We are not even 2 weeks in yet, but from a day of solid listening I predict that Bill Ryder-Jones’ new offering ‘lechyd Da’ will feature prominently on end of year lists. There will likely be much bigger fans of his work than I on this blog, but I have always enjoyed his output though would not be able to class myself as an avid follower. I popped his album on whilst working this morning & am very very impressed. It is full of gorgeous songs with lush orchestration & flows perfectly. I think a trip into town to purchase the vinyl will be on the cards this weekend
2023 – Books
It’s the one for books! What have you read this year that you have loved & would like to share with your fellow AW mob?
No need for them to be 2023 releases, anything goes I reckon
note to self. Shelf space is low, you know you get eye rolls when yet another books lands on the mat & your excuse of ‘oh this, I preordered it months ago’ does not carry any weight! Just because a book sounds interesting does not mean you should immediately buy it & leave on you shelf!
If I was in charge….
I am not a fan of him (or his party) in any way, but I do agree with the proposal to phase out smoking laid out in Rishi Sunaks speech at conference yesterday. It seems like a step forward for public health & is a good move. The cynic in me does think that this is exactly the sort of announcement used to divert attention away from the fact that they are failing badly on poverty & that foodbanks are now widely used etc., but I am still for it.
There is a wider issue here & that is should a PM be able to enact whatever new laws he/she wants without it being part of a manifesto etc?. It is quite indicative of how much of a mess politics is at the moment.
Anyway, to try & put a bit of a lighter note on this (& following on from a conversation me & my partner had about this), what law would you bring in if you were in charge?
Some rules to keep this light (and civil, I promise i have not raised this to start an angry thread!). How about just sticking to the » Continue Reading.
Jude Rogers – Kindle Alert
Word Alumni Jude Rogers book ‘The Sound of Being Human’ is on the Kindle deal so available at £0.99.
I loved this book when I read it so would heartily recommend
What is your go to song/riff when picking up a guitar?
As a bit of an accompaniment to @RigidDigit thread Song NOT to play at the Guitar StoreI thought it would be good to know what song/riff is your go to when handed a guitar/bass/oboe etc.
A bit nasty perhaps, but this song is the worst!
I tend to like most music, or at the very least appreciate it & look on it kindly. Some things might not be for me (Dua Lipa, Busted, Van Morrison* for example), but I do get why others would be enamoured with it & thus show it the respect deserved.
However, todays Discover Weekly playlist on Spotify has thrown up a doozy & I felt obliged to share as it could well be the worst song I have ever heard. The song in question is called ‘Everywhere Is War’ & is by a band called ‘The So So Glos featuring Conor Oberst’. I class myself as a bit of a fan of his band Bright Eyes so i was reasonably excited to here what a this would be
Before clicking on the link, just have a quick read of the bands bio on Spotify & see if you can marry this to the godawful song in any way: Influenced by the punk energy of the Clash, the garage rock of the Stooges, and the ’60s pop of the Kinks, the So So Glos are a politically charged punk outfit from Brooklyn, New York
*this is a joke. I am » Continue Reading.
What are you great at?
An accompaniment to @dkhbrit post about being hopeless but with a different slant.
What mundane tasks are you really good at?
500 Gigs
Warning – self indulgence alert!
Earlier this month I saw Pulp in Sheffield, which according to the little intro video before they came on stage, was their 532nd gig! Rather selfishly, I was more interested in the fact it was my 500th!
What started with a couple of failed attempts (see below) & has taken in some of the biggest names in music, it felt quite fitting that I celebrated this with Richard Hawley & Pulp (two artists I adore) in their hometown.
You may ask how do I know this is my 500th and the answer is that I am an absolute loser who keeps a spreadsheet of details for all concerts I’ve attended! However, this has meant that I have a log of every gig (with supports!) which is a great record to have & is great to look back on.
A few stats;
First – Bon Jovi (9th July 1996) with Skunk Anansie, Ricky Ross & a local band called Alone supporting. As I have mentioned on this site previously, I should have seen Nirvana (27th March 1994) but it was postponed for Cobains overdose in Rome & then ultimately cancelled for the obvious! » Continue Reading.
The last album which blew you away
The band LYR released their latest album last Friday & I reckon I have listened to it about 50 times in the last 5 days! This is an exaggeration to make a point, but I’m probably not out by much. I think it is wonderful & will likely feature on a few end of year lists if there is any justice.
LYR are made up of Richard Walters, Patrick J Pearson & poet Simon Armitage, whose lyrics are as you would expect & are thankfully included as a sleeve with the record. I discovered them by way of the ‘Discover Weekly’ playlists on Spotify in 2021 & the track Cascade Theory was the one that tempted me to delve further.
I’ve enjoyed a lot of albums this year, but this is the most enamored I have been with a new album for a good few years. It has that brilliant thing where something new is jumping out with each listen and each track has a claim to be the best on the LP. Today it is the closing track ‘To The Fashion Industry In Crisis’, but when I had it on last night it was ‘Hockney Red’. On » Continue Reading.
This Cultural Life Podcast – Nick Cave
Just posting this here in case it has been missed by anyone interested. This Cultural Life is a BBC Radio 4 show/podcast with John Wilson & is an ‘in-depth conversation with some of the worlds leading artists & creatives across theatre, visual arts, music, dance, film & more’.
I only stumbled across it this morning & have devoured the Nick Cave episode which I thought was wonderful. I have downloaded quite a few more episodes & think it will become a staple of my podcasts if the first one is anything to go by
HOUSE Of ALL
Venue:
The White Hotel, Salford
Date: 19/05/2023
When it was announced that Martin Bramah would be fronting an ex-Fall line up along with the Hanley brothers, Si Wolstencroft & Pete Greenway, I was pretty excited. I’m a big fan of The Fall, but only discovered them around the time of Reformation Post TLC & as such only ever got to see the last two lineups. I would loved to have seen all different eras & this (along with seeing Brix & The Extricated a few times) is as close as you can get. The recently released debut album is great, so as soon as tickets went on sale I snapped them up straight away to see them live. The venue was a little bit ropey (it’s an old garage in the middle of an industrial estate), but aesthetics aside the sound was fantastic & it suited the BIG solid sound the band pump out. Pete Greenway had pulled out of the tour, but the stand in guitarist did a great job & the rest of the band were really on form.
The band opened up with a brand new song, quite impressive seeing as the album was only » Continue Reading.
Desert Island Discs – The Afterword
We all know the format, so let’s share the 8 tracks, a book & a luxury item to keep us busy whilst marooned on a desert island. Also mark which track is the one you would save from the waves..
As a bonus, if you are a fan of the radio show then please share your favourite episode
1 – Tonight We Fly by The Divine Comedy 2 – Atmosphere by Joy Division 3 – Toluca Stars by Underworld 4 – Topaz by The B52’s 5 – Wandering Star by Portishead 6 – Just A Girl She Said by Dubstar 7 – Virile by The Blaze* 8 – On Melancholy Hill by Gorillaz
Book – Vernon God Little by DBC Pierre
Luxury – A 1973 Fender Telecaster Deluxe & amp
Favourite Episode – Nick Park. He introduced me to Fleece The World by John Shuttleworth & if I remember this correctly, I felt that Kirsty Young seemed a little bit smitten with him
Q1 check in – your favourite song of 2023
As we are now 25% of the way through 2023 (how the hell has that happened?!) I thought it would be grand to see what 2023 releases have wowed you so far.
For me it is this earworm from Iona Zajac called Rubbish Jubilee. I enjoyed it on first listen but it is one I keep going back to
Over to you
12th January 1963 – Harlem Square Club
It was 60 years ago today that Sam Cooke played the Harlem Square Club & produced what I believe is one of the greatest live albums of all time.
I have it on now & suggest you all do the same.
Having a clear out of books
I’m having a clear out of books (New Year, New Me & everything) & thought some would be of interest to you lovely lot. All I ask is for the cost of the postage or a contribution to charity.
Below is a list and if there any you fancy then send me a message & I’ll get them sent recorded delivery (should be about £4 for postage and the envelope I reckon). I can then share my PayPal details. Or as mentioned above, something to charity would be grand.
‘Good’ Christmas Songs
Jim Bob from Carter USM tweeted this morning as below;
‘Based on an early morning trip to Tesco I have decided that all Christmas Songs recorded since Fairytale of New York are rubbish’
I disagree with this as I think there have been a few crackers (SWIDT), although I do believe that FoNY is a classic despite suffering from the curse of being over played these last few years.
A couple of great Christmas tracks beloved by the little ones are below
Your Gig of the year – 2022
As we have done album, TV & books, I feel it is only right we have a thread celebrating our favourite gigs of the year. Who has impressed you in 2022?
Björk is Bjack
The new Björk track has just been released & I think it is a good un.
That drum sound is second to none & sounds great through headphones. Hopefully a good indicator of the upcoming 10th album
Songs that are better live
Spotifys Discover Weekly threw up the Matt Berry track ‘Take My Hand’ this morning. I find the studio version a bit dull & forgettable if I am honest. However, the live version of this track is absolutely storming & has an energy to it that is lacking in the former.
Are there any other tracks where this is the case?
Joyride
Venue:
Regent Cinema, Marple
Date: 04/08/2022
It was one of those great moments, my mother in law had offered to have our little ones staying with her for the night so we had the chance for a random Thursday night out.
What with work in the morning we decided to opt for a bit of food & then whatever was playing at the one screen cinema 5 minutes down the road. Luckily this is the beautiful Regent cinema in Marple, a tiny independent theatre which still values the mid-film interval & ice creams being sold at front.
The film showing was the new Olivia Colman one called Joyride. An Irish coming of age drama/comedy about a new mother Joy (Colman) who, when passed out in the back with her one week old baby, has her taxi stolen by a 12 year old (the promising Charlie Reid). He has just scarpered with some second hand stolen money that his Da has taken from a charity night to honour his recently deceased Ma. What follows is a story with more holes in it than Swiss cheese & I suspect the title was thought of before an idea was flushed out….. Basically, Joy » Continue Reading.
Mercury Prize – 2022
The shortlist has been announced & nothing of great surprise on there by the looks of it.
*This year’s Mercury prize nominees* Jessie Buckley and Bernard Butler – For All Our Days That Tear the Heart Joy Crookes – Skin Sam Fender – Seventeen Going Under Gwenno – Tresor Kojey Radical – Reason to Smile Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert Fergus McCreadie – Forest Floor Nova Twins – Supernova Self Esteem – Prioritise Pleasure Harry Styles – Harry’s House Wet Leg – Wet Leg Yard Act – The Overload
Of those listed I very much enjoyed the Yard Act & Self Esteem ones, but I’ve not got to one or two of them yet (although i have heard some good things about the Harry Styles one). I will address this over the coming days.
Are there any glaring omissions? For me the album of the year has been SOAK with ‘If I Never Know You Like This Again’ & I doubt it will be surpassed. I have listened to it at least once a day for a couple of months now & it gets better each time. Would love to see them get some deserved recognition.
Dessert Island Discs
The thread on Bono reminded me of something in Brian Bilstons book (Diary of a Somebody) that I read earlier this month. In it he lists his ‘Dessert Island Discs’ as below
1 – Sundae Bloody Sundae 2 – Fool If You Think It’s Over 3 – Key Lime Every Mountain 4 – Champagne Supavlova 5 – It’s a Family Eclair 6 – Don’t It Make Your Brownies Blue 7 – In the Gateaux 8 – Brulee-vous
I am sure that the Afterword can do better than this & I have seen some glorious (or godawful depending on your stance) puns on this site in previous years
A slice of Pop Perfection. FAO fans of Robyn et al
The new single from Swedish pop sensation Tove Lo has just been released & I cannot get enough.
It instantly feels like a classic to me & like something I will be listening to in 10 years time, much the same as I felt when hearing Dancing On My Own, Shake It Off, Can’t Get You Out Of My Head etc.
Here it is for your enjoyment
Disclaimer, this sort of pop is not for everyone
Half Price Macca Klaxon
Waterstones are selling the lyrics book at 50% off today
Musician Jokes
on the Tom Waits thread, @salwarpe came out with this corker;
Back in the seventies, he was briefly considered as the lead singer for a revitalised Herman’s Hermits. Tom Waits for Noone?
This made me think of another gag I like;
I saw Gilbert O’Sullivan in the bank at lunchtime & when I asked what what he was there for he replied with ‘A loan again, naturally”
Any others ?