 years on from suffering a stroke and two haemorrhages, we’re all blessed he’s able to do these last few dates.
https://www.edwyncollins.com/news/edwyn-collins-the-testimonial-tour-a-last-lap-around-the-uk
Obituary
“Tributes have been paid to Gwen McCrae, the much-loved and influential US funk and soul singer, who has died aged 81 after a long illness.
Affectionately known as the “queen of the rare groove”, McCrae had a 1975 soul smash with Rockin’ Chair.”
And ex-wife of George “Rock Me Baby” McCrae.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2jlygl46zo
I’ve just spent my dinner time trying to explain to Mrs F why Argent were not a metal band. Which got me thinking, who would be in the lineup of a nominative determinism Metal act?
Andrew Gold, Horace Silver, Dave Bronze
Over to the AW hive mind…
What better demonstrates British displeasure than ominous silence?
