The old fella's still got It

We went to see Bob Dylan at the beautiful Civic Theatre in Auckland last weekend, I can't think of a better venue to see someone like Dylan. It was a million times better than last time we saw him in some cattle shed! Wonderful and very weird to be so close to a legend.

Goodbye Mr Anthony Wilson

I was deeply, deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tony Wilson, the man was nothing short of a legend in the music industry and a true inspiration.
He famously never made any money from his efforts, yet still managed to launch the careers of The Happy Mondays, Joy Division and New Order.
You can read about him here
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6941392.stm

Joy Division provide a fitting tribute:

Cradle Rock

A recieved an email from my good friend Andy Nunwick today on the subject of the first ever gig he attended. 25 years ago today! That got me thinking to my first gig, Rory Gallgher, all those years ago at Wolverhampton Civic Hall.Have a listen to this brilliant live version of Cradle Rock from Irish Tour '74. It's worth it for the introduction alone, in my minds eye I see some besuited promoter. I cried the day Rory died.

Kelly's Blues

This is a demo version of the fabulous Triffids track 'Kelly's Blues', which was on the 'Calenture' album. This version was recorded in the demo process for In The Pines. I listened to The Triffids almost non stop during a bitter winter in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear when I was working for Virgin records, thousands of miles in distance and intention from the world created in Kelly's Blues, but strangely appropriate all the same. The groups mainstay David McComb sadly passed away in 1999, but Domino [bless 'em] have reissued three albums and will reissue the rest in the near future.

Buy This Album Now......no I'm serious

Your life will be better for it
Ryan Adam -Two from Easy Tiger

Bid for a ticket you used to be able to buy

I got an email today from Ticketmaster asking me if I'd like to bid for premium tickets to see the Police next January, apparently it's a way to sell tickets to fans at a 'Fair market price". What ever happened to fans getting the tickets by being first off the rank, and paying the price they could afford, instead of anyone who has a wad of cash? Given the amount of tickets appearing online these days for a profit, I understand the promoters frustration, but surely a better way to ensure "fans" get tickets would be some form of ID system. There's nothimng fair about this system.

Punkus Interruptus

This song had me grinning from ear to ear, a boy stooping mid shag to point out the lyrics to a song.....! Marvellous
Art Brut - Pump Up The Volume

Holy Crap!

Last night was the worst storm I have ever seen, I was on the deck retrieving some chairs when the barbque came hutling towards me a great speed. What an ironic death that would have been!
Ed Harcourt wrote the soundtrack:
The Storm Is Coming

Great Songs You Probably Haven't Heard #1

The Edgar Broughton Band - Freedom

Farewell Mr. Melly

I was saddened to hear of the passing of George Melly today, I always had a lot of respect for the fella. Although not representitive of his work , I love this track he did with the Stranglers
Old Codger

71 or 07?

What I thought was an unreleased Yes track circa Time And A Word turned out to be.....



Kula Shaker!

New single

When Rock Stars Attack #1

Check out the last minute of this Arcade Fire performance on Jonathan Ross, not sure who upset them?

Crickey!

This is extraordinary!

Bad News

Very sad to hear about the demise of Fopp records, a truly ground breaking record retailer. I know a couple of people who work for Fopp and the both have families to support. It just goes to show what happens when you stretch yourself too far, which is clearly what happened when Fopp purchased Music Zone. The record companies were not prepared to support them and that was that. Very sad.

Good News

Great to hear that Edwin Collins is up and about and in fact recording, after his recent illness.

Evidence of Mr Collins' art is here:

Dare I Say Anthem?

Love this song by Cherry Ghost called 'People Help The People'
It's one of those songs that comes around occasionally and lifts the spirits

The singer really nails the song

Is That Metallica? No It's The Osmonds!`

this little gem from the early 70's is amazingly relevant today. "Take a goodlook around . see what they've done"....how can you not like this?

My Old Man, Said Follow The Van...

and don't dilly dally on the wayyyya!
Am I the only one who thinks the White Stripes are a load of old tosh? Now they've turned their love of all things British to the Cockney King and Queen and the Goodies. It's Ecky Thump by the way! Emperor’s new clothes anyone?

When He Was Fab

Now this is more like it:

R.I.P. The Doog

I was saddened to hear of the passing of one of my childhood heroes, Derek 'The Doog' Dougan. I watched him play for Wolves toward the end of his career, but boy he still had what it took, incredible 'old school' football in every sense of the word. Rest in peace Doog, thanks for the memories.

Song Of The Day

Richard Thompson -Dad's Gonna Kill Me
Richard Thompson's new album Sweet Warrior is a cracker, and this is one of the many first class tunes on it.

Song Of The Day

Wake Up - XTC
Just what I Needed today

Song Of The Day

Kate Walsh - Your Song
Heard this gem on the Radcliff /Marconie Radio 2 program where it's single of the week...really excellent song and the album is stunning!
This is the single 'Your Song' [not the Elton John song!]

At last...It's raining!

We were down to the dregs in our water tank, but the skies opened today ! Not too popular with the cats, poor things!

Truly Strange

Bernard Manning's passed , but he will live forever in our record collection as....Morrissey!
This Charming Manning!

Song Of The Day

I bought The Echo & The Bunnymen Box set for next to nothing on the interweb of radness. This is a great cover of Jonathan Richman's 'She Cracked'

Dawwwwwwww

This paper plane simulator plays in your browser, it will keep you busy, I was on it for a hour easy, my record distance was 69.7 meters
beat me if you can
http://flightsimx.cyclops.amnesia.com.au/index.html

It's What Power Point Was Invented For

Check this out, as you'll see, the difference between your perceived career path and your actual is why you drink!

Three Day Man

My good friend Andy reminded me of how good the first Waterboys album is. He's The Three Day Man:

You don't miss your water..

...until your water pump dies on you at 11.45pm and you have the crawl under the house in the freeezing rain and reset it!

Battles

Blimey! I've discovered what 21st Century music sounds like; it sounds like Battles. Have a listen to this , from their Mirrored album.

Recipe: Almost Instant Banana & Coconut Ice Cream

Ingredients
Two Bananas
1 1/2 cups of Buttermilk
Teaspoon of vanilla
Tablespoon of sugar [ or to taste]
Two table spoons of dried coconut [ optional]
Juice of one lime [optional]

Method:
Slice the bananas and put them into the freezer for approx two-three hours until frozen
Add them to a food processor with the rest of the ingredients and pulse until smooth
Serve immediately!

The Final Curtain

Well, it's almost here.... the last ever episode of The Sopranos. Whatever happens will not doubt be emotional. I feel like I've lived half my life with Tony and co. and it will strange not having a new season to look forward to.
I think it's the right thing to do though...all good things some to an end. Plus I now have the chance of returning to the very first episode and watching the whole kit and caboodle!
So long Tony..ah for Christ Sake!

Welcome

Welcome to my blog site. I'll be keeping you up to date with various happenings in my world and promise to keep it brief!