Not everyone’s cup of tea – but I really like the noises Laura Cannell gets from her violin.

Wiim – either to plug into an existing amplifier (Mini, Pro, Pro Plus) or with built in amplifier (Wiim Amp Pro etc). Both are great value for money and well reviewed. I have a Wiim Pro which I like a lot but […]

1. First Concert Probably Focus at the Southport Floral Hall 2. Last Concert Kamasi Washington – Sydney 3. Worst Concert Cocteau Twins at the Hacienda 4. Loudest Concert None were too loud 5. Best […]

I thought the recent Beach Boys/Manson episode was possibly a bit overdone – but generally these podcasts are marvellous and Andrew’s tenacious attention to following all the tangents and threads is extraordinary […]

Spirit

Veedon Fleece – because its got big dogs.

Although many songs make me quite emotional because of an association with a particular memory they rarely make me actually cry. What does make me cry however, much to the amusement of my wife and kids, is […]

I’d forgotten about the “Grave New World” film. Your comment triggered a very distant memory of seeing the film as a ‘B-movie’ for another music film my mates and I had gone to see in the local cinema. A quick […]

… with some natty keyboard work from pre-YES Rick Wakeman.

My favourite discovery of recent years is “Clube da Esquina” by “Milton Nascimento and Lô Borges” which is the Brazilian equivalent of Blonde on Blonde apparently, and sold bucketloads in its home country – but […]

Another vote for Grand Prix. Its pop perfection – not a bad track on it IMO FWIW

….. and the Richard Thompson/Hugh Cornwell friendship gets a mention. I did not know they were friends until this week – and now I know twice!

Who’s Next could and should have been the greatest rock album of them all. Its not for two reasons: 1. They left off Join Together and the Seeker. Both fantastic. 2. Its a terrible album cover by any measure.

Austrian winner reminded me of Iggle Piggle – astonishing voice and probably deserved to win. Latvia was my best of the night. I did rather like the Belgian EDM entry though that didn’t make it out of the semis.

Im so out of touch that “breakcore” as a genre had never registered – even though according to Wikipedia , its been around for decades. But I rather like this – and I like that it doesn’t outstay its welcome.

Not one to gloat …. oh go on then !! This media watch program had a fun end segment showing Sky and the other right-wing media getting it hopelessly wrong. It starts about 3.20 in to the 5 minute show.

I was proud of my country who plainly chose proper, liberal-democratic, dare I say, empathetic politics, over the belligerent trumpian approach. I think both leaders showed graciousness and dignity in their […]

Reminds me of my favourite Alexei Sayle joke (vaguely remembered) which goes ” I went to a wedding and had to give a speech. So I did one of Lenin’s on the theory of the state”. — always told in my best attempt […]

Up is better than Murmur. Fight me.