He was known as the Duke of Nonce in this household. I have often wondered if he is known as Uncle Nonce in the Royal Family.

Laura Veirs at The Greystones, Sheffield in March is the only gig in the diary at the moment. It’s been at least a decade since I last saw her and the intimate setting of The Backroom should make for a good gig.

Any hatred of various musical acts is rational in most cases as far as I am concerned. Now I am retired I have escaped working in an office where KISS FM or Greatest Hits Radio was played. The limited playlists […]

Now I live in the sticks and it’s a long way to go to browse for records, I have just about given up on physical product. The cost of a new LP is, frankly, ridiculous and I am not going to take a risk on s […]

I remember 1979 as I was 17 and in the Upper 6th and glad that Pink Floyd were number one in the charts. Christmas would have been spent at home with my parents and sister, grandparents and possibly a great aunt. […]

Perfect Days – I loved that film. On the one hand almost nothing happens, but the point is how you can find joy in small things. Subtlety for once had the chance to shine. I found it strangely moving. I saw it at […]

I think Steve McQueen might have got away from the Germans if he’d tried jumping the fence like that.

Currently enjoying Day of the Jackal. Other TV highlights this year include: Mr Bates v the Post Office Slow Horses Until I Kill You Black Doves (good fun but became Christmas schmaltzy at the end) The Walk […]

A wise old ski instructor once said “speed is your friend” and that is certainly the case with skis (until you reach a velocity that is beyond your ability to control). I have never skateboarded but that guy cer […]

Much as I like the Carnage material, I think that the Symphony Hall gig would have been better with the full Bad Seeds line up. We were quite close to the front this time and it was fantastic seeing Nick’s i […]

Clearly not on British roads because the potholes would have sent him flying!

I think I have only been to four gigs this year. Lucinda Williams – Birmingham Town Hall Robert Plant – Sheffield City Hall The Eagles – Co-op Live, Manchester Nick Cave – AO Arena, Manchester All were […]

Nothing to do with music… I became a little obsessed a while back with watching wingsuit stunts on YouTube. This one shows a guy flying through a 2 metre hole in a rock at god knows what speed. A total nutter, w […]

Best of wishes. I hope your health improves. I am glad you can take pleasure from visits to the beach and watching curlews, etc. Covid has had so many adverse effects including chronic fatigue syndrome. A friend […]

I’m away at the mo but will give you a bell sometime over Christmas- will be good to catch up.

“Making Music” by Zakir Hussain is one of my all time favourite albums. Sad news.

Reading the posts on this thread makes me realise that life is complicated, unfair and harsh at times. For that reason I feel particularly grateful to be in a good state of mind and in a reasonable physical state […]

If you are at a standing gig, the crowd is dynamic and shifts around, so it is rare to have a good view for the whole gig, but I think the atmosphere is more exciting than with a seated gig. It obviously depends […]

I haven’t been round these parts for quite a while – 3 years in fact. Lots of stuff stopped me/ occupied my time, but hopefully I will post a bit more now. Over the years I have met several AWers. P […]

Watched this last night. Oh dear…it could have been so much better. The plot was just a series of episodes which seemed to abruptly end. The race element was an unnecessary complication and detracted from the w […]