We are within hailing distance of the first Friday of a new month, so once again I ask – what have you been listening to / reading / watching , and is there anything else you would like to share ?
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Listening to:
Regis — Manbait (best techno album of the year, no doubt)
Ed Rush & Optical — Fabric Live 82 (Mindblowing D&B mix)
Watching:
Orange Is The New Black (‘Qwistophwah!’)
Reading:
The Woods Are Dark by Richard Laymon (the ‘restored’ version)
From the lack of response you may have cannibalised your own thread with the ‘best thing you’ve heard all month’ one, Senor Malo. Anyway,
Read Not that much. I enjoyed The Life of Pi while unable to ignore the nagging feeling that the whole thing was a religious allegory I couldn’t quite grasp.
Manson – The Life And Times Of Charles Manson by Jeff Guinn is grisly but gripping. I’ve always been fascinated by the 60s hippie era and this hideous story which precipitated its end.
Heard A few good gigs this month. Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick deifed their ages (just shy of 150 between the two of them) the deliver a masterly set in Colchester, while Swarb’s old band mate Richard Thompson delivered a loud, squally, rocking set at the Royal Festival Hall which is unlikely to be outdone by anything else I see all year.
At the weekend I saw Michele Stodart of The Magic Numbers at a local club in front of about 20 people,. most of whom seemed to know the band. She was just fine, but support act David J Harvey was the hit of the night and his album, downloaded from Bandcamp, on constant play since.
Talking of albums, a holiday in Berlin reminded me that Lou Reed’s Berlin was my favourite album when I was about 16. I hadn’t heard it for decades so picked it up for 4 quid from HMV. I must have been a very angsty adolescent, though one with very cool taste in music (actually, as I recall I found the miserablism funny even at that age, but it’s still Lou’s best for me.)
Seen Delivering a daughter to Manchester Uni gave us the opportunity to splurge in Fopp. The Life of Pi (watched after finishing the book) was a gorgeous spectacle, but understandably missed out much of the metaphysics. Mr Turner was a baffling missed opportunity to use cinema to explore Turner’s light and colour, rather than a fairly random selection of incidents from his later life.
Even on series 6 Buffy continues to delight; we’ve just watched the disc which includes Once More With Feeling. The new Danger Mouse does not disappoint as it could so easily have done.
Heard
Listened to two new records on repeat – Low’s Ones and Sixes and My Morning Jacket’s Waterfall. Both of them sound like the bands at their best, and that means they are very good indeed.
Saw
Richard Thompson was excellent .
In theatre, I’d recommend the Manchester Royal Exchange’s production of The Crucible, a play which like most of Arthur Millers stuff truly stands the test of time.
Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtney are brilliant in 45 Years which isn’t the cheeriest film you’ll ever see but is one which really gets inside your head.
Read
Bugger all this month
September was a strange month, a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows. This (plus plenty of work and very little sleep for a week of unbelievable back pains) made me rather restless for once, and most of my new books and CDs remained mainly unread and unlistened to. But I did manage a few things, so here we go:
Heard:
Following recommendations from you lot I got C Duncan’s album “Architect”, and it IS rather lovely. But am I the only one who keep expecting him to start singing “Up up and away, in my beautiful, my beautiful ballooooooon” at any given moment?
Les Big Byrd’s two EPs of this year: “Stockholm Death Star” and “Liquid Sky” give us more of the same nervy psych rock as their wonderful debut album did last year, but the album probably had more strong tunes than these do. Of the two “Stockholm…” is the better one.
Nozinja’s “Nozinja lodge” is an album of Shangaan Electro by the Godfather of that genre, and if you like that sort of thing (and I can see how some people wouldn’t) it’s full of fun and reasons to shake selected parts of your anatomy. Makes washing up a lot more fun.
Van Morrison’s “Astral Weeks” was definitely NOT my cup of tea…songs that just go on in a very unattractive way, with Van sounding like the pub drunk who won’t shut up.
A far more pleasurable experience is listening to the “To The Lake” EP by the Word/AW superduo that is The Disappointment Choir! Stop dragging your feet and go to Bandcamp NOW.
I have a HUGE pile of absolutely wonderful albums besides these, but like I said – I haven’t had time to listen properly so I’ll save them for another time.
Read:
Well, some more Murakami short stories on my commute, a few more chapters of Colin’s piping book, a crap autobiography, a Danish charity shop book about a boy and his excentric grandmother, some re-reads of old classics that I’ve read so many times I didn’t have to be very engaged, plus an entertaining enough Swedish horror novel unfortunately poorly edited and thus riddled with clichés…but I haven’t been able to read much due to three weeks of intense back problems (third week a complete nightmare) making it difficult to concentrate on anything, not to mention sitting still…thank god it’s all cleared up now!
Seen:
Same thing there really, didn’t have the stamina to sit and stare at the computer much. Mostly short YouTube clips…I haven’t even watched the first episode of the new series of “The Bridge” – but I hear really good things about it, so it looks like losing Kim Bodnia didn’t spoil the show. The second series of “Les Revenants” started this week as well, and I didn’t watch that either.
It’s not just the back thing though (the problems ended last Saturday) – I haven’t watched TV for three months and I’m finding it difficult to begin again. It just seems unnecessary.
Have just got in from seeing the ever wonderful Martin Stephenson and the Daintees at the Greystones. Heather and I were joined by @SteveT who is a big fan of this neglected and underrated genius.
I’ve been listening to: the new Richard Hawley album, to an End of the Road compilation album, the lastest Sufjan Stevens album, to Dave Rawlings and the Machine, the wonderful new Ane Brun album, some Arabic fusion in the shape of Arif, quite a bit of Van the Man, and to Melody Gardot. All of it is good in so many different ways.
Reading – I’ve started reading some of Ian Rankin’s early Rebus novels, which I’m enjoying.
AOB – I’m not sure if this is the right place to say this, but the absolute worst thing that happened in September was the death of Donna, Pencilsqueezer’s beloved wife. Those of you who have met her will know what a spark she had. I wish I could have got to know her better, but feel privileged to at least spent some time in her company. My thoughts are with P. Much love, my friend.
oh no, I hadn’t heard that. All love and best wishes to Pencilsqueezer, should he happen to read this.
Hi @kid-dynamite and thank you.
Bless you for holding my lass, my cariad in such esteem @mike-hull.
I know that Donna was very happy and honoured to regard you and your wonderful wife as friends.
X
Terrible, terrible news. Can only echo Kid Dynamite’s comment above; best wishes and love to you, my friend.
Thank you @bingo-little. X
I wish you well. Good to see you here.
Best wishes, Mr PS. I’ve been thinking of you.
Thank you @poppy-succeeds. X
Omg, was shocked to read this. Never had the privilege of meeting either of you, but feel I know you a little through your art and your posts. And your tales of caring for Donna who you obviously loved dearly. Very, very sorry to hear this news. Wishing you the strength you’ll need.
Thank you @gary. X
I’m very sorry to hear this PS. I hope your painting and friends brings you some solace. Keep well.
that is dreadful news. I never had the pleasure of meeting Pete or Donna, but remember her from the photos of the early mingles and Pete’s postings here on their trials and tribulations over the last few years.
Peter, you have carried far more than your fair share of hardships – I send nothing but love. Take care and stick around, mate.
Adrian
Thank you @allium-sativum, @dodger-lane and @badartdog. X
Just read this and I can only echo the thoughts above, I am so sorry for your loss.
Please take care and keep in touch with your virtual friends on here.
Thank you @ip33. X
So sorry to hear of your loss – deepest sympathy of course.
Take care of yourself.
Thank you @bargepole. X
So sorry to hear this…our thoughts and blessings to you,
Thank you @bang-em-in-bingham. X
I settled down with a glass of malt a short time ago after spending my day immersed in paint and memories. I decided to play our much watched DVD of The Last Waltz. Upon opening the case a note from Donna fluttered to the floor. It read “If you don’t play Hendrix at least once a week I’ll haunt you and not in a good way.” Hell of a woman my lass. She knew me so well.
sound advice too! Chin up you have lots of friends on this lovely site!
So sorry to hear of Donna’s passing. Peter, my thoughts are with you.
Thank you @fiction-romantic. X
SEEN
Two apparently contrasting gigs, separated by a week : King Crimson and Messiaen’s Turangalila Symphony. Yet no. They were both complex multi-layered virtuoso rackets. In other words, they scratch my musical itch very well.
The month was bookended by my more usual folk fare. Harp and a Monkey are a thoroughly engaging trio of Mancunian gentlemen plus harp, singing erudite songs, much with an emphasis on past war, but with an eye to the contemporary with the backing tracks and loops that are popping up all over the folk scene now. Last weekend, it was the turn of an engaging trio of women in the form of Lady Maisery, including not just harp but gorgeous harmonies and Hannah James literally spectacular dancing.
AOB I will not hide my light under a bushel. I am immensely proud that I was the support act for said Lady Maisery gig. It was only my third such gig, and I know that the fact that it sold out was not on my account, but I came away buzzing, with lots of very positive comments from strangers. I can see how people get hooked to performance, craving the next fix, after having a room of 70 joining in, harmonising on your every chorus.
My friends who booked me for the gig – we’ve known each other for 20 years – commented that they had no idea I had this in me. Neither did I, mate, neither did I!
Well done, mate! I’ve seen you dance, next time I must hear you sing!
SEEN: Er … nope. Nowt worth mentioning.
READ: Two top-notch neo-noir novels by David Corbett, The Devil’s Redhead and Done for a Dime. I thought both were well up there with the best of Lehane, Pelecanos & Co. , and maybe even stronger – fully rounded characters, intriguing plots and writing that ranges from the ultratight to the expansive, as the scene demands.
HEARD: The Darlene Love jobby. Some of the songs have potential, but unfortunately Miami/Little Steve/Stevie/Steven’s Woo-I’ve-got-a-48-track-and-I’m-gonna-use-them-all approach to production sucks all the life out of all of them by not leaving a single cubic inch of air for anything to breathe. It’s so big and brash and brassy and bloody that, frankly, it’s just boring.
Seen:
Still catching up on Breaking Bad, so much so that I had to stop watching for a couple of weeks because it was getting inside my head too much. Also seen/played Skyrim on the 2nd hand PS3 I picked up for my boy. That definitely has gotten inside my head. I used to be an obsessive gamer, this has (unfortuntately!?!?) reawakened that. And Dangermouse, the reboot. And it’s good, by pretty much continuing the old one, with a few tweaks. Very funny too.
Heard:
Lots of Mod connected things, 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond. I was a teenage Mod, so perhaps it’s mid life crisis. Or a step away from the more grown up country stuff I’ve been consuming for the past couple of years. The Purple Hearts singing ‘Frustration’ at volume is a wonderful thing. Baby.
Read:
Laird Barron’s The Croning. I’ve not read a book that’s gotten me involved for a while, a couple of years to be honest. I’ve a pile of unfinished things. This may turn out to be another unfinished, may not. But it’s opening chapters are possibly the best I’ve read for a very long time. I want to read more. Very very nice writing style. He’s a fantasy/horror writer, apparently this may get a bit Lovecraft, but it hasn’t yet.
Heard:
early listens to the new Mercury Rev album are promising – sounds more like the couple after Deserters Songs than the electronic misfire of the last one (seven years ago!). The new record by The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing is reliably excellent, and probably their strongest yet. More metal than punk this time round, but still engagingly concerned with the backstreets and alleyways of Victoriana.
Seen:
After two episodes, I reckon Doctor Who is off to its strongest start in years – hope the rest of the series can maintain it. Caught up with The Imitation Game, which was a bit disappointing. Not keen on the way the Turing character would be a shy social cripple one minute, then come out with some profound wisdom that belongs on a motivational kitten poster before reverting to difficult genius. I have also watched half an hour of Gone Girl. That was on Wednesday. Will I be back for more? Dunno.
Read:
The first two volumes of Richard Morgan‘s Land Fit For Heroes trilogy in preparation for the third (started this very morning). They belong to the subset of fantasy called “grimdark”, and are in indeed very grim and very dark. On rereading, I was surprised just how violent they are. They make the commerical kings of grimdark, Joe Abercrombie’s books, look like a toddler’s picnic. It’s not just blood and gore though – there’s some good characterisation, a well rendered fantasy world (OR IS IT?), and some good black humour. Also notable for being among the very few (only?) fantasy books I know with a homosexual lead.
I bought Patrick Leigh Fermor‘s long walk to an end when I caught up on The Broken Road. Inevitably, bit of an anticlimactic ending (it literally stops midsentence), but the journey there was a good one, with sequences at least the equal of anything in the earlier books. A related book I read this month was Walking The Woods And The Water, by Nick Hunt, an account of his 2011 recreation of PLF’s walk through a very different Europe. Although it started a little slowly, it’s definitely worth sticking with if you’re a fan of the earlier books – it became very good indeed.
15 flights in September (which is an odd number come to think of it, but somehow I’m back where I started) have been great for catching up with films. Well, in a sense; a 10-inch screen that suddenly lurches forward so it’s six inches from your chin isn’t ideal for absorbing viewing, and some of the cuts are baffling. So are the edits for swearing. Some films obviously record the actors saying a less offensive word and cut them in – “Hands in the air, Motherbugger!”
Some that survived the difficult conditions were The Kingsman and Spy, two similar films which are now so muddled in my head so I’m not sure what happened in which, but both were funny; Birdman, which I criminally hadn’t seen till now, and PK, which is apparently the highest-grossing Indian film ever. It’s about an alien who comes to Earth and asks all sorts of dumb (i.e. obvious) questions about religion. Pee-kay is Hindi for drunk, and it’s a funny, light and deeply satirical poke at some sacred cows.
I bought some fuck-off B&O headphones in Muscat and have been rediscovering my iTunes library. There are parts in familiar songs that I’ve never noticed before. The only new addition is the new David Gilmour, but that’s for completism really. A bit dull and worthy.
Read: John Cleese and Danny Baker autobiographies and John Niven’s Kill Your Friends, which I found disturbing and not very enjoyable. I know it’s satire and everything, but I felt a bit grubby reading it, especially in public.
Read: The Girl in the Spider’s Web, the fourth book in the “Millenium series” about Lisbeth Salander. This one written by a Swedish journalist and author without the notes that Stieg Larsson made for a fourth novel before he died. His partner refused to provide these as she does not approve of this posthumous effort.
The style is definitely not Henry James, but whatever you think about the ethics of it, it is a good story. Great read for airplane journeys.
Saw Went to the utterly fab Festival Number 6. Enjoyed it so much, I’ve already bought my ticket for next year. Portmeirion is one of my favourite places and gave it all a kind of magical air. Highlights for me: Kate Tempest’s spoken word set. Jaw dropping. Mik Artistik – hilarious, Mike Garry plus strings in the tint village hall, King Creosote (Largs is possibly the best song ever written about holidays), Belle & Sebastian (obv.) and, ladies and gentlemen, Miss Grace Jones.
Followed up by an astonishing King Crimson gig at the Usher Hall, ably reviewed by Mr Blast elsewhere.
Heard Larks Tongues in Aspic, Wow. Thelonious Monk’s Blue Note recordings. Excellent.
Watched Finished series 4 of Breaking Bad. Holy fuck. Started on 5 now but needed a Modern Family binge to get my equilibrium back…
Saw: It is rare to find a show that both Mrs S & I bit enthuse about-but Cradle To Grave (despite Peter Kay’s Dick Van Dykeisms) is better than I expected-particular praise for Lucy Speed who is quite brilliant. The other thing I saw or heard this month was heartbreaking -like many others here I was so saddened to hear about Donna-one of the loveliest people it has ever been my pleasure to meet.
Read-very little -although a quick gander in my local library to kill half an hour turned up Mick Houghton’s Sandy Denny biography-which I will save for the train journey to see my good friend Pencilsqueeer next week.
Heard-a good Twitter recommended Ryley Walker’s Primrose Green-knowing that I was rather partial to Martyn & Jansch. It’s well worth your time. Also took delivery of Richard Hawley’s latest (much better than some reviews would have you believe & the new Shelby Lynne -lovely. The old has been represented by 2 live sets-the recent 2 cd Yes from 1972 (maybe not as strong as Yessongs but better quality) & the magnificent Sly & The Family Stone 4cd set. one suspects if this had been released as planned in the late 60s then it would be put up there with Live At The Apollo. Yes it’s that good.
AOB-if like me you are a type one diabetic -look after yourself better. Having burst blood vessels in the back of your eye lazered off is not a pleasurable experience.
Read
The Gashouse Gang by John Heidenry about the 1934 St Louis Cardinals, one of the most legendary baseball teams in history.
It’s very surprising they have never made a movie about them, the story has every element of drama including romance and of course it finishes with the inevitable “big game”
With the backdrop of the depression, the cast of characters for my hypothetical film include the tightwad owner, the brilliant but very difficult to manage pitcher, the star slugger who is a brooding loner. The pugnacious shortstop as likely to brawl with his own teammates as the opposition.
What makes them “legendary” is hard to pinpoint in just a few sentences. No one is even sure what a “Gashouse Gang” is, let alone how it retrospectively became attached to this particular side.
The best explanation is with their dirty patched together uniforms (courtesy of the skinflint owners) they seemed to be an unruly mob from the rough side of town come to play against the lilywhite rich kids. All season they were written off as contenders but they hung in and finally triumphed. It’s impossible not to cheer them on and even back then they were seen as a sign the depression was going to lift.
It’s really entertaining and I would recommend it anyone that likes sports books.
I better get in before Locust gets started.
Listened: Nothing new. I recently looked at my old ipod and couldn’t recall about 10% of the music loaded on there which is ridiculous. I have been listening to Creedence Clearwater Revival a lot though and do wish I could have seen them live though Fogerty’s voice grates on me after a while. ,My favourite album of the month has been Cafe Parisien; a collection of the usual suspects and I never really tire of it. Perfect background music at work.
Read: Still with The Power Broker by Robert A Caro. It’s a massive book, but so very fascinating. I can’t praise this book too much; Caro’s writing, his moral force and the whole story of Robert Moses and New York, how he abused power, corrupted others is extraordinary. A great book on West Indies cricket – Fire in Babylon by Simon Lister. It’s kind of an accompaniment to the film of the same name but stands on its own as a book. I remember the times and he writes about it well. They were a brilliant team though I hated them at the time for duffing up ‘our boys’. 1965 by Andrew Grant Jackson (thanks KFD) is a good overview of 1965 as year in music. It occasionally strays into pretentious twaddle, but well worth reading and I learnt a lot of stuff I was unaware of.
Watched: The Rugby World Cup. Enjoying it, even enjoying the silly ads with Jack Whitehall who normally I cannot abide. Off to Ireland v Italy tomorrow – can’t wait. Only thing that irritates me is why they feel the need to have choirs singing anthems. Before the Wales game, they bastardised Land of our fathers – it was horrific.
Totally agree on the anthems. How can a choir massacre the Welsh national anthem in Cardiff for God’s sake? Beggars belief.
@dodger-lane: you must have missed me – I’m up there, just unusually brief for a change!
Between work, the sad news about Donna plus two good friends of mine here in Sweden being seriously ill, and that back ache, I just haven’t been in the mood for much of anything, really.
Don’t you worry – next month will be twice as long instead – when I get through the stacks of books and CDs that’s been on hold this month! 😉
Doh ! @locust
I’ll pay attention next month and look forward to it !
HEARD: As usual with me, very little that is actually “new”, other than the new Ozric Tentacles ‘Technicians Of The Sacred’, which I am enjoying very much, and Ryley Walker’s ‘Primrose Green’, in which I hear echoes of not only Drake, Jansch and Morrison (Van, not Jim), but also David Crosby’s hippy-psych masterpiece ‘If I Could Only Remember…’.
Other than that, the Faces box set is a pure delight as you might expect from one of the greatest good time rock & roll bands ever to bestride this narrow world. ‘Ooh La La’ has got a lot of bad press throughout the years, not least from the Faces themselves, but how can you hate an album that contains Cindy Incidentally, If I’m On The Late Side, Glad and Sorry, Just Another Honky and the title track?
Other stuff new to my groaning shelves this past month were Traffic’s ‘As The Eagle Flies’ and ‘Welcome To The Canteen’, David Sylvian’s ‘Secrets Of The Beehive’ (exquisite!), 6 Porcupine Tree albums and The Section’s first album.
READ: Peter Hart’s ‘Jutland 1916’, a fascinating account of what was (until the Battle of Leyte Gulf) the biggest naval battle in world history, as well as Emily St John Mandel’s ‘Station Eleven’ – how refreshing to read a post-apocalyptic novel that isn’t all sackcloth and ashes, doom, gloom and people eating each other in a futile attempt to avoid extinction. Currently reading Alan Moorehead’s ‘The White Nile’, as well as Terry Pratchett’s ‘Sourcery’ (part of my grand plan to re-read all his Discworld novels in sequence).
SEEN: Pitch Perfect 2 was as delightful, charming and funny as the first movie.
Heard Nothing new. Trawling through Bowie’s early albums. My theory is the the albums up to and including Ziggy are the best, actually. Intead of listening live while I work in my office. I have taken to downloading the Kermode/Mayo Film podcast recently. Much better without the News, sport, and traffic.
Saw Actually got off my fat arse and saw Inside Out in the cinema. It didn’t quite live up to the hype, but I love the concept of the Joyful memories being touched by sadness. I liked the the psychedelic surrealism shown in some of its aspects like the imaginary friend sequence and yes I did shed a tear or two towars the end. So, as a piece of entertainment, job done. Talking of entertainment; I am quite happy to watch every repeat of the Stead/Peel period of The Avengers again and again. They are on Channel 63 of Freeview at 8.00pm weekdays – can’t remember which channel that actually is.
Read As usual, about 5 years late, I am reading Electric Eden. It is one of the few books on music that has actually got me digging out bits of music. Rob Young makes some interesting connections. I found the earlier chapters on the prehistory of the the folk revival fascinating. By coincidence I was reading about the composer and critic Peter Warlock (real name Phillip Heseltine) around about when the death of Brian Sewell was announced. Sewell only found out he was Warlock’s son very late in life. Also read The Reluctant Fundamentalist, which is just a novella really. A tight parable of a story in which some of the symbolism is a bit too neat.
Ahhh can’t edit the post – sorry for the shouty bold in the last para
Speaking of Bowie’s early albums, the Five Years box set is now out. Anyone heard it yet?
oh dear sooo many typos in such a short piece of writing by me. Really need to get a secretary for this stuff. Or maybe turn on spellchecker? Nah.
Watched all these Emma Peel episodes again. Wonderful nostalgia blast. Stunningly beautiful and funny; great interplay with Steed and cream of ’60s UK acting talent.
Seriously, they really are still brilliant aren’t they? Slick, witty and knowing. Thinking back, I think Emma influenced my archetype of an ideal woman. Come to that Steed influenced my archetype of a Gentleman.
Listening –
There’s a new album from Dave Rawlings Machine, Nashville Obsolete, out this month. In the absence of new material from Gillian Welch this is as good as it gets. It’s shortish at only 7 tracks, but is without exemption lovely. In a similar vein, Joe Ely’s new one Panhandle Rambler is, to exhaust an old cliche, the best thing he’s done in years. Similar in style to 1995’s Letter To Laredo, it’s an exercise in reflective Mexicana with some decent tunes and thoughtful lyrics. Kurt Vile’s new album B’lieve I’m Goin Down is also out this month. It’s a lolloping affair that takes a few listens to distinguish between tracks, but is strangely addictive nonetheless. Best of all this month is the new one from Noah Gundersen, Carry The Ghost. Reminiscent of a folkier Jason Isbell, Gundersen’s 2nd album proper is largely acoustic and reflective, but with some stonking tunes, of which this is one.
Watching –
I can’t be bothered with telly much these days, but Coronation Street is always a favourite in the Bungliemutt household. It’s in a bit of a rough patch at the moment, with some duff storylines and forgettable characters, but the live episode was flawlessly executed and worthy of mention if only for the technical whizzbangery that made it appear effortless. Other than that it’s been a month of films. I enjoyed Jules Dassin’s film noir The Naked City, shot in a documentary style and also Robert Mitchum’s finest hour in The Night Of The Hunter, which was cheesier than I was expecting, and lacked the air of menace for which it is famed.
Reading –
I’ve set myself the unlikely task of reading all of Shakespeare’s plays, many of which I read many years ago as a callow undergraduate. It’s perhaps an unusual bucket list commitment, but I’m hoping that the passing of the years will reveal more depths to the Bard’s work than I appreciated first time round. I’ve begun with Richard II, one of the history cycle that includes Henry IV and Henry V, that are personal favourites. 1 down, only 37 to go. I’m currently half way through Nigel Jones’s biography of the poet Rupert Brooke. Brooke was a complex character, ill-served by popular perception of him as a somewhat jingoistic First World War poet responsible for ‘there is a corner of a foreign field’ etc. While later war poets such as Owen and Sassoon were mired in the reality and horror of years of war, Brooke was unlucky enough to be an early casualty. Nigel Jones’s biography is a balanced account of Brooke’s life, and is an excellent and detailed read.
Damn the lack of edit! ‘Exemption’ should read ‘exception’
I had that Dave Rawlings Machine album foisted upon me. I don’t like Americana but I found it very interesting. Effectively, it is two acoustic guitars supported by some strings. There is one track with the most pointless appearance of a drum kit since Blood On The Tracks. You can hear the chairs creak on the porch and feel the heat of the sun cool as it sets. The tales that are spun, in a mournful voice, have two themes; get away from here as far as you can and avoid feisty women. Gillian Welsh’s counter-point vocals are the best thing about it. By the end, you’ll have grown a beard.
Heard:
Public Image Limited – What The World Needs Now (still listening/loving, but not finding much “new texture”. I admit that my glowing review may be tainted, and this one may not have the longevity of others)
Iron Maiden – Book Of Souls (you can’t go wrong with ver Maiden)
Goundhogs (good, but not 100% sure yet)
Libertines – Anthems for Doomed Youth (it’s The Libertines being The Libertines. Never thought we’d get a third album, but we did, and there’s nowt wrong with it)
Bob Dylan – Oh Mercy miniBreakfasts Bobbox blog reminded me that I never did buy this one, despite advise that if you own one post 1970 Dylan album, make sure it’s this one. Arrived this morning but haven’t listened to it yet)
Current in the “must explore further” file:
Baby Strange (heard on 6Music)
Duncan Reid & The Bigheads – found the name written in an old notebook, and now exploring Youtube.
Read:
Mojo, Uncut, Vive Le Rock and Louder Than War. Three books on the go awaiting finishing, but apart from these monthly music updates, no more pages have been turned
Seen:
John Lydon interview – Piers Morgan is, and always will be, a cock. But a John Lydon is always worth a look. Not massively revealing, but a worthwhile watch (“Angry” John was left backstage, and “Cuddly” John filled the screen)
After several years, finally got a copy of The Wall on DVD – Saturday night viewing sorted
Madness at Newbury Racecourse – Madness are Madness, and what you got on Stage was exactly what it said on the tin. Fortunately for my own musical snobbery, I was glad that it wasn’t just a Greatest Hits set (unlike many others around me who stopped singing and dancing, and just looked confused/annoyed the moment anything that wasn’t a single got an airing.
Len Price 3, Les Kitchenettes and Galileo 7 at Half moon Putney. Almost a min-Mingle as other alumni of this parish were in attendance.
Word of Advice – it took nearly 2 houirs to get from Reading to Putney (missed the direct train and had to change at Staines). On the return journey, if you have to change at Staines then make sure that you get on the Reading Train (not the Woking train as I somehow managed to)
AOB
The threat of Redundancy has just become REAL (oh bugger!)
Heard
Been listening to Ryan Adams bash at the Taylor Swift album. It’s alright. Rest and Thankful by Linden – pretty good. Some Nick Hayward after listening to the Sodajerker episode featuring him. Some fine songs in his canon. Also listened to the Girl In The Spider Wb audio book. Decent enough potboiler – made more acceptable by being set in Sweden I suspect.
Read
Been mainlining trashy thrillers. The 3 Spider Shepherd books by Stephen Leather and I have just started the first in the John Milton series by Mark Dawson. My highbrow left years ago to be replaced by easy things a tired man can read. Did also read a book about Gin which was ¾ of a good book dealing with the history of gin and it tailed off rushing through the last 50 years. There is a fine book to be written about London and alcohol I think.
Seen
Nashville and Justified in the main. Also watching the Danny Baker sitcom which is rather good. I think the lad playing Danny does a terrific job of playing someone so familiar with.
AOB
I now have an office in the garden that I work from a couple of times a week. It really is a lovely thing to be able to do. I’m lucky I can work from home and do it in a fairly nice man cave of a log cabin. It certainly enables me to listen to more music. And have an extra hour in bed.
Yes, working from home is wonderful, isn’t it? I was given the opportunity last year and now do it three days a week. What I’ve saved in shaving supplies alone….
SEEN:After a quiet summer, the Autumn Of Classic Rock has begun where I am only seeing ‘old-boy’ acts.
Saw 6 this month, in reverse order
6. Johnny Marr, Southampton – Went for my boy who has developed a Morrissey obsession and couldn’t pass up the chance to see him the same weelend as his former band mate. S’alright – nice guitar but the new songs are sub-Noel with cliched lyrics. A rowdy crowd of 50-somethings doing strange moshing type dancing polished off the evening.
5. Bryan Ferry, Portsmouth – usual good band and enjoyed the deeper cuts but bored with the hits live when performed in such a routine fashion – particularly when they are the onoly songs that 2/3 of the audience seem to enjoy.
2 Equal. Morrissey – great band, rambunctious contrary setlist of great tunes. He should be a national treasure.
2 Equal. King Crimson. I was afraid it might only be impressive musicianship but fortunately they brought the tunes too. Fantastic.
2 Equal. Steven Wilson. Great band with some of the best live sound I have heard. Since the gig have listened to nothing else but his work – fortunately, there’s quite a lot.
1. David Gilmour. Surprisingy epic without sacrificing the musician-ship. Couldn’t imagine a better Pink Floyd gig. My 14 yo self would have proud of me. Gilmour, Crosby, Nash, Manzenara – on the same stage?
WATCHED: Finished Bloodline – recommended. Appreciated the ability to let the story stretch out – we are living in a golden time for TV content, no doubt. And as for the BBC4 Sinatra doc? Couldn’t have been better and has had me digging deep into my collection.
HEARD: Given my gig going, a lot of Prog. Otherwise enjoyong the new Jaga Jazzist. Really like the Julia Holter – feared a bit of an annoying Joanna Newsom moment but no, it’s good. Like the Italian heavy psych rock of Black Rainbows. Like Dr. Dre. Bit disappointed with Foals – too many polished tunes that are just a bit ‘nice’.
Later to the party than normal due to a rather busy weekend.
SEEN: After a dearth of live gigs in July and August last month was rather good. An excellent gig at Birmingham Glee Club from Hayes Carll kicked off the month and continued with a storming gig by Richard Thompson at the Lowry and my highlight last week with a brilliant performance by the effervescent Martin Stephenson and the Daintees. Martin is always great fun live and this gig was no exception. Most of the favourites were played and most haunting of all was his song Home which he sang solo as an encore in tribute to his dad who had died a week earlier. I attended this gig with Mike and Heather Hull and pre-gig we shared our sadness at the news of Donna – this song was even more poignant for me and thoughts are with Pencilsqueezer.
On screen I saw Everest. Not normally a fan of this type of movie, my wife was keen to go because of her love of mountains and a desire to visit Nepal. I have to say the film exceeded expectations and was more than enjoyable.
Have been riveted to Dr. Foster and am intrigued to how this weeks finale will pan out. The air of expectation for something dramatic to happen is palpable.
READ: Currently halfway through Chrissie Hynde’s Reckless which is well written and interesting without being outstanding. Could do without the references to Vegetarianism. Okay, you don’t eat meat – get over it. Millions of others don’t either. It’s no big deal.
HEARD: On the retro front I am listening to Bowies Five Years box, the deluxe edition of James Laid and Wah-Wah and also Julian Copes reissue of World shut your mouth. The most engaging of these is the James set – the bonus discs are astounding.
New releases have included Dave Rawlings Nashville Obsolete which is significantly better than the last Gillian Welch album. Also Patty Griffins Servant of Love – the title track probably best song I have heard this year. The Arcs – Yours dreamily – not quite as good as the reviews that lead me to buy it would have you believe. Richard Hawley Hollow Meadows – okay but needs to grow on me.
AOB:
Went to Whitby for the weekend. What a lovely place (despite the crowds) and got to see a Minke Whale on a 5 hour whale watching trip. Apparently the Whales are of the coast of Whitby whilst the herring are spawning in August and September. The boat we were on goes out twice per day and ours was the 64th consecutive trip where Whales were spotted. Unexpected nature on our doorstep.
Off to Whitby for the annual pilgrimage shortly. Best place on the planet.
Whitby has a Starbucks now according to my neighbour’s brother.
Thin end of the wedge.
was in Whitby three weekends ago.Stayed down the road in Robin Hood’s Bay, which has also become an annual pilgrimage for my family. It is a lovely bit of the world. The sea was a bit rough to go out when we were there.
Think that was same weekend we were there. Saturday was warm,Sunday when we were on boat was bloody cold.
Oddly, me too, spent a week there probably the same sort of time: fab town. It was pirate w/e and so lots of elderly dudes dressed as Keith Richards, making a change from goths. Also Staithes arts festival, knocking Robin Hoods Bay’s steep fishing village of the week into 2nd place.
Nowt that new or exciting to report musically, but the autumn season kicks off later in the week with Leftfield, having had, damn it, to miss the Lemonheads on account of having an endocopy earlier on the due day.
(O, and that Dr Foster needs striking off, you know, with all her shenanigans, provoked or otherwise)
Listening to:
New Order. Music Complete – enjoying very much. Sounds like what the next Electronic album would have sounded like, had they made it.
Ryan Adams. 1989 – assumed I hate this, thus, I love it!
Editors. In Dream – dark, electronic sounding album. Grower. Looking forward to seeing them live in a few weeks.
VV Brown – Glitch – liked her last album, but this one is less songs, more sounds.
Chvrches – Every Open Eye – they’ve not really progressed from their first album, but pleasant enough.
Watching –
Enjoying Cradle to the Grave.
Reading –
The Heart Broke In – James Meek – slowing working my way through this, but enjoying it.
Station Eleven – Emily St.John Mandel – as above!
Read
Been on a bit of a Bernard Cornwell binge lately having read the Warrior Chronicles before the imminent BBC2 adaptation ruins it. Good wholesome, bloody trash that manages to teach you a couple of historical facts (as the GLW was amazed to find out during last week’s University Challenge).
Listening to
Richard Hawley, Keef’s Crosseyed Heart, lots of old Faces.
Seen
Not a lot really, mostly football, mostly mediocre football at that.
Listening:
First half of New Order’s “Music Complete” and the Pet Shop Boys “Electric” – Very similar, sharing as they do a producer in Stuart Price.
The Comedian’s Comedian podcast – a simple premise (comedian interviews a comedian) but done very well – the hour long-ish running time helps get a proper insight into their craft.
Read:
I’m not a big reader, but Mark Billingham & David Quantick’s “Great Lost Albums” is very amusing – the chapter on Rod Stewart particularly made teary with laughter.
Watching:
I’ve not actively watched much on TV, but YouTube combined with the Comedian’s Comedian podcast has led to watching a little stand-up (Nina Conti a particular favourite)
Any other business:
Fatherhood is bloody brilliant…
Big fan of Comedian’s Comedian too. It’s kind of aimed at comedians and/or comedy nerds of which I’m neither but I find it strangely compelling and full of useful advice/inspiration for any creative endeavours – properly in depth interviews and a hugely likable host who the guests seem to enjoy talking to as much as he does which makes for good listening – the sort of thing Podcasts do best and commercial Radio/TV would edit the life out of.
http://www.comedianscomedian.com/
Listening: Moon Duo, old Ry Cooder and the new Decemberists EP.
Seen: Alabama Shakes and The Decemberists in New York.
Watching: Modern Family on flights.
Reading: 32 Programmes.
Playing: FIFA 15… I’m so retro.
Making: Postcards from my photos.
Celebrating: A year sober.
Good man. That’s a grand achievement. Congratulations.
Yep, what he said. I’ve expressed my admiration for your recovery on here before, @clive, and here it is again. You fucking GO, fella. Amazing achievement.
You know, DP, you’re right. Clive is rightly chuffed and sorry we/I didn’t take more note. My brother is in about year 20, and it can be done, with difficulty and determination, but, yes, you can do it, mate!!
Brilliantly well done, Clive! Each day, yeah.
Listening: I picked up a couple of CD’s from a second hand store that took me back to my youth. Sonic Youth’s “Dirty” and Nirvana’s “In Utero”. Both stand the test of time, particularly Dirty.
Also been listening again to Pet Shop Boys. Left To My Own Devices is a thing of beauty.
Reading: Not had much time to read, just chapters here and there on the bus, and before I fall asleep. Lee Child is my author of choice just now, a not too taxing but engaging read.
Watching: I binge watched Bloodline on Netflix. I loved it. Ben Mendelsohn as the “bad” sibling and Kyle Chandler as the “good” sibling were marvelous. A thrilling ride into the dynamics of a family.
I’ve also been watching “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” (video podcast) and have really enjoyed it. Surprising as I have no interest in cars, coffee or Jerry Seinfield, but the guests and Jerry’s interviews with them make it great viewing.
Listening:
Girl Band – surprisingly abrasive, noisy, relentless and quite unhinged young Irish combo- restored my faith that there are still young people who don’t want to be Ed Sheeran.
not to be confused with..
Girls Names – from Northern Ireland – their new one ‘Arms Around a Vision’ is ace – a touch of early Bunnymen and Wire and a well constructed LP with a beginning middle and an end.
King Midas Sound vs Fennesz – particularly liking the dub versions – surprisingly restrained on the bass wobbles but a great mix of shoegazey noise and dubwise dread.
Oh and lots of King Crimson. King fuckin Crimson? Yes. See below.
Reading: On the recommendation of Dogfacedboy I read Lindsay Reade’s ‘Mr Manchester and the Factory Girl’ which is an engaging – occasionally painfully honest – and certainly alternative angle on the whole Factory Records saga, telling a bit more about some of the more peripheral characters on the scene and points out the very blurred lines between post punk and late 60s hippiedom.
Also picked up a 2nd hand copy C.P.Lee’s book about Dylan at the Manchester Free Trade Hall while I was on holiday which was an entirely relevant companion piece to the above. I’m no Dylanologist but I was fascinated to read about the whole ‘Judas!’ moment and really gets to the heart of just why sections of the audience were so affronted by electric guitars – great eyewitness accounts and a very vivid picture of that particular moment in time.
Watching: took up an offer of a spare ticket to join Grant, Beany and AhBisto of this parish to see King Crimson live in Salford – on the basis that I’ve always had an interest in the group..I like the cut of their jib but perhaps put off by the ‘P’ word. There’s nothing like seeing a band live to galvanise your interest -I think I picked the right gig – Fripp perched on his stool, a Sax from early days, a bass from mid-period and three (count’em) drummers and a set with a good mix of classic tracks, obscurities and newer stuff – I’m suitably hooked and duly started working my way through the vast and intimidating back catalogue.
What I have learned is that perhaps ‘Prog’ is an unhelpful and reductive tag, just as much as ‘Punk’ is.