The Afterword

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“Limited Edition of One”

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Author:Steven Wilson

It’s a funny one, this. You could summarise it as part autobiography, part SW’s philosophy on life and music as he explains in some detail that until quite recently his life was pretty much all about music until he married an old flame with children and settled into domestic bliss in his early 50s.

The first half of the book covers his early life, how he fell in love with recording and making music and sound and the path to his first commercial offerings with Porcupine Tree, initially a solo tongue in cheek effort which gained momentum and ending up playing decent sized stadiums before SW felt the need to move on from the constraints of a band into a rightly feted solo career much appreciated in our little corner of the internet. Frustratingly he doesn’t actually explain how the band got together – how come there’s a proper pop star previously with Japan on board? How did a jazz based Aussie bass player come along? Where are the on-tour anecdotes?

The second half of the book is an odd mix of lists – favourite tracks, films, singles, his own work – all with SW’s take on why » Continue Reading.

Howard Dumble RIP

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Guitar players will today be raising a glass to Howard Dumble, designer and builder of the amplifier which carried his name for decades whose passing has been announced. You may not have heard of him, but you will have heard the luscious sounds his invention created. Based on a souped up version of 60s Fender amps, he went way beyond a sound which was already pretty darn good. Customers such as Carlos Santana, Lowell George, Eric Johnson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robben Ford (whose Fender was the original inspiration for the amp), David Lindley, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt et al would wait months for their amp – there were a few different designs and each one was built by hand to the specific requirements of the player. Mr. D didn’t supply shops – allegedly people applied and he decided who got one. Second hand ones very rarely appear and go for 5 or 6 figures depending on their history. I’ve never even laid eyes on one, but luckily everyone can appreciate the tremendous sound they created.

For the curious, here’s some amp porn presented by the suitably reverent editor of Guitarist mag.

No Time to Die (No spoilers in the review at least…)

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Year: 2021 Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga

Mmmm. I went to the new Bond with high hopes after a few friends had warmly recommended it, especially after its predecessor, Spectre, which I thought was a damp squib. I’ve found Daniel Craig to be a good Bond, tough and convincing if a little humourless. Incidentally I’m a book Bond fan and that Bond isn’t remotely humorous. Roger Moore was maybe too daft at times, but in a 2 hour film a bit of humour is a nice lightener. Anyway, to this film. Being careful to avoid spoliers, I can say that I didn’t really enjoy it. It’s very long, big, impressive, loud, complicated…but like an ELP triple album, not in a good way. Possibly an overdue correction, possibly a reflection of Craig’s age, but lothario Bond is gone, along with his wise cracking jokey twin. There is one dry quip and a pretty good visual gag. This is grim, resolute Bond. As does the audience need to be. Maybe I was in the wrong mood but I was waiting for it to end and felt a distinct lift as I realised we were in the final 5 minutes.

It has call backs » Continue Reading.

Bubblegum Minty Kiss – Ayres

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What does it sound like?:

A buoyant and tuneful pop album! For those unfamiliar with Ayres, well I won’t blow his cover but he is a regular here and frequently espouses affection for the Beatles and all manner of similar poptastic acts. The opener, “I’m in love with my producer” is redolent with open eyed vintage rhymes, harmonies and a classic 60s pop vibe. “Garrick Bay” has a darker slightly folky vibe which is a nice contrast, showing off Ayres’ really rather good voice. “Little Jesus” sounds like the mood has shifted to the 70s with some accomplished lead guitar. This would have gone down well at the Hope and Anchor back in the day. Similarly, “Chickadee” has a tougher rock edge. “Timeless Wonder” has a great vibe, sounding urgent and hooky in the chorus. “Everything I want you to be” is a Badfinger tinged ballad straight out of 1968 with a deep reverby snare drum to add to the effect. “Theme from Mike Channel” is an instrumental, back to the early 60s with a fairground vibe bringing back the smell of the oil on the dodgers and freshly popped corn.

On a critical note, this album suffers from » Continue Reading.

Whether to bail / not bail…?

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Youngsters can probably move on…but I seem to find myself looking at the real possibility of retiring. I’m not quite sure how this has suddenly occurred to me but after years of it being somewhere in the hazy distance, there it is, like approaching the city limits sign after a long drive. Not that it’s inevitable right now – I have a permie job I generally don’t especially enjoy but from a cash flow perspective it’s handy I guess. But post holidays / post-lockdown my thoughts are turning to having more time, absorbing myself in things I want to do, and generally enjoying a bit of literal and mental freedom. But…but…I discover I have a stronger work ethic than I realised, and part of me is struggling with the idea of bailing out when I could be working. I wholeheartedly agree with the old trope about no gravestone ever said “I wish I’d spent more time at work”….but pushing the button is proving harder to do than I thought.

Any thoughts / experiences / stories welcome!

Bluetooth versions for audio

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My nice RHA TrueConnect ear buds don’t work well with my phone – which led me to wonder about the different versions of Bluetooth and how they affect audio quality and usability. Any thoughts?

ATM 16mm transfer

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I have a number of 16mm films shot by my Dad which I’d like to restore. Any experience of getting this done here? Good service providers, do/don’ts?

ta

Kindle or app? Your thoughts?

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I’ve been using the Kindle app for a few years without any problems but I do wonder if a real Kindle would be better? Apparently the screen is nicer for reading and they are lighter? Any views?

Holiday reading

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I ask this every summer and always get great responses. Please recommend some reading:

1. History (not fictionalised)

2. Politics

3. Music

4. Page turner

5. Wild card/something else

Many thanks!

New jacket!

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I have been rocking an old faded Brooks Bros take on the classic Harrington with added patch pockets every summer since ages ago, but I have a mind to get a replacement as we emerge, blinking, into the sunlight. I am thinking collarless, not waisted, slim lined…just started the search for that rare thing, me buying an item of clothing which isn’t a pair of Levi’s or a tee shirt. Anyways, what jacket will you be sporting this summer? A jaunty Seersucker? College blazer? Battered Wrangler? Give me some ideas.

Uptempo

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It’s gloomy out and it’s been a long week so let’s have some up tempo tracks to get us to the weekend in a buoyant mood! This my current earwig.

The Afterword #106: The lockdowncast

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Twang joins Tiggerlion, MosleyMoles, Leeds Boy and SteveT in the pod to discuss the lockdown. The team consider what cultural gems kept them sane in this difficult period, gratuitous spending, what they have planned for an unlocked summer as we stumble, blinking, into the light and pause for a moment to consider whether we might actually miss a time of low pollution, no traffic and working on the kitchen table.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/theafterwordpodcast/Lockdowncast.mp3

Songs of Gretchen Peters

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I just made a playlist of songs written by Gretchen (popular with some here). Some versions very like her but some quite different. Any other playlists of interesting covers out there beyond the usual suspects?

Tigger

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A few of us commented that Tig hadn’t been about much. I’ve been in touch with the great man and it’s just an over abundance of life getting in the way and he’ll be back amongst us soon. He’d like this…

“Wreckless Abandon” – The Dirty Knobs

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What does it sound like?:

Tom Petty’s right hand man Mike Campbell was a perfect sidekick – capable of coming up with hit making riffs (“Refugee” for example), solos long on melody and short on widdle, solid in the recording department and no desire to distract the audience from Tom, who was, after all, the main act. He could also make other acts sound great too when not on Heartbreaker duty or knock up the odd hit for others (“Boys of summer” for Don Henley). With the tragic departure of Tom you might think he would disappear into special guest territory, sort of famous but unwanted (what else did Mitch Mitchell do, for example). But no, it seems he had a side band all the time, doing bar gigs and having fun. Their launch as a proper act was delayed by Mike disappearing on tour with Fleetwood Mac for a year, but finally in December the first album by The Dirty Knobs appeared. OK OK, it’s a terrible name. There is nothing surprising and experimental here, but equally Mike’s songwriting chops are in fine form. The material ranges from good time country rock (“Pistol Packin’ Mama”), heartfelt country (“Irish » Continue Reading.

Tony Rice RIP

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Tony Rice, bluegrass guitar maestro, went to the great pickin’ festival in the sky today. He hadn’t been well for a while which had affected his playing and he’d refused to perform when he felt he was less than 100% i.e. about 1000 times better than almost anyone. He was also a languid and natural singer and took the genre way beyond where other great bluesgrass pickers go, rather like Clarence White, his great inspiration, did in the 60s. He leaves a great legacy of albums and live material, this being a good example of him in his natural environment, trading licks live with other monster players Mark O’Conner, Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas. His solos at the beginning and end would probably take the average moral about 30 years to learn and he knocks them off with ease – and you can be sure the following night he’d have done something completely different. There are many great shredders but few with such swing, poise and relaxed sense of fun and joy at playing.

Happy Christmas all!

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Just sitting up with a peaty one and the end of the log in the wood burner and it’s past midnight so it’s Christmas Day. Have a good one all, however and whether you choose to mark the day. Your daily witterings always give me joy, especially appreciated in these difficult times.

Love

Twang

John Le Carre

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I’m surprised no one has mentioned already that one of the greatest British novelists has passed through to the other side. I’ve read most of his books, all good, some brilliant. The core Smiley ones, Tinker Tailor, Honourable Schoolboy and Smiley’s people (aka The Karla Trilogy) are deservedly seen as highlights but The Spy Who Came In From The Cold is a classic and the others are all worth a look. I reread A Small Town in Germany numerous times decades ago on a kibbutz where the library was rather limited and it never failed to grip me.

It’s sad he’s gone but he had an excellent innings at 89 and what a legacy. RIP.

Listening on properly big headphones

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No, not some 14 quid ear buds to your phone via Bluething!

Big Stingray Phones jobs, plugged into the stereo! My exploration of the Porcupine Tree has led me to late night listening to long trippy tracks through my lovely AKG K702s. What a joy. I’ve gone mad listening to long forgotten treasures on, yes, “cans”. There’s no tool like an old tool. I just wish they had a curly lead like proper headphones but they’re hopelessly unreliable.