Feagal Sharkey has been treated for prostate cancer.
Fell Audio
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.
Police sieze Jim Morrison in drugs bust
37 years after going missing, a bust of Jim Morrison was found in Paris by French police.
Vinyl Me, Please appears to enter liquidation
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.
RIP Jill Sobule, 66
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.
RIP Roy Thomas Baker, 78
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.”
Worders spotted in the wild
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.
The Making Of Five Leaves Left
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.
Clem Burke
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.
Pro-Ject Flatten It
“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.”
Brian James, 70
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.
EDWYN COLLINS: ‘The Testimonial Tour – A Last Lap Around The U.K.’
“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
Gwen McCrae, 81
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
The ultimate Metal band lineup
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…
Is This What We Want?
What better demonstrates British displeasure than ominous silence?
Ask The IBD Massive
After nine years of routine bloods, my liver has finally given up tolerating 6-Mercaptopurine.
I have a GP appointment in two weeks, and gawd knows how long before I see my NHS consultant.
So that I can bone up prior to seeing the GP, what are my options?
RSD 2025
For a change, more than one I’m interested in.
Talking Heads – live at the Agora (2 x 45rpm cut of this heavily-bootlegged Warners radio show) Sunhouse – Crazy on the Weekend The Colourfield – Virgins & Philistines expanded
In my ‘maybe’ pile:
Dreadzone – Second Light Jackie DeShannon – demos Suede – Sci-fi Lullabies 2
https://www.recordstoreday.co.uk/rsd-list?syclid=cuihekoguric73dhljl0
Marianne Faithfull – LSO St Luke’s
My mastering engineer chum who works at BBC Archive pulled an all-nighter to recover the tapes to bring us this on Friday night, instead of a repeat of an ABBA compilation.
“1960s It Girl-turned-arthouse singer Marianne Faithfull exudes charm in a performance in front of an intimate audience of friends and fans at LSO St Luke’s in East London.
A great band accompany her for an eclectic mix of songs from her critically-acclaimed covers album Easy Come Easy Go, including The Decemberists’ The Crane Wife 3, Morrissey’s Dear God, Please Help Me, Dolly Parton’s Down From Dover and Randy Newman’s chilling In Germany Before the War.
There are also dips into the past, with her first ever live performance of the original 1960s arrangement of As Tears Go By, and the early Jagger-Richards song Sister Morphine.”
Overseas AWers, PM me for ‘help’.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00jzk8b/bbc-four-sessions-marianne-faithfull
So long, Marianne
Obituary
Singer Marianne Faithfull dies at 78
The 2010s lost classics that became sleeper hits a decade on
One for the younger AWers, perhaps.
FWIW, I’ve heard two of them.
Little Girl: The story of a song finally being released 56 years after it was written
No, but *you’re* blubbing
David Lynch RIP
Obituary
It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch. We would appreciate some privacy at this time. There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, “Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.” It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way.
Now That’s Wall I Call The AfterWord
80 tracks, but no Gerry Rafferty.
https://superdeluxeedition.com/news/now-thats-what-i-call-an-era/
The Big Music
The next vinly afternoon in the cafe has the theme of mid-80s movement ‘The Big Music’, because I had audience requests for both Simple Minds and The U2. And, tbh, because I had to write something for the parish mag with an hour to print deadline, and my mind was totally blank.
Scotland: ver Minds, the Waterboys, etc. Wales: The Alarm Ireland: U2 England: errm?
I ask the AW Hive Mind, which English act grew mullets, waved flags, frequented castles, and generally acted like knobs?
The Last Dance
“The Last Dance – Scottish rock band R*nr*g’s 2018 poignant farewell concert.”
Not sure what all the fuss is about? I suspect after 183 minutes you will have formed an opinion.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m000ty27/runrig-the-last-dance
