The Afterword

Musings on the byways of popular culture

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The Afterword #80: The Vancast

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Twang welcomes Blue Boy and Dai to the pod to discuss Van Morrison. There’s little to argue with about the quantity and usually the quality of the various Vans we have seen, and “Astral Weeks” is given suitably reverential treatment other than one member who moans about the noodly flute player. They agree that through the transcendent Celtic soul and deep mysticism there is a rich vein of Van humour to be discovered, and not a mention of harmonicas.

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

The Afterword #79: The One to Onecast – Carolina

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In the first of an occasional series of 121 discussions with an AW member, Twang welcomes Carolina to the pod for a wander through her musical journey taking in the old Word, nearly copping off with David Hepworth, poetry, life’s little challenges, Spotify usage and our own comfy little corner of the internet.

Anyone interested joining in a similar interrogation PM @Twang.

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

Ross Lowell RIP.

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Who? you may ask. The man who invented gaffa tape, without which the world would fall apart, is who. Respect. If God’s headphones need fixing like mine did yesterday, Ross is yer man.

Leadership (or lack of it…)

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I honestly can’t think of a time when we had worse political leadership across all parties as we have at the moment. And the next generation don’t look a lot better (though they could hardly be worse). Utterly depressing.

Are there any glimmers of hope?

Linda Ronstadt – “Live in Hollywood”

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What does it sound like?:

It is self evident that Linda Ronstadt can sing anything, from the folk country of her early career through big band jazz, Mexican folk songs (in Spanish) and pop/rock by way of platinum selling trio albums with Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton. On the Trio album the story goes that as the recording progressed Linda consistently refused lead vocal duties, preferring to harmonise and let the others lead. She finally took the mic on Jimmie Rogers’ “Hobo’s Lament” which she knocked out of the park, town and state with ease, her soprano soaring where Emmy or Dolly just don’t go. And that’s the thing. What do you do when you can sing any genre better than almost anyone?

This album is from 1980 and is Linda in rock mode, backed by a muscular band of LA mafia types such as Dan Dugmore, Danny Kortchmar, Bob Glaub and Russ Kunkel. Recorded live in the studio, it was originally broadcast on a nascent HBO and the master tapes were lost until recently. Tragically Linda now has advanced Parkinson’s and can no longer sing so this additional product will be welcomed by the legions of fans who » Continue Reading.

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!