The Afterword

Musings on the byways of popular culture

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July Wordle

by 557 Comments

Black Celebration has set his alarm for one minute past midnight on the 1st July. Mike and Junior will be waking up a few hours later, mashie niblicks oiled and balls sparkling white. Everyone else, try and get some rest. The Big Day approaches.

In my role as Official Scorer, I should mention a couple of Rule Changes: Anybody who scores more than one eagle per round is instantly disqualified Leedsboy must start every hole with ZAKAH

Apart from that, best of luck and may the best player win (as long as it’s me)

ATM – Classical Vinyl

by 22 Comments

A friend’s Dad (now 92) lives in Grayshot (near Guildford) but is soon moving into a Care Home. He has a large collection of near-perfect condition vinyls, all of which are Classical. Local charities are not interested. He’s a rich old bugger so not particularly interested in getting any money for them but would love his much-prized records to find a good home.

Any ideas, chaps?

Snap Poll

by 208 Comments

I do this every five years or so. What y’all listening to right now? No cheating, just the song currently on the turntable (or the very last music you played). No cheating now… embarrassing or groovy, nobody will laugh (fact check needed).

End of Year Poll ?

by 124 Comments

Fancy volunteering ? Baron H is seemingly unavailable, I’m travelling a lot in December and Gary is deaf.

Anyone who has done the deed in the past knows it’s hard work especially when surrounded by festive foolery and gin-soaked relatives.

October Wordle

by 405 Comments

Those of you not following the close-season Wordle thread might not be aware of my current form. Birdie after birdie after birdie. To be honest, you might as well award me the October Trophy right now. For those of you foolish enough to still wish to compete I offer a condescending pat on the shoulder and a wholly insincere “Good luck”.

Guilty Secrets

by 81 Comments

Whenever I stay away with friends or family and despite always having some with me, I always use their toothpaste! Hee and hee! Time to fess up, people. What other mad, bad and dangerous transgressions do you indulge in?

Lou Reed

by 59 Comments

In a private email, Bri informs me of his renewed enthusiasm for the works of Lou Reed. It is his firm belief that Magic & Loss is Lou’s best, most coherent album. I can’t comment because I’m not really a fan but Bri would appreciate input and discussion from his old AW chums

“An album I have always loved – I can and do still listen to this regularly, and still enjoy it as much as I did fifty years ago”

by 122 Comments

The quote is from Bargie’s review of Rick Wakeman. To be clear, this is not a criticism of our esteemed colleagues taste – each to his own and all that . What I am querying is – do most on here feel the same about music they loved back, back in the day? Is the thrill still the same, are you still discovering something new on Play Number 4538? I’m not talking here about remasters, messing around with mixes etc – I can see the appeal (although I think these are mostly expertly-crafted rip-offs preying on old mens’ gullibility). I, for one, rarely if ever listen to, for instance, The Beatles – I know every note and every note is heavy with memory and, yes, love but the magic through constant repetition has gone. Classical Music constantly reinvents itself through different interpretations and cover versions of Popular Music are a source of delight ( and here I heartily recommend the “Cover Me” site) but listening to ancient originals on anything more than a quick blast haven’t-heard-that-for-years basis (usually after a glass or three of fine red) – nah. Howsabout you?