The Afterword

Musings on the byways of popular culture

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Happy birthday RT

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15 minutes inside the deadline…I hadn’t realised it’s the birthday of our finest songwriter and guitarist. Happy birthday RT!

Old adverts

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Over a sociable beer a mate fixed me in a gaze and said “The sweet you can eat between meals…” and I automatically responded “without ruining your appetite…”. I haven’t seen or thought about this for 20 years, but there it was. We had a good laugh coming up with old ad catchphrases and finishing them for each other (possibly you had to be there…). But now I couldn’t tell you a single one – partly because I avoid them at all costs, but have advertisers lost the ability to embed their wares in your brain in short order?

Some classics here…including Elvis Costello’s Dad….

Lowell George -Feats First, the life and music of Lowell George

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What does it sound like?:

A documentary about Little Feat’s charismatic front man and muse, from childhood through to his death. Lots of clips, rare photos and talking heads, pretty much unanimously agreeing he was incredibly talented and burned himself out before he could fulfil his potential. No family or band members were involved, or really famous collaborators such as Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt or Bonnie Raitt, but rather people who worked with him in the studio or in pre Feat band The Factory. It is non the worse for it. Famous heads would have been unable to resist talking about themselves, but the participants clearly saw him for what he was and talked in detail about real stuff, such as George Massenburg who taught Lowell the studio, or Russ Titleman who produced the first album.

What does it all *mean*?

One of this correspondent’s favourite artists, a 2 hour love in on the great man is a joy. I learned some new stuff and heard some old faves, plus, frankly, 2 hours of Lowell and the Feat in any format can only make life better (I write as one with manflu…).

Goes well with…

I watched accompanied by » Continue Reading.

Hitler hears…

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We were discussing the Hitler Hears videos at the Mingle on Friday. For those unaware, there’s a clip from “Downfall” in circulation, and people replace the subtitles with hilarious alternatives on the most bizarre or mundane subjects. They get funnier as you watch then as you start to know which character appears next and how they’ve been used. Here, Hitler hears Yes intend to tour with Benoit David replacing Jon Anderson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A6IH27T-5E

Richard III – guilty?

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All the business about Richard III’s funeral leads me to ATM – guilty or not guilty? I’m voting guilty. He had opportunity – the princes were clearly in his power. He had motive – he’d just been through years of fighting over rival kings ascending to the thrown and getting bumped off again. Alive rival kings are always a threat. Dead ones are much more manageable. And he had the means – he’d bumped off or would bump off numerous other rivals and had a hardy band of blood soaked mates around to do the do – I doubt he did it himself whatever Shakespeare says. I also think it’s wrong burying him in Leicester – he was far more associated with York as a base, but when his wife died he specifically had her buried in Windsor – surely he’d have wanted to be buried with her? Leicester was just where he was dumped in a pit after losing at Bosworth. Any other history fans here?

London pint tomorrow!

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Hope to see some of you at The King and Queen pub , 1 Foley Street, London W1W 6DL, United Kingdom

Goodge St tube.

From 6ish.

Cheers!

Hear n’Aid

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Remember this cureo from the days when charity singles were new? The metal community did their version of Live Aid. Marvellous stuff, organised by Ronnie James Dio who shows again what a great singer he is. Much gurning, fist clenching, screwed up face singing, leather trousers and widdly solos within. A stirring song too. I love the YouTube comment “every time I see this I want to get some rad shades and a white blazer”. Hugely good hearted and they look like they’re having the time of their lives. Loving David St. Hubbins in the chorus too.

http://youtu.be/P7eqxg92YG0

New Decemberists

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This is already shaping up to be a cracking year, with the new Decemberists album, Gretchen Peters’ “Blackbird” and the new Steven Wilson which I haven’t heard yet but am sure will be great. Any other early tips for albums of the year?

Debut gig – Twang’s new occasional band! 15th March, Hertford Corn Exchange

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15/03/2015

Just to let everyone know my new band has its debut gig at Hertford Corn Exchange on 15th March some time in the afternoon at their “Sunday Live” regular event. It’s called Oldskool and there’s a clue in the name – we play twin guitar rock, with plenty of solos, some in harmony, a smattering of obscure covers but mostly songs from me or other guitarist Ben Fuller. It’s consciously a jam band, for fun and a bit of blowing. The ace rhythm section of Andy and Kenny have regular pub band gigs but are keen to get out and play a bit away from the standard Sultans of Rock the Casbah Swing Jack Flash set, and splendid they are too.

The Cornex has a great bar, nibbles on the bar including roasted potatoes, decent prices, fab sound, stage and lights. It would be great to see a few of you!

Happy birthday Dave Gilmore

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One of my all time favourite guitarists. Back in the day when I first heard the solos on “Money” and “Time” off “Dark Side” I thought that is probably as good as it gets for atmospheric underground rock guitar…and listening now, little changes my mind.

Relayer

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My word Relayer is a good album. I ignored it until very recently but golly, from 14.50 “The gates of delirium” is stunning.

Just sayin’.

Important movies

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I was listening to one of the always enjoyable “Stuff you should know” podcasts from How Stuff Works, concerning important movies. There’s an essay on it on their website if anyone’s interested (they have lots of good little essays on diverse and generally interesting subjects, mind you the site itself is a right mess). Anyway, it got me thinking, there’s a thread I’d like to read. So, film buffs, name an “important” movie and why you think it’s important.

http://shows.howstuffworks.com/

London Mingle – 20/03/15

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20/03/2015

Hi all, deputising for Carl, the results of the vox populaire are that the next Mingle will be at the King and Queen as previously, on the 20th March. Sadly some I’d love to see can’t make it but there’s a clear majority including those who didn’t do the Doodle poll who prefer the 20th, so the people have spoken. See you all then. Anyone wishing to bring swag to offload or comestibles to eat are more than welcome.

PS the logo has no significance but you have to put one, so it’s a bit

Piano blues and boogie

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Twang Jr is enjoying playing piano after getting his grade 1, and has a few boogie type pieces under his belt and a few bluesy licks. Not being much of a piano player myself I want to make a mix tape of cool groovy pieces to give him some ideas. I do like a spot of Dr. John, Bill Payne or Dr. Longhair myself but all pitch in with ideas peeps!