Musings on the byways of popular culture
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After 50 years, it’s time to hang up the lions mane wig and watch Countdown.
Enjoy your dotage Mr C (until a huge reformation or final farewell offer comes along – maybe at the end of Saltburn Pier) Fare Thee Well …
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What does it sound like?:
Ahhh … the Tribute Album. A collection of artists rendering their own versions of to their favourite songs by an artist that was no doubt a formative influence on them. Bad Company will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November 2025, and to mark the occasion, 10 acts have offered up their own takes on the cream of the Bad Company songbook. Paul Rogers and Simon Kirke also make appearances – cynical me says “did the acts just use the original backing tracks and perform over it karaoke style” – nope, they are both there on the recordings. Like Bruce Foxton in From The Jam, does this mean they are making a tribute to themselves. And why not … the songs remain a hard-wired part of 70s rock cannon. Whilst I can’t back this up with fact, I’m of the belief that Bad Company were bigger in America than the UK – and they were pretty big in the UK. This belief is evidenced by the roll call of names here – of the 10 (including Halestorm, Slash, Black Stone Cherry, and Charley Crockett) the only UK representation is » Continue Reading.
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Author:Iron Maiden (Foreword by Steve Harris, Backword by Bruce Dickinson)
Produced to mark the 50th Anniversary of the band that have basically become the embodiment of Heavy Metal. If a non-HM fan was asked to name one band of the genre, the answer would more than likely be Iron Maiden. In a 45 year recording career, they have sold somewhere between “huge amounts” and “sh*tloads” of albums, toured almost every year and every continent, played to audiences ranging from 3 men and a dog to 250,000 punters, suffered line-up changes but not as many as contemporaries (as a recoding unit: 3 singers, 4 guitarists, 2 drummers, and 1 bass player), and just kept going in their own way. And it is that one bass player (step forward Mr Steve Harris) who has driven the band from the pubs in East End London to stadiums of the world, wrote many of the songs, and generally protected and coveted the Iron Maiden template and name. And to think, without the burning ambition – that’s the last time I lever an IM song title into this review, honest – Steve Harris could’ve gone down the professional football route (it was an option) or » Continue Reading.
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Author:Billy Bragg (Edited by Iain Key)
Billy Bragg wrote the foreword to the recent A People’s History Of The Clash, and now teams up with Iain Key (the author of The Clash tome) to release his own People’s History. This is the history (from early days learning guitar with next door neighbour Wiggy) told by those who saw it from street parties, to any club that would host a gig, to the back of a Volvo, and from the stage of Wembley Stadium. And when one of those voices is Billy himself, the oral history becomes partial autobiography. Despite his well recorded activism and outspokenness, I’m not convinced the “real” Billy Bragg is recognised. This book comes as close to revealing just who is Billy Bragg than any of the many passages, Wikipedia entries, biographies (and I’ve read a few). And who is he? Just a bloke from Barking with a belief in himself, those around him, fairness, justice, and the ability not to see himself as any better than anyone else. It’s not an “against the odds I made it” or “poor me, the hardship I’ve suffered” tale, but there is a certain fight for his voice to be » Continue Reading.
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No re-Union coming then …
From Morrissey Official Facebook page: A SOUL FOR SALE September 3, 2025 Morrissey has no choice but to offer for sale all of his business interests in “The Smiths” to any interested party / investor. This would include Morrissey’s full and exclusive rights to : 1. The name ‘The Smiths’, as created by Morrissey. 2. All Smiths artwork, as created by Morrissey. 3. All Smiths merchandising rights. 4. All Smiths songs lyrically / musically. 5. All synchronisation rights. 6. All Smiths recordings. 7. All contractual rights for Smiths publishing. Morrissey: “I am burnt out by any and all connections to Marr, Rourke, Joyce. I have had enough of malicious associations. With my entire life I have paid my rightful dues to these songs and these images. I would now like to live disassociated from those who wish me nothing but ill-will and destruction, and this is the only resolution. The songs are me – they are no one else – but they bring with them business communications that go to excessive lengths to create as much dread and spite year after year. I must now protect myself, especially my health.” Any serious investors should make » Continue Reading.
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What does it sound like?:
Recognising the highly important 53rd Anniversary, one of the greatest Live albums of 70s Rock Cannon gets the (inevitable) Steven Wilson treatment, and big box configuration including the original album, each of the recorded shows, all the encores, and a Blu-Ray Dolby Atmos Mix. Deep Purple never wanted to put out a live album. It was the sales of a live bootleg, and the performance of recent live albums including the Who’s Live at Leeds and the Rolling Stones’ Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out that (begrudgingly?) convinced them there might some commercial sense in it. Scheduled to tour Japan, the band were still not “hot” on the idea especially when presented with the equipment offered by the record company in Japan. Martin Birch was pulled in to engineer, upgraded equipment secured, and 2 shows at Festival Hall Osaka and 1 at Budokan Tokyo recorded for later assembly to the finished album. After the Tour closed, band interest in the album was still not high, and the compiling and mixing left to Martin Birch (with some partial assistance from Ian Paice and Roger Glover). The finished product was originally intended to be for the Japanese market » Continue Reading.
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Author:All The Young Punks – Iain Key / Solid Bond In Your Heart – Malcolm Wyatt
Two books based around memories, thoughts, and anecdotes of 2 bands from the same time period, and in many cases the same audience. These books aren’t intended to be a history of the bands, so don’t go expecting to find any new stories or revelations – The Jam book has a slightly more historic bent starting at 1973 (the formation of The Jam) whilst The Clash tale starts in September 1976. From these starting points, chronology follows stopping off at major points for comment and memories from a wealth of contributors – all with a story to tell how those moments are seared into memory. The authors, I’m guessing, are of a similar age to me as in their introductions they both state they never got to see the bands live (me neither, but I have seen many tribute acts – close enough), and in the case of Iain Key came late to The Clash through The Story Of The Clash compilation in 1988 (me too, and then worked backwards from there). Knowing the history, music, and reputation of the bands, and not being » Continue Reading.
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Obituary
The last of the New York Dolls leaves us aged 75. New York Dolls – their influence is perhaps greater than their substance. “Mock Rock” – possibly, but the first album is definitely worth a listen (maybe ignore the second album and go straight to the 2006 comeback album – coming after the Morrissey curated 2004 Meltdown Festival).
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/david-johansen-new-york-dolls-singer-buster-poindexter-dead-obituary-1235284539/ In between Dolls duties, tried his hand at acting and earned a whole $1 when his legs appeared in the John Lennon & Yoko Ono film Up Your Legs Forever
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Passed away aged 69. Integral part of the trio – even if he was the most un-mod looking (he even had a beard at one point). Solid drummer throughout, and author of a couple of memoirs. Yes, admittedly it appeared like he did have a bit of a chip on his shoulder, but always came over as very calm and grounded and content with his lot in life. Only had one writing credit for The Jam – Funeral Pyre – which started as a jam in the studio and built from there, and showcases his contribution to the band.
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and they always have, and I’m sure always will. New single out now, album to follow at some point in 2025. Tour Dates through June and July, so best guess would be May (?) Nut if they are doing things their own way, it could be November …
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Greatest Hits, The Best Of …, The Very Best Of …, The Collection, The Ultimate Collection … and other titles suggesting an indispensable collection of “stuff”. But does it always match up to expectations? A Greatest Hits album was often put out as a contract filler, at a time when artists were moving labels, or when they had split. And if you’re going to call an album “Greatest Hits”, it’s a good idea to actually have some.
cue Dave Gorman’s riff on Scouting For Girls Greatest Hits
The formula was simple – collect everything together and bung it on album as a sort of “Thank You and Goodbye!” Recently, and increasingly often, a Greatest Hits package is thrown out containing a couple of new tracks, exclusive re-mixes, alternate versions, or other chuff meaning even if you’ve got everything you have to buy it for the new things (note: you don’t HAVE to buy it, but if you have that completist gene, you probably will) And anyway, Greatest Hits album aren’t real albums are they, it’s not like they are an essential part of an artists canon. Maybe not, but they do offer a first route in to the unfamiliar, » Continue Reading.
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Obituary
King Crimson lyricist responsible for: The rusted chains of prison moons are shattered by the sun I walk a road, horizons change, the tournament’s begun The purple piper plays his tune, the choir softly sing Three lullabies in an ancient tongue for the court of the crimson king
he also wrote: Run for the sun, little one You’re an outlaw once again Time to change, Superman He’ll be with us while he can In the land of make believe
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/music/peter-sinfield-lyricist-for-king-crimson-c%C3%A9line-dion-and-more-dies-aged-80/ar-AA1u9Ky2?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=dc84934cd0f34f958e2adcc6d997437b&ei=11
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is 40 years old today, and I’ve never seen it. Probably scared off by the limp reviews and “it ain’t all that” warnings … but No More Lonely Nights is a superb Macca toon. (and no, I’m not posting a video in the box!) Has anyone actually seen it, and is it worth seeking out for a watch? Worthwhile addition to the cannon or a combination of over-estimating one’s abilities and audience acceptance (and/or a (potential) tax dodge)?
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Original Iron Maiden singer, 66. He may not have had the range of Bruce Dickinson, but in fairness Bruce hasn’t really got the voice for the early stuff.
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The Smiths Should Reunite Without Johnny Marr, Gene Simmons Says: ‘Get Rid of the Guitar Player, Nobody Cares’
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Obituary
A man who purported to own every single that had ever charted in the UK. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn9lqr5wqg9o
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My entries to Blogger Takeover have been dwindling over the past 3 or so months. Now OK, work has been busy, my mind often elsewhere, and for the last 6 weeks the house has been in pieces as some much welcomed re-decoration is taking place. As part of this clearance, the stereo was removed, so therefore was all “normal” listening. Spotify moments and YouTube selections (usually of “stuff” I already know) has become the new normal, and whilst 6Music is still perma-tuned station of choice in the car I find I’m no longer enjoying it as much as I once did (this could of course be down to a recent re-brand/re-shuffle/re-centring of the target market – which I am probably no longer part of)
Once decoration was finished, and as a birthday present to myself, I bought a new stereo and eagerly and gleefully set it up. And then stood for about 10 minutes staring at the CD shelves trying to find some inspiration – none came! And it’s still not coming … culturally, I’m at a low
Music – see above. Stacked CD shelves, Amazon Wish Lists, and 6Music not giving any magic (was in that London last week, » Continue Reading.
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As the Euros pass into history, the arguments of Gareth’s record become yesterdays news, there is no time for a Summer Break as FPL has re-launched for another season. This means I’m spending too many free moments debating whether having Salah and Haaland in the same team is viable, if an Ipswich defender is a playable 4.0m investment, and longer term planning for International Breaks, fixture congestion around Christmas, and the inevitable knee-jerk transfer required as one of my picks suffers a season-long injury in the first 10 minutes of the opening game. Anybody else want to ruin their Sunday mornings rueing their team and captain selections?
The Afterword League has been auto-renewed – so if you were in last year, you should get entered again. If not, then the code is: izs9mz
If there is enough interest, I’ll also set-up a Head To Head League for added competition and bragging rights
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Obituary
https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/joe-egan-stealers-wheel-singer-dead-at-77/
No comment yet from Gerry Rafferty
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Shane Warne bamboozled Mike Gatting …
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Obituary
No more pushing pineapples or grinding coffee
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I have been given many, many boxes of CDs (I do love it when friends and colleagues “go digital”, as I’m the beneficiary of their old physical product). One box contains a near full catalogue of Neil Young. Now, I already own some of these but now have a perfect opportunity to fill the gaps. But … when does Shakey become “completists only” rather than “must have”? I’m drawing the line at 1995s Mirror Ball, and 1997s (live) Year Of The Horse.
So what delights am I missing if I set this line in the sand?
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Somehow my name and address has leaked out somewhere and a bunch of funking bar-stewards are setting up Car Insurance policies in my name, not paying for them, and then I spend many hours on the phone to Insurance Companies explaining the issue. Some companies refer to their Fraud Teams pretty quickly, others treat my calls with suspicion asking for more an more details (and then probably doing nothing hoping it goes away) I have now got a CIFAS flag on my Credit Report, which has stopped some of them, but not those coming through Third Party Insurance Brokers. And now today, I have been refused extension to my existing Car Insurance policy – no change in circumstances, but the Insurance Company tell me “we have reviewed the risks, and are unable to offer you Insurance”.
I’m bloody annoyed!
I can’t be the only one suffering this – any advice or similar suggestions greatly accepted (becuase I’m running out of ideas and patience)
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Which means the prices aint coming down any time soon, but they might stabalise a bit as little Rishi and his mates try to find new ways to keep a lid on price rises (plus I believe they’re waiting for the next Hawkwind Box Set and don’t want to be priced out of the market)
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/mar/11/vinyl-records-uk-inflation-basket-taylor-swift-1989
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Author:Mark Perry
In July 1976, Glam Rock fan and Bank Clerk Mark Perry was wandering his favourite record stores when he asked at the Rock On Stall in Soho Market if they had any magazines about this new “Punk thing” he’d been reading about in the NME – his interest piqued by the first Ramones album, The Flamin’ Groovies at the Roundhouse, and the spying of familiar faces at Gigs. The Rock On Stall had nothing to offer other than an American publication, but nothing about what was clearly happening in London. The man on the stall – half-jokingly – suggested that he start one himself if he can’t find what he was looking for. So that’s just what he did – he returned to his bedroom in Deptford, armed himself with a ream of paper, a cheap typewriter, and some felt tip pins and produced Issue 1 of Sniffin’ Glue. He went back to Rock On with the 50 copies he’d photocopied, and to his surprise they sold and Rock On gave him some money to produce more.
Issue 1 was pieced together on enthusiasm and adrenaline, rather than a journalistic ideal. And it was this DIY style that » Continue Reading.
