The Afterword

Musings on the byways of popular culture

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Ian Curtis

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It’s 40 years today since Joy Division’s Ian Curtis died. Hooky is apparently streaming a three hour gig that his band did in 2015 which includes every JD song ever recorded.

Barney and Steve Morris are hosting an online event ‘Moving Through the Silence: Celebrating The Life and Legacy of Ian Curtis‘ and raising money for mental health charities.

I daresay there will be other tributes to. I shall give Unknown Pleasures and Closer a listen today. I rarely play them despite them being at the top of my top 10.

https://www.nme.com/news/music/peter-hook-to-stream-gig-of-every-joy-division-song-in-tribute-to-ian-curtis-macclesfield-permanent-2668540

Acoustic guitar strings

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I have neglected/ignored my acoustic guitar in more recent times but have been picking it up more often lately. It’s in need of a restring but having not restrung it for ages I was wondering if anyone has any tips on what make of strings to go for. When I played it a lot, I tended to go for D’Addario 11s. The guitar is an Ovation Custom Balladeer with a shallow bowl body and I’m after strings that give as full a round sound as possible. Even though it’s semi-acoustic I only play it unplugged these days.

Any recommendations most appreciated.

Laura Veirs tickets – Bodega, Nottingham, Tuesday 5 February

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Bobness of this fair parish and myself have made a bit of a cock-up on the gig front and purchased tickets for both Laura Veirs and John Grant next Tuesday. Sadly they are not sharing the same stage so something’s got to give and as we’ve seen LV probably a dozen times in the past, we’ve plumped for Mr Grant.

Therefore if anyone (or two) fancy a cracking evening of alternative folk/Americana please get in touch and I’m sure we can do you a deal.

Ta.

Bass guitar question

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Bobness of this parish and myself were fortunate enough to see the wonderful Joan as Policewoman at the equally wonderful Birmingham Town Hall last night. Something that I noticed during the gig was that Joan’s bass player had some sort of chrome cover across his strings on the body of his guitar, and we wondered what it was for on the way back to Nottingham.

A search of the internet did not prove conclusive. Suggestions ranged from them being ‘just for looks’ to having some sort of mute function, whilst some bright spark on the much respected ‘thegearpage’ thought:

“It’s to keep those annoying caffeine-fueled funksters from inflicting that horrible ‘pop n slap’ crap on the world!! Or something like that…”

Can any light be shed in these parts.

Joan as Policewoman – Birmingham Town Hall, 19/4/2018

Songs that are millstones

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Apologies to @Tiggerlion, shamelessly picking up on your ‘Songs of a Generation’ thread in which you mention that some classics can actually end up being a millstone around the artist’s neck.

This made me immediately think of Babybird, known to just about everyone solely for ‘Your Gorgeous’, a song I’ve never liked but which was clearly a classic for many at the time. A mate talked me into seeing them live quite a while ago now and I went along somewhat apprehensively as this song was all I know about them at the time. When they came to sing it, frontman Stephen Jones said: ‘Here’s the song that ruined my career’. Given the content of the rest of the gig, I couldn’t have agreed more as the rest of set was tremendous and he/they deserve a wider audience, yet will be remembered for that one song.

Here’s one of many finer moments from Babybird. Any other bands/artists you feel have suffered a similar fate (apologies if this has been done before on here).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmLFFqAJ7oA

Cakesville, Arizona

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There’s a veritable Smorgasbord of cake in the office today, presumably inspired by the parsnip cake I made last week. I approached said cakefest earlier and said ‘blimey, it’s Cakesville, Arizona round ‘ere’.

Now, where have I got this phrase from. I’m sure there used to be something on the telly years ago when anything in abundance could be described as Anythingville, Arizona etc.

Can anyone shed any light or am I imagining it all.

ATM – iPod Classic Streaming

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A word of warning – I know next to nowt about Bluetooth.

The old iPod Classic (6th generation) isn’t getting the use it once was, primarily because my commute is shorter these days and going to and from work was when I used it most.

I would like to be able to use it more at home/in the garden and have given thought to buying a dock, but it would appear that it is possible to but a Bluetooth iPod transmitter and then play it through a Bluetooth speaker. This option would appear to allow me to maintain my couch potato lifestyle, rather than having to get up when I want a change.

I’ve done a bit of reading and there is the suggestion that not all iPod transmitters are compatible with all speakers. Given my lack of Bluetooth knowledge, I don’t know if this is the case or not.

I’m after a fairly compact speaker and the Cambridge Go wireless speaker has caught my eye. Would this connect to any iPod transmitter I buy or do I need to buy a particular make.

Any help and advice (or other potential options) gratefully received.

Cheers.

Smudger.

I want a new camera – ATM

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Recently spent a fortnight in Ireland (had an ace time) and whilst the simple point and shoot compact camera has preserved some great memories, the quality of the pictures could have been better and there were times, particularly when trying to get a picture of some wildlife, when I missed some potential great shots due to the lack of zoom.

It feels like it’s time to upgrade and get a decent camera but I’m no expert so was hoping for a bit of advice. I would like it to be fairly compact as I tend to do loads of walking when I’m away so don’t want to be carrying something big and bulky around, but, probably to the contrary, would also like something I can attach a zoom lens to so I can get the close ups of distant wildlife. I definitely want a viewfinder (can’t be doing with trying to frame photos using the screen on the back of the camera) but, other than that, a half decent general all-round smallish camera is what I’m after.

Would be happy to pay a few hundred quid but would be prepared to pay a bit more if there’s something out there » Continue Reading.

Harmonicas

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The boss is leaving work at the end of next week and we understand that he is keen to learn how to play the harmonica but has never got round to doing so. However, we wouldn’t know where to start in terms of looking for one.

He’s into his 70s and 80s rock music with Cheap Trick being his favourite, if that’s of any use.

Any harmonica aficionados out there who could suggest a half decent one we could get him as a present. Given other bits we are getting him, the budget is probably around £40-£50.

Duke Special

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Venue:

Nottingham Glee Club

Date: 12/03/2015

Yet another great evening in the company of Belfast’s Duke Special on the beginning of a tour to promote his soon to be released new album Look Out Machines (out 6 April). Songs from the new album were interspersed with some old favourites (Last Night I Nearly Died, Freewheel, Brixton Leaves, Wanda) and an eclectic selection of covers (Ash’s Shining Light, The Smiths There is a Light, a Lemonheads song, some Harry Nilsson songs and a couple by Ivor Cutler). Well supported by Paul Cook and the Chronicles.

The audience:

From 20 to 70 year olds, me fitting perfectly in the middle of the range. A decent turn out with most of 200 odd seats taken, although I cannot let the opportunity pass to remark that they were perhaps the hardest, most uncomfortable seats my bony backside has even had the misfortune to sit on.

It made me think..

Is taking a cushion into a gig the done thing these days? Thought not.