The Afterword

Musings on the byways of popular culture

Menu

Navigation

Manchester, North of England: A story of independent music, Greater Manchester 1977-1993

by 20 Comments

What does it sound like?:

Manchester, North of England: A story of independent music, Greater Manchester 1977-1993 is a 7-CD box set from Cherry Red records, compiled by John Reed with a foreword by Mark Radcliffe and sleeve notes (half a page per track) by Mick Middles. Each CD is a themed, roughly chronological, chapter in the story from early punk to the post-Hacienda beginnings of Britpop. Everyone you might initially think of features here although, in common with these Cherry Red boxes, it’s quite often not the obvious track. Everyone, that is, except The Smiths. Mastering quality is good, given the wide variety of sources (and ages). Each of the seven CDs is packed with 79 minutes of music (one is ‘only’ 77 minutes). Disc 1 (‘Cranked Up Really High’) covers the years of DIY punk. Buzzcocks kick things off, as you would expect, with most of the rest of the disc featuring minimal production. Only Joy Division, Magazine and John Cooper Clarke really break out of the murky sonics. The most notable thing about the remainder being what happened next to the performers – amongst them Vini Reilly, Billy Duffy, Graham Fellows, Mick Hucknall, Chris Sievey and » Continue Reading.

Got £500 to invest in a new vinyl pressing plant?

by 32 Comments

This from the Vinyl Vault in Holt (posted on their Facebook page):

THE PRESSING OFFICE

According to research firm Deloitte, total vinyl record sales in 2017 will hit 40 million worldwide, which would represent the twelfth straight year of consistent upswing, following the complete mothballing of this beloved format at the start of this century. It’s pretty clear – even to a notoriously risk-averse music industry – that the vinyl format is here to stay, after the mother and father of all comebacks. And it’s even clearer that 40 million discs is an awful lot for the few dozen up-and-running – or rather, creaking – plants and couple of hundred or so working presses worldwide to continue to supply without considerable further investment.

So, do you want to be part of the solution to this problem, and to be at the forefront of the vinyl renaissance in this, our music-loving Brexitannia? We first posed that question a month ago on this Holt Vinyl Vault page, when announcing our plans for a purpose-built vinyl pressing plant, using the latest technology, up here in the wilds of Holt. At the time we were blown away by the level of support expressed for » Continue Reading.

The joy of Twin Leads

by 33 Comments

I was reminded yesterday, whilst mixing the excellent headline set by Helen & the Neighbourhood Dogs, of the joy of the twin lead – in this case, twin lead flute.

I’m a huge fan of both Television’s Marquee Moon and Thin Lizzy’s Jailbreak.

Any other examples? I’m not to keen on widdly-widdly stuff, tbh. Doubtless ColinH can direct me towards some other acoustic stuff.

A worthy new home for your unwanted CDs

by 20 Comments

I’m doing an engineering project with a local school – we’re building a couple of solar-powered electric cars, which we are going to race (in the world’s slowest head-to-head race, I imagine).

The kids have chosen to decorate the outside with old CDs. If you have any unwanted CDs, please PM me and I’ll arrange for you to send them in. We need about 300 in total.

Thanks in advance.

musicians in defiance of the laws of physics

by 19 Comments

I’ve been binge-watching Later… on iPlayer – I had a big pile of school uniforms to iron.

As anybody who has ever blown across the top of a bottle knows, the largest vessels make the lowest notes. Then how come Beth Ditto sounds like Shirley Temple when she speaks? Before the interweb goes up in flames, this isn’t a critique on her body size, just an observation that she is larger than the average songstress.

I was just surprised when Jools asked her a question and Minnie Mouse answered.

ATM: midi-controlled synth modules

by 21 Comments

Today I bought a Studiologic SL880 midi controller (keyboard with weighted keys and all that). It’s a lovely thing but makes no noise. I’m after an (ideally) rackmount midi-controlled synth module which can do a decent piano and ideally Hammond organ sounds, for live work. Anything else is a bonus – I don’t need helicopter or croaking frog sounds, for instance.

Any ideas, musos of the Massive?

AfterWordStock at Papworth Everard village fete feat. Helen & The Neighbourhood Dogs & Oldskool

by 10 Comments

11/06/2017

In the music marquee this year we have: Helen & The Neighbourhood Dogs – East Angliacana featuring @Skirky and mystery special guest Oldskool – classic rock jam band featuring @Twang 3 teen acts from the local college Rock School Sing Papworth Choir & the Ermine Street brass band

We’re sharing a huge marquee with the Papworth Brewery this year, which sounds like a recipe for fun. There will be Cambridgeshire’s biggest bouncy castle, a huge red shiny – steady, Moose – fire engine, tug of war competition, gun dog agility displays, raptors, majorettes, archery, and lots more.

The fun starts at 12 noon, Twang’s on about 2:30, Skirky’s on about 4pm, ends at a family-friendly 5pm. Come and say hello to the soundman.

International Dawn Chorus day

by 3 Comments

Today is international dawn chorus day. They split in 2012 and I still miss them. Singer Kyle is now making a name for himself as a singing maths teacher under the Born To Sum stagename.

Here’s my fave Dawn Chorus track from 2008, featuring some lovely trumpet from Paul Butler.

The Reunion: Women of Punk

by 4 Comments

This might be an interesting listen. Punk on Radio 4 – whatever next?

“Sue MacGregor reunites five musicians who embraced the anarchy of punk music and created a unique style of their own.

Gaye Advert, bass player in The Adverts, was described as the first female punk star. But the industry focus on her looks caused animosity in the band. Toyah Willcox, an aggressive tomboy, found her emotional rebellion in punk and appeared in Derek Jarman’s cult punk film Jubilee. Gina Birch of The Raincoats played her first gig in November 1977 a few weeks after forming her all-female band. Tessa Pollitt abandoned her A levels to join all girl punk band, The Slits. Vivien Goldman was in the The Flying Lizards and Features Editor on the weekly music paper, Sounds. She is now a Professor of Punk in New York.

The guests discuss the impact and legacy of their movement.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08m98q2

The Forensic Records Society

by 13 Comments

Just heard an interview with the author on Front Row whilst doing the washing up loading the dishwasher. Might appeal to a few round here.

‘Two men with a passion for vinyl create a society for the appreciation of records. Their aim is simple: to elevate the art of listening by doing so in forensic detail. The society enjoys moderate success in the back room of their local pub.

Within a few months we’d witnessed bickering, desertion, subterfuge and rivalry. I was rapidly coming to the conclusion that only a miracle could save us now.‘

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1408878372/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

Beyond the Cambridge Folk Festival: Boo Hewerdine & We Were Strangers at Waterbeach Baptist Chapel

by 9 Comments

14/10/2017

Master singer-songwriter Boo Hewerdine comes to the Beach Sessions in the fantastic Waterbeach Baptist Chapel as part of the Beyond the Cambridge Folk Festival season. Support from Manchester duo We Were Strangers.

Expect audio pefection in a venue with outstanding acoustics.

Don’t hang about – only 150 tickets and, after only 24 hours, 40% have sold.