The Afterword

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Culturally Bereft

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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.

It’s a Game Of Two Halves (plus Injury Time) – Fantasy Football Returns

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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

Neil Young – Where should I draw the line?

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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?

Identity Theft

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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)

Sniffin’ Glue: And Other Rock ‘n’ Roll Habits

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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.

Stan Bowles

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Obituary

One of the great maverick footballers of the 70s, most notably with QPR from 1972 to 1979. Was at Bury early in his career, and manger Ernie Tagg said of him: “If Stan could pass a betting shop like he can pass a football, he’d be a rich man.” Fell out with Tommy Docherty – Doc said “You can trust me Stan”, Bowles replied “I’d rather trust my chickens with Colonel Sanders – and signed for Nottingham Forest and missed the chance of a European Cup Final when he fell out with Brian Clough. At the fag end of his career playing for Brentford, he was often seen running round the ground, supposedly training, with Terry Bullivant and Terry Hurlock, but stopping off for a pint at each corner pub around Griffin Park.

Pub Quiz Trivia: he shared a flat with Robin Askwith

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68394453

Paul Weller – Soul Wandering

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First release from upcoming album 66 due in May. Why 66? Cos that’s how old he’ll be the day after release. If it’s good enough for Adele …

What does it sound like? Well, it’s Weller-ish innit. First listen: a bit like Sonik Kicks era with a bit of a psychedelic makeover

YouTube Autoplay

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Is it only me? Have I mucked up a setting somewhere? What are you on about you complete fool?

Well … browsing through these here pages, I’m getting all embedded videos auto-playing. Open a new page from the Updates, again all vids on the page start playing. Quite the cacophony, and quite the annoyance scrolling through and pausing them all.

Anyone else, or am I just “special”?

Green Day – The American Dream Is Killing Me

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Green Day have released 11 albums (13 if you count ¡Uno!, ¡Dos!, ¡Tré! as individual releases), and now album number 12 (or 14) has snuck out to little fanfare (or I just missed the fanfare, but it’s here now). All those albums were pretty good in their own way – some very good, others a bit “must try harder”. But only one of them was American Idiot – a piece of work that looms large in their history, and deservedly so. It’s 20 years old this year, and still sounds great. Their last album – Father of All Motherf**kers – was a strong effort (unfortunately, not very “sticky” and I can’t recall the last time I played it. Not heard the new one yet, but the first release single – The American Dream Is Killing Me – is not sounding too bad. (note: it does sound like Green Day, so don’t go searching for any new soundscapes or experimentation) Only a full listen to the album when it arrives will prove if it has more staying power than a re-listen when assembling the End Of Year lists.

John Squire & Liam Gallagher – Just Another Rainbow

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Since mid-December reports have been coming out of a collaboration between Jon Squire and Liam Gallagher. And today the first fruits of the partnership have seen the light of day. As expected, it does almost sound like a meeting of Stone Rose and Oasis. The lyrics may not be the most insigthful (at one point Liam resorts to reciting the colours of the rainbow), but John Squire’s extended guitar histrionics make up for that. And there is believed to be a full album on the way (not sure when though – I think it might be March), and also a tour together (whether in support of the album or as a co-headliner/special guest thing when Liam tours Definitely Maybe later this year – further fuelling the “Oasis are getting back together – maybe Glastonbury” rumours (very much doubt that will happen – Noel and Liam need to speak to each other first. Unless they are using John Squire as a mediator perhaps?)

Wings – Band On The Run Super Deluxe Edition

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… or the sound of a barrel being scraped?

This SDE release is sub-titled “Underdubbed” and consists of the US version of the original album (the vinyl version is a half-speed master), paired with a second disc which is the initial tough mix prepared by Geoff Emerick before Tony Visconti added the orchestral overdubs.

At least they are honest in their advertising “These so-called ‘Underdubbed Mixes’ are not newly created in the studio in 2023, rather they were prepared by engineer Geoff Emerick on 14 October 1973, less than two months before the release of the album.”

The 50th Anniversary of this album I think deserves a bit more … especially if it’s going to cost £50+ (although it does read like a Giles Martin Dolby Atmos job might be coming later)

https://superdeluxeedition.com/news/unheard-early-mixes-of-paul-mccartney-wings-band-on-the-run-to-feature-on-new-reissue/

Mr. Joe Jackson presents: Max Champion in ‘What A Racket!’

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What does it sound like?:

Music Hall developed from the streets and pubs of London in the mid-19th Century. By the start of the 20th Century, Music Hall had taken up residence in a number of venues across the capital. Attracting large audiences seeking a night out and entertainment, music hall delivered a mix of popular songs, comedy, speciality acts, and variety entertainment. The songs, depicting everyday life in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, were often humorous or satirical, though some were sentimental or patriotic, and others dealt with darker themes such as jealousy and murder. Many were also blatantly sexual, though always expressed in clever euphemisms and double entendres. Max Champion was one such performer treading the boards in the late 19th Century. Little is known about him, except that he was born in 1882 in London’s East End, and is thought to have been related to the great Victorian entertainer Harry Champion. As an up-and-coming performer he shared the stage with big stars such as Gus Ellen and Vesta Tilley, but his career (much like the Music Hall era itself) was cut short by the First World War, and his songs faded into obscurity. That is, until » Continue Reading.

Youtube Ads

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Youtube would obviously like everyone to go down the premium route, but they will allow free viewing as long as you turn off your AdBlocker. Which I have done, but am still getting the “Service Violation – Allow Ads on Youtube” message. All seems to work OK in Edge, only when I restart Chrome does the issue come about. And strangely, embedded videos don’t seem to be an issue.

I even removed all AdBlock extension, cleared the browser history and cache, and restarted Chrome – still the same message. My limited experience in IT suggests turn it off and on again, so a full restart pending.

Anyone else experiencing this (or know how to solve it?)

The Who – Who’s Next | Life House (Super Deluxe Edition – 10 CD + 1 Blu-Ray)

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What does it sound like?:

Is this the greatest Rock Album of All Time? Well, it’s definitely up there. Starting with “Baba O’Riley”, ending on “Won’t Get Fooled Again”. And the stuff in between is not too shabby either. But it wasn’t supposed to be that way. Following incessant touring of Tommy, The Who returned to the studio. The time in the studio produced “The Seeker” single, but it was Live At Leeds album that gave them new energy and moved them further away from Tommy (even though the bulk of the set was Tommy). Back in the studio, 4 more tracks were recorded for an EP, but never released, and the band started work on a new Pete Townshend concept idea. The basic plot came from an interview Townshend gave to Disc and Music Echo in late 1970: Lifehouse is set in the near future in a society in which music is banned and most of the population live indoors in government-controlled “experience suits”. A rebel, Bobby, broadcasts rock music into the suits, allowing people to remove them and become more enlightened. Townshend worked alone constructing demos of the songs to present to the band. However, as the » Continue Reading.

Trevor Francis

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Obituary

The first £1million footballer, and the first to be transferred twice for £1million when Cloughie lost patience with him and his injuries and flogged him to Manchester City in 1981. 5 years in Italy and then signed for Rangers – he might have been slower than his peak, but was still the most gifted player on the pitch most of the time. Never did complete my 1980 Panini Book as my friend refused to swap the Trevor Francis sticker for Mick Mills, Phil Neal, and the Everton badge Also, the only footballer to get a mention in a sitcom theme tune (some mush in Shepherds Bush was flogging Trevor Francis tracksuits)

Gordon McQueen

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Obituary

Leeds, Manchester United and Scotland defender. Was briefly the most expensive transfer between British clubs – February 1978, Leeds to Manchester United for £500,000. Scored in the 86th minute of the 1979 FA Cup Final, setting up “the 5 minute final” (a particularly dull game but for those last 5 minutes)