What does it sound like?: Cassandra Jenkins is a New York songwriter. My introduction to her was the third song here, released in the early days of the year as what passes for a … [Read More...] about Cassandra Jenkins – An Overview On Phenomenal Nature
The Afterword
Musings on the byways of popular culture
Nights In
Rodney Crowell and various artists – Songs from Quarantine Volume 1
What does it sound like?: This is a public service message as much as a review. Rodney Crowell has press-ganged various of his chums into providing tracks for a digital only … [Read More...] about Rodney Crowell and various artists – Songs from Quarantine Volume 1
Black Sabbath – Vol 4 – Superdeluxe Edition
What does it sound like?: In 1972, Sabbath decamped to the sunny climes of LA to record their fourth album, a process that was to be hampered by major alcohol and drug abuse by … [Read More...] about Black Sabbath – Vol 4 – Superdeluxe Edition
MOAT – Poison Stream
What does it sound like?: It’s possibly the involvement of Marty Willson-Piper, twelve-string botherer of this parish, that will be of most interest to members of The Afterword, … [Read More...] about MOAT – Poison Stream
Nights Out
Was this thefirst music festival of 2021 – Summersalt one dayer
Venue: The Briars, Mt Martha outside Melbourne, Vic, Oz Date: 20/02/2021 Last March I attended Womad NZ, pretty soon after borders shut, doors slammed and the world has never … [Read More...] about Was this thefirst music festival of 2021 – Summersalt one dayer
He Was In Heaven Before He died – A Tribute to John Prine
Venue: The Jazz Cafe, Camden, London Date: 09/12/2020 A night out you say? In London? In late 2020? Well, yes. Thanks to cabaret style table seating, table service for drinks and … [Read More...] about He Was In Heaven Before He died – A Tribute to John Prine
Chester Folk Festival Online!
Venue: Nowhere, yet everywhere Date: 29/05/2020 Nights Out? Are you serious? In the tradition of Russian election results, this is part announcement and part review in that we … [Read More...] about Chester Folk Festival Online!
Womad NZ -was this the last music festival of the year?
Venue: New Plymouth Botanical Gardens, North Island, New Zealand Date: 13/03/2020 New Zealand is the first country of size to herald in the new year.This year it may have been … [Read More...] about Womad NZ -was this the last music festival of the year?
Features
12 Bowie albums in 12 months: Hunky Dory
Dave Amitri on Hunky Dory by David Bowie
My second dive into 12 Bowie albums in 2021 as someone who had never heard a Bowie album before now brings me to Hunky Dory
February introduced me to 1971’s Hunky Dory. It’s an album that I’ve seen referenced many times and recommended as one of the great Bowie albums so it was with real relish and anticipation that I dived in. Another brilliantly androgynous cover by the way. I’m looking at you Boy George… A quick look at the track listing and suddenly I had flashes of recognition. 3 tunes leapt out as “hits”. The ones that Radio listening Bowie fans would instantly recognise. I did a little bit of reading but I didn’t want to influence my view too much. A first listen and it is a hugely different album to The Man Who Sold The World with a huge reliance on piano and less of a rock album. It felt quite messy, eclectic with no definitive sound but in amongst the mess I was able to see that this was a seismic shift towards the Bowie sound. Whatever that is. And it has hits, massive, wonderful hits…
Changes is » Continue Reading.
Films
A Streetcar Named Desire
Year: 1951 Director: Elia Kazan Damn. My NY resolution is to consume more of the classics in one form or another, and the project began strongly with films of A Man For All … [Read More...] about A Streetcar Named Desire
American Utopia – the movie!
Year: 2020 Director: Spike Lee Stop Making Sense directed by Jonathon Demme is on many people's list of best music concert films. Mine too. This is different to SMS but it is … [Read More...] about American Utopia – the movie!
Phillip Lynott: Songs for while I’m away
Year: 2020 Director: Emer Reynolds I’m surprised that there hasn’t been a film about Phil Lynott made before now. There are a fair few documentaries on Thin Lizzy but there was … [Read More...] about Phillip Lynott: Songs for while I’m away
Ronnie Wood – Somebody Up There Likes Me
Year: 2020 Director: Mike Figgis Is there a more cheery, affable figure in the world of rock than Ronnie Wood? This film would certainly suggest not, lauded by friends, family … [Read More...] about Ronnie Wood – Somebody Up There Likes Me
Reads
UFO – On Track
Author:Richard James When I think of UFO, songs that immediately spring to mind are the likes of Doctor Doctor, Lights Out and Rock Bottom to pick out just a few high points. From … [Read More...] about UFO – On Track
A Hidden Landscape Once a Week
Author:Edited by Mark Sinker Val Wilmer, Jon Savage, Jonathon Green, Richard Williams, Penny Reel, Alan Lewis, Cynthia Rose, Barney Hoskyns, Betty Page, Savage Pencil, Liz Naylor. … [Read More...] about A Hidden Landscape Once a Week
Rock n Roll Sweepstakes Vol 2
Author:Campbell Devine Subtitled ‘Hunter by Proxy’, this is the second and concluding part of this authorised biography by Mott/Hunter authority Campbell Devine. It picks up where … [Read More...] about Rock n Roll Sweepstakes Vol 2
Purgatory Mount
Author:Adam Roberts Adam Roberts’ work often has a big concept upfront: Snow (what the snow just keeps falling); By Light Alone (what if people could photosynthesise through their … [Read More...] about Purgatory Mount
Games
Game help!
Platform:XBox, PC/Mac Age Rating:3+ Year of Release:2019 Review:I'm in need of a new game or two. This year I have played - 1 PUBG - I like it generally but I feel that I'm up … [Read More...] about Game help!
Nier 2: Automata
Platform:Playstation Age Rating:16+ Year of Release:1949 Review:This batshit crazy Japanese manga-esque RPG explore-and-destroyer has been a game that’s broken through into the … [Read More...] about Nier 2: Automata
Noticeboard
Helstock 2021
20/03/2021 There will be a virtual festival on the evening of March the 20th. It is a grab-bag mystery line up of international artists of the acoustic alt-country and … [Read More...] about Helstock 2021
Reading & Leeds Festivals
27/08/2021 Reading and Leeds are going ahead, apparently. Everyone will be vaccinated by then, of course. Hmmm... Two main stages mean no clashes. I have to say, the lineup … [Read More...] about Reading & Leeds Festivals
Musica Mundi (journeys from the Reform Club)
01/02/2021 Delighted to announce a new fortnightly world music programme - from the UK to Africa, from the Middle East to New Zealand, from Pakistan to Japan. And beyond. On 1 … [Read More...] about Musica Mundi (journeys from the Reform Club)
The Psychedelic Furs tour
22/04/2021 Three dates in Sweden and Norway, then a quick dash round the UK. Much as I dislike the Cambridge Junction, I'll have to go. I've not seen them since 1990. I imagine … [Read More...] about The Psychedelic Furs tour
A Certain Ratio tour
03/11/2021 ACR head out on the road for 13 dates in November. Hare & Hounds for me, vaccine permitting. … [Read More...] about A Certain Ratio tour
Field Music tour
07/10/2021 Field Music have announced a 9-date October tour. We'll hopefully be safe by then. Typically, on the one date I can make, I am double-booked. … [Read More...] about Field Music tour
