It has been a few years since I have seen the Waterboys live but they have always put on a good show and tonight was no different. Mike’s voice is stilling great nick and they covered the best known songs from their back catalogue as well as a large chunk of the new album.

The new stuff sounded better than it does on the album thanks to Mike’s storytelling which gives some context to otherwise basic songs.

I have seen them over 15 times and this would be in my top 5 of those performances, well worth a ticket if you get the chance.

Setlist:

A Pagan Place Glastonbury Song How Long Will I Love You? Medicine Bow When Ye Go Away This Is the Sea Kansas (Steve Earle video) Live in the Moment, Baby The Tourist Andy (A Guy Like You) Blues for Terry Southern Hopper’s On Top (Genius) Transcendental Peruvian Blues Michelle (Always Stay) Letter From An Unknown Girlfriend Ten Years Gone I Don’t Know How I Made It Golf, They Say The Passing Of Hopper Don’t Bang the Drum A Girl Called Johnny Spirit The Pan Within

Encore: The Whole of the Moon Wasted Sunset » Continue Reading.

Can you remember one?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y7mxzn9nlo

I have spent the last few days clearing out my loft and de-cluttering.

As I went through my CDs and DVDs I came across the 30th Anniversary CD/DVD set of The Stranger by Billy Joel.

Included is a facsimile book of his lyric writing for the album the first page lists the 39 artists he acted as a support act before he headlined on his own.

Can you name them without cheating?

Not always the case but this is a nice tune whether you are a Labour voter or not.

I was born in Great Yarmouth.

Probably shouting those who have heart it

But here it is

Trevor Rabin before he joined Yes related ‘Wolf’ in 1980.

It is a classic hard rock album with no bad tracks.

Aged 13 I heard this.

My path was set!

That Gaza statement was weird!

Dai mentioned in the ‘demise of the signature’ thread that Engineers are much more valued in wider Europe than they are in the UK and he is completely correct as I am am not sure it is a protected title here unlike many other professions.

He would use his B.Eng and M.Eng in the past if appropriate.

I don’t know what the protocol is anymore. I assume in business emails it is relevant to give you credibility in a professional exchange but other wise why bother?

Does it ever get you a better table in a restaurant?

I received a new company credit card today and had to sign it.

I can’t remember the last time I physically signed anything and so my physical memory of my signature had gone!

I made a scrawl that I am sure I can replicate if needed.

Waterboys in May in Oxford

Any other predictions for the ew Year Honours List?

I have just been listening to The Cult on Spotify and the first seven tunes form a perfect 30 minute set.

She Sells Sanctuary Fire Women Rain Love Removal Machine Wild Flower Edie (Ciao Baby) Lil’ Devil

After playing those I don’t need any more and can go home happy!

Just put the tree up and entering the festive spirit (Gin).

I have bought a 2 year old jaguar iPace to replace my 9 year old diesel 115k mileage Jaguar XF.

I love Jaguars.

Gin.

I am sat here perusing the blog whilst enjoying some Stilton and red wine.

So why not share your favourite cheeses with me.

We haven’t had a list thread for a while so I thought I would share this list from the latest issue of Classic Rock magazine.

50. Roxy Music 49. King Crimson 48. ZZ Top 47. The Ramones 46. Journey 45. Cream 44. Motley Crue 43. Rainbow 42. Pearl Jam 41.Marillion 40. Status Quo 39. Uriah Heep 38. Chicago 37. Creedance Clearwater Revival 36. The Doors 35. Lynyrd Skynyrd 34. Slade 33. Bruce Springsteen 32. Tool 31. Fleetwood Mac 30. Nirvana 29. Judas Priest 28. Genesis 27. Motorhead 26. Foo Fighters 25. U2 24. Bon Jovi 23. David Bowie 22. Thin Lizzy 21. Bob Dylan 20. Jimi Hendrix 19. Yes 18. The Eagles 17. Aerosmith 16. Kiss 15. Van Halen 14. Def Leppard 13. The Who 12. Guns ‘N; Roses 11.Deep Purple 10. Iron Maiden 9. Metallica 8. The Rolling Stones 7. Black Sabbath 6. The Beatles 5. AC/DC 4. Pink Floyd 3. Rush 2. Queen 1. Led Zeppelin

Michael Schenker has released an album celebrating his 50 years since joining UFO with guest vocalists.

Axl Rose sings Love To Love.

As a pharmacist my background has always been in NHS pharmacy/pharmaceutical industry/medical technology industry in sales and marketing roles.

I am bored of that now and need a new challenge to revive my passion for work.

I have paid off my mortgage and my two kids, 14 and 15, are happy at school and doing well so no issues there.

I have a decent severance package that will keep me stable for 12-18 months and could risk £20k into a new venture.

Any wacky/sensible ideas gratefully received!

Billy Joel and Axl Rose covering Live and Let Die.

Didn’t see that one coming!

I took my 15 year old daughter to her first proper gig at the O2 on Wednesday to see Noah Kahan supported by Maisie Peters. Both artists have had number 1 albums in the UK in the last 18 months.

I had never heard any of their music and so turned up deaf and blind as to what was to follow.

Both acts were pop/folk/rock based and excellent and not knowing any of the songs, or able to sing along, I was impressed by the current state of music for my daughter’s generation.

Noah performed a 2 hour set and my daughter sung along to 95% of the lyrics. His band were excellent.

I was impressed by her knowledge and enthusiasm, and thought, when I was 15, this would have been my equivalent of seeing Blondie at the Hammy Odeon in 1980 with 4 albums under their belt when I would have known every song.