Great review; loved reading that. I’ve always has a soft spot for Let it Be; whilst not maintaining the astonishing creative standards of Revolver though to The Beatles, it’s a very listenable album with a han […]

He is to Bob Dylan what Jane Austen is to Charles Dickens – both brilliant, but very different. One is , prolific, often slapdash and more concerned with the the overall impact than every detail – but utterly […]

That’s really sad. The Chieftains were huge in popularising Irish traditional music from the 70s onwards, in the UK, the US and many other places. At their peak they seemed to be everywhere – performing scores for […]

Whereas Mariza to Black Sabbath is an actually not bad playlist of 15 tracks. It even has DONOVAN.

Beatles to Rolling Stones in, er, two. As in, Let it Be, To Beast of Burden

Yes, it’s magnificent isn’t it? Just incredible playing. Would probably be my number one on the list.

I have really enjoyed reading your various mentions of Carol Shields @locust. I read her final three novels (Stone Diaries, Larry’s Party and Unless) when they came out and thought they were magnificent. I havent […]

AH, jeez, really sorry to hear about your brother Mike.

I have never heard Katherine Priddy but if you don’t like Olivia Chaney or Laura Marling, the fact that you don’t like this may be a recommendation. Will check her out.

Agreed – like @locust I think it is much better than their previous outing

Frame could go back as well. I learnt this very morning that Peggy’s mum was Ruth Crawford Seeger a previously neglected but increasingly well regarded modernist classical composer.

Bingo’s post at the top of the thread perfectly summarises the key issues this is throwing up. I absolutely agree that there are downsides, as he sets out, although I think the reality is that we will all adapt […]

absolutely agree. Ditto your point ‘He’s not my personal North Star, nor should any politician be’. Blair is neither the Messiah nor an evil warmonger. Much of what his government did domestically and especially i […]

Since I was able to vote I’ve endured governments from Callaghan to the present catastrophic incompetents. If I could have just one government back again it could only be the Blair Brown one. Better a competent c […]

That’s a great post Jack. I have no idea if this individual took sustenance and justification for his planned actions from the toxicity and self affirmation of so many corners of the internet, including the […]

Six years since I saw him, and I had a great time – this was my review at the time. Reckon if he does come this way I will go if I can – not in any great expectation, but aware that it would be likely to be the […]

What everyone else has said. That’s a powerful read. Hope things improve now you know what you’ve got and can address it. Your point about blokes especially not wanting to admit they may have a problem, or even […]

Great post – that describes what is going on very well I think. I would add that the sense that certain views can’t be challenged or questioned plays straight into the horrible culture wars and anti ‘woke’ […]

This isn’t a recent ‘woke looney left’ thing – many venues – not just Labour Council ones – have refused to take Brown for decades, on account of the fact that, last time I saw him, (admittedly a long time ago) […]