Will Varley is a consummate songwriter from the South of England who has put out 6 records of beautiful, bruised but ultimately uplifting folk leaning music over the last few years. He’s flirted with success whilst gaining a devoted army of fans and admirers. Not least Billy Bragg, who appears on the new record. That new record is out at the end of this month and has upped the ante somewhat. The songs are a little more widescreen, the melodies seem to reach a little closer to, I’d not the mainstream, then the canon of the classic singer songwriters. Whether it’s the one that puts him up a level or not, his work will continue to grow and he’ll share his wisdom and warm ruminations on life and it’s travails with those who are already listening. There’s much here that I would commend to you. If you like Israel Nash then I think you’ll hear echoes of his music here, albeit a more English version of that sensibility. It’s very Afterword adjacent, I’d say, He’s a prolific touring act and will be out on the road later this year in support of this record in venues that are respectably sized » Continue Reading.

A little game to pass the time. It follows this format…

It was mentioned elsewhere that, just as one blog sets up a discussion of one side of an argument, so another pop up shortly afterwards to present the opposite perspective.

The excellent thread about loving the runts of the litter led me to conversely ponder how many sacred cows I just can’t get on with. It’s not about familiarity breeding contempt, not about hating a band or artist’s work wholesale. It’s about those albums that are supposed to represent the pinnacle of a body of work but which just leave you cold.

I’ll kick us off with Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours. Currently enjoying a canonisation that I’m sure it didn’t quite have 10-15 years ago it now seems to be generally accepted to be the pinnacle of their career, adored by hipsters and the general public alike.

To me it just drones on and on in the middle of the road, only peeking up briefly when the bit from the Grand Prix briefly pops in to give a proustian rush of Sunday afternoons in the 80s before the cocaine whiteout AOR wafts back in to stupefy the listener for another 25 minutes. I’d far rather puzzle through the » Continue Reading.

I don’t know of anywhere else I could reasonably expect an answer to this question, except a fan forum and I don’t want to start to tread those murky waters. Has anyone been to one of Nick’s current gigs? I think he’s only done Glasgow and Edinburgh so far so the Scottish contingent are probably my best bet.

I’d like to know what time he’s coming on, roughly. I’m seeing him at Hammersmith on Saturday but I’m working in Earl’s Court until 9 so won’t get there until nigh on half past. Need to know whether I’ll miss so much of the gig to render it pointless and just sell the tickets on instead. I’m hoping he’s starting late but he’s doing long sets and has no support so I’m not hopeful.

Any wise counsel much appreciated.