You have to admire the US sense of fair play in that given the furore over the Balogun reinstatement they chose not to play a team in the match.

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Over the last couple of years I have found myself attending gigs of an increasing number of tribute bands.

Venues ranging from what in the 60s were top range (Beatles and Stones playing them in 1964/65) capacity 1500-2000 to much smaller, intimate venues holding maybe 300 or so.

Saw Australian Pink Floyd in the larger venue and Beatles and CSN in the smaller, for example.

I like that you are close to the stage, sound often very good, very reasonable cost and, if competent (and most are who make a living) seeing an approximation of artists through death or expenses you could often never see now.

Not so keen where they feel a need to obsessively mimic look (wigs and clothes – feels a little “end of pier”) and is unnecessary.

And the audience at times squeezing into 45 year old Ben Sherman’s can be unseemly.

Overall, a fine set is generally delivered, so much more affordable night out, location much more convenient, more intimate venues.

Ok. It is very nostalgia based and not breaking or promoting new artists.

But compared to dynamic prices of major acts (often way past prime) it » Continue Reading.

As a counter balance to considering what we are good at.

I’m not good at assimilating even the mildest disapproval. I will fully accept responsibility when I am wrong and readily accept and acknowledge. But the mildest rebuke or sense I have displeased. I internalise. I fret. I worry. It seeps into every pore until I shake it off. I now know this has held me back in so many profound ways. A cousin to the fear of rejection and imposter syndrome.

Also pants at DIY.

Back in stock through Sound of Vinyl (Universal Music I think).

Hope I have correctly supplies link.

https://zaphod.vvhp.net/viewemail?con=9798345&cmp=48669&act=1186109&subj=0&sec=dc0a408f8c3c&webversionpage=1

Inspired by one or two recent posts got me to thinking what are the cornerstones of my musical likes.

Over the years and decades I have accumulated much much music in a variety of formats. 1,000s as many of us will have done. 100s of artists.

But when I think about it there is probably 15-20 albums by say 10 artists or so and assorted tracks that I go back to repeatedly. Play multiple times every year. And probably represents a very high % of my total listening

In no order

Beatles – 2 or three albums and some singles Stones – sticky fingers/let it bleed/beggars banquet David Sylvian – 2 or 3 albums and various tracks Eno – music for films Apollo: Atmospheres Japan – Tin Drum Byrne/Eno My life in the bush of ghosts Little Feat – lycanthrope Robert Palmer – his Littke Feat Covers Physical Graffiti Electric Ladyland/ various Machine Gun Hejira/Hissing of Summer Lawns/ Don Jaun Stone Roses first How soon is now Innervisions Quadrophenia Muddy Waters – Hard Again

I could do a top 100 list but once past 30 or 40 probably don’t listen to (or am drawn to) that much.

» Continue Reading.

What’s the best age to be?

Yesterday because you’ve still got tomorrow to look forward to.

(Can tell I’m not at work)

What is your favourite word

It might be the sound it, its look on the page, shock value, sentimental, romantic, resonance.

I have a particular word I don’t think I have ever said to anyone. But I regularly use it in the car, after a phone call. Saying it relieves stress. However, no doubt someone else my favour this particular.

However, for the purposes of this thread I will nominate “ephemeral”. Hard to use, not easy to define. Lovely on the lips.

I think I had an early onset old man episode the other day.

I had occasion to change laces in my trusty DMs the other day. Home in the evening and took off shoes. The laces were frayed and shredded. After ONE DAY. One tie only. Dilemma. Should I return or not. Thought better of that due he I would be perceived. But I can’t let it go.

Have others had experience of such catastrophic failure?

I had a long weekend this past weekend.

The intention being to reorganise LPs, cds etc.

As an experiment, in these days of massive increase in gas/electricity I decided to keep gas central heating off and see how much I use solely to warm up hot water in morning. Mission accomplished but bugger me it was nippy in the house.

Return to work today and had meeting with client. Topic of rising fuel costs comes up. I proudly, and to much admiration, explained my sophisticated remote control central heating. All controlled by the app I proffered. It’s even got geo fencing so when I leave home, heating turns off. Clever stuff. Admiring glances what do you use I was asked. I replied.

A little later when I got home I thought I would check the meter reading. Yikes. What’s this? I had used about 10x the gas when I was at work that when home yesterday.

Walked in the front door and met by a wall of heat.

Suspicious.

Pored over my multi faceted micro controllable app.

Then …

I had set the geo fencing to turn ON the heat when I » Continue Reading.