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Bert Jansch in Australia – a puzzle needing a sleuth

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I’ve been searching out my original note to the BJ album ‘Downunder: Live In Australia’, for Earth Vinyl to use (with a few tweaks) on a forthcoming reissue, and I’ve found a longer draft of it with a few extra bits of info. It includes a note to self that BJ had, while in Australia in Feb-March 1998, recorded a guest appearance on a record by a female artist that I never got around to identifying at the time – Bert didn’t recall the name (his Oz bassist Pete Howell’s arranged the session), but it was Australia’s equivalent, to Bert’s mind, of Big Mama Thornton.

Johnny C, Junior, others down there – any ideas?

It’s the Shane Pacey Trio!

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Having just been in touch with the Pacemeister, late of this parish, I thought we should catch up with his activities downunder. Shane tells me he’s been doing really well in the Aussie blues chart with his Trio’s latest album, and his form band the Bondi Cigars have a comeback album on the go too.

Here he is in fabulous form a year ago. (There are plenty more recent vids on youtube, but I just loved the feel of this one, and it’s atmospherically filmed.) That Pacemaker – he’s a class act!

Melbourne Bar Owner Apologises For “No Poofter Drinks” Sign

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Here’s a strange story. You might expect it in North Queensland, Alice Springs, or the untamed outback of Western Australia, but not in sophisticated Melbourne, recently voted the world’s most livable city.

Can’t say I’m all that outraged by it, other than thinking such a crass sign does damage to Australia’s already rough and ready image overseas. Watch this go viral now. I’ll wager it’ll be on Have I Got News For You this time next week.

What’s a “poofters drink” anyway? Babycham? Port & Lemon? Half of Shandy?

“Australian musician and Fitzroy bar owner Steve Miller has issued an apology following outrage from punters who were offended by a menu featured at his venue, Handsome Steve’s House of Refreshment, that read “no poofter drinks”. Miller, former guitarist of post-punk ’80s band The Moodists alongside Dave Graney, Clare Moore and Mick Turner, yesterday apologised for the sign on the bar’s Facebook page. “

“I unconditionally apologise for any offence I have caused,” Miller wrote in a statement. “

http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2015/10/26/melbourne-bar-owner-apologises-for-offensive-sign/

Lynton Crosby Masterclass

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Lynton Crosby is the election strategist behind The Tories and Boris Johnson. His reputation has been considerably enhanced in the last couple of days. This video lasts an hour. It is very illuminating. It’s a pity the other parties didn’t watch it. They might have learnt something. Or, at least found out what to expect.

If you have a bit of spare time, give the video a spin….

Aust v India

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14 overs in of the Indian run chase and I hate to say it I’m tipping India.Ball going through straight ,Aussies fucked up and should have put on another 50. Stadium packed with Indians – could be Mumbai by the sound of it and the Indian team seem like they have been here for the last 5 years so pretty comfortable with the conditions.