The Afterword

Musings on the byways of popular culture

Menu

RIP Jeff St John -booming voice and wheelchaired antics

by 1 Comment

Jeff St John had a booming soul/rock voice in a period of Aussie music that had many big booming voices -Doug Parkinson, Wendy Saddington , Neal Johns of Blackfeather, Barry Leef, Barry McCaskill and Bon Scott of Fraternity to name a few.

St John had Spina Bifida and took to performing in a wheelchair to give mobility for stage performances. As a youngster I was mesmerised not just by the power of his voice but how fast and close he would get to edge of a rather high stage before pulling back or pirouetting in another direction.

There are some good clips, even one featuring him as himself on Home And Away.

http://www.noise11.com/news/r-i-p-jeff-st-john-1946-2018-20180306

Vintage Lou from 74 – Sweet Jane

by 3 Comments

!974 was the first time I saw Lou. Gaunt, blonde hair, combative press interviews. I was expecting Rock n roll animal with the Hunter / Wagner duelling guitars and perhaps didn’t appreciate the excellence of this band with Danny Weiss on gtr, Whitey Glan on drums and the ultra cool Prakash John on bass and Michael Fonfara preceding Freddie Mercury’s look.

The comments are interesting . Prakash John said Lou had loaded so much cocaine he thought he could dance…which he could not.

https://youtu.be/Uc26EFI1_nw

Have I missed a thread on Melbourne test?

by 18 Comments

Ok a dead rubber and Perth was humbling for the Poms but a pretty good effort containing Australia then compiling a v big total compliments of that gutsy knock by Cook. Bloody Broad too. Been underwhelming this tour but gets on the pitch where he famously refused to walk 5 years ago and scores a 50. Karma I guess in that England failed to review 2 dismissals that were not out.

A pity the Melb pitch is always so flat. A mate says that the big crowds down here mean they prepare a pitch to ensure at least 4 day games.

ATM – checking out music in Spain and Morocco

by 10 Comments

Mrs Wells and I are planning a trip for sept/oct next year. 3 weeks Spain and 10 days Morocco.

Itinerary fluid at moment apart from landing in Barcelona and getting ferry to Maroc. Any must do see suggestions appreciated. As many know I’m a world music fan so live music suggestions particularly welcome.

History making first Melbourne mini mingle

by 8 Comments

Imgur had been not co-operating of late but I’m hoping this snap of your reporter and eloquent @GaryJohn works.

A casual lunchtime burrito on cosmopolitan Smith St .Discussion on the blog (obvs) – I chastised GJ for absenteeism if late and he has promised to lift his game.

https://imgur.com/a/znXAI

Mary Gauthier : Rifles and Rosary Beads – a triumph of art and humanity

by 34 Comments

What does it sound like?:

When Bargepole first sent this to me I was pretty impressed. But after a few close listenings I’ve come to the view that this record is more than that. It is an important record. Important because of the topics Mary Gauthier has addressed, important for the way in her songs bring home the pain and distress of the subjects of the songs(often war vet collaborators in the writing on the songs) and important in how successful she has been in melding these messages into great songs.

So I’ve written a longer review than I intended, but I hope you’ll stay with me.

You don’t put on a Mary Gauthier (pronounced Go-shay) record expecting to be cheered up and this record is no exception. But you do expect wonderful stories, pithy clever lyrics and a strong adherence to melody. Again, this new record is no exception.

But first, some background. Mary is probably one of the pre-eminent folk/country singer songwriter story tellers going around and this is all the more remarkable because she only took to the task in her mid-thirties. Before that was a pretty rotten life of being a runaway drugs and alcohol » Continue Reading.

Perth test

by 51 Comments

Ok here we go again. The Perth wicket hasn’t been the old menacing pitch of the past but nonetheless should still be more to Australia’s liking.

England seem a shambles whereas Australia are focussed. I’d prefer Stokes back in to make it more interesting.

Here’s an entertaining article on sledging.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/dec/13/australia-sledging-duckett-third-ashes-test-england?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Zimbabwe coup of sorts

by 10 Comments

Seems like its on and the general view I’m getting from the twitter sources I follow in Zim its a case of well about time.

ZBC news sources announced the coup that is not being called a coup then went on to the cricket scores.

Bob is really not very with it, pumped full of speed and botox before big events so it is those around him in charge and hoping to organise the succession.

Interestingly one of their top musicians Jah Prayzah is in Melbourne on Friday and I hope to catch up.