Another great year – and amidst all the excitement of the new music, a nod of appreciation to the older folks, particularly in jazz, who have been really prolific in turning out some great stuff.

The […]

Just before last Christmas our beloved ancient golden retriever passed away. Despite the dog-shaped hole in our lives, we’d decided that perhaps we’d wait a few years before getting another one. But then, via a […]

…and whatever you do, don’t send your CDs away for ripping and “storage.” Not that I can imagine anyone doing this – but apparently so.

It may have been mentioned but I can’t see it – very much enjoyed “Guilt”, a darkly comic Edinburgh-set sort of crime caper with some fine performances by familiar faces including a creepy Bill Patterson. There’s […]

Particularly moving. The 1992 “Stars in their eyes” Christmas special version of “Do they know it’s Christmas?” featuring John, Paul, Bryan, Tina, Elton, Mick, Englebert and some I can’t quite work out who they might be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C6zIm4IfGs

Over the last couple of months, I’ve spoken separately to a couple of shop owners who reckon RSD is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because it pulls in the crowds – many of whom you never see until RSD […]

Is Rob’s Records still open? Haven’t been for years – hours of fun!

They are by and large ex-Revolutionary Communist Party members turned libertarian media monkeys.

They are all over the BBC – Clare Fox is a Brexit Party MEP and “Moral Maze” panellist while Brendan O’Niell has a […]

SEEN:

Big skies, sandy beaches and occasional sunshine in North Norfolk for a week’s holiday. Also, plenty of visits to regional art galleries including the splendid Higgins in Bedford for their “Dreams and […]

I used to go to Las Vegas a couple of times a year with work and often did road trips after faffing about at exhibitions/trade shows.

Here’s a few recommendations of circular routes:

– Utah national parks: Zion […]

More sublime Vaughan – Theme from the 49th Parallel – which popped up on Classic FM yesterday. Three minutes of bliss.

Done a lot of driving recently and often have Classic FM on to pass the time – and even though they play “Lark…” every hour or so it’s always fresh and wondrous. As others have said, it’s the Neville Mariner […]

Single: Steam – Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye from Brady’s in Preston – something of a terrace favourite at one time and still sung occasionally by PNE fans – decent B-side as well.

Album: “England: The World […]

I was going to say Mann’s Brown Ale. But then I went into Home Bargains yesterday and there was a shelf full – 89p each. Not sure you can still get Forest Brown Ale – but then I haven’t been in B&M for a […]

Here’s a few:

Torrie Zito – perhaps best known for the strings on Lennon’s “Imagine” and apparently Sinead O’Connor but his best work for me was with Morgana King on her classic “It’s a quiet thing” – shimmering […]

Al De Lory – also responsible for this “youth club” northern soul gem – plenty of sawing strings.

And talking of Wichita Lineman – here’s a 42 minute instrumental version…sadly no string arrangement but […]

It’s been a decent year for jazz vocalists – love the Sara Gazarek @kaisfatdad posted above – and there’s an excellent second album from Jazzmeia Horn that, while not as immediate as her first, is a really strong […]

There’s a “new” Miles Davis album out this week – a “lost session” he recorded for Warner Bros that was shelved prior to “Tutu”. The original producers have re-recorded/finished the tracks which perhaps point […]

Squeaky toy intro to this funk classic – first heard it on John Peel’s show in the late 70s. Epic crazed guitar soloing and more squeaks on the outro.

It’s a bit of cliché to say “prefer the early stuff” – but tis true with Ledisi – particularly her second album “Feeling Orange…” – gospel, jazz, neo-soul and vocals all over the shop – it’s a classic!

Her […]