Went to BBC Maida Vale last night for the recording of Mastertapes with EC. Usually this programme relates to a single album but once you hit the level of EC or Paul McCartney it becomes more of a retrospective and that was the format for last night. Elvis played a few songs from the back catalogue and a few from the new album. As a raconteur he’s great and he has refined his art over the 40+ years and of course writing his book. Some good stories and a relatively rapid walk through the career from Dad and Joe Loss to working with heroes like McCartney and Bacharach. Q & A session didn’t work so well, possibly due to poor questions but he was on fine form after his recent illness “i feel chipper” It went on an hour later than planned due to the old adage (adapted) “I didn’t have time to give a short answer..” and John Wilson was very tolerant as host knowing that it can all be edited down – quite a challenge in this case.

It goes out on 13th October in two parts. Well worth a listen.

Just finished listening to the Creep Show album for the third time – enough to formulate a view I believe.

The thing is, I remember Cabaret Voltaire and how interesting their work seemed to be when they started. Repeated listening revealed a little more earnestness and dare I day it dullness. Fast forward (or rewind) thirty years and here we are again with added John Grant. Cards on the table I bloody love John Grant, recently sat through 2 hours of elbow live to see him support and do part of the encore. When he sings here the whole project shifts up a few gears but it just feels like something that they had fun doing but we have less fun listening to.

On reflection, the issue may be that i am tone deaf to this stuff. I don’t like LCD Soundsystem much either (and they owe their entire career to a combination of The Cabs (as I have never referred to them before) and the Fall.

Nevertheless, I am left with a feeling of why?

If you need one track try safe and sound which is basically Kraftwerk with John Grant singing – now that’s a project » Continue Reading.

I am as big a fan as anyone of the “imperial phase” (Imperial Bedroom phase if you will). But like many others I feel i have remained loyal way beyond the boundaries of common sense. (Juliet Letters, the Orchestral stuff etc.)

So, much to my own surprise last night I was looking for something to listen to and put on North. By way of context, it was late, I had a half decent single malt for company and was in a slightly maudlin mood for reasons that don’t really enhance the context – sick friends, missing lost loved ones etc.

Its actually pretty good. Its a mood piece and I hadn’t listened to it for a good ten years (regrettably i listened to some of his other recent work during those ten years and remain firmly unconvinced by swathes of it).

With hindsight whilst it lacks the immediacy of his pomp, its a thoughtful and obviously well crafted piece of work and whilst it wont make my top 5 Costello albums its much better than i gave it credit for at the time and i wish i’d listened to it a few more time sin the intervening period.

Tonight » Continue Reading.

A slightly unusual combination but let me explain. Noticed that today is Danny’s 60th and wish him well. One of the phrases I recall him overusing on his radio programme is the line about the media “if you’re not scared we aren’t doing our job”

Tonight, Mrs M and three of my wonderful children are off to see Ed Sheeran at the O2. Usually nothing to cause alarm but of course we live in slightly different times. They were all so excited and a simple stay safe seemed to cover it although we all seemed to make sure we told each other how much loved each other this morningbefore work/school.

Sitting in this evening waiting for them to come home I thought, “I know, the social media will tell me how its all going” so went on twitter and searched for Ed Sheeran O2.

First half a dozen things are headed terrorist threat at 02, a couple refer to police helicopters (over West London where the O2 isn’t!) and then there were the more typical pics of the stage from 400 yards away etc which was more like what i was expecting.

My point is this. Whilst the posts are » Continue Reading.

Just appeared on Guardian website.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/may/18/chris-cornell-former-soundgarden-singer-dies-aged-52

Rarely do I find myself indulging in reflection, over-rated I’ve always thought and quite possibly dangerous. But, the other day I was listening to one of the word in your ear podcasts from a while back and the opening “what music was in the house when you were young” question set me off on a rare journey of indulgent reflection and reminiscence.

My answer to the question (which I will never be asked in its original context, just like the one about the desert island..) was that neither of my parents really seemed to like music that much. The albums that I recall being in the house were three Carpenters album (A song for you, now and then and close to you), an Alan Price album – between today and yesterday – the one with Jarrow song on it and a few MFB classical albums. These were all chosen by my mother. As to Dad, well strangely i recall 1,000 volts of holt but never remember him listening to it and that frankly is it. No sign of Elton john or even the Beatles despite them selling a few records in those days.. (2% of all records sold in 1973 » Continue Reading.

Apologies if this has been posted already but just the fact that he is still making music even if only for himself makes me happy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jbdjD6a-xw