The Afterword

Musings on the byways of popular culture

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Best AC/DC album?

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I dont have all the AC/DC albums but have always been of the firm view that “Let there be rock” is so perfect it must be the best one. Then I read an article making a strong case for Powerage. Clearly Back in Black is a classic too….what do you think, Massive?

Happy Birthday Sopranos!

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20 years ago today the best TV series ever* aired for the first time. I rewatched it for the 5th time just before Christmas – still utterly brilliant and every time you rewatch an episode you see things you missed before. And what a perfect opening song/set of scenes!

* OOAA

https://youtu.be/RLxSUKA–Dg

Gretchen FM

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I know the divine Gretchen has many fans here – you might be interested to know she and Barry are co-presenting WSM Radio – a mid west country station – tomorrow at 2pm UK time. Point your radio app at www.wsmonline.com.

JK Rowling

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…has done a splendid set of festive tweets on Corbyn and Labour….reproduced here for you (sensible) non-Twitter users…

1 And lo, unto her did appear a host of Corbyn defenders, who did descend upon her mentions, and she was not sore afraid, because she was used to it. And the host did sing with one voice, ‘ungodly woman, thou foolest us not. We know the true reason thou despisest Saint Jeremy.’

2 And she did say unto them ‘share thy hot take.’ And with righteous wrath they did declare, ‘thou fearest Saint Jeremy, friend of the poor, because he shall take from thee in taxation much more even than Herod, and so thou attackest the meek and honest saviour of this land.’

3 And she did reply, ‘I shall not call ye dimwits, for it is the season of goodwill, but tis not Saint Jeremy who shall tax me, nay, not even if he enters the house of Number Ten, for my tax rates are set by Queen Nicola, in whose kingdom I do abide, and unto her I do pay

4 my full portion, seeking neither to flee to Monaco nor to hide my gold in far flung lands, » Continue Reading.

Oscar on the telly

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Back when I were a lad you’d get jazz on the telly, especially Oscar Peterson. He’d have special guests including rock musicians such as Keith Emerson or Rick Wakeman as well as great jazz players such as Count Basie or Joe Pass. He was a great communicator and, given he was one of the best jazz pianist in the world, unfailingly humble and charming. And funny – see here when he also reveals his singing voice. This wonderful clip shows him explaining different jazz piano styles (all of which he can play superbly). His reverence for Art Tatum never left him, and he wouldn’t play in front of him – in fact he gave up playing for weeks after seeing Tatum live (probably the only player who could out shred him.

Marvellous.

https://youtu.be/ec-FrnaU0rs

Bruce on Broadway

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Netflix are showing Bruce’s live on Broadway 2.5 hour show today (and I think only today). Apparently really good though I haven’t yet watched…laterz.

The Afterword #74: The White Albumcast

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Twang, Tiggerlion, Nigel T and Steve C with special guest and Beatles lifer Simon convene in the pod to discuss the Beatles album “The Beatles” aka The White Album. Like its subject, the pod is possibly too long, a bit all over the place, somewhat chaotic and at any time one of the fab four is left wondering what is going on. Nonetheless, much ground is covered, the new remixed box discussed in detail and Twang’s lack of Beatles knowledge brutally exposed. Finally the team take the shears to TWA and produce 5 alternative running orders to fit onto one vinyl album.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/White_Albumcast_master.mp3

Political phoenixes

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Several times recently I’ve come across suggestions that we may once again see Tony Blair and, more recently David Cameron on the political stage.

You’d think Blair is irredeemable – I did until recently – but his interviews with the likes of Nick Robinson have made me miss politicians with a shred of evidence of thought and belief in something. Now, clearly there is a problem here – many will never forgive him for Iraq. I am of that group. However if it doesn’t matter that the Labour leader mourns the death of the terrorist who masterminded the Munich terror attack, perhaps the man who launched a (just about) legally prosecuted war has a way back. I wouldn’t put money on it but I sense he’s gaining a little toehold in something. Given the choice between whatever nutter runs the Tories and Jeremy Corbyn, well, I’d have to think. Then vote Lib Dem, but we have our own problems. Hmmm.

Cameron I can only see returning due to inconceivable party largesse as for me he is a completely busted flush, calling a referendum to resolve party differences which he then cocked up the campaign and left the party more riven » Continue Reading.

The Afterword #73: The Bandcast

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Twang, Skirky, Bartleby, Askwith and El Hombre Malo convene in the pod to discuss the noble practice of being in a band – forming, storming, norming, falling apart, making a row and having FUN.  Hoary anecdotes are told, bad gigs ruefully recounted and occasional triumphs celebrated.  Tips are available on the tricky art of getting rid of failing band members – spoiler alert, cowardice is your friend.  Part 2 is threatened…

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theafterwordpodcast/Bandcast_master.mp3

Corduroy

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I find myself curiously drawn to corduroy. Cord jeans were a thing when I was a teenager. There was the great early 80s elephant cord scare… Since then, nothing. Suddenly, I fancy some black cord jeans, or a battered pale brown cord jacket (the like of which I might have worn to 6th form). What is happening?

The Afterword Guide to Terrible Films

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We’ve dipped into terrible films a few times before in sub threads, but I thought it might be a useful service to have a definitive resource to check against before committing to a few hours viewing. I speak from recent experience – see comments. Accepting one person’s meat is another’s poison, it would be good to say why it’s terrible. There’s quite a bit of retrospective reassessment of old films through a modern lense which colours things, for example. Get in and share!

Southend

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I find myself in Southend for a couple of days – recommendations of places to visit gratefully received!

Steven Wilson – “Home Invasion”

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Year: 2018 Director: James Russell, Andy Derbyshire

To the Everyman in Kings Cross for the premiere of Steven Wilson’s film “Home Invasion”, filmed at the Albert Hall earlier this year. I went to the gig but on a different night, but I can report that the film absolutely captures what’s great about SW. Often pigeonholed as “prog”, which is not unfair, this shows off his other pretty dominant influences of acoustic harmony, pop and more experimental electronica through to Bollywood. Dipping right back into the Porcupine Tree catalogue as well as the hit albums of “The raven who refused to sing”, “Hand. Cannot. Erase” and “To the bone” the film is an excellent record of Steven summarising his career with his superb band. They are all terrific players but particular mention should be made of Ninet Tayeb, whose second vocals bring the house down every time she opens her mouth, and the awesome Nick Beggs on bass who represents several metric tonnes of concrete in the foundations of the sound, one minute slapping and popping like an 80s bass player (who was that band…?), sitting in the pocket for pure pop mobility or getting all King Crimson on us on » Continue Reading.

Not secure!

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I just noticed that Chrome is now saying the Afterword is not secure in the command bar….

Google page:

https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95617?visit_id=636756480823120571-2728617905&p=ui_security_indicator&rd=1

Not an encrypted connection according to Edge…

I’ve not noticed this before. What’s going on? Do we care?

ATM Making an animated film.

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I want to make a little animated film to be a video for a piece of music for YouTube. There are various freebie tools on the web – does anyone have any experience of them? I’m thinking along the line of the old OGWT Filmfinders weird films (though drawings, not old footage). Stick men running about would be fine! Any pointers welcome.

I can only dream of this masterpiece.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZRNPUmwAOY&list=PLPU9Jhcb_xw2O5wzxnaxR3RSl0B3l5SbK

The Afterword Guide to Better Living

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I like a good homily, bromide, bit of received wisdom, whatever. Useful for passing on to less wise colleagues or the feckless youth. I am particularly fond of:

If a deal looks too good that’s probably because it is… or The best argument against democracy is a 5 minute chat with the average voter or Penny wise pound foolish (especially when buying fun but non-essential items)

What are yours? Are there times when you have ruefully muttered something, but too late?

Let’s pass on our collective wisdom.

Steve Hackett

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Venue:

London Palladium

Date: 11/10/2018

Steve Hackett’s tour of the U.K. with full band and orchestra ended at the London Palladium with a show understandably heavy on the Genesis, but with a decent serving of his solo material too. The sound was excellent and as full as you’d expect given a 40 piece orchestra sat behind a 6 piece band comprising Steve’s guitar, keys, drums, a Mike Rutherford stand in on bass, double neck guitar with 12 string and bass pedals, a soprano sax player who also played flute, whistle, electronic percussion and bass pedals (bass pedals featured heavily, an intense low frequency buzz which went on rather too long for this punter), a vocalist who could do Gabriel satisfactorily and a variety of special guests. In truth the orchestra was rather lost under the rock band, with only the odd snatch of strings popping up in a quiet bit, or toot of brass finding a hole to pop through but they made a fine back drop and a nice alternative to the ever present film loops which are becoming obligatory at the modern prog gig.

The show opened with “Dance on a Volcano”, from “Trick of the Tail”, » Continue Reading.

Bert jansch – “Just a simple soul”

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What does it sound like?:

Bert Jansch is an icon amongst guitarists, not only for his influence on people like Jimmy Page and Neil Young, but also for his astounding ability to take relatively few notes and make them sound amazing and unique. He’s not a shredder, battering the listener with technique, but rather an artist, making every note count and knowing that the space left between them is probably more important.

This collection gathers representative tracks from Bert’s entire career starting in the early 60s when he seems to have emerged almost fully formed – clearly he’d been listening to American blues finger style players – but quickly shook loose from those standard tropes and took off with a strange amalgam of blues and folk which sounds fantastic today but which must have had a similar effect as that generated by Jimi Hendrix a few years later – WTF is this, they must have wondered. Let’s remember at the time instruments were frowned on in folk clubs, and original compositions were unthinkable. Sitting on top of the guitar is Bert’s voice, definitely of the folk tradition and with not a trace of mid Atlantic phoniness about it. It’s » Continue Reading.

Remember me (not)

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Lately my phone just will not remember my AW login so I have to re-enter sign in details each time. First world problem but irritating. Anyone else got this? I’m using the Samsung browser.