With all kinds of cricketing malarkey going on, it is splendidly daft that we celebrate the Century edition here of the perennial favourite.
“Raises bat, waves all round*
So, please, come in, help yourself to the fancy sandwiches with the crusts cut off, a glass of Pimms, or a lemonade, and tell us all – what have you been listening to, watching, reading, or otherwise using to divert yourself from the humdrum world ?
Chrisf says
And infrequent contributor here (I usually take too long to think about it and by that time its too far down the thread for anyone to notice). So short and sweet….
Heard
Main albums (as mentioned in the albums that blew you away thread) were the new Natalie Merchant and Sigur Ros albums. Both are so good that they have somewhat pushed out other albums – although past couple of days I have been listening to this new EP from Four Tet / William Tyler which I am really liking.
Watched
Cricket highlights courtesy of iPlayer (I don’t have the live cricket channel in my TV package). Drops of God on Apple TV was good, especially as a wine drinker (there was a fair amount of bollocks in it too). Also enjoyed Silo and started watching Hijack, both also on Apple TV
Read
Mainly just magazines again, although I am making progress on the Mick Herron Slow Horses series.
SteveT says
Blogger takeover C – I remember you had done the first one on the night we went to see Jerry Dammers at Warwick Arts Centre.
I will be posting for the centennial- just bear with me.
seanioio says
And half a year has flown by…..
Heard
I have praised the new LYR album to the hilt on another thread, but this was only released on the last day of June though so I will come back to this next month.
A few of tracks have stuck out in June. The first was Mind Games by Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds. It only made the deluxe version of the album but is better than anything that was on the standard one. Second up is Paper Machete by Queens of the Stone Age which has been on rotation, a great song.
Fans of Hank Williams may enjoy Paradise by Buck Meek. The Big Thief guitarists latest solo single is great & bodes well for the new album. Lastly the new song Shy Boy by Carly Rae Jepsen is another piece of wonderful pop from an artist in a great purple patch.
Read
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman was recommended by a friend about 2 years ago & I am cross at myself for not reading it sooner as it was very enjoyable. Next was The Game by Micah Richards.
A lot of football books can be very dry & ultimately quite dull, but this is one which was enjoyable & funny. There are lots of great anecdotes, many of which will be familiar if you have listened to the MOTD Top 10 podcast or watched Sky Sports.
Did Ye Hear Mammy Died by Seamas O’Reilly
I’ve read a lot of the authors very funny articles in the NYT, Guardian & moreover the years. He also had a thread on twitter about being on Ketamine whilst with his boss & the Irish Prime Minister Mary McAleese which was beyond funny & well worth seeking out!). This book is about his mother sadly passing away when he was 5 years old, leaving him, his 10 brothers & sisters, and their beloved father in rural N.Ireland. This book is about his upbringing & although there is no sadder start (the title comes from how he, as a 5 year old was cheerfully welcoming people to the wake), it is full of love and seriously good family stories, some of which will make you weep with laughter & others just weep in general. Stories about his local community at halloween & the local priest blessing the caravan before a European camping trip had me genuinely laughing out loud. Would definitely recommend
Taxtopia by The Secret Accountant has already been reviewed on here & this is genuinely a really interesting book written with humour. It goes into details of how accountants help people/businesses navigate the tax laws to reduce their tax burden. Some high profile cases are discussed such as Apple, Chris Moyles, Gary Barlow etc. (whatever he said, whatever he hid, he didn’t mean it) which makes it really accessible. It ends with a call to arms for a full reformation of the tax system & it’s hard not to be convinced.
Seen/Watched
No gigs in June so I had to busy myself watching the BBC coverage of Glastonbury. I enjoyed Elton John, CRJ, Kelis, Loyle Carner & Lizzo but I thought they best of the weekend was Young Fathers who were excellent. It’s a set i’ve watched back a few times & I would loved to have been there! On the other end of the spectrum I thought that guy masquerading as Alex Turner from Arctic Monkeys was embarrassing.
AOB A family holiday to Valencia which i would recommend, it’s a great city with plenty to do with little ones. Primary school age children get the Whit week off in Stockport so holidays are a lot cheaper & it’s the only way we could ever afford to take them anywhere such as this so they/we are very lucky.
duco01 says
Some excellent tips there, seanioio. I’ll definitely look out for the Buck Meek album when it comes along.
Note: I think Mary McAleese was President of Ireland, not Prime Minister.
seanioio says
You are right, I posted PM in error, I do mean President. Thanks @duco01
Buck Meek is eagerly awaited, if there is anything on it as good as Candle from his last album I will be delighted
Gary says
Film
A 2013 film I’d never previously heard of called CBGB, about the so-called birthplace of New York punk. Alan Rickman was very miscast as the much younger owner, but its an interesting look at an important period in music history. Sting’s daughter, Mickey Sumner, plays Patti Smith, the late Taylor Hawkins plays Iggy Pop.
A 2021 film called Language Lessons. A Spanish teacher and her American student have weekly lessons over Zoom. The entire film consists of their lessons. I liked this a lot. It’s sort of a romcom, though there’s no actual romance; more of a comedy/drama about friendship and human connection.
Telly
Last month I raved about M Night Shyamalan’s telly series Servant, after having watched one-and-a-half seasons. It went downhill fast from there. I still thoroughly recommend the first season, but there’s no need to go any further than that.
From, I watched the first season of despite thinking it was a load of wank from the first episode and not changing my opinion.
Black Mirror. I thought it was the most consistently good season yet. Especially after the weakness of the sort of sometimes similar-ish Inside No9. My ranking:
1. (TIE) Episode 1 – Joan is Awful and Episode 5 – Demon 79
2. Episode 3 – Beyond the Sea
3. Episode 2 – Loch Henry
4. Episode 4 – Mazey Day
Heard
Same as last month, still listening to Connie Converse’s album How Sad How Lovely. @arthur-cowslip, I saw you were going on about Shirley Collins on the Last Album That Blew You Away thread. I wouldn’t say Connie Converse blew me away, but she’s pretty good. If you don’t know her, check her out. Same ballpark as Shirley Collins. Also, check out her story on wikipedia – an interesting tale.
fentonsteve says
I watched the CBGB film over lockdown and (surprisingly) Mrs F watched it with me. She now has a greater understanding of the NYC punk scene, but I had to explain who most of the characters were (except for Sting). Despite that, we both enjoyed it.
Inessential, but an entertaining way to spend a couple of hours.
Arthur Cowslip says
Thanks Gary, I’ll certainly give Connie Converse a listen!
Yes I quite enjoyed Black Mirror, I think it was a strong series. I was really impressed with the production values. Every episode looked amazing, and each had their own unique feel and style, superior to many films you see these days. TV has definitely caught up with movies these days.
And like Inside No 9, I marvel at the standard of the writing. With both series, I seem to spend 9/10 of each episode enjoying it but wondering what it’s leading up to, and then in the last few minutes it all comes together beautifully and it all makes sense.
Funnily enough, Mazey Day was probably my favourite one, just because the twist was something I don’t think anyone could have expected, and until that point it seemed very slow and meandering. I also like that actress, I can’t remember her name. She’s really good in Atlanta.
And speaking of Atlanta, I watched that this month so I’ll comment on my own post below.
Max the Dog says
I really liked all the Black Mirror episodes including Mazey Day. I didn’t expect that left turn three quarters way through and it was well executed.
Kjwilly says
Totally agree that the Mazy Day episode really takes you to an unexpected place.
seanioio says
Doh! I totally forgot about Black Mirror in mine! Wholly agree with your rankings above and also that it’s been the strongest series of the lot. The last one was so poor I went into this with a bit of trepidation but loved all. The Mazey Day was not to my taste, but I can understand why others would love it. Demon 79 kept bringing to mind a book I read the other year called The Premonition Bureau for some reason
Arthur Cowslip says
I was hoping for some final twist at the end of Demon 79. It was impressive, but actually quite a linear story in the end. Comparatively I mean!
Kjwilly says
There was a bit of a twist ……but I can’t say it without spoilers!
Arthur Cowslip says
We sort of need a Spoilers thread to discuss it properly, don’t we? I think I know what you mean, but I think I was still expecting something more. The ending didn’t really land for me. Whereas with Mazey Day, I just felt quite exhilarated as it went off on a left turn so dramatic you couldn’t possibly have seen it coming – but still kept true to the theme about paparazzi etc, and also made you rethink everything you had just seen.
Gary says
Yeahbut, Demon79 was the funniest Black Mirror yet. The ‘demon/lead singer of Boney M’ character had me chuckling several times.
chiz says
Agree with your top two Black Mirror choices – especially Demon 79 which was a beautifully told tale but also a perfect visual and audio re-creation of that period. I was 15 again for a while there.
duco01 says
You’re right that Alan Rickman was hopelessly miscast as Hilly Kristal in “CBGB”.
And he wasn’t the only one.
Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley out of the Harry Potter films) was ridiculously cast as Dead Boys guitarist Cheetah Chrome. Yikes!
Gatz says
June started quietly but ended in a rush of shows in a week off work. First up was Peat & Diesel playing to a couple of hundred punters at Chinnerys (lack of apostrophe deliberate), a sweaty low-ceilinged club on the neon-sprayed seafront next to the pier in Southend. The P&D formula is simple but effective – amped up ceilidh music where the energy never drops and every song has a huge singalong chorus. That chorus may well be in Gaelic, but that doesn’t matter because you’ll pick it up by the second time around anyway. A few hours before showtime there was still no support act signed up, so hurrah for Doozer McDooze for saving the day, and his festival-friendly singalongs were the perfect match for the main attraction. I’d never seen P&D before but I’m sure I’ll them many more times, if probably nowhere as intimate as this.
A few days later we moved around the coast from one classic seaside town to another. Chips on the pier in the sunshine, a hotel room with a sea view and Richard Thompson playing at Brighton Dome. What could be better? As suits a man with such a huge and brilliant catalogue there were older songs (Genesis Hall and Walking on a Wire), and some deep cuts (Woods of Darney and Word Unspoken), and set regulars (Valerie, Beeswing, and of course VBL52). But some of the best received songs were the newest, including a couple from Serpent’s Tears/Bloody Noses, and some from a new band album which is ready to go. Two of these, one called Trust and another whose title I didn’t get, were totally new to me. If I have a gripe it’s that he is persisting with Tinker’s Rhapsody but for this show at least, dropped much better new songs such as The Fortress and When I Was Drunk.
Finally, Il Trovatore at The Royal Opera House. This was actually 2 July, but as it’s the weekend at the end of a week off I’m treating it as part of June. The production was new to the UK and features very plain staging based around a flight of steps. I can’t say if this helped or hindered understanding of the head spinning plot, all Gypsy curses, mistaken identities and long-lost siblings. The ROH orchestra was in its usual stunning form though, and the performances were universally superb, so after a while I ignored the twists of the story and just soaked up the glorious sound. Although The Anvil Corus, the show’s best known tune, swung like a bastard it was the tender, yearning arias that really stood out.
Before the opera we made a too brief visit to the newly re-opened National Portrait Gallery, and I’m so glad we did. The new layout is much easier to navigate and the Gallery has a landmark entrance for the first time in its history. As we were on a deadline for Covent Garden we picked a couple of rooms to spend time with rather than glancing at too many paintings without taking them in. Somehow the rehang both makes historical sense and manages to celebrate the subjects over the artists, which is as it should be. Although we didn’t buy tickets, the McCartney photography exhibition seemed to be doing great business too.
This run of live entertainment would have been extended to a couple of days before P&D if Simon Day hadn’t succumbed to norovirus, picked up at an O2 Peter Gabriel show he believes (the revenge of Brian Pern) and cancelled his Chelmsford show. Happily for us, if not him, that meant we could go to the one-day-only Solstice cinema screenings of The Wicker Man. The restored 4K print looks and sounds wonderful and it was a treat to see it as intended on a big screen. I don’t know how many times I have seen it before, but I only just realised how much it is Edward Woodward’s film. He is every scene, even if he is only eavesdropping for parts of some. Less of a treat was the preceding Q+A feature, over an hour long, in which Edith Bowman conducted a series of awkward interviews connected by a supremely irritating band playing music from the film. Ours was far from the only screening where fainter hearts walked out before the film had even begun.
Arthur Cowslip says
RE the Wickerman screenings. I’d heard the 50th anniversary screening was a bit back to front, with that long series of interviews beforehand. Very annoying when you just want to see the film! The kind of thing which would be nice to have on a BluRay extra, but I can imagine how frustrating that would be.
I love the film as well, and I think I love it more every time I watch it. I don’t know what it is about it. I can see the cracks and sloppiness: it’s not exactly a masterpiece of craftsmanship, is it? But as you say Edward Woodward is just fantastic in the lead role, and there’s just something so infectious about the mix of genres: a bit of comedy, music, mystery and horror. It’s really one of a kind.
I saw it at the one-day-before-MayDay screening in Newton Stewart this year, with Robin Hardy’s sons doing a little Q&A afterwards. A great night.
Lunaman says
How strange I went to The National Portrait Gallery and the one thing I said after was how I found the place really difficult to navigate! I haven’t been for years and don’t really remember the lay out previously but it certainly wasn’t an easy ride for us. I also found it a bit annoying that they use David Bowie on the front of their new guide book and on posters all over the place but then don’t have the portrait on display! A bit naff really. I did enjoy the a lot of what was on display and will have to visit again.
Gatz says
We certainly found it better than before, when even the entrance(s) took some finding. We didn’t have a very thorough look round, but after the gallery just past the entrance we decided to go to the Victorian Galleries, found them, and easily found our way out again onto CXR. That would have been a challenge in itself under the old layout, though the L-shaped building will always have its difficulties.
Kjwilly says
Which version of Wicker Man was it? I have seen three with different beginnings
– the usually seen one with Woodward flying to the island
– one featuring Woodward singing in church over the opening credits
– an extras cut on a DVD with 10 mins on the mainland before Ed responds to the call for help.
Gatz says
I has Howie singing (and reading a lesson) in Church, as well as the scene of Lord Summerisle presenting the boy to Willow outside the pub (this is from noticeably poorer film stock than the rest). The only bit I remember seeing before which wasn’t in this one was a brief exchange between two other police officers talking smutty about his upcoming marriage.
hubert rawlinson says
Busy month.
Films
a friend gifted us to tickets to a reworking of Baz Luhrman’s Romeo and Juliet at Ally Pally theatre which consisted of a choir singing at the beginning before and after the interval and at the end, and someone being a ‘preacher’ and running about shouting. Then the film. Glad we didn’t pay.
Noel Coward doc Unfortunately Rupert Everett didn’t do Coward’s voice when he was speaking his words so it took a while to realising he was supposed to be Noel.
Cavalier enjoyable and an insight into someone I’d not heard of.
Indiana Jones etc covered before enjoyed but not as much as I could have done.
Plays: saw the play The Way Old Friends Do by Mark Gatiss’ husband. I shall always see Dr De Bryn in Endeavour in a new light. Sweeney Todd at the local Arts Group as a friend was in it.
Reread: Richard Thompson’s Beeswing and Ian Whiteman’s Average Whiteman as I would be seeing them later in the month.
Saw: Richard Thompson and Ian Whiteman at Bradford Literature Festival.
Decided I didn’t need to see RT in concert £75 @ Ally Pally. Not keen on the trio and don’t enjoy the acoustic sets as much. The talk (plus two songs Meet on the Ledge and Walking the Long Miles Home) was excellent interesting to hear his thought processes and his view that there is too much music now.
Next day (technically the 1st July) Ian Whiteman who had introduced RT to Islam was talking about his book. An excellent read but the interlocutor had no notes so let the talk ramble (glad I’d reread the book). Arrived early and accompanied RT and Ian plus friends into the talk so had time for a chat with them both. RT signed a flyer I’d kept from the first time I’d seen him at Leeds Town Hall. He remarked on seeing the price “75p it’s 75 quid now. “
Rigid Digit says
Heard:
another month, another contender for Album Of The Year – the new Jim Bob album (Thanks For Reaching Out) is very fine indeed. Echoes of Carter USM and his solo catalogue make this as good as anything he’s done so far.
This Much Talent – a very fine 3 tracks from bandcamp, as performed by @skirky
Seen:
– I’ve discovered Sky Documentaries, and amongst the chaff are some very fine docs.
This month: Burt Reynolds, The Go-Gos, and Howards Way (not the sailing programme, the story of how Howard Kendall turned Everton into the best team in England in the mid-80s).
– Secrets of The London Underground new series started this week – and I’m off to the London Transport Museum next month
(yes, I am quite dull)
Read:
– Was on holiday and read Chris Blackwells autobiog – it was good, but a bit short on detail if I’m honest – “stuff” just seemed to happen
– Pete Doggett – Electric Shock: From the Gramophone to the iphone. Very thorough, but quite hard going. Enjoyable read all the same
AOB:
Fantasy Premier League has just re-opened for the new season.
Anyone who was in the League has been auto-renewed, but any newcomers to the world of “how to ruin your Saturday” can join here:
https://fantasy.premierleague.com/
and join the Afterword League here:
https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/gftrif
Nick L says
Really enjoying that Jim Bob album…I was never a massive Carter fan (apart from a handful of songs, which I liked a lot) but I used to see their forerunner band Jamie Wednesday a lot as a support band around the London circuit. Good to see him coming up with an album as enjoyable as this. I need to dig a bit deeper into the solo stuff.
Rigid Digit says
There is a 2 disc Essential Jim Bob available which does what it says on the tim
Baron Harkonnen says
How would you two, Nick & R.D. describe Jim’s music.
Rigid Digit says
A collision of punk, indie and folk, with a social conscience. A passing note of Ian Dury without the funk.
(I’m not really selling it am I?)
Nick L says
I’d completely agree with Rigid’s description, along with a touch of Billy Bragg and Frank Turner’s more tuneful moments maybe. He also writes a surprisingly affecting ballad.
Baron Harkonnen says
Thank you both 😎
seanioio says
If you like his lyrics then I’d recommend some of his novels too. All have a charm to them and you can see how his lyrics come to him from reading too
Baron Harkonnen says
I think I’ll go for the comp, and take from or leave it there.
retropath2 says
And talking of This Much Talent, by our man @skirky , here’s this:
https://atthebarrier.com/2023/07/10/midsommar-roundup-arkansauce-the-panama-picnic-orchestra-this-much-talent/
Boneshaker says
Loved the new Jason Isbell album, Weathervanes, which continues his run of top notch releases over the last few years. Meanwhile his old bandmates in the Drive-By Truckers released a revised and expanded version of arguably their best album, The Dirty South. It contains a smattering of extra songs that were originally set for inclusion, all of which have appeared on subsequent albums or rarities collections, plus re-recorded vocals on a couple of other songs. None of it makes a revelatory difference to what was already a fine album, but it’s worth hearing it as it was intended to be heard.
Laura Cantrell’s new album Just Like a Rose was a welcome release last month. It’s not the greatest thing she’s ever done, but it’s good to see some new material from her. John Mellencamp also has a new album out, Orpheus Descending, although it’s only had a full release in the US so far. His nicotine racked voice now sounds like it’s been filtered through several packs of sandpaper, but his new album has some decent tracks, albeit mostly reflective and despairing at the current state of the world.
I’m a late convert to Natalie Merchant’s Keep Your Courage, having been underwhelmed by a cursory listen to a couple of tracks. It is a fine album though, as others on here have noted, and it’s led me to revisit all her earlier stuff, including 10,000 Maniacs, whose In My Tribe was one of my favourite albums back in the day.
I’ve also filled most of the gaps in my Pretenders back catalogue, having overlooked quite a few of them over the years. Chrissie Hynde has the perfect voice, but it’s seldom been matched by consistently good material. Albums like Loose Screw, Break Up the Concrete and Alone are good in parts, but don’t match up to the band’s early stuff. Packed was one of the earlier albums I wasn’t that familiar with, and it’s a good deal better than I’d been led to believe. New one Relentless is due in September.
Twang says
Ooh thanks Bones, hadn’t spotted that Jason Isbell has a new one out. Probably my only “order immediately” artist – just ordered it!
Baron Harkonnen says
I could have written your post @Boneshaket apart from the bit about Chrissie Hynde/Pretenders, although I do like her Dylan covers album.
I’ve really enjoyed playing The DBT re doodling of The Dirty South, for me it’s a welcome addition to their discography. Same with Jason Isbell’s newbie which to me is bit of a diversion to his usual stuff, very enjoyable though.
John Mellencamp’s new album is exactly as you describe, however I think his commentary on the state of play in today’s world is spot on. His ciggie smoking has left him sounding like Tom Waits in a good way.
Natalie Merchant? I’ve been a fan since 10,000 Maniacs and ‘Keep Your Courage’ is excellent, an album that for me has kept on giving.
I like to listen to Mark Radcliffe’s BBC Folk Show, almost every show has me buying the album of someone he’s featured. The latest is Cinder Well (real name Amelia Baker) who is a native Californian who spends a lot of time in Eire. Her latest album ‘Cadence’ is folk album with modern production and sound. I’ll be investigating more of her output.
Another recent discovery via Mark’s show is a guy named Trevor Beales’ ‘Fireside Stories’ an album of songs he recorded in his home attic in Hebden Bridge in the early 70’s and never released. The songs don’t sound like home recordings and whoever produced it has done a great job. Trevor’s songs bring to mind Nick Drake but he is no imitator, the guy unfortunately passed away in the early 80’s. Highly recommended to all Word folkies. It’s my record of the year up to now.
The Baroness bought me the Wishbone Ash SDE of ‘Argus’ which I’ve been enjoying leading me to get some comps of theirs both studio and live.
I’ve read several books in the last month, Sci-Fi & thrillers, too many to mention.
Watched, not much.
Arthur Cowslip says
Black Mirror – excellent, I’ve commented above already.
Indiana Jones – new film is poor, as I’ve already said elsewhere! But it made me go back and rewatch the original trilogy again which remains a marvel.
Atlanta – series four, the final one apparently. Does anyone watch this? It’s kind of indescribable, I’m not really sure how to sell it to people. It occasionally feels like Black Mirror or a Jordan Peele film, with weird and mysterious stuff going on, almost veering into horror sometimes. But then there are long stretches with just comedy encounters and japes.
The best way I can describe it is that it feels like every episode is a bottle episode. The main overall story is a rapper (Paper Boi) from Atlanta (and Donald Glover as his world weary manager) rising up in the music world – but it feels as if all the main episodes dealing with that story arc are just taken away, and all you are left with is strange little one-off stories with two or three of the main characters doing something unrelated (or sometimes a whole new set of totally unrelated characters), so all the main story arc is going on in the background and you just have to surmise it. For example, you never see Paper Boi actually performing or anything.
And then you get a huge load of surrealism and strange events happening. And most of it is themed around some message or exploration of black culture.
As I say, it’s hard to sell as I don’t know how to describe it! But series four has been fantastic and, if this is the last one, it’s definitely ended on a high.
The Change – A new Channel 4 sitcom/drama by Bridget Christie (the wife of Stewart Lee apparently). I only heard about it because they use a Shirley Collins song as the closing theme tune. (I think Stewart Lee and Bridget Christie have some kind of connection with Shirley Collins, as she thanks them in the sleeve notes of her album).
It’s a strange series. At times it feels whimsical and inviting like Detectorists, but has a nasty undercurrent as well. Christie plays a woman called Linda going through the menopause and one day she snaps and leaves her husband and teenage children to fend for themselves to go off a motorbiking trip herself to a caravan in the Forest of Dean.
It’s mainly a comedy of awkwardness with her trying to get on with the locals in the village, and as each episode goes on she gets more involved in the preparations for an annual festival called the Eel Festival. Some kind of old local custom where they welcome the changes of the season and the new summer. Over the six episodes, it feels a little like getting gradually pulled into a cult: you go from gentle comedy about the menopause and feminism, Linda finding a new confidence and her husband floundering trying to run the house himself, into full-on pagan weirdness. If it was the Wickerman or Black Mirror you could imagine where it might end up. In fact I think the weakness of the series is that it doesn’t really know itself where it wants to end up. The end of episode six is left maddeningly open-ended, presumably in expectation of another series, so I was quite annoyed as I was waiting for everything to come to a head.
But it’s a nice watch, and the music (mostly John Renbourn instrumentals, strangely) is really good. I just wish they had had the guts to come to a proper ending within the six episodes.
hubert rawlinson says
Indeed they do.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jul/18/stewart-lee-shirley-collins-lockdown-folk-black-lives-matter-blm-hearts-ease
Contributions to the Ballad of Shirley Collin’s documentary
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4148022/
Arthur Cowslip says
Oh wow. Didnt know that. I should learn to use this ‘google’ thing more, shouldn’t I? 😁
Locust says
This is the final weekend of my three week vacation, two of which were very hot and sunny and this last week warm(-ish) and rainy, on and off. Making it easier to go back to work, I guess, though I’m definitely not looking forward to it… But I’ve had a lovely time and it felt like at least a month off.
Read:
I’m in the minority who read less on vacation than when I work, due to not commuting (and perhaps less of a longing to escape reality!) But this time around I managed to at least read a few books thanks to several bus trips out to my dad in the sticks and some long, lazy days by the water at the height of the hot weather streak, bringing a cooler full of picnic food and drink, headphones and iPod, and a novel to plogh through.
First I read a topical historical overview of Swedish-Russian relations from Viking times until today, by Swedish historian Dick Harrison. Interesting subject but Harrison’s writing style is a bit too dry to be great. Still, he’s very thorough and knowledgable – and writes an awful lot of books – so my history shelf is dominated by his tomes despite my slight objections…
Then went on to read a 900+ page diary of a Swedish author, which sounds more impressive than it was, some pages only having a few sentences on them. Also she’s funny so it was an easy read.
Then a novel that I’d been recommended, that turned out to be of a category that is one of my least favourites: “feel-good” disguised as literary fiction… A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles is written in a very calculating way all the way through and it annoyed me rather than making me feel any better. One to avoid (unless you love “feel-good” and Deus ex machina solutions to possible future problems).
To actually make me feel better I picked up Happy-Go-Lucky by the trusty David Sedaris, which did the trick. If you like Sedaris, you’ll enjoy it, no surprises here but I found it funnier than some of the latest collections of his that I’ve read (though quite possible that could be a mood thing at the time of reading).
I’ve been trying to avoid buying [too many] books during the first half of the year, but of course the dam broke once my vacation started. I’m now surrounded by huge piles of unread books newly bought, with more on their way. Thankfully (for my bank account) most of them were bought cheap second hand. A few also to give to my mum and brother…but most of them are for me. Oops! I did it again…
Heard:
My old favourite Taj Mahal is excellent on his latest album Savoy, where he interprets jazz standards etc better than most (and there’s no lack of interpreters). Lovely album that has been getting much more than six listens, and that I will keep playing for a long time.
Another interpreter getting lots of time from me is Rufus Wainwright whose album of (mostly) folk classics is called Folkocracy, has many guest features and is quite brilliant too. As a big fan I bought it for completist reasons, but with not very high hopes of loving it, but was happily surprised.
Bob Dylan interpreting himself on Shadow Kingdom is not near those two in quality, but not bad at all. Many of the songs take on a new dimension being sung by an older Dylan with more experiences under his belt, watching the horizon ahead with one eye for the Grim Reaper to appear. OK, there are tracks I’m not so fond of in this version, but also others that are very touching and make up for the duds.
The album that has made me the happiest this month, making me dance around in my kitchen while cooking or washing up, is the new album by Jake Shears, of the late Scissor Sisters. The album is called Last Man Dancing and is full of brilliant clubby disco bangers, sung in Jake’s powerful piercing voice and guested by both Kylie and Big Freedia, among others. Pure joy for a disco chick like me!
Lastly, I don’t know what possessed me to buy the new album by Swedish singer Lisa Ekdahl – someone I haven’t listened to much before and haven’t liked the songs I’ve heard – but I’m not unhappy that I did. The album is called Bang Bang i mitt hjärta (“Bang Bang in my Heart”) and feels slightly old-fashioned, in a mostly charming way. I can dislike some of her vocal mannerisms but on the whole the album suited my relaxed vacation mood. Klara Söderberg (of First Aid Kit) and José Gonzalez are guest singers, and it feels very Swedish; the melancholy, the musical mix of visor with pinches of jazz and soul and even echoes of the 60’s Svensktopps-schlager. All sung in Swedish in Lisa’s unmistakeable, slightly nasal, childish voice, slurring the ends of sentences occasionally. I’d recommend it – at least to a Swede! 🙂
Seen:
I find that I tend to watch only half of a documentary, or the first couple of episodes in a documentary series, these days. Mostly because they manage to make any subject seem dull, or because the format is so standardized that I get bored by knowing what I’m about to see next.
During my vacation I’ve been much too busy to watch any films, unfortunately – I may try to remedy that tonight or tomorrow, in which case I’ll tell you all about it next time around…
AOB:
It’s been good to spend time more often than usual with my dad – he lives an hour’s bus ride away and the way I work makes it difficult for me to visit as often as I’d like, so to spend time with him every week during my vacation was such a gift.
At soon-to-be 97 he’s younger in spirit than most old men, but his arthritic feet are working against him, he’s having a difficult time sleeping and feels very tired most days.
But he plays his bass for a couple of hours every day (despite his hands also being arthritic), he cooks his own lunch every day and eats with appetite, he does his own cleaning and washing (refusing all help apart from shopping) and follows with interest the news and sport and reflects back on his life – even changing his behaviour and opinions in a positive way at this late age after realising that he’s been wrong before.
I doubt that I’ll get to be 97 but I hope that I’ll be as interested in life and as independent as dad is when I’m old. Also like mum, who’s a mere 92 – they divorced 47 years ago so they both live alone, but she’s nearer and easier to visit – and also refuse all help, bar shopping.
They’re getting to the stage now when a certain frailty is beginning to attach itself as a shadow to their bodies, making me fear the day when they won’t be here anymore…hopefully it’s not going to happen for another few years.
fitterstoke says
I like the cut of your dad’s jib – I hope I’ll still be playing my bass in my 90s!
Locust says
I’m sure you will – all you have to do is keep alive, if you’re passionate about playing you’ll still keep going until you’re completely physically unable!
It’s the staying alive part that’s tricky to do by willpower alone… 😉
Marwood says
It’s been a while…
Seen
The Long Good Friday
What a film – an astonishing Bob Hoskins plays London gangster Harold Shand who has, as the film starts, reached the top of the heap, and who is now looking to broaden his horizons by linking up with like minded villains from the States. From the moment Hoskins appears, crackling with menace and energy as he strides through the departure lounge at Heathrow, the film hits the accelerator and doesn’t slow until that final scene in the back of Harold’s Jag.
Stranger Things
It’s all been said before, but this really is a glorious mash up of King, Spielberg and Carpenter. Some wonderfully charismatic young actors, delicious cliff hangers and some properly scary monsters.
After Life
I quite enjoyed this, even if it often felt as though I was being force fed ladles of golden syrup followed by gallons of malt vinegar.
Cobra Kai
For me, it’s all about the endless fascination of watching actors, whom I last saw in the 80s when they (and we) were kids.
Old
Utterly daft but very entertaining film from Shyamalan, about a secret beach that causes people to age at an accelerated rate.
Heard
Been listening to a number of albums I’d not heard in years. Durutti Column’s Vini Reilly is still strange and beautiful. Hats by Blue Nile is deeply affecting and mood altering. Goldfrapp’s bucolic Seventh Tree feels made for long, hot, lasty summer days.
Glastonbury
Fred Again. His set was a thing of beauty, and I found it really rather moving. Dancing with tears in my eyes?
Rick Astley and Blossoms running through the Smiths’ greatest hits was euphoric. Reminded me just how much I had loved and still love those songs.
Read
The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa
The inhabitants of an unnamed island wake each morning never knowing if something will have disappeared overnight. They lose birds, roses, novels… accepting each loss before moving on as their lives are gradually eroded around them. A thoughtful investigation of authoritarian / totalitarian regimes. But also of mortality, and of the way that age can degrade memory and physical wellbeing. With quiet, non-demonstrative prose Ogawa paints an exquisitely melancholy picture.
Locust says
I LOVED The Memory Police. So much so that I’ve been hesitant to read any of her other books, as I feel bound to be disappointed! I even have one of them on my shelf…it’s been there a couple of years now.
Rigid Digit says
The Long Good Friday is a superb film. A quick straw poll in my little world * though suggests the female of the species disagrees
* my wife, my daughters, and a couple of friends
Marwood says
It is, like most gangster films, very blokey. But Helen Mirren more than holds her own opposite Hoskins. Bit like Lorraine Bracco in Goodfellas (and testosterone heavy gangster flick)
mikethep says
I watched it again recently. Brilliant film, brilliant leads. What’s also fascinating is the timing – the moment just before the Thames and its environs turned into the Blade Runner-style megalopolis we see today.
Nick L says
Starting with an AOB today. It’s been a weird month…I’ve been signed off from work due to stress for 4 weeks now and you’d think I’d have consumed a load of culture in that time. However my concentration has been all over the place and as a result focusing on anything for very long has been difficult. Here’s what I’ve been trying to float my boat with over the last four weeks or so though:
Seen…
Black Mirror. Haven’t seen them all yet but the first few episodes have been fabulous.
Afterlife. This was a rewatch, and although very very good I still just don’t really see the point of some of the peripheral characters. This series definitely missed Paul Kaye’s Psychologist.
Heard…
Been listening to Jim Bob’s new album, Thanks For Reaching Out, as explained in response to Rigid above. Very good and will be checking out more by the ex Carter USM man.
The Lathums was one band I caught during many hours of Glastonbury viewing. Undemanding, tuneful, Housemartinsy pop, just what I’ve been needing this month, and their album From Nothing To A Little Bit More has it in spades.
Read…
Football and How To Survive It by Pat Nevin. Really enjoyed this, especially the latter bits about the behind the scenes running of a club. He’s a very engaging and entertaining teller of a good story which really helps.
Attack Warning Red-How Britain Prepared for Nuclear War by Julia McDowall is a very well researched and thorough read about the type of propaganda and general living through the cold war that most of us went through growing up. I also found it surprisingly and strangely nostalgic.
Blue Boy says
Sorry to hear about the stress Nick, that’s tough. Take care of yourself, and I hope things improve soon.
Nick L says
Thanks BB, that’s very kind of you.
fitterstoke says
Same from me, Nick.
And I agree: it’s very hard to achieve anything much or concentrate, even on things that you might expect to enjoy, when you’re stressed. Need to decompress a bit, before you can focus on anything much.
Best wishes.
Nick L says
Thanks F, good advice about the decompressing.
Twang says
Having had a work absence through stress I completely empathise. Take it easy and don’t go back until you’re ready. “Phased return” was the plan proposed by Occupational Health and it worked for me. Mind you I’m glad I’ve now retired! I think people underestimate how sustained stress damages you, and I don’t think I really had recovered from a bad episode in 2018 hence its reoccurrence in 2021. Took me some serious talking therapy to really unpack what was going on in my head, some shit, inevitably, going back to childhood!
Nick L says
Thanks Twang, yes, a phased return has been mentioned by Occ Health. Luckily I only have this week and then I’m off for the summer anyway as I work in education. Got some nice holiday trips booked with Mrs L. But I definitely won’t be going back until they’ve agreed to my “reasonable adjustment” requests, which I should hear about in the next day or two.
Rigid Digit says
Sounds obvious, but do make sure the phased return is correctly phased for you. Too fast a return can throw you back in the pit. Keep talking to OH to check it’s working
Nick L says
Doesn’t sound obvious at all Rigid, sounds like sound advice. Thanks!
Baron Harkonnen says
I hope you overcome you health issues Nick, I also had similar issues but through not doing anything that might exacerbate my issues and instead doing/enjoying the simple things in life.
Nick L says
Thanks BH. Simple pleasures are definitely the way forward for me I think.
Twang says
Good advice RD. And stick to the hours. If it’s 10 – 3, stop at 3, on the dot. No “I’ll just finish this” malarkey.
Nick L says
That’s definitely the plan from now on Twang, cheers.
fentonsteve says
@Nick-L Another vote for talking therapy. I had some when I was first diagnosed with a chronic illness and more recently some post-lockdown CBT. Ask your PHI/employer/union whether you’re covered.
As Bob Hoskins once said, it’s good to talk.
Nick L says
Thsnks @Fentonsteve , I agree, and it’s looking likely that Occupational Health are telling my employer to fund some kind of talking therapy.
chiz says
Can’t say I read, watched or heard much in June, to be honest. Half the month was spent on holiday and the other half starting a new and terrifying freelance career. My show Waiting for Hamlet made its US debut, in a venue so off-off-offity-off Broadway it was actually in a different State. The problem with TheatreWorld is that you only get positive feedback. Everything’s Amazing and Wonderful. So now I sit my my phone and wait for my agent to ring. Hey Ho.
Sewer Robot says
👏 Nice one, Mr Underpants. America shall be the next domino to fall!
Baron Harkonnen says
Good luck Chiz!
el hombre malo says
Heard
I have really been enjoying Byard Lancaster’s LP It’s Not Up To Us, a 1968 jazz gem. Some great musicians on in. playing against type – Sonny Sharrock, especially. That led me back to Don Cherry’s Brown Rice, again, which has a similar openness.
The latest Cairo release – This Is The Place: American Soul Music 1963-1974 – is another cracking collection of lesser-known soul songs. And Richard Hawley’s collection of rocking joy on Ace – 28 Little Bangers From Richard Hawley’s Jukebox – has had me bopping around the kitchen while I cook
Read
I am on track to hit my goodreads target of 26 books this year – the only downside of having set the target is that when I hit a clunker, I am more likely to grit my teeth and get on with it rather than do the sensible thing of abandoning ship.
There was not much to enjoy in Alex James’ autobiography, A Bit Of A Blur. Insular, selfish, treating most of the people in his life dreadfully – with no obvious remorse. He is very pleased with himself, even when he’s being sick at lunchtime in a Soho drinking club. There are some hints of wonder at things other than his Groucho Club friends, like his support for the Beagle Mars Lander, but it is mostly a dull catalogue of models, drink and drug sessions, and boorish behaviour.
I greatly enjoyed Amy Rigby’s Girl to City. A warm, funny, insightful tale of Amy’s gradual journey to and through the wildness of New York. I already knew her as a great songwriter from “Diary of a Mod Housewife” – this is an often unflinching look at her life, which paints a vivid picture of how the Lower East Side moved from a lawless crime zone (robbed at gunpoint in the apartment she shared with D) to gentrified co-op apartments. Sharp on how bands work, and built on her slow realisation that she was on a musical quest. Like all good music books, this has sent me off to find out more about the music she writes about, both her own, and also the tributaries that fed it in different ways – Urge Overkill, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, The Del-Lords, and many others. It was also good on the sense of community – Charles Mingus hanging out on his stoop in the mornings when Amy and her gang were finally heading home from nights out.
Seen
Still enjoying Poker Face on TV .
AOB
The Primevals launched our new LP Dividing Line with gigs in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Good to see the Edinburgh pals through in Leith, and also to catch up with friends in Glasgow.
https://primevals.bandcamp.com/album/the-dividing-line
On the morning after the Glasgow gig, I joined friends who had come up for the weekend on the Merchant City Music Walking Tour – 2 hours going from the Scotia, to the Britannia Panopticon, the Old Fruitmarket, Barrowland, and many other interesting spots. A very good tour, with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide – the kind of thing that I wouldn’t normally think of doing in Glasgow but have done in Berlin when we had a holiday there! The visit inside the Britannia was excellent.
fitterstoke says
Listened to about a minute of The Dividing Line, then purchased immediately.
Look on, ye mighty, and despair…
PS: I like the sound of that walking tour – next time I visit my folks, I might try to join that.
el hombre malo says
fab, thanks! Here’s the link – https://glasgowmusiccitytours.com/walking-tours/merchant-city/
Baron Harkonnen says
I’ve just ordered my first Primevals album, similar to FS I was sold before the song was over.
Which one is yourself el hombre in the pic?
el hombre malo says
*doffs hat again* 2nd from right – polka dot shirt, homburg, shades
Baron Harkonnen says
Very smart my man 😎
fitterstoke says
Thanks, man – looks good! The other tours look interesting, but this seems to be the best of them.
Arthur Cowslip says
RE Goodreads – I know what you mean. Sometimes I feel the focus on just completing books doesn’t help as (to put it simply) it focuses on quantity not quality. It’s a little bit insidious in that way. I promised myself last year I wouldn’t do it again this year, but here I am again: and I feel as if I am reaching for that addictive buzz of ticking books off my reading list instead of properly taking time to slow down and enjoy the books I want to enjoy.
el hombre malo says
I have abandoned a couple this year, and that still feels like I am in the wrong for giving up. One was a detective fiction thing where it revealed about 20% in that the actual case was child abuse, so that was hoofed. The other one was a book with deep pretensions and poor structure – not worth the mental energy. The Blur book was an easy read, but I was getting increasingly annoyed with him as it went on.
Blue Boy says
Seen
I’m just going to pick out two gigs, both in Manchester.
First, Bonnie Raitt. She was impeccable with a band every bit as good as you’d expect her to have (it included Duke Levine and Ricky Fataar). Her voice is in remarkable shape, and she had the place in the palm of her hands. She was warm, and generous in her acknowledgment of the band, the road crew, and the support artist. But, rather like Bruce, for all that, there wasn’t a scintilla of doubt about who was the Boss. Mrs BB loved it especially – for her to see this cool, elegant, woman in her 70s playing slide guitar, singing the blues, and utterly commanding the stage, was glorious and even moving. It really hasn’t always been like that in the music business and you can only imagine what Bonnie Raitt has had to out up with to get there. The setlist was great – it included a great cover of Dylan’s Time Out of Mind song Million Miles, and a rocking Burning Down the House. There was Angel from Montgomery, of course, and she still leans into the song and gives it 100% notwithstanding the thousands of times she must have sung it. And Just Like That really did deserve to win the best song Grammy. It’s not often I find myself moved to tears by a live performance of a song, but this was one of those times.
Then a few days later, it was Allison Russell, a couple of days before her debut at Glastonbury which you could tell she and her band were deeply excited by. She – and they – were just terrific. The set leaned heavily on her wonderful 2021 album Outside Child, and I should hope so – for me it’s one of the best albums I’ve heard by anybody in the last five years. But there were new songs too which suggest that her next album, The Returner, will prove it wasn’t a flash in the pan. It was great to see a young all female band. That was a feature of the Glastonbury coverage for me – seeing women playing the drums, guitar and bass is finally becoming an entirely normal thing, and not before time.
They were two gigs to remind me why I love live music so much – there really is nothing to beat it.
retropath2 says
WATCHED: as ever, so much I can’t remember much. Finally finally finished my splurge through Homeland, it becoming a feat of endurance, thinking even Saul must find Carrie tiresome long before the end. A few Black Mirrors were good, others less, Loch Henry the favourite. Started on the latest latest Idris, after the travesty of the film length Luther; it’s called Hijack, on Apple, and is tosh. Engaging and likeable though. On a bloody week by week tho. Talking of tosh, also watched the terrific first series of Lazarus Project. Sort of Groundhog Day merged with Our Man Flint and When the Wind Blows. A good film is Georgetown, starring and directed by Tarentino regular Christoph Waltz.(I discover now it is 4 years old.
ATTENDED: that there Glastonbury, my grumpy assessments recorded elsewhere. Reminded of it as all the social media awash with pics from Hyde Park, ants all scuttling to look at a distant sweetmeat. Stadiums (and Glasto), just say no. Cambridge soon, in a much more controllable environment and a much better roster of performers. Anyone going? I usually bump into the lesser spotted @jorrox . You going this year, pal?
READ: not yet, but looking forward to the Richard Morton Jack bio of Nick Drake.
HEARD: Talking of Drake, the tribute double cd has given much enjoyment, with only a couple of skip worthy contributions. Endless Coloured Ways. And thanks to this who answered my question, months ago, about On-U recordings, and who said, in unison, African Head Charge. His A Trip To Bolgatanga proved a grand soak in sounds for their sake. Excellent, whatever folk say about a slip from form. I also got round to Folkocracy, the decidedly odd homage of Rufus Wainwright to his notion of folk. It has great bits, OK bits and a fair few WTF bits. Cambridge could be fun. Lower down the register, the debut full length from Iberio-Irish singers, Riders of the Canyon, came my way and is drop dead gorgeous. With a top crew of musicians to apply scaffolding to their songs, it will be an end of year list contender. Sula, the latest from Scots trad-ucers, Daimh, is a reliably sturdy reflection of their muscular acoustic take on the tradition. I also landed Careful of Your Keepers, a 4th or 5th from This Is The Kit, finding it less contrived than she can sometimes be, if it peters out gradually over the 2nd ‘side’. I forget who it was who sent me ‘back up’ copies of all her earlier, years back, after I expressed interest, but thanks again. Finally and yet to listen, I had one of my occasional day trips to Leeds* for uxorial coiffage accompanying duties, picking up the new Anohni, the Stone Foundation commemorative collection, the latest Unthanks (thanks to Glastonbury) and Skinty Fia, from Fontaine’s DC (them via the Nick Drake trib.)
* too short notice, I thought, @hubert-rawlinson
hubert rawlinson says
Next time @retropath2
jazzjet says
I’m halfway through the Richard Morton Jack book on Nick Drake. Superbly researched and one of the best music books I’ve read.
thecheshirecat says
Uxorial; surely that belongs in that other thread about one-time-only lyrics?
Diddley Farquar says
-Happy Valley pretty good, if a little predictable in the main story. Certain tropes I’ve seen before. The black humour, of certain scenes and the sharp tongue of our hero was highly appreciated. Great acting overall.
-DNA. This is a danish scandi-noir series of a high calibre. Babies being snatched, sold for adoption. Polish nuns involved and danish and french police seek to figure it out. Charlotte Rampling is an ageing french police inspector. It’s all very classy. Hopefully it will come to the UK.
-Edie is a book about Factory star Edie Sedgewick who died at age 28. It’s interviews with those who knew her and her family in their words. The family story is one of bad parenting and troubled children. Dr Robert makes an appearance, injecting all and sundry in the backside with amphetamine, including himself. In 1966 I guess people didn’t know quite what they were getting into. The vulnerable ones were easily lead.
-Demon Copperhead is a novel, a tale of a boy trying to make a go of things despite a messed up upbringing. A page turner I got into after initial uncertainty about the style. Thanks to Locust for bringing it to my attention. Always good for book ideas.
Just got back from Greece after some time on the island Amorgos and then a few nights in Athens. Done this trip before but now it was hotter. Took refuge in museums with their aircon and tranquility. The Basil and Goulandris Foundation is not very well known I think. There weren’t many people. They have a world class collection of Picasso, Braque, Bonnard, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Monet, Pollock and more. A stunning secret in the city. Also a fine cafe that does a good lunch. One of the best things about Athens is the evening social life out on the streets, open air with cool, happy people. A great vibe.
hubert rawlinson says
40 years ago I had an evening meal in Athens with a local family, before they took us to the airport it still remains one of my most favourite meals. A great vibe indeed.
thecheshirecat says
Seen: Two gigs on the Fridays bookending the month. The Young ‘Uns played Stoller Hall on the same night as Elton was across the way at the ao Arena, Coldplay were at the Etihad and Arctic Monkeys were at Old Trafford. The city and its metro were absolutely bonkers that night. The three lads from Teesside were milking for all its worth their contribution to this cultural tour de force. Part time standup David managed to go all ISIHAC (or was it Joseph Cooper?) with an Elton song sung first in the style of Jon Boden, then as Becky Unthank. It was a great evening’s entertainment and I don’t doubt every bit as exhilerating as any of those big names. But it interests me that I only consume The Yong ‘Uns live – I’ve no inclination to bring them home and listen to a CD.
Since I had persuaded our club to book Alice Jones and Bryony Griffiths, it was satisfying to see how well they went down with their very deliberate Yorkshire humour and harmony. I know they have their fans on this site; with good reason.
Read : I don’t often have much to say on this count, and I am rarely reading something that’s just out. A nine day holiday in Spain (that became twelve days thanks to three successive cancellations – thankyou EasyJet!) gave the chance to read and learn songs for the first time in this year dominated by death and taxation. Doubtless I have only read Chris Stewart’s books because he was an early drummer for Genesis, but I’ve found them a good read and perfect for the kind of hours of downtime that can only happen on holiday.
Heard : Early June, sitting on a terrace above a wooded valley in the mountains of Galicia. I have experienced this before in central France with the same conditions, but it still blows me away. Massed birdsong rising up, like a full orchestra and then some. Individually, they are the same birds I hear in my own back garden, many on their way from Africa, but collectively, we just don’t get this effect in the UK. I could sit and listen to it all day, and they were singing for that duration.
hubert rawlinson says
I see Bryony and Alice are playing in Huddersfield on the 16th. I shall have to go over.
Sewer Robot says
Reading
The Seven Deaths Of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton. Well sort of reading, as I whizzed through the first 80% of this book, then put it down and have not picked it up again for a number of days. This is not a good sign when the novel in question is a twisty murder mystery, albeit of a very unusual kind.
Seen
Like almost all here, Black Mirror and all I might say has already been expressed except, perhaps, how much did Salma Hayek relish saying those lines?
The genuinely thrilling ninth episode of Poker Face led, somehow, in the absence of available Columbo episodes, to my watching a 1973 film called The Last Of Sheila – an ensemble murder mystery boasting a very young Ian McShane, the ever-reliable James Mason and Raquel Welch at her most stunning. It’s a bit hokey, but considering the competition would have been Ustinov’s Murder On The Orient Express, it holds up rather well.
It’s also seen as an antecedent of last year’s Glass Onion, with its rich-prick-summons-a-band-of-unlikely-friends-but-what’s-his-motive? set up.
Glastonbury, of course.
Where the one artist to go into the crowd with a “kiss cam” was my boy Joey Badass and where it was hard to see why people were so tough on little old Billy Nomates, when other, more established artists used taped backing vocals or music tracks to some degree without any fuss.
I did wonder how self-proclaimed “independent artist” Raye could afford such a big band. Maybe it’s worth blowing your whole fee for the positive publicity?
And then, Sky Arts gave us Classic Albums Live!, with Dexys playing Too Rye Ay, which made up for not seeing them touring it. Well, most of the album as space had to be made for Miranda Sawyer to ask some questions. But the post-Jimmy band sounded mighty fine, it must be said..
Heard
July means it’s time for The Quietus to do its best-of-the-year-so-far list. I usually make some exciting discoveries here, among the yards of stuff I prefer to swerve. Nothing has really grabbed me this time, although I enjoyed the time I spent with Ends Meet by 3 Phaz and Jam City Presents EFM as much as with the highly anticipated but disappointing albums by familiar favourites over the last six months.
No shortage of peppy pop singles, though, with Zara Larsson, Lucy Gaffney, Tessa Violet, PinkPantheress Tove Lo and Alison Goldfrapp all bringing it.
I can’t make head nor tail of how Gabriels are bringing out their Angels & Queens record – presently deluxe with Glasters bits right in the middle and the new and old bits all mixed up.
This is quite lovely
(M. Ward, First Aid Kit – Too Young To Die)
.. and makes up somewhat for the lack of makes-me-go-gooey Zooey on Mr M’s new LP..
retropath2 says
Re Raye, not that I know, but I doubt her fee took her far, when Gwenno, with a modest daytime set, some lights and a backdrop, herself, guitar, bass, drums, said she made a loss on the show, spending more than what she got paid. Loss leader and all that, the price of fame is publicity.
fentonsteve says
Offspring the Elder saw Raye supporting SZA at the O2 the night after her Glasto set, with a three or four-piece band (and only four or five songs). So it does seem to have been a Glasto one-off.
BTW, doesn’t she sound like Amy Winehouse when she speaks?
fitterstoke says
I like that tune in the YouTube clip…M.Ward and First Aid Kit, eh?
fitterstoke says
Well there’s eighty-two comments
Stashed away in Takeover C
An’ there’s only one shower
But it don’t apply to Bobby
Mike_H says
Read
Not much.
I re-read Len Deighton’s SS-GB and Iain Banks’ The Wasp Factory. Also caught up on some unread back issues of Private Eye. Struggled a bit with The Wasp Factory for no discernable reason. I just found I was putting it down at the end of each chapter.
Listened To
Greg Foat & Gigi Masin – “Dolphin”. Spaced-out floaty stuff for evening listening.
Mulatu Astatke – “Mochilla Presents Timeless”. Live performance. Great groove.
Ambrose Akinmusire – “The Imagined Savior Is Far Easier To Paint”. A long, ambitious multi-genre project. Not heard enough to form an opinion yet.
Elmo Hope – “Hope-Full”. Solo and duo (with his wife, Bertha) piano from a little-known jazz maestro. Lovely.
Matters Unknown – “We Aren’t Just”. Solo project by Nubiyan Twist brass player Jonny Enser. It’s good.
Ill Considered – “Band (Re)Selects”. Free improvisation on pre-written themes or just made up in the moment. Uneasy listening.
Joy Ellis – “Dwell”. Jazz singer-songwriter-pianist. Good voice and piano. Good music composition but not sure about her lyrics (a bit wordy).
Frank Zappa – “Funky Nothingness”. Has value as an artifact of it’s time. Some great playing in places and rather a lot of pretty ineffective jamming too. Aynsley Dunbar’s contribution is top-class, Sugarcane Harris not really. I can see why a couple of these tracks were deemed suitable to be edited down for “Chunga’s Revenge”. There are a couple of unreleased things of note and unfortunately plenty you wouldn’t care much if you never heard again.
Nigel Price Organ Trio – “Hit The Road”. Guitarist. Seen this guy a couple of times at the pub jazz sessions in Finchley. He’s very good and the band on this one are hot.
Tim Lapthorn – “Seventh Sense” & “Transport”. Jazz pianist. Another regular at the pub jazz sessions. He’s very, very good.
Don Ellis – “Live At Montreux”. Slightly unconventional Big Band blast from the ’70s. Pretty good.
Don Cherry – “Brown Rice”. Unusual one from Mr. Cherry, exploring funky ethnic sounds with some fine collaborators. Dig it.
Herbie Hancock – “Man-Child”. From Herbie’s ’70s Electro-Jazz-Funk phase. Yes.
Been catching up on unlistened-to podcasts and radio shows I’ve downloaded and listening to a few Amazon Music-generated playlists.
Out And About
On June 4th veteran saxophonist Art Themen at Jazz at the Elephant in North Finchley.
83 years old and blows like a wild man. A nice friendly guy to chat to afterward. Looks several years younger than I do, bastard. A great night’s jazz.
On the 17th, seven -piece band Hejira, featuring Hattie Whitehead vocals/guitar, playing Joni Mitchell’s mid-’70s material as featured on her Shadows & Light live album. This should have been the highlight of my month but the awful acoustics of St. Jude’s church in Hampstead Garden Suburb made it a less-than-optimal listening experience where I was seated (about 6 rows from the front). Anything with the full drumkit and congas reverberated horribly. Apparently it was much worse for those at the back and there being no stage they didn’t get to see much back there either. A great shame because they are fantastic in a suitable venue. I’ll be going to see them again on July 30th at the Jazz Café in Camden. They’ll be touring all over in October and November.
On the 18th I was back at the Elephant Inn for saxophonist Ed Jones. Another good night of jazz.
Only those three gigs. A bit cash-depleted in June as that’s when the Road Tax and MOT on my car came up.
TV
Watched The Gold and the associated doco that told the non-fictionalised version of the story.
The portrayal of the major criminals involved was rather too sympathetic, but as a drama it was enjoyable.
Colin From Accounts was good comedy with a few interesting twists. Surely there must be a Series 2 in the pipeline?
AOB
Monthly Broadband cost is up. Mobile Phone cost is up. Energy bill is very much up. Everything costs more and my savings are the lowest they’ve been for years.
My sister’s middle son’s wife Jem has given birth to a daughter, Skye Ava-Rose, so Big Sis now has 5 grandchildren and I’m 5 times a great-uncle.
Guiri says
Read
It’s been a crime novel month. Chandler, Rankin, Camilleri, Kerr. All reliably entertaining. Also read Love and Let Die. Superb look at the Beatles and Bond. I like the Beatles slightly less and Bond slightly more than the author does but its a great read.
Heard
Lloyd Cole – On Pain. Was a bit nervous about this. Took a listen or two but it’s excellent. He really can do electronic and sound great, not silly.
Lilac Time – Return to Us. I love the Lilac Time but for some reason I ignored this in 2019. I was wrong. One of their very best. Now very much looking forward to their new one later this month.
Seen
Asteroid City. This was filmed close to my other half’s pueblo near Madrid so we are biased. It’s wonderful, if you like Wes. If you don’t you’ll hate it.
Indiana Jones. Watched the first four films with my daughter in preparation for the new one. 1 and 3 are timeless classics. 2 and 4 are shite. She then went and saw the new one with friends. So it goes.
Arthur Cowslip says
I was talking to my brother about Wes Anderson the other day. I think I’m finally over him – it’s a shame, he used to be one of my favourite directors, but now I just think he is maybe milking his own formula a bit too much and it feels repetitive.
I say this having not seen Asteroid City – and that’s now two Wes Anderson films in a row I’ve missed, which says something. I know I’d probably like Asteroid City if I watched it, but I just can’t muster up the enthusiasm.
My history with Wes Anderson is:
– Bottle Rocket, Rushmore – love this guy! What’s he going to do next?
– The Royal Tenenbaums, Life Aquatic – A master at the top of his game. But I can’t see where he can go from here. He’s starting to repeat himself.
– The Darjeeling Limited – Surprisingly good. But he’s definitely reached the end of this quirky formula I think. He needs to do something different.
– Fantastic Mr Fox – Fantastic! Something different, I did NOT expect this. Very exciting, a wonderful animated film.
– Moonrise Kingdom, Grand Budapest Hotel – decent, but definitely more of the same. This the the Royal Tenenbaums on a camping trip, then the Royal Tenenbaums in Europe.
– Isle of Dogs – love it, I wish he would do more animation.
– The French Despatch, Asteroid City – I’ll maybe get round to them someday. They look very similar to his other films.
Locust says
I find this Honest Trailer quite amusing (it gets really funny towards the end…):
Lodestone of Wrongness says
That is indeed funny!
hubert rawlinson says
Indeed.
Baron Harkonnen says
Very 😎
Lodestone of Wrongness says
Quite by chance and courtesy of the Eel Market, we watched Asteroid City tonight. All the way through I could not get Honest Trailer out of my head. Thanks, @locust
Locust says
Sorry/You’re welcome… 🙂