This is the Afterword, so of course we all must have hoped Santa would bring us some music this year. I was lucky enough to be given the following from various loved ones and a big bearded fella*:
Rolling Stones – Blue and Lonesome
The Mokess – Good Times
Loretta Lynn – White Christmas Blue (on the vinly)
Miles Davis – The Original Mono Recordings (from Dottie – clever cat)
The Isley Brothers – The RCA Victor & T-Neck Album Masters megabox
What music-related stuff did you receive? (Or indeed anything else you’d care to mention.)
*Mr Breakfast of course
Top track from the Mokess CD.
Paul Morely’s Bowie book.
Bluetooth “Marley” headphones – design inspired by Bob Marley. They work fine, apart from the occasional jamming.
Re: Bob Morley headphones
Simply adjust them a little, and I’m sure they’ll give you No More Trouble…
Paul Morley headphones: you can’t turn the the fuckers off.
The instruction book for those Morely headphones meanders wildly with stories of his importance, and quasi-intellectual b*****ks without actually getting to the point of telling you how they worked
Those instructions in full:
Paul Morely headphones are of outstanding cultural significance. The artist confounds, confuses and ultimately delights as the consumer finds the box is empty. In his own words, “music is from within, rather than without. Feeling the music directly from space reveals a playlist that pulls at your heart from deep within your scrotum (or your fanny if you’re a lady). You don’t get that with headphones. See how they resemble handcuffs for the ears! Headphones = Oppression. It was Anatoly Karavosiczich who once said ‘no sugar for me, thanks’ when – on a Brechtian impulse – he accepted the offer of a cup of tea from his mum. Be like Anatoly. “
Funniest exchange of this Xmas.
This sort of thing makes you glad to be alive. Whilst rotting your brain, probably. Who needs brains?
Yes, my initial post about the Bob Marley headphones was the first post from my new tablet device. And I go and write the unfortunate typo of “Bob Morley”. Glad it triggered such an amusing series of follow-up posts….
Robert Morley & The Whalers?
The Bruce Springsteen book from my son. Also, I bought myself a Chromecast Audio and fetched my old Nad amp and Mission speakers down from the loft. It works well with Spotify but I need to find an app that allows me to cast from the NAS drive too.
@davebigpicture Can you not use the cast screen option and the program you use to access the NAS drive?
@ip33 It’s a Western Digital drive and appears only to cast to Apple TV unless anyone knows different.
Hi again @davebigpicture this from the official instructions.
From your Android device
Connect your Android device to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast Audio.
Open the Google Home app .
In the top-left corner of the home screen, tap Menu > Cast Screen/audio > Cast Screen/audio.
Select your Chromecast Audio.
Then I choose the app I want.
I do this to cast from VLC, the MyCloud app and Amazon music which don’t have a dedicated casting button.
Thanks, I’ll have another look but I’m on an iPad, not Android.
“I bought myself a Chromecast Audio and fetched my old Nad amp and Mission speakers down from the loft. It works well with Spotify but I need to find an app that allows me to cast from the NAS drive too.”
I think the only part of that I understood was getting something out of the loft.
The difference between a computer & me? – You only need to punch into a computer once.
I am such a techno fuckwit.
Music-related books – two Bowie ones (Chris Welch ‘Changes’ pictorial tribute/cash-in/whatever and a signed copy of Woody Woodmansey’s autobiography ‘My Life With Bowie’; also the Springsteen and Johhny Marr autobiogs…and Alan Bennett’s latest memoirs.
Kate Bush BTD CD.
A wireless DAB radio hi-fi thingy; and wireless headphones.
Amazon gift-cards to buy more music!
Gong – “Radio Gnome Invisible Trilogy” on vinyl
Stones – “Totally Stripped” vinyl/cd combo
Stones – “Ride ‘Em On Down” 10″ blue vinyl
Peter Hook – “Substance” signed book
Robbie Robertson – “Testimony” signed book
Plus the usual socks/undies/smellies selection
Oh, well played on the Pot-head Pixie front!
Jethro Tull – Aqualung LP on green vinly
10-CD boxed set of BBC comedy shows
+ BBC Records Space Themes LP from #vinylsanta
I tweeted about the latter gift. This was retweeted by Jo Kendall of Classic Rock mag and liked by Dr Stuart Clark (Astronomer, journalist, author. The Sky’s Dark Labyrinth, The Unknown Universe. Writes Across the Universe for The Guardian. Co-hosts The Stuniverse podcast) and Mark McCaughrean (Senior Science Advisor at the European Space Agency). I has been THAT sort of Christmas.
Ooh, I forgot #vinylsanta. A promo copy of Don’t Stand Me Down, and some Herb Alpert.
Bob Harris autobiography from my bro.
Bruce Springsteen autobiography from a work colleague
Buddha Bar best of 25 year compilation from my son which was a request.
£50 worth of Amazon and ITunes vouchers to go with the HMV vouchers leftover from my birthday which means a spree beckons.
Tom Petty tickets for Hyde Park from my good lady.
I have the bestest Christmas haul ever:
1. Yello Submarine Lego set. Yes, yes, yes!!!
2. Rudy Van Gelder remasters Jazz box set. Whuppee!
3. Steely Dan T Shirt. The Caves Of Altamira one. Wow!!
4. The Beatles Eight Days A Week DVD. I listened to the podcast to prepare myself.
5. The Steve Wilson remix of Tales From Topographic Oceans.
6. Paul Morley’s Bowie book.
Have you made the Lego sub yet? Do please post a pic when it’s done.
If only I could post pictures!?
Email me your pic, tig (ew, not THAT one!) and I’ll attempt to post it. Happy building!
Have you built it yet @tiggerlion? Has anyone else done their Yellow Submarine?
oh absolutely. It’s a beautiful thing, sitting on my shelf.
Can’t post photos, though.
I’ve done my Yellow Submarines…hic!
Every one of us, has all we need…
Yuzu Infused?
¿Que?
Oh, good work Locust.
I got three of those – numbers 1, 4 & 5. Hopefully there is more to come later this week (weather permitting)
I think you should definitely get 2 & 3.
I got the Yellow Submarine set a few weeks ago and had the nod from my wife to keep it in the living room on my hi-fi. I let my lego-mad 6 year old build it and there started the problems, as he was insisting it should go to his bedroom to be displayed alongside his Star Wars and Batman sets. For once in our house I won the argument!
Thinking about letting him build my great big batmobile set I got for my birthday several years ago (I’m a Batman obsessive), but will probably have to get something in writing before I let him loose on it.
I just ordered myself that Caves Of Altamira t-shirt. And the Kid Charlemagne one. And the WJAZ one…
Oh, and the XTC Uffington White Horse one…
Three books – Springsteen, Marr autobiogs and a second hand rock family trees. I also received, with pleasure the latest from Kate Bush, Marillion and Julia Jacklin along with a pub-rock compilation (in truth a gift to myself) ‘Goodbye Nasville, Hello Camden Town’. Oh, and a Bose soundbar for the TV – I think the GLW is fed up with me asking her to turn it up.
Can I just confirm that the Pub Rock compilation is absolutely brilliant.
If compilations were acceptable in All Time Top 10 Albums lists, this would safely be in the 10
We’ve got a Bose soundbar. Brilliant – it just quietly gets on with the job of making your tv sound better (and more audible). You forget it’s there (except when you forget to turn it on, of course).
This news story:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/christmas-carol-service-mixup-accidentally-publishes-rap-song-hail-mary-tupac-columbo-sri-lanka-a7494956.html?cmpid=facebook-post
A rather spiffing t-shirt with a piccy of Duke Ellington emblazoned across the front.
Living in the Shadows a box set of Bert Jansch. The booklet is written by some Colin chap who certainly seems to know a lot about Bert’s onions.
Assorted chocolate edibles.
Two packets of loose tea. I freely admit to being addicted to this.
Book tokens which have now been converted into a rather lovely book of golden era Hollywood photography about the life and art of William Mortensen. Perverse photographs of nekkid women!
The Unthanks Memory Book Vol.1.
Kind of an Unthanks annual only with action shots of clog dancing instead of Dennis The Menace cartoon strips. It’s aces.
A ticket for to see Margo Price at The Leaf in that there Liverpool in that January. Excitement is mounting.
A bottle of Brokers gin wearing a bowler hat.
Surreally smooth.
A bag of Santa’s sticky nuts.
Surreally sticky.
Mmmm
Bruce book
First Day of the Somme book
24 hours at Waterloo
New Van CD
Tull Christmas EP (which I already have, so a swapsie needed)
Overshirt
Chocs etc
Whisky liquer and crystal glasses
Oh and I bought myself one of these – studio gizmo – from a delightful small business in Devon who I am convinced build them in a shed in the back garden. Tip top quality and price.
http://www.orchid-electronics.co.uk/Amp_Interface.htm
Orchid stuff is great – I use their Classic DI boxes when I don’t need the transformer isolation offered by my old BSS units, and a stereo transformer box which is great for keys.
I had a long correspondence with Mr. Orchid, John, about ways to improve his DI box phantom power circuit. Many others would have told me to get stuffed, but he’s a real engineer.
Ooops forgot I got the “Together Alone” set too which is as fab as everyone says it is.
I have bought myself Woodface from the remains of my A****n wishlist – cos @dr_J says its the best of the bunch extras wise, I know that album and I don’t feel I need to go further
Emitt Rhodes – Rainbow Ends CD from my mum, off my Amazon wish list.
Recommendation from someone on here. Sorry, I can’t remember who, but many thanks whoever you are. Might make it into my top ten (to be posted later).
Oh, and a £20 HMV voucher. Might buy Van – Too Late To Stop.
A load of Tolstoy, some of which I’ve read, some I haven’t. (Like everyone I’ve never read War and Peace so I’m rectifying that.) Some Bluetooth headphones. A little camera to supplement the big one, for times when carrying an actual rucksack full of lenses isn’t ideal.
Slim pickings musically
Some second hand vintage vinly
Bobby Bland
Texan female blues compilation
Little Willie John
Curtis Mayfield
James Cotton
My step daughter was advised well.
Nothing slim about those pickins, Junior.
Especially not Bobby Bland…
Hiss Golden Messenger – Poor Moon CD.
Assorted Amazon vouchers.
Paul Simon biography by Peter Ames Carlin.
Alan Bennett – Keeping On Keeping On.
And Mrs B got me a rather spiffing Apple iPad Air 2 as part of her drive to kill off my Luddite approach to the modern world.
No pants or socks.
Just one musical contribution this Christmas.
I was expecting the new Leonard Cohen from my son, opening my present yesterday I found it was a double album tribute to Leonard by various artists sung in German.
“ I saw this in Berlin last week and thought I’d get you this instead”
I don’t speak German, (although this year I did buy a collection of Dylan lyrics in English and German, when asked why I’d bought it when I don’t speak German, I replied ”Why not”)
I was just glad that he and his girlfriend had got back safely as they’d visited the Breitscheidplatz market on Monday before returning home.
Yusef Lateef – Live at Ronnie Scott’s
Howlin’ Wolf – This is the New Howlin’ Wolf Album…
Miniatures compilation
Kate Bush – Before the Dawn
Listening to the Howlin’ Wolf right now and, by happy chance, it is exactly what I needed to hear.
A nice little haul:
Stones’ Blue & Lonesome CD
Beatles’ Eight Days a Week DVD
Billy Connolly DVD
Plus a couple of classic movies on BluRay – Cool Hand Luke and Touch Of Evil.
Music-related:
– Pink Floyd Early Years box set from Mrs Biggles
– History of Motown book from Auntie
– Iggy Pop Albert Hall CD/DVD from Mum
– limited, signed large framed print of New Order in 1981. Done by Den Hickey – the man behind the great New Order Early Years book and 41rooms.com. Also from Mrs Biggles
And:
– subscription to Netflix from the children
– Planet Earth DVD from Mum
– antique gold pocket watch from M-i-L
– silver ring with family crest from Mrs B
– plus sweeties, choccies and socks (don’t like smellies)
You must have been a very good boy. Mrs B has spoiled you rotten!
Jethro Tull – Stand Up deluxe set (currently on, as I type here and take a breather from work), from Mrs H
Glen Campbell & Jimmy Webb – Reunion, from Cazza From Luton
Normie Rowe and Carson ‘Blown’ remasters and new strangely compelling Glen Cardier new album (he can’t really sing but he seems to have ‘something’ – no doubt our Aussie brethren can fill in the details) from my pal Trevor From Oz
…and a good number of books including some of the splendid British Library Crime Classics series that I didn’t have and some second-hand John Dickson Carr that I didn’t have (I think I must have around 50 of his 70-odd books, almost all second hand).
I never seem to get around to the DVD content of these terrific (i.e. book/CD) Jethro sets, but happily someone has uploaded the video content, being a sharply remastered version of the long-familiar Stockholm, January 1969, footage – from the days when Sveriges TV cameramen preferred the side of the stage. The CDs include a terrific audio remaster of the whole 60-min set.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djRUXKe3aFs
Carson classic boogie … and not mindless.
Normie Rowe possible our best ever singer. It’s Not Easy recorded at Abbey Road a personal favourite.
Glenn Cardier hipppy folkie from Sydney as I recall. Lennon glasses and hat. Think he still plays around.
What a huge disadvantage having the name ‘Normie’ must have been to any aspiring rock’n’roller. Pity there was no Australian Larry Parnes around, he’d have sorted it out. ‘Bak’ Rowe would have worked. Or maybe ‘Penultimate’.
See also: Merv Benton and Col Joye
Creek Benton and Maximus Joye
Odie Joye?
Wavy Benton?
I’m thinking Beau Rowe, Troy Joye and Hot-Cross Benton.
I’m warming to Michael Rowe
Winner.
Or, one for the cockneys:
Rock n’ Roll with Rock n’ Rowe
Oh that’s good.
I was thinking the same thing, JC – he’d have been a smash on the folk scene, especially if he found a song called ‘The Boat Ashore’.
I pity Col Joye’s backing group, really. Imagine rolling into an Australian redneck town (well, that’s every Aussie town, isn’t it?) in the 50s with a pink van saying ‘Col Joye & the Joy Boys’ on the side.
And just to come full circle, this bloke was – apparently – a member.
Still in the pink, I see!
You just knew I’d have one tucked away, didn’t you?
I didn’t know about Macca, but you’re right, it seems he was a Joy Boy in the 70s
http://i.imgur.com/5s5Tt5x.jpg
Col Joye was never known for rocking particularly hard, but this is about as close as he gets, and it’s not bad – ‘be Bop A Lula’ in 1963. Apparently the ace lead guitarist is one Norm Day who died very young.
Yep a bit like Irish villages only hotter
Unfortunately Larry had no sense with that sort of thing – we’d have ended up with Normie Stormy or something like that. Larry’s whole schtick was changing surnames into adjectives or abstract nouns.
He must have run out of inspiration when he started promoting one ‘Daryl Quist’ – a man who looked even wetter than Peter Noone – in 1963, even taking out a full front page NME ad and putting his own photo on it along with Dazza’s stating ‘Larry Parnes presents Daryl Quist’. As if that would be a recommendation by then.
Anybody here heard of Dazza?
Normie Spiney?
On the basis of this, I wouldn’t have fancied Col’s chances in Wonthaggi.
or Larry could have fashioned him for the MOR market – Normie Tormé,
Normie Tormé. That’s brilliant.
In a parallel universe he’d be recording duets with Eydie Gormé. Actually, there IS a name that needed changing – it sounds like something out of a spoof horror film or Dickens, doesn’t it?
Edith Gormless originally. According to wikipedia.
What was the story with all those Vets in Vietnam?
Wouldn’t they have been better off with soldiers?
© Stan Boardman 1985
Nice one!
We can’t possibly talk about Normie Rowe without showing the clip of him getting chinned on daytime TV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5MUM_s02r8
Was that something to do with his war record? Or did the guy with the attitude just think he was a blaaahdy pooftah?
…and are Green Rooms in Aussie TV facilities decked out like beer barns, so guests on light entertainment shows can have a blaahdy good punch up after the shows (just in case they didn’t manage to get one in on air)?
It was something to do with Vietnam. Normie is a proud Vietnam vet and the other geezer Ron Casey told him to get over it, or something like that.
Here’s the story, 20 years later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXn05ivHWI8
‘Pooftah!’ quite magnificently, continues to be the go-to ejaculation when – hitting yourself on the thumb with a hammer, stubbing your toe, dropping a catch, etc…
That 20-years-on story is fascinating, JC. I think it must mark the only time in history that any Australian has ever apologised for any kind of punch up!
In typical commercial TV style (or “council TV” as I like to call it) they drag the reconciliation out way, way too much until credibility is stretched to breaking point.
They should both have punched the producer…
The whole thing was reminiscent of Prime Minister’s Question Time in a South American banana republic.
Of course I’ve heard of Daryl Quist, Colin. Unless I’m very much mistaken, I’ve seen him live, too, on a package tour.
*edit* – yes, I have seen him, along with what sounds like a rather dull bill of the Honeycombs, the Applejacks, Millie and Lulu. Says here that Gene Vincent was on the bill too, but I have absolutely no memory of seeing him – perhaps he was having a day off.
These herberts would have been worth seeing though, the Beat Merchants.
It looks like February 22, 1963 was a big night out in Derby.
I wonder what Rolf’s act consisted of back then?
http://i.imgur.com/HycHHoP.jpg
The TMKD hitmaker would have deployed his wobbleboard, no doubt.
The Diggeroos! They used to crop up quite regularly on these package tours. Anybody Aussie know anything about them?
An online search turns up nothing except this 1963 tour. The spelling makes it even harder to search for them.
It’s a bit cheeky listing Shane Fenton and the Fentones as two separate acts. In reality, like Cliff and the Shads, the Fentones were the future Alvin Stardust’s backing band, who also made a few instrumental singles under their own name.
Joe Brown notwithstanding, that has to be possibly the most tepid package tour line-up I’ve ever seen.
But everything would change in a month or two when the Fabs hit the tour circuit.
Wonderful poster. Sure it wasn’t a wrestling match, though? Fourth bout; Shane Fenton – v – Rolf Harris.
I just read “Wonderful poster” in Updates and thought it’d be about me. Imagine my disappointment.
I’d like to see Bobby’s Girl hitmaker Susan Maughan in a no-holds-barred grudge match against Matt Bellamy’s dad George, Heinz and rest of the mighty Tornados
I wouldn’t fancy a punt on Eden Kane v. This Pullover hitmaker Jess Conrad.
Colin, guess what I spotted while visiting my brother-in-law at Christmas? He shares my appreciation of the MO.
http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab226/NickDuvet/FullSizeRender_zpsaq1gcbes.jpg
😀
The family have given up getting me CDs / music for Christmas as they say I get so much throughout the yet anyway, anything I get for Christmas would just get lost in the overall – Guess I can’t really argue with that…..
Anyway, got some rather spiffing Bose QC35 wireless headphones – which are very clever and connect to both the iphone and ipad concurrently (obviously only play once source at a time). Got the Bruce book, a Brian Cox book and then various bits and pieces. Overall very happy.
Same as above, the family have generally ignored the Amazon Wish List in favour of jumpers, books and booze.
I did get Never Mind The Bollocks on pink vinyl, some Album picture frames and the 3 CDs required to complete the Bowie catalogue.
I’ve also been promised a trip to HMV in the next couple of days – not sure if that is a good or bad thing. The promise of an HMV sale must turn up something good, musn’t it.
Anyway, back to the 1 of 2 Sex Pistols biographies, followed hy a dip into Paul Du Noyers “Conversations with Macca”
For some reason an autobiography title leapt into my mind there: ‘Jumpers, Books and Booze: The Rigid Digit Story’ by R. Digit.
If you can get to Brighton HMV it’s closing next month, perhaps even better bargains?
Really? I had no idea.
Massive rent rise apparently, closing at the end of Jan.
The Eight Days a Week Beatles doc Blu-Ray (Bet I’m not alone in that!)
Twilights Last Gleaming Blu-ray(A brilliant 70s thriller)
Action Time Vision (Punk Box Set as reviewed on here)
And Sony MDR-1000x Wireless Headphones (Which are easily the best things I’ve heard, absolutely stunning)
All visual
complete Bilko DVD box set – as a kid I was a fan of Top (Boss) Cat and as I got older I got my kicks from Phil Silvers. Still love em both. Might watch the ‘Private Harry Speakup’ episode tonight
Hitchcock Blu Ray box – all the classics (not NbyNW/ Strangers On A Train or Dial M but you can pick them up fir a tenner)
Tootsie (Criterion BR) – I have always been a massive fan of this film – it’s perhaps a bit insulting to women (bloke in a dress + wig = woman) but in the great documentary that goes with it Dustin outlines how it made him more aware of how badly men treat women, particularly when they ignored him in character in favour of meeting Jessica Lange.
Brilliant supporting cast including Bill Murray who seems to have written his part himself.
The Private Harry Speakup episode is memorable for me for the great line from Colonel Hall about him being known for “opening the doors of the U.S army to the animal kingdom” – absolutely brilliant and never fails to make me laugh.
I bloody love Tootsie.
Autocorrect wanted to change that to footsie, which I’m also a fan of.
Ouch!
You could have cut your nails.
Hmmm … that Complete Bilko boxset sounds pretty tasty.
I’ve got the 50th Anniversary Edition that they put out in 2006, but that only has 18 episodes on it. Not nearly enough.
Yes if anyone wants my spare Bilko DVDs then please get in touch
Harry Speakup in action for those unaware of WTF we’re on about
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISSZMzqaw1A
The Johnny Marr autobiography
Dilated Peoples- Expansion Team ( Worst comes to worst is a TUNE )
Childish Gambino – Awaken, My Love
Iggy Pop – Post Pop Depression live at Albert Hall
QUESTION – really wanted the Iggy Pop original album rather than live cd/dvd. Is the DVD worth keeping or do I just exchange it ? Will resist ripping cellophane off for a while in the hope of sage advice from the AW hive mind.
I haven’t seen the DVD but the CD is great! It’s number 21 in The Afterword Album Of The Year 2016.
That’s good enough for me!
Unexpected presents included 2016 albums by SubRosa, Bon Iver, M83, Wytches and Yak. All being consumed at regular intervals in the corghouse.
The Condensed 21st Century Guide to King Crimson
Ultravox – The Island Years
Steve Gunn- Way Out Weather (Eyes On The Lines is probably my album of the year)
Rough Trade vouchers
One Flew Over The Magpies Nest (A modern history of Notts County)
Smellies, wine etc…
The only musical stuff found beneath the tree at Casa Dodger was a large tome – Oh so pretty, punk in print – gift from nephew and a copy of John Cage’s Silence for him (he asked for it). Other than that, sister knocked me sideways (in a very nice way) by gifting me a framed John Duffin painting of a Northern line tube station. It’s quite lovely and will look forward to reading the new Andrea Camilleri later in the week, watching The Lady in the van and going back over series 6 of Cold Feet which were other and very welcome gifts.
Reading the list above though, I am very envious of Tigger’s Lego Yellow Submarine.
It’s beautiful. Treat yourself.
The only music I got was of course from a friend from the Afterword: three CDs – Emily Barker, Mary Coughlan and Josienne Clarke/Ben Walker. Very nice! Oh, and I bought myself a DVD of the McGarrigle/Wainwright family’s Christmas concert for £1…
Otherwise the usual bits and bobs of strangeness – I used to love pigs when I was a kid, so people for some reason still think that I “collect” pig items, and that’s what they insist on buying me when they can’t think of anything else to buy.
When it’s a pot holder I don’t mind, I can use that, but I don’t know what to do with the pig lantern I was given this year, in the shape of a half-naked pig with a pair of female human tits sticking out of the open Santa coat. Any suggestions?
At least I got six very lovely dessert bowls hand-crafted by my former colleague, and a gold necklace and a bottle of bubbly for New Years Eve from mum. And two glass baubles with feathers for my Christmas tree.
The less I say about the two pairs of pig socks, two pig ornaments in various degrees of ugliness and one pig basket, the better (OK, the basket was kind of cute…)!
Still, opening the gifts is half the fun, and I’m just happy to get anything really. And I always buy myself a few things that I want (this year a book and six other DVDs as well).
Does the pig with tits blow up ?
Asking for a friend.
Well, it’s a lantern…but if I put a stick of dynamite in it instead of a tealight, I’m sure it will blow up. Not a bad idea, actually. Thanks, @Junior-Wells! 🙂
I didn’t get nothing I had to pay fifty dollars and pick up the garbage…
Did you have a Thanksgiving Dinner that couldn’t be beat?
My music related stuff:-
The Graham Parker Box set – These Dreams Will Never Sleep
Bob Harris Country – best of the live sessions
The Life And Songs oF Emmylou Harris – The Emmylou tribute concert
Brandy Clark – Big Day In A Small Town
Guitar Zero: The Science of Learning To Be Musical by Gary Marcus
Also Willie Nelson’s autobiography.
My main present was a mini master set plus several of the chase sets of the latest Rittenhouse Archives James Bond trading card collection. Probably too old to be collecting trading cards, but I have all the James Bond sets (must be nearly 20 now) and they look great in their binders. I have around 150 of the autographed cards across all the sets too, including Moore, Lazenby, Brosnan and Craig (just wish Dalton would sign one, as I have Connery’s signature in his book). I tend to pick them up for good prices and, like lego sets, it’s better than putting your money into a savings account. I like them anyway!
Music wise, my mum got me Phil ‘The Collector’ Swern’s Sound of the Sixties book, which looks great, and my sister (or brother-in-law to be precise) got me three CDs, by Agnes Obel, C Duncan and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. We always get each other CDs for Christmas and birthdays and try to get each other something we wouldn’t have (which gets harder by the year) and which may be in an area that we otherwise haven’t yet explored. I got him Skepta’s latest, Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange and Tom Waits’ Closing Time.
My father-in-law got me a couple of CDs by Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings which I haven’t had the time to listen to yet, but I’m looking forward to hearing.
And my in-laws got me a framed set of the Royal Mail’s Pink Floyd stamps, which I will be finding a place for shortly. They look nice, so I should be able to persuade the missus for a downstairs living room spot.
No Xmas music for me this year. Did request and get a copy of @colin-h ‘s Dazzling Stranger: Bert Jansch and the British Folk and Blues Revival.
Also got the DVD box set of the sixth season of Games of Thrones, which we have been bingeing on today.
Other pressies are either edible or wearable!
Hope you enjoy the book, Mike!
Got to Chapter 4 so far and, yes, I’m finding it fascinating and enjoyable. I’m impressed with the amount of research you did. I’ve also formed the view that Ewan MacColl was an arse!
Presents from myself to myself:
1) Music
Grant Green – “Idle Moments”
Bill Evans Trio – “Sunday at the Village Vanguard”
Bill Evans & Jim Hall – “Undercurrent”
Sun Ra – “Singles: The Definitive 45s Collection 1952-1991”
2) Books
John LeCarre – “The Pigeon Tunnel”
James Ellroy – “Perfidia”
Neil Gaiman – “Trigger Warning”
3) Comestibles
V.S.O.P. Calvados, Rambla 41 gin, Bunnahabhain 12y.o. single malt.
In my family we only give gifts to the non-adults these days.
I made my usual donations to Centrepoint, DEC and our local homeless charity.
About 1/3 of the Calvados went on Chrimble Eve, tippling some more of it as I type. Reading the LeCarre.
Folk have learnt not to buy me music as I am either too awkward/snobbish, or, more likely, already have. I had asked for Bruce’s book and the new Alan Partridge, getting both. My daughter got me a deep fat fryer which was totally unexpected, based on an earlier talk of home made tempura and scotch eggs. Officially appalled and unofficially delighted! Otherwise I will be stepping around town like a White Stuff mannequin. Luckily they go up to 36 waist.
My fave present was from the light – who bought me a wonderful print which is a circuit diagram representing a sort of family tree of electronic music – whoever designed it clearly did their homework and it also suggests some intriguing names and diversions that I’ll need to follow up on.
https://www.wearedorothy.com/shop/electric-love-blueprint-original-open-edition
She also bought me a nice book about obscure railway stations which suggests she’s reconciled with living with someone who often dreams of trains…
Also got the latest Partridge book, Johnny Marr’s book, the Brian Wilson “Autobiography” (which having read the first chapter is at least using vocabulary you can imagine him actually using compared to the previous one someone wrote for him), a book about the Monkees ‘Head’, and that ‘Close to the Noise Floor’ compilation on Cherry Red of mega obscure early 80s electronic bands – plus Depeche Speak & Spell and a reissue of Autechre’s 3rd LP so it’s a proper electro Xmas round here!
This post mainly for New Zealand massive but I got book called ‘Goneville – a memoir’ by nz best rock critic & fab bass player Nick Bollinger. Its just a wonderful
story of music scenes development in 70s Aotearoa within general NZ growing up in that decade. I’m sure othas general appeal worldwide so thoroughly recommend it.. I bet Mousey will concur
d’oh.. “it has” (not othas!!) stupid phone.. Happy New Year y’all
The other night I heard the last minute of Nick Bollinger’s Radio NZ documentary on Little Feat. I immediately thought of the Afterword.
I heard the whole thing. Nick is a friend of mine & we went to the same show.. Wellington Town Hall July 4th 1976. you & Massive afterworders can (I’m sure) podcast RNZ/Little Feat & hear it in its entirety.. really recommend his book & may do a new Afterword post specifically about it.. genuinely terrific writing not JUST for Kiwis
@Twang see above
Sounds brilliant
And here it is..
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/nat-music/audio/201827361/under-the-influence-little-feat
The maximum temperature here on Xmas Day was 40 degrees Centigrade – that’s about 104 in yer old Fahrenheit…I was just relieved to see the end of the day.
Just this, which I shall read n my upcoming winter break
You’re in for a treat. There’s more, much more on the website.
Not much music this year, in common with a few previous posters, the family have given up buying me stuff.
I did get a couple of Ace Records compilations from my folks that I suggested though, being:
The Girls Want The Boys! (Sweden’s Beat Girls 1964-1970)
Scratch My Back! (Pye Beat Girls 1963-1968)
Have been in a cottage in Wales without a CD player since Xmas Eve though, so haven’t had a chance to play them yet.
Chris Sullivan’s Wag Club Box Set
Adidas Samba Trainers
John Smedley Polo Top
Prince of Wales Check strides
Pretty Green gingham shirt
Jump the Gun Crombie
Best present was the missus being told on 23rd that she didn’t have pancreatic cancer after being told on the 22nd that she did.
Oh an I actually got some blue suede shoes…..
Bloody hell, MS, what a rollercoaster that must have been. Glad she’s okay.
Excellent news, really pleased for Mrs -Sam and yourself.
Thanks. We had the quietest Christmases ever. Cancelled parties and blew out a gig we were planning to go to on Christmas eve. Counting our blessings at the moment
I got the Stones Blue & Lonesome on the double vinly, which is much much better than I was expecting it to be, to be quite honest.
Other than that I got money which I’m converting to Amazon money, and I’m going to treat myself to:
Pink Floyd’s Animals & Obscured By Clouds on the vinly
PSB’s Live At Brixton, plus The War Room
KB’s Before The Dawn
A couple of Bowie CDs missing from my collection (Station & Lodger)
Its my b’day next month so I’m hoping for more cash/gift cards as I have my eye on a few music autobiogs (Bruce, Robbie Robertson, Phil Collins)
Is there nothing we can do, Ruff, to stop you buying the Phil Collins book? He’s dreadful, ghastly – not in any way in need of your cash!
Exactly in what way is he dreadful and ghastly? No tedious tropes about him being a “Tory” either, because there are plenty of people admired by many AWers guilty of far FAR worse things. He is (or rather was) an excellent drummer, his first solo album is a classic, and I would rather listen to anything by him than one song by him than any number of albums by tedious AW-approved bores like Leonard Cohen, Randy Newman, Nick Lowe, Insert name of Americana yawnfest here, Paul Simon, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Lucinda Williams, Bon Iver, Sturgill Simpson the list goes on and on…
There, I said it!!!!
Despite not liking Genesis, I’m with you, old chap. Actually that’s not true, I like Duke and Invisible Touch which despite being Patrick Batemaned into ridicule are infinitely better than the endless wank that came before. Oi Gabriel, take the frock off, burn the headdress and behave yourself.
80s Phil was just fine.
It’s a good book Colin – irrespective of whether you might think you like the guy or what one might think of late period Genesis. A very honest account of some fairly interesting events and music making. That and Steve Hanley’s The Big Midweek were the best written music biogs I read this year.
Me confused. I thought The Endless Wank was by Pink Floyd?
🙂
Nothing to do with his politics, Ruffster – I know I’m unusual on this blog in not being a lefty (I’m neither left nor right, and I don’t have a problem with people belonging to any mainstream GB party and if I lived in GB I’d vote for the person, not their party – but as I live in NI, where we only get joke parties to vote for, it’s academic…) – it’s simply his 1980s solo music. It was the soundtrack to a crappy, crappy decade and I couldn’t understand then, nor can now, what people saw in it – earnest, perpetua-stubbly, shiny-suity, Motown-pastiche or drippy balladeering claptrap that sold by the bucketload and you just wished for God’s sake that it would go away. I felt exactly the same thing when I heard he was making a comeback. Please, Phil, just go and spend your money – leave us all alone, PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE. 🙁
Point of order, Colin: I think most people on this blog are like you, aren’t they, neither left nor right? I think it’s more a question of some people (including myself, I admit) remembering occasionally that they used to be one thing or another, whereupon a brief spat ensues before everything calms down again. I honestly don’t think the Afterword is a hotbed of lefties, and I don’t think you’re unusual, except in asking questions about Daryl Quist. In fact I had no idea what your politics were until i read your post just now.
It’s a fair cop, Mike. (*sits back down humbly, wishes Ruff all the best with his ITAT hit-maker memoir*) The reason you don’t know my politics is that I don’t really have any and I scrupulously avoid politics threads.
Just had Pixies’ 25-year edition of Doolittle and Check Your Head as late-running vinly additions to the haul. Score.
My family know to go to my Amazon wishlist!
Crusade – John Mayall
Boston Blues – Fleetwood Mac – housed in the stupidest round container ever.
The Northstar Grassman and the Ravens – Sandy Denny
Crossroads 2 box set – Eric Clapton
Blues – Jimi Hendrix
Beach Boys Party Uncovered and Unplugged.
Old Friends dvd – Simon and Garfunkle
I Was There – book on pivotal concerts
I was expecting the Bruce book and Eight Days a Week blu-ray…still, my birthday soon!
Some good stuff there Nige.
Yes, definitely a bluesy Christmas..! The Hendrix got added to the list because of your good self!! The Beach Boys is definitely worth exploring for anyone who hasn’t heard it.
Forgot to list the Legendary Radio Broadcasts by the Eagles – not listened to it all yet, but a lovely section with Linda Ronstadt and Jackson Browne.