The Afterword

Musings on the byways of popular culture

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Those were the Days.

by 47 Comments

For my sins I’m an Ipswich Town fan. For those of little interest in the beautiful game we currently struggle along in League One, the old Division Three. But wait, 39 years ago we used to be half decent and would have had an invite to the ESL. 39 years ago we had just won 1-0 away to Cologne in the second leg of the UEFA cup semifinal to get through to the final…this is what happened next ad told by Terry Butcher, who scored the only goal.

“After such an important goal and one of the most memorable nights in the club’s history, Butcher deserved to celebrate.

“We came back, on the flight to Southend and Russell Osman and I got some miniatures for the bus home, a big bagful,” he remembered.

“So we had a good drink on the way back and we got back well past midnight in the early hours and went to Russell’s house in Ecclestone Close in the town.

“Rex, Russell’s dad who ran the Centre Spot at Portman Road, had made us a lovely casserole so we had a meal when we got back, because you don’t get much on the plane and » Continue Reading.

Reg on BBC 4

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Really enjoying watching Elton tonight. Probably been on before but just how did a slightly pudgy balding piano player become quite so huge at the time?

Some ace songs.

What album is this then?

by 24 Comments

I’m sorry for I have sinned. Had a quick peek at the Hoffman site and saw this…eeek. Fairly typical audiophile tosh but I removed have song titles and wondered if anyone could recognise the album.

P.S. it’s actually one of my favourite all time albums ever of all time.

At this point I have owned:

Two original UK variants Currently own and love the A&M Audiophile (pressed by Japan, Orchestra division yadda yadda) Had a standard MFSL for a very short time but it was a bit beat up, not a good comparison Only have needledrops of the SC and the wide deadwax UHQR. I get a reasonable feeling for what they offer but not a great comparison.

The narrow UHQR pretty well served up my needledrops and A&M Audiophile and spiked them all into the dirt. The original UKs definitely had more bass and warmth but the UHQR seems to be sourced from a tape that was never played, or something, because the purity and space within the recording is outstanding. There was tangible depth between bits of the drum kit in some songs. And the vocals… wow. Body, breath, perfect size and placement in the stage. There » Continue Reading.

ATM…well @fenton-steve…old fashioned stereogram stuff

by 17 Comments

Happy Boxing Day everyone, I’m looking forward to my cold meats, baked potato and pickled onions a bit later but first some advice please.

I have an ancient but excellent TEAC music system which I’ve recently re-installed in my new kitchen which btw is still waiting for the proper worktops currently in a Brexited dock somewhere…

The TEAC has a CD player which has recently developed a small fault. When you load a cd and try to ffwd to a particular track it more often than not just does something random like attempt to repeat all tracks or even switch to the DAB radio. Is this fault likely to be something that can be easily solved, a simple cleaning job maybe?

The TEAC also has an iPod dock (No judging please, I like my iPod, i like physical product too,) and I’m keen to keep it in place though as it does still sound good even if it’s a little bulky and apparently not suiting the minimalist aesthetic the new kitchen has. (Or will have when we get the worktops.)

I told my wife I “know” someone in Cambridgeshire who can assist (No answers involving Fiio just yet please,) » Continue Reading.

Tidying up tuneage

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Not sexIST in my house as I do most of the cooking thangyouverymuch but I quite enjoyed the detritus of the cleaning up of the turkey crown and wagyu beef.

I listened to two whole albums as I tidied…16 Lovers Lane by the Go-betweens which is fab and Dare by ver League which is even more fabber if that’s possible.

ATM. Alternatives to microwave meals..,

by 42 Comments

A new kitchen at Freddy Towers means no cooker for a couple of weeks or so. The freezer is well stocked but the thought of microwave meals and more takeaways than normal is not a nice one . We have a slow cooker but most recipes seem to call for pre-cooking of meat, onions etc so any recipes that you just bung in would be appreciated. Also been recommended a portable induction hob which I’ve never used.

Thanks in advance etc.

What on Earth is that…it’s awful!

by 23 Comments

Tuning into Lauren Laverne this morning on 6Music during my ablutions, and I caught half of a song. Another one of those earnest, sensitive singer/songwriters was my first thought. Gently strummed chords, the barest hint of a melody. But Christ, the vocals! Thin, reedy, nasally and whiny. It was familiar but I couldn’t quite place it. It got worse as it went along. One of those American folkies beloved by the press I reckoned.

Almost right. It was Kermit, Am I out of touch?

Daft, or not, invention ideas.

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I’m in charge of the Washing machine at Steady Towers and I’ve been thinking.

I don’t think I’ve ever used half of the functions it has. Never used the “Reduced Ironing” button, never had the need to do a pre-wash. Could count on one hand the number of 90, 60 degree or wool washes I’ve done.

So how about a washing machine that only has a 40 or at a push a 40 and 30 degree wash?

Sell it for £150 quid, gap in the market surely? I’m sure there will be reasons why . And do you have any Dragon’s Den type inventions you’d like to share?