The Afterword

Musings on the byways of popular culture

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An unrealistic conundrum

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I must have been in a slightly apocalyptic mood the other day – and my brain came up with this one:

Assuming that your collection is organised neatly into three big sections – say, classical, jazz and rock/pop/other – and you could only save one section from the impending flood, fireball, earthquake, burglar, etc: which bit would you save?

Or, in slightly less prosaic form: if you could only listen to classical, jazz or rock/pop/other for the rest of your existence – which would you choose?

F1 – Silverstone

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Anyone planning to watch it this afternoon?

Good to see the McLaren team stepping up yesterday – would be nice if they could get into the high points today, but I have my doubts. Personally, I’ve followed Williams for more than a decade – ups and downs would be putting it mildly, so it’s great to see them improving.

Ahmad Jamal RIP

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Obituary

Death of Ahmad Jamal at 92 reported. One of the most subtle and tasteful pianists I’ve ever heard (although I wouldn’t claim to be an expert in the field). I suspect his example has influenced more than one fiery young contender to lay back a bit and consider what notes they play.

VdGG CDs

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In the spirit of putting my money where my mouth is… And as a direct result of the “I already have that album…” thread…

I have the eight VdGG CDs which are covered by the Charisma Years box set, in their 2005 reissue with bonus tracks versions.

If anyone wants them (all or individually), just PM me – first come first served, as always.

So it’s: Least we can do is wave… H to He… Pawn Hearts Godbluff Still Life World Record Quiet Zone/Pleasure Dome Vital (live dbl)

They are in Arrowfile pages – so no jewel cases. I don’t want any money or postage for them – just give a donation to your local hospice and we’ll call it even.

As previously: if any of this makes the Mods uncomfortable, please feel free to delete this.

Van der Graaf Generator – The Bath Forum Concert

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What does it sound like?:

Just turn your face up to the summer sun And drive a thousand miles In an Alfa Berlina

On release, this will be a nice clamshell box set, in the recent house style of Cherry Red. The box contains audio on two CDs; one video DVD and a Blu-Ray with video footage and 5.1 surround, if that’s your bag. Also an illustrated booklet – although at this point, I should stress that I was reviewing streamed audio only, along with some basic publicity material. I haven’t seen the visuals, on disc or on paper.

What is this release? It’s a “warts and all” recording of the final show from VdGG’s 2022 UK tour (which itself had been postponed twice due to covid restrictions). This final show took place at the Forum in Bath on 1st March 2022 and was filmed and recorded. I understand that this is effectively the first live CD and film which has been fully controlled and approved by the band – I can quite believe that, given their (occasionally) precarious business position in the past.

I recall a concert review in Sounds, from about 1977 – where Geoff Barton pointed » Continue Reading.

Wayne Shorter RIP

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Obituary

Obituary

I’ve just heard on the Radio 4 6pm news that Wayne Shorter has died today, at the age of 89 – doesn’t seem to be on the BBC News website yet.

Solo releases in the 1960s, Miles’ second quintet, Weather Report…not forgetting the solo on the title track of Aja, an AW favourite…he was always a subtle and thoughtful player rather than a grandstander, and perhaps garnered less acclaim than he deserved as a consequence.

Big Big Train CDs to a good home…

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Afternoon, all.

I find that I have duplicates of three BBT albums. I know that there are folks on here who like ‘em – so I’ll post the three as a bundle, free of charge, in exchange (there’s always a catch) for a commitment to donate some cash to your local hospice. All CDs, all card digipaks, all EER re- releases, all in fine fettle.

The Underfall Yard – EERCD005 The Difference Machine – EERCD007 Goodbye to the Age of Steam – EERCD008

Message me if you’re interested – FCFS, of course.

(Mods: if anything about this post makes you uncomfortable, please delete it – thanks)

Gina Lollobrigida, 95

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Obituary

Those of you who have been following my rolling avatar changes over the previous few months may be aware that about 95% of the pictures were of Gina Lollobrigida, a curious coincidence. Another proper star from old Hollywood dies – however, post acting, she had a further career as a photographer and sculptor. Indeed, she used to say that her acting career was an accident – she was on the path to be an artist when she was stopped in the street and offered a film role.

Lulu

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I note from the BBC website that Lulu has been sworn in as President of Brazil – that’s a big career arc for a wee girl from Dennistoun…

(Ed: spellcheck required)

Brain-Scouring Music

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The recent political issues/machinations/farce have prompted me to to seek out loud music – I feel like I need the surface of my brain scoured clean (rather than listening to relaxing, uplifting, beatific music).

Very odd – not like me at all. Sign of the times?

Pixies.

Return of the Son of Randomiser!!

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Well, ok – if my eyes don’t deceive me, it’s been nearly two years since we last did the randomiser dance (although it has appeared in Another Place, unless my memory is false and foamy). My memory may well be a bit foamy, since I opened a new bottle of Oban 14 year old. But I digress…

So you know the drill – set to random and list the first five off the top of the deck with NO filtering – I’ll put my fabulous five non-chill filtered toons in the comments.

No cheating, mind…

Record Covers

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Some record covers reflect well on the music and encourage you to listen to the contents. Some have the opposite effect and might stop you from buying an album, because of the negative association of the cover image. Truth is that most covers are produced by an artist or designer who (most likely) hasn’t heard the music – so any apparent association between the cover image and the music is after the fact and in the head of the purchaser. For example, Storm’s story about the sleeve design of DSOTM: he hadn’t heard the record, he turned up with five or six options for the band to review – he tried to push them toward an image into which he had put some time and energy, but they chose the prism. Now it’s inseparable from the music.

Any other curios, negative or positive associations – or sleeve images that just don’t fit the music at all?