Well, I thought I'd break my self-imposed silence just to offer some kind of review of christmas itself...
Of the two or three presents I requested, I received none. Instead I got another iPod (the 160Gb one, which is nice but superfluous), and the Laurel and Hardy box set (again, nice, but the 'Sapphire and Steel' or 'Dr Who Dalek' box sets were what I actually wanted). Ho hum.
The family was low-level ill - colds, mainly - for most of the time, so we didn't get out much. This meant we were left in the clutches of the TV, my music collection and the various toys and books my son got for christmas. TV has, in general been absolutely dreadful. The only saving grace was the Dr Who episode, but even that was pretty flat.
The saving grace, for me at least, was the radio.
Here's what I've recorded (with my HiQ software) so far this holiday:
22Dec - The Wooden Overcoat, Radio4,
24Dec - The Charles Hazlewood Christmas Show, Radio2,
24Dec - Jeeves Live, with Martin Jarvis, R4,
24Dec - The Count Arthur Strong Christmas Message on You and Yours,
24Dec - The Best of 'I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue', R4,
24Dec - MR James at Christmas, R4, and 25 - 28 Dec
24Dec - The Nine Tailors, R4, and will record all 10 episodes,
25Dec - News Quiz of the Year, R4, via Podcast,
25Dec - 84 Charing Cross Road, R4,
25Dec - Count Arthur Strong Radio Show, R4. Not a Christmas special, unlike last year, so rather odd scheduling,
26Dec - A Night in the Ukraine, R4, the Marx Brothers in a Chekov play,
26Dec - Current Puns, R4,
28Dec - Count Arthur Strong Radio Show, R4, the first of a new series,
28Dec - The Now Show, R4, via Podcast,
28Dec - Mark Kermode's film review of the year, R5, via Podcast, featuring the 'Pirates' rant featured here and available in glorious video here,
29Dec - Genesis Live, R2. I already have a low bit-rate recording of this, but need to use my upgraded software to creat WAVs and edit tracks,
29Dec - Dracula, Episode1, World Service. I'm not sure when Ep2 is, but probably next week.
Still to do:
30Dec - All's Well That Ends Well, R3,
4Jan - Count Arthur Strong Ep2 of the new series.
Plus, a word of warning. I saw few films this holiday, mostly kids' stuff (The Grinch, Shrek), but two in particular stayed in mind.
One, on DVD, after the GLW persuaded me, was 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End' and was everybit as dreadful as Mr Kermode said it was. Unplotted, random scripting and scene-changing, just awful.
The second, at the cinema, was 'St Trinian's'. I thought we'd stopped making - and funding via the Lottery - crap such as this after the disaster that was 'Sex Lives of the Potato Men'. We only saw it because the screen for 'I Am Legend' was full. I'm booking in advance next time.
Happy New Year to all.
Sunday 30 December 2007
Friday 21 December 2007
Music of the Year
As with last year, here are just a few thoughts on this year's releases:
Best New releases:
Fear of a Blank Planet - Porcupine Tree. Possibly my very favourite,
The King of Cards - Tom McRae. Not quite up there with 'Just Like Blood', but very good,
Snakes and Arrows - Rush, much better than 'Vapor Trials',
Comicopera- Robert Wyatt, certainly the first two 'movements',
Person Pitch - Panda Bear, first heard on Where's The Skill In That?,
Coheed & Cambria - No World for Tomorrow,
Honourable mentions too, for Cherry Ghost, Dream Theater, Bjork, Joanna Newsom and Siouxsie.
The Marillion album, although it pains me to say it, should have been better, although '08 promises a return to form.
Other albums I've bought that I've been underwhelmed by include the new Arcade Fire and Modest Mouse, and another White Stripes album that is just too bare for my liking,
Old releases bought this year are far too numerous to mention, as I've spent a large proprtion of my time at work downloading from a variety of sources.
Best New releases:
Fear of a Blank Planet - Porcupine Tree. Possibly my very favourite,
The King of Cards - Tom McRae. Not quite up there with 'Just Like Blood', but very good,
Snakes and Arrows - Rush, much better than 'Vapor Trials',
Comicopera- Robert Wyatt, certainly the first two 'movements',
Person Pitch - Panda Bear, first heard on Where's The Skill In That?,
Coheed & Cambria - No World for Tomorrow,
Honourable mentions too, for Cherry Ghost, Dream Theater, Bjork, Joanna Newsom and Siouxsie.
The Marillion album, although it pains me to say it, should have been better, although '08 promises a return to form.
Other albums I've bought that I've been underwhelmed by include the new Arcade Fire and Modest Mouse, and another White Stripes album that is just too bare for my liking,
Old releases bought this year are far too numerous to mention, as I've spent a large proprtion of my time at work downloading from a variety of sources.
Mr 9 'Til 5
Final day until Jan 3rd. I might keep the blog going if anything interesting happens of the festive period, but for now I'lll sign off with today's playlist and my thoughts on this year's music.
As I was in no rush to get to work early, my son and I were mucking around at home with my guitar and listening to some PFM, mainly 'Maestro della Voce', which on the 'pfmpfm.it' CD is superb.
The rest of my commute was just more PFM. Not particularly festive, but splendid nonetheless:
Sei, from pfmpfm.it,
Jet Lag, from Jet Lag,
Passpartú and Le Trame Blu, both from Passpartú,
Is My Face On Straight, from L'Isola di Niente,
La carrozza di Hans, from pfmpfm.it, and
Paper Charms, from Chocolate Kings.
T - 3; M - 4; D - 3
As I was in no rush to get to work early, my son and I were mucking around at home with my guitar and listening to some PFM, mainly 'Maestro della Voce', which on the 'pfmpfm.it' CD is superb.
The rest of my commute was just more PFM. Not particularly festive, but splendid nonetheless:
Sei, from pfmpfm.it,
Jet Lag, from Jet Lag,
Passpartú and Le Trame Blu, both from Passpartú,
Is My Face On Straight, from L'Isola di Niente,
La carrozza di Hans, from pfmpfm.it, and
Paper Charms, from Chocolate Kings.
T - 3; M - 4; D - 3
Thursday 20 December 2007
Xmas Radio
Not much on telly over the festive period (apart from Dr Who, although Catherine Tate fills me with dread), but radio might be the answer...
Almost exclusively BBC Radio 2 and 4:
The Saturday Play on the 22nd with David Tennant,
MR James at Xmas from the 24th for 5 episodes,
Jeeves Live on the 24th,
Best of ISIHAC on the 24th, too,
Lord Peter Wimsey for 10 episodes from 24th,
News Quiz of the Year on the 25th,
Humph in Wonderland on the 25th,
Count Arthur Strong on the 25th,
A Stephen Fry investigation of puns on the 26th,
A new series of Count Arthur Strong (?) from the 28th,
The Now Show on the 28th,
plus all sorts of festive music on R2 and R3
I think Listen Again and my Hi-Q software will come into play at some point.
Mmmmm..... Nice...
Almost exclusively BBC Radio 2 and 4:
The Saturday Play on the 22nd with David Tennant,
MR James at Xmas from the 24th for 5 episodes,
Jeeves Live on the 24th,
Best of ISIHAC on the 24th, too,
Lord Peter Wimsey for 10 episodes from 24th,
News Quiz of the Year on the 25th,
Humph in Wonderland on the 25th,
Count Arthur Strong on the 25th,
A Stephen Fry investigation of puns on the 26th,
A new series of Count Arthur Strong (?) from the 28th,
The Now Show on the 28th,
plus all sorts of festive music on R2 and R3
I think Listen Again and my Hi-Q software will come into play at some point.
Mmmmm..... Nice...
Gentle Blues
Two days and counting...
No blog yesterday, as I was at my son's nursery nativity thing. Splendid fun.
Walkin' Blues - Robert Johnson,
Story of a Man a Woman, Pt. 1: She Thought I Was Stanley Clarke - Stanley Clarke,
Emergency 72 - Turin Brakes,
Höga Berg Och DJupa Dalar (High Mountains And Low Valleys) - Ranarim,
The Easy Blues (Jelly Roll Blues/Gentle Blues) - John Martyn,
Beyond The Seventh Galaxy - Return To Forever,
Babylon Sisters - Steely Dan,
Highway Song - James Taylor,
Never Any Good - Leonard Cohen,
Hallucinations - Tim Buckley,
Hazey Jane I - Nick Drake,
Cucumber Slumber - Weather Report,
Poor Boy - Nick Drake.
T - 3; M -4; D -3
No blog yesterday, as I was at my son's nursery nativity thing. Splendid fun.
Walkin' Blues - Robert Johnson,
Story of a Man a Woman, Pt. 1: She Thought I Was Stanley Clarke - Stanley Clarke,
Emergency 72 - Turin Brakes,
Höga Berg Och DJupa Dalar (High Mountains And Low Valleys) - Ranarim,
The Easy Blues (Jelly Roll Blues/Gentle Blues) - John Martyn,
Beyond The Seventh Galaxy - Return To Forever,
Babylon Sisters - Steely Dan,
Highway Song - James Taylor,
Never Any Good - Leonard Cohen,
Hallucinations - Tim Buckley,
Hazey Jane I - Nick Drake,
Cucumber Slumber - Weather Report,
Poor Boy - Nick Drake.
T - 3; M -4; D -3
Tuesday 18 December 2007
Let Me Take You Down
Well, only four days to go, one of which I have off anyway, so just keeping my head down and turning up.
Captain Carter's Fathoms - Pepé Deluxe,
A Smart Kid - Porcupine Tree,
The Chant - Jelly Roll Morton,
Access Denied - Porcupine Tree,
Terminal Frost - Pink Floyd,
Winter Song - Chris Rea,
La Petite Fille De La Mer - Vangelis,
There Was Sun - Devendra Banhart,
Shrink - Notwist,
Cooltide - John Martyn,
When You`re In - Pink Floyd,
Café Europa - David Sylvian.
The Wippit/ADBS fallout continues, with the monorail salesman claiming contract exclusivity and DB just shrugging. A sad (although inevitable) end.
T - 4; M - 3.5; D - 2
Captain Carter's Fathoms - Pepé Deluxe,
A Smart Kid - Porcupine Tree,
The Chant - Jelly Roll Morton,
Access Denied - Porcupine Tree,
Terminal Frost - Pink Floyd,
Winter Song - Chris Rea,
La Petite Fille De La Mer - Vangelis,
There Was Sun - Devendra Banhart,
Shrink - Notwist,
Cooltide - John Martyn,
When You`re In - Pink Floyd,
Café Europa - David Sylvian.
The Wippit/ADBS fallout continues, with the monorail salesman claiming contract exclusivity and DB just shrugging. A sad (although inevitable) end.
T - 4; M - 3.5; D - 2
Monday 17 December 2007
ADBS Crash and Burn
OK, the central heating boiler packed in at the weekend, and, as my home computer is in a peripheral part of my house away from fires, I missed the breaking news of the Danny Baker and Wippit fall-out.
Turmoil indeed. "... and you're standing, crushed, on the sweaty Northern Line every day"
I've followed the genesis, initial euphoria, and stumbling first footsteps, then through delay and return, and then subscription and meltdown...
"Knowing my luck, it'll all go tits up in the New Year and I'll have paid a year's subs for nowt..."
Several problems:
1. Wippit is rubbish. Dreadful user interface, patronising tone, 'shiny new servers' dropping out regularly, useless support,
2. Danny was unaware that Wippit subscribers could get the ADBS for nowt,
3. Very poor feedback during the whole Autumn hiatus coupled with ridiculous comments from Paul Wippit on the Treehouse board. Danny's not above blame on this one, either,
4. The lack of the 'live' element definitely affected the ADBS and B/K, the latter more than the former, and the fact that DB was continuing the BBC London led to odd overlaps.
Fundamentally, though, it seems to me that the vast majority of the blame lies with Wippit.
It's all a bit late for this analysis, I know, and this blog isn't supposed to be about the ADBS at all - it just kind of happened...
I've blown £50 on a crappy service; Paul Wippit will become even more of an internet millionaire; DB will, in the short term at least, become increasingly bitter; and I'll have nothing to accompany my commute other than my fabulous music collection.
Turmoil indeed. "... and you're standing, crushed, on the sweaty Northern Line every day"
I've followed the genesis, initial euphoria, and stumbling first footsteps, then through delay and return, and then subscription and meltdown...
"Knowing my luck, it'll all go tits up in the New Year and I'll have paid a year's subs for nowt..."
Several problems:
1. Wippit is rubbish. Dreadful user interface, patronising tone, 'shiny new servers' dropping out regularly, useless support,
2. Danny was unaware that Wippit subscribers could get the ADBS for nowt,
3. Very poor feedback during the whole Autumn hiatus coupled with ridiculous comments from Paul Wippit on the Treehouse board. Danny's not above blame on this one, either,
4. The lack of the 'live' element definitely affected the ADBS and B/K, the latter more than the former, and the fact that DB was continuing the BBC London led to odd overlaps.
Fundamentally, though, it seems to me that the vast majority of the blame lies with Wippit.
It's all a bit late for this analysis, I know, and this blog isn't supposed to be about the ADBS at all - it just kind of happened...
I've blown £50 on a crappy service; Paul Wippit will become even more of an internet millionaire; DB will, in the short term at least, become increasingly bitter; and I'll have nothing to accompany my commute other than my fabulous music collection.
Disappointment Can Wear You Thin
I was away from my computer all weekend, so missed the 'All Day Breakfast Show' announcement HERE. And HERE.
FWIW, I'll add my thoughts in a later post, and just get the tracklist for this morning out of the way:
Telegraph Road - Dire Straits,
Got A Suitcase, Got Regrets - Tom McRae,
Let's Split - Syd Barrett,
Paperback Writer - The Beatles,
Sunny Goodge Street - Donovan,
Ring Out Solstice Bells - Jethro Tull,
Cry From The Street - David Gilmour,
Only Time Will Tell - Asia,
Jack Of Speed - Steely Dan, the best track from a pretty formulaic return album,
Hounds Of Love - Kate Bush,
Birth From Earth - Epsilon Indi,
Photos of Ghosts - Premiata Forneria Marconi. I'd forgotten just how great this is...
Trio And Group Dancers - Charles Mingus. I'd forgotten just how mad this is...
T - 3; M - 4; D - 3
FWIW, I'll add my thoughts in a later post, and just get the tracklist for this morning out of the way:
Telegraph Road - Dire Straits,
Got A Suitcase, Got Regrets - Tom McRae,
Let's Split - Syd Barrett,
Paperback Writer - The Beatles,
Sunny Goodge Street - Donovan,
Ring Out Solstice Bells - Jethro Tull,
Cry From The Street - David Gilmour,
Only Time Will Tell - Asia,
Jack Of Speed - Steely Dan, the best track from a pretty formulaic return album,
Hounds Of Love - Kate Bush,
Birth From Earth - Epsilon Indi,
Photos of Ghosts - Premiata Forneria Marconi. I'd forgotten just how great this is...
Trio And Group Dancers - Charles Mingus. I'd forgotten just how mad this is...
T - 3; M - 4; D - 3
Friday 14 December 2007
How It Hits You
I feel absolutely dreadful. This blog has taken a rather self-pitying tone lately, I appreciate, but I really do feel awful - cold, tired and generally 'ill'.
Some Christmas music to cheer me up and, whilst it went better than last year, it didn't really alter my mood.
Winter - Paul O'Reilly,
Once In Royal David's City - Gauntlett, from a Classic FM freebie CD,
A Christmas Song - Jethro Tull,
I Wish it Could Be Christmas Every Day - Wizzard,
2000 Years - Jon Anderson,
Gaudette - Steeleye Span,
As With Gladness Men of Old - Kocher,
How It Hits You - Jon Anderson,
Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen (A Spotless Rose is growing) - Praetorius,
Concerto grosso in G Minor: Op. 6/8, 'Christmas Concerto' - Vivace/Grave; Allegro; Adagio/Allegro/Adagio; Vivace; Allegro; Pastorale - Corelli,
The Holly And The Ivy - Jon Anderson,
The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Snowflakes - Tchaikovsky,
Jack Frost And The Hooded Crow - Jethro Tull.
I need a week of sleeping, and less Southern Comfort...
T - 2; M -3.5; D - 3
Some Christmas music to cheer me up and, whilst it went better than last year, it didn't really alter my mood.
Winter - Paul O'Reilly,
Once In Royal David's City - Gauntlett, from a Classic FM freebie CD,
A Christmas Song - Jethro Tull,
I Wish it Could Be Christmas Every Day - Wizzard,
2000 Years - Jon Anderson,
Gaudette - Steeleye Span,
As With Gladness Men of Old - Kocher,
How It Hits You - Jon Anderson,
Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen (A Spotless Rose is growing) - Praetorius,
Concerto grosso in G Minor: Op. 6/8, 'Christmas Concerto' - Vivace/Grave; Allegro; Adagio/Allegro/Adagio; Vivace; Allegro; Pastorale - Corelli,
The Holly And The Ivy - Jon Anderson,
The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Snowflakes - Tchaikovsky,
Jack Frost And The Hooded Crow - Jethro Tull.
I need a week of sleeping, and less Southern Comfort...
T - 2; M -3.5; D - 3
Thursday 13 December 2007
High Vibration Go On
Well, back to 'work'.
I spent most of yesterday recording old cassettes to WAV files using Hi-Q and Nero, including old tapes of various bands I was in in my youth, and a couple of treasured BBC recordings.
1 - Pink Floyd, live at the time of Atom Heart Mother, including the rare-ish 'Embryo' as well as 'Careful With that Axe, Eugene', 'If' and 'Fat Old Sun'. One of my favourite PF albums, AHM.
2 - Yes live in 1978. There's a 'Big Medley' of Time and a Word, The Fish, Perpetual Change and Soon which seems to have been used in the 'Word Is Live' boxset. Definitely my favourite tape.
The commute was filled with the Yes concert. I think I know every note by now...
Circus of Heaven,
The Big Medley,
Don't Kill The Whale,
Clap,
Starship Troopers,
On the Silent Wings of Freedom,
Awaken,
Your Move,
Roundabout.
T - 4; M - 5; D - 4
I spent most of yesterday recording old cassettes to WAV files using Hi-Q and Nero, including old tapes of various bands I was in in my youth, and a couple of treasured BBC recordings.
1 - Pink Floyd, live at the time of Atom Heart Mother, including the rare-ish 'Embryo' as well as 'Careful With that Axe, Eugene', 'If' and 'Fat Old Sun'. One of my favourite PF albums, AHM.
2 - Yes live in 1978. There's a 'Big Medley' of Time and a Word, The Fish, Perpetual Change and Soon which seems to have been used in the 'Word Is Live' boxset. Definitely my favourite tape.
The commute was filled with the Yes concert. I think I know every note by now...
Circus of Heaven,
The Big Medley,
Don't Kill The Whale,
Clap,
Starship Troopers,
On the Silent Wings of Freedom,
Awaken,
Your Move,
Roundabout.
T - 4; M - 5; D - 4
Wednesday 12 December 2007
Am I Still Ill?
Seemingly, yes.
Still, there's more chance to catch up with the ADBS and rip the latest Count Arthur Strong Show. That and copy a few of the ancient cassette tapes I re-found in the garage yesterday.
Ho hum. Or should that be ho-ho-ho hum?
Normal (grumpy) service to be resumed tomorrow, I hope.
Still, there's more chance to catch up with the ADBS and rip the latest Count Arthur Strong Show. That and copy a few of the ancient cassette tapes I re-found in the garage yesterday.
Ho hum. Or should that be ho-ho-ho hum?
Normal (grumpy) service to be resumed tomorrow, I hope.
Monday 10 December 2007
Decrepitude
More illness. I can't remember the last time I 'worked' a full week, what with sickness and long weekends away.
Time to catch up on some All Day Breakfast Shows...
Time to catch up on some All Day Breakfast Shows...
Friday 7 December 2007
Plague
Friday again, and nothing to do. I did listen to the Count Arthur Strong episode (No.3) from earlier this week, which wasn't quite up to the majesty of previous episodes, but still passed the time nicely.
Recent acquisitions:
Rag And Bone - The White Stripes,
Can Of Ghost - Loop Guru,
Highways 2 - Tyrannosaurus Rex,
New Paths To Helicon Pt I - Mogwai,
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson, in celebration of its 25th anniversary, or something,
Red Light Ahead - Conspiracy,
Sploosh! (Youth & Simon's Hydrophonic Decimation) - Ozric Tentacles,
Pteranodon (Hallucinogen mix) - Ozric Tentacles,
Hope - Bjork,
The Fifth Plague - Laurie Anderson,
Holiday - Scorpions.
T - 3; M -3.5; D - 2
Recent acquisitions:
Rag And Bone - The White Stripes,
Can Of Ghost - Loop Guru,
Highways 2 - Tyrannosaurus Rex,
New Paths To Helicon Pt I - Mogwai,
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson, in celebration of its 25th anniversary, or something,
Red Light Ahead - Conspiracy,
Sploosh! (Youth & Simon's Hydrophonic Decimation) - Ozric Tentacles,
Pteranodon (Hallucinogen mix) - Ozric Tentacles,
Hope - Bjork,
The Fifth Plague - Laurie Anderson,
Holiday - Scorpions.
T - 3; M -3.5; D - 2
Thursday 6 December 2007
Wippit Out
Well, as the end of days approaches, the Northern pulls out all the stops to make me late for a Very Important Meeting.
Some Jaco Pastorius-themed music today, but focusing on his work with Joni Mitchell (and, since my auto-playlist is not that clever, some of the early non-Jaco JM albums):
Cucumber Slumber - Weather Report,
Edith And The Kingpin - Joni Mitchell,
The Hissing Of Summer Lawns - Joni Mitchell,
Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell,
Twisted - Joni Mitchell,
Amelia - Joni Mitchell,
A Case Of You - Joni Mitchell,
Lucky (Rap) - Joni Mitchell,
Cold Blue Steel And Sweet Fire - Joni Mitchell,
Black Crow - Joni Mitchell,
Paprika Plains - Joni Mitchell.
On the back of my subscription to Wippit for the All Day Breakfast Show, I've been looking through the database. There's not an awful lot there I'm interested in, to be honest, and I have to say that the download process is one of the least user-friendly and most confusing and time-consuming one I have ever come across. It's taken me the best part of 2 workig days to download about 150 tracks on the toppest speed connection possible.
How Paul Wippit ever became an internet millionare on the back of this is completely beyond me.
T - 2; M - 4; D - 3
Some Jaco Pastorius-themed music today, but focusing on his work with Joni Mitchell (and, since my auto-playlist is not that clever, some of the early non-Jaco JM albums):
Cucumber Slumber - Weather Report,
Edith And The Kingpin - Joni Mitchell,
The Hissing Of Summer Lawns - Joni Mitchell,
Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell,
Twisted - Joni Mitchell,
Amelia - Joni Mitchell,
A Case Of You - Joni Mitchell,
Lucky (Rap) - Joni Mitchell,
Cold Blue Steel And Sweet Fire - Joni Mitchell,
Black Crow - Joni Mitchell,
Paprika Plains - Joni Mitchell.
On the back of my subscription to Wippit for the All Day Breakfast Show, I've been looking through the database. There's not an awful lot there I'm interested in, to be honest, and I have to say that the download process is one of the least user-friendly and most confusing and time-consuming one I have ever come across. It's taken me the best part of 2 workig days to download about 150 tracks on the toppest speed connection possible.
How Paul Wippit ever became an internet millionare on the back of this is completely beyond me.
T - 2; M - 4; D - 3
Wednesday 5 December 2007
"Why, if they had one neck, you'd hack it through.."
Which is exactly what my mood was like yesterday.
Despite the downpour of rain, I'm in a much better mood today.
I'm currently working my way through the backlog of Dnny Baker's ADBS (sorry to keep going on, but Podcasts (ADBS, Thinking Allowed, Baker&Kelly, Now Show) and old 'I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue' MP3s are the only things keeping me going these days). New 'Count Arthur Strong' available today, so that'll be ripped...
Some 'Folk and guitarists' today:
Helping Hand - Pentangle,
Cracking - Suzanne Vega,
Pearl (2) - Judee Sill,
Donor (2) - Judee Sill,
Three Hours (Alternate Version) - Nick Drake,
Straight Lines - Suzanne Vega,
Crazy Face - Van Morrison,
Hallelujah - Rufus Wainwright - strangely soul-less version of the classic - maybe I'm too used to the Jeff Buckley version,
Milky Way - Syd Barrett,
Winning A Battle, Losing The War (Andy Votel) - Kings Of Convenience,
Chorale - Richard & Danny Thompson,
I Never Asked To Be Your Mountain - Tim Buckley,
Baby Blue - Emiliana Torrini,
Tuulilta Tuleva - Värttinä,
Rainy Night House - Joni Mitchell,
T - 4; D - 3; M - 4
Despite the downpour of rain, I'm in a much better mood today.
I'm currently working my way through the backlog of Dnny Baker's ADBS (sorry to keep going on, but Podcasts (ADBS, Thinking Allowed, Baker&Kelly, Now Show) and old 'I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue' MP3s are the only things keeping me going these days). New 'Count Arthur Strong' available today, so that'll be ripped...
Some 'Folk and guitarists' today:
Helping Hand - Pentangle,
Cracking - Suzanne Vega,
Pearl (2) - Judee Sill,
Donor (2) - Judee Sill,
Three Hours (Alternate Version) - Nick Drake,
Straight Lines - Suzanne Vega,
Crazy Face - Van Morrison,
Hallelujah - Rufus Wainwright - strangely soul-less version of the classic - maybe I'm too used to the Jeff Buckley version,
Milky Way - Syd Barrett,
Winning A Battle, Losing The War (Andy Votel) - Kings Of Convenience,
Chorale - Richard & Danny Thompson,
I Never Asked To Be Your Mountain - Tim Buckley,
Baby Blue - Emiliana Torrini,
Tuulilta Tuleva - Värttinä,
Rainy Night House - Joni Mitchell,
T - 4; D - 3; M - 4
Tuesday 4 December 2007
Descent into Hell
Where do I begin?
My wife crashed the car,
My weekend out of the country was marred by RyanAir's refusal to treat us as anything other than cattle,
My commute today was marred by incompetence and violence,
My boss has decided to work from home, despite the exhortation for the rest of us to come in in this crucial week.
I need to get out of this soon.
Music?
Well, Mono's 'Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky', plus a 'Not Classical or Spoken' mix of Bob Marley, Rush and Captain Beefheart, among others.
I did download a whole load of Danny Baker's 'All Day Breakfast Show', having taken the plunge to subscribe to Wippit. I must admit that the iTunes connection worked fine, although the retrieval of the first few (early Sep) issues turned into the usual Wippit-related madness. I got there eventually, but only after a lot of trouble.
T - 1; M - 3; D - 0.5
My wife crashed the car,
My weekend out of the country was marred by RyanAir's refusal to treat us as anything other than cattle,
My commute today was marred by incompetence and violence,
My boss has decided to work from home, despite the exhortation for the rest of us to come in in this crucial week.
I need to get out of this soon.
Music?
Well, Mono's 'Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky', plus a 'Not Classical or Spoken' mix of Bob Marley, Rush and Captain Beefheart, among others.
I did download a whole load of Danny Baker's 'All Day Breakfast Show', having taken the plunge to subscribe to Wippit. I must admit that the iTunes connection worked fine, although the retrieval of the first few (early Sep) issues turned into the usual Wippit-related madness. I got there eventually, but only after a lot of trouble.
T - 1; M - 3; D - 0.5
Friday 30 November 2007
Let Me Be Weak, Let Me Sleep
After another interminable week of nothingness, Friday.
Mask Movement 3 - Vangelis,
No Way We Can Lose - Yes,
Sleepless (Bob Clearmountain Mix) - King Crimson,
Glistening Glyndebourne - John Martyn,
Big Muff (Alternate Version With Drums) - John Martyn,
Joker At The Gate - Hawkwind,
Hurdy Gurdy Glissando - Steve Hillage,
And Dream Of Sheep - Kate Bush,
then, for my walk to and from the stations, Count Arthur Strong's 2nd Episode from his latest Radio4 Series. Splendid.
I've also found a few 'I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue' MP3s online, so now have lots to listen to in the run up to xmas. That and the 'All Day Breakfast Show'...
T - 4; M - 3.5; D - 3
Mask Movement 3 - Vangelis,
No Way We Can Lose - Yes,
Sleepless (Bob Clearmountain Mix) - King Crimson,
Glistening Glyndebourne - John Martyn,
Big Muff (Alternate Version With Drums) - John Martyn,
Joker At The Gate - Hawkwind,
Hurdy Gurdy Glissando - Steve Hillage,
And Dream Of Sheep - Kate Bush,
then, for my walk to and from the stations, Count Arthur Strong's 2nd Episode from his latest Radio4 Series. Splendid.
I've also found a few 'I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue' MP3s online, so now have lots to listen to in the run up to xmas. That and the 'All Day Breakfast Show'...
T - 4; M - 3.5; D - 3
Thursday 29 November 2007
ADBS Turmoil
As my new friend Kim said below in her comment, "I bought my subscription at the end of October and I've been satisfied!".
Well, I still haven't got round to subbing to Wippit - I assume (?) I can pick up the backlog since September - but this comment on Tuesday's BBC London show made me sit up:
"I don't want to open up the phone lines to hobble-de-hoys - that's how we got involved with Wippit"
Yikes!
Well, I still haven't got round to subbing to Wippit - I assume (?) I can pick up the backlog since September - but this comment on Tuesday's BBC London show made me sit up:
"I don't want to open up the phone lines to hobble-de-hoys - that's how we got involved with Wippit"
Yikes!
It Makes You Suffer And It Makes You Cry
But, unfortunately, it's not, as Mr Hogarth, suggests, all worthwhile,
After a couple of days off, a return to the daily commute:
06 - LOVE - 12/11/92 Lee & Herring, from the FistOfFun archive,
Surprise, Surprise - Caravan,
Way To Blue - Nick Drake. A demo, with piano which is even more fragile and ethereal than the final version,
Hotel Hobbies - Marillion,
Septembre: Heat Beat - Brian Eno, sounding a lot like Boards of Canada,
Hard As Love (Demo Version) - Marillion,
Beach Theme - Tangerine Dream,
Tunnel Of Love - Dire Straits,
Band On The Run - Paul McCartney & Wings,
Arthur - Rick Wakeman,
Eleanor Rigby Reggae MashUp - The Beatles. Danny Baker first played this on Monday's BBC London show, and I've found it on YouTube here and ripped it with my new HiQ software. Excellent - forget the short-lived 'Ladies' Bras' debacle, this is worth pushing.
T - 4; M - 4; D - 3
After a couple of days off, a return to the daily commute:
06 - LOVE - 12/11/92 Lee & Herring, from the FistOfFun archive,
Surprise, Surprise - Caravan,
Way To Blue - Nick Drake. A demo, with piano which is even more fragile and ethereal than the final version,
Hotel Hobbies - Marillion,
Septembre: Heat Beat - Brian Eno, sounding a lot like Boards of Canada,
Hard As Love (Demo Version) - Marillion,
Beach Theme - Tangerine Dream,
Tunnel Of Love - Dire Straits,
Band On The Run - Paul McCartney & Wings,
Arthur - Rick Wakeman,
Eleanor Rigby Reggae MashUp - The Beatles. Danny Baker first played this on Monday's BBC London show, and I've found it on YouTube here and ripped it with my new HiQ software. Excellent - forget the short-lived 'Ladies' Bras' debacle, this is worth pushing.
T - 4; M - 4; D - 3
Tuesday 27 November 2007
Monday 26 November 2007
ADBS Update
After a lot of thought, and after lurking (perhaps unfairly) on The Treehouse and Cook'd and Bomb'd Forums for weeks, I have finally come, FWIW, to my decision re: 'The All-Day Breakfast Show In Color'
Although money's quite tight, what with all the 'TURMOIL' at work, I'm going to subscribe and see how it goes. As a contributor to the Treehouse said "... it seems to have become more about anti-Paul than pro-Dan (as in "I don't care if it is Dan, I'm not prepared to line Paul's pockets")".
My prevarication about this has been mainly around this anti-Wippit issue, although, as the product's very good, and seemingly becoming more stable and dependable, it's time to bite the bullet and stump up the cash.
Knowing my luck, it'll all go tits up in the New Year and I'll have paid a year's subs for nowt...
Although money's quite tight, what with all the 'TURMOIL' at work, I'm going to subscribe and see how it goes. As a contributor to the Treehouse said "... it seems to have become more about anti-Paul than pro-Dan (as in "I don't care if it is Dan, I'm not prepared to line Paul's pockets")".
My prevarication about this has been mainly around this anti-Wippit issue, although, as the product's very good, and seemingly becoming more stable and dependable, it's time to bite the bullet and stump up the cash.
Knowing my luck, it'll all go tits up in the New Year and I'll have paid a year's subs for nowt...
Hopefully, Eventually
After a gruelling weekend of birthday parties and seeing friends, a return to the desparation of 'work'. For the first time in ages, however, I was able to fit in a listen to the whole of an album, this being Chris Squire's 'Fish Out Of Water'. Not the exclusive signed copy, just the CD+DVD release. I prefer to keep my money for newer stuff, such as Marillion's next...
I was nursing a slight hangover this morning, after an over-indulgence of good wine and Glenmorangie.
NewsQuiz 22 Nov 07 - BBC Radio 4 Podcast. If only they could do the same for ''I'm Sorry, I Haven't a Clue',
Summer-Blink - Cocteau Twins,
Starship Trooper: Life Seeker (Single Version) - Yes,
Terrapin - David Gilmour,
Song To The Pharoah Kings - Return To Forever,
Tale In The Hard Time - Fairport Convention,
Legend Of A Girl Child Linda - Donovan,
Winter Wonderland featuring Chris Botti - James Taylor (!),
I Want The One I Can`t Have - The Smiths,
River Of Time - Van Morrison
I'll record the Pink Floyd Part 2 later today (Days in the Life... on Radio2). It really irritated me that last week 'Echoes' was described as being part of the 'More' soundtrack, when anyone with even the slightest knowledge of PF will tell you it's from 'Meddle'. Annoying,
T - 4; M - 3.5; D - 4. As I'm getting later and later these days, the Tube's less and less crowded.
I was nursing a slight hangover this morning, after an over-indulgence of good wine and Glenmorangie.
NewsQuiz 22 Nov 07 - BBC Radio 4 Podcast. If only they could do the same for ''I'm Sorry, I Haven't a Clue',
Summer-Blink - Cocteau Twins,
Starship Trooper: Life Seeker (Single Version) - Yes,
Terrapin - David Gilmour,
Song To The Pharoah Kings - Return To Forever,
Tale In The Hard Time - Fairport Convention,
Legend Of A Girl Child Linda - Donovan,
Winter Wonderland featuring Chris Botti - James Taylor (!),
I Want The One I Can`t Have - The Smiths,
River Of Time - Van Morrison
I'll record the Pink Floyd Part 2 later today (Days in the Life... on Radio2). It really irritated me that last week 'Echoes' was described as being part of the 'More' soundtrack, when anyone with even the slightest knowledge of PF will tell you it's from 'Meddle'. Annoying,
T - 4; M - 3.5; D - 4. As I'm getting later and later these days, the Tube's less and less crowded.
Friday 23 November 2007
Vacant Stare
Friday, and nothing has been achieved this week. My company is in its final death throes and the end is in sight - there may be some chance of redundancy to release me from this nightmare...
Some 'Electronic' music, mostly Vangelis and Jean-Michel Jarre, as an ambient backdrop to reading 'The Independent'.
Today's Baker & Kelly Podcast should be interesting, given the events of Wednesday night at Wembley...
T - 3; M - 3; D - 3. Pretty average, if downcast, end to the week.
Some 'Electronic' music, mostly Vangelis and Jean-Michel Jarre, as an ambient backdrop to reading 'The Independent'.
Today's Baker & Kelly Podcast should be interesting, given the events of Wednesday night at Wembley...
T - 3; M - 3; D - 3. Pretty average, if downcast, end to the week.
Thursday 22 November 2007
Time And Relative Dimensions
A propos nothing, wasn't the Children in Need Doctor Who thing great? I've just watched the YouTube thing, after looking through the discussions on Cook'd and Bomb'd (Cook'd and Bomb'd > Forum > Discussion > Picture Box > Topic: The New Doctor Who thread).
"This is my dressing-room; my inner scrotum"
A welcome return to Count Arthur Strong the other day. Splendid stuff, and made me laugh out loud half a dozen times. Great.
Today (Thursday), there's a Kraftwerk thing on Radio 4, and I need to catch up with the 'Days of Our Lives' Pink Floyd documentary on Radio 2. Plus, there's the Charles Hazlewood show from last night, which I fell asleep 10 minutes into.
I've now downloaded the full version of Hi-Q from here, as the 96 kbps on offer from the free version is becoming too restrictive. While I'm on this spending splurge, and as the 'All Day Breakfast Show' is reportedly becoming more reliable from Wippit (and iTunes), I think I'm going to subscribe to the annual thing and take it from there. Watch this space...
As work simply becomes a question of turning up and then leaving 5 hours later, I spent most of the early morning constructing plastic toys for my son on his birthday.
Ho hum.
Gone To Earth - David Sylvian & Robert Fripp, from the first, better, 'Damage' CD,
All Of My Mother's Names - DS,
Promise (The Cult Of Eurydice) - DS,
Weathered Wall - DS,
Waterfront - DS,
I Surrender (Single Edit) - DS,
Gone to Earth - DS,
Orpheus - DS,
Blinding Light Of Heaven - Sylvian/Fripp,
Pulling Punches - DS,
The Scent Of Magnolia (Edit) - DS, from the bonus disc from the 'Everything & Nothing' compilation.
This is my 300th post.
T - 4; M - 4; D - 2
Today (Thursday), there's a Kraftwerk thing on Radio 4, and I need to catch up with the 'Days of Our Lives' Pink Floyd documentary on Radio 2. Plus, there's the Charles Hazlewood show from last night, which I fell asleep 10 minutes into.
I've now downloaded the full version of Hi-Q from here, as the 96 kbps on offer from the free version is becoming too restrictive. While I'm on this spending splurge, and as the 'All Day Breakfast Show' is reportedly becoming more reliable from Wippit (and iTunes), I think I'm going to subscribe to the annual thing and take it from there. Watch this space...
As work simply becomes a question of turning up and then leaving 5 hours later, I spent most of the early morning constructing plastic toys for my son on his birthday.
Ho hum.
Gone To Earth - David Sylvian & Robert Fripp, from the first, better, 'Damage' CD,
All Of My Mother's Names - DS,
Promise (The Cult Of Eurydice) - DS,
Weathered Wall - DS,
Waterfront - DS,
I Surrender (Single Edit) - DS,
Gone to Earth - DS,
Orpheus - DS,
Blinding Light Of Heaven - Sylvian/Fripp,
Pulling Punches - DS,
The Scent Of Magnolia (Edit) - DS, from the bonus disc from the 'Everything & Nothing' compilation.
This is my 300th post.
T - 4; M - 4; D - 2
Wednesday 21 November 2007
Dumbing Down
So a junior office worker is allowed access to copy all family records onto a CD-ROM and them stick them in the post? Well done, everybody.
More frustrating illiteracy and innumeracy on the Tube, too. A forty-year old reading a children's book. Not Harry Potter, but something intended for 10-year-olds, and recipient of the Whitbread Children's Book Prize and Smarties Award. Plus, the woman sat next to me was really struggling with her SuDoku. With her puzzled brow and constant rubbing out of numbers, it was all I could do to resist helping her out. Bloody hell.
Jazz, Blues and Folk today:
Cantaloupe Island - Herbie Hancock,
I Want To Take You Higher - Sly & the Family Stone,
The Last Time I Saw Richard - Joni Mitchell,
People Music - Herbie Hancock,
Children's Song - Chick Corea & Return To Forever,
Diamond Day - Vashti Bunyan,
A Love Supreme, Pt. 4: Psalm - John Coltrane,
Next Time Around - Sandy Denny,
Winter Is Gone - Nick Drake,
Freezing Fire - Weather Report,
Instrumental I - James Taylor,
She Moves Through The Fair - Fairport Convention,
Sweet Jannie - Van Morrison,
Ever After - Neil Young,
Isn`t It Nice To Be Home Again - James Taylor,
Rise At Dawn - Paul O'Reilly.
Bored, fed up, tired. And it's only Wednesday.
T - 4; M - 4; D - 3
More frustrating illiteracy and innumeracy on the Tube, too. A forty-year old reading a children's book. Not Harry Potter, but something intended for 10-year-olds, and recipient of the Whitbread Children's Book Prize and Smarties Award. Plus, the woman sat next to me was really struggling with her SuDoku. With her puzzled brow and constant rubbing out of numbers, it was all I could do to resist helping her out. Bloody hell.
Jazz, Blues and Folk today:
Cantaloupe Island - Herbie Hancock,
I Want To Take You Higher - Sly & the Family Stone,
The Last Time I Saw Richard - Joni Mitchell,
People Music - Herbie Hancock,
Children's Song - Chick Corea & Return To Forever,
Diamond Day - Vashti Bunyan,
A Love Supreme, Pt. 4: Psalm - John Coltrane,
Next Time Around - Sandy Denny,
Winter Is Gone - Nick Drake,
Freezing Fire - Weather Report,
Instrumental I - James Taylor,
She Moves Through The Fair - Fairport Convention,
Sweet Jannie - Van Morrison,
Ever After - Neil Young,
Isn`t It Nice To Be Home Again - James Taylor,
Rise At Dawn - Paul O'Reilly.
Bored, fed up, tired. And it's only Wednesday.
T - 4; M - 4; D - 3
Tuesday 20 November 2007
I Don't Feel Pleasure and I Don't Feel Pain
After 2 solid days of rain, a break in the clouds accompanied my walk to the Tube. I had an early start today as, being the bottom of the food chain, I had been delegated the task of letting an engineer in to fix one of our redundant machines. Joy.
I had no real clue what I wanted to listen to today, so started with 'Ambient/Electronic' then got bored of that among the noise of the train and switched to 'Rock, Prog and Rock/Pop':
Strangers - Raoul Bjorkenheim,
Born, Never Asked - Laurie Anderson,
Second Swarm - Bass Communion,
Punk Rock - Mogwai,
Great To Be With You - Yes,
Prophets Of War - Dream Theater,
Three Of A Perfect Pair - King Crimson,
Formentera Lady - King Crimson,
Woodstock - Matthews' Southern Comfort,
Gone to Earth - David Sylvian,
Tux On - Marillion,
Love You - Syd Barrett
T - 4; M - 3.5; D - 3
I had no real clue what I wanted to listen to today, so started with 'Ambient/Electronic' then got bored of that among the noise of the train and switched to 'Rock, Prog and Rock/Pop':
Strangers - Raoul Bjorkenheim,
Born, Never Asked - Laurie Anderson,
Second Swarm - Bass Communion,
Punk Rock - Mogwai,
Great To Be With You - Yes,
Prophets Of War - Dream Theater,
Three Of A Perfect Pair - King Crimson,
Formentera Lady - King Crimson,
Woodstock - Matthews' Southern Comfort,
Gone to Earth - David Sylvian,
Tux On - Marillion,
Love You - Syd Barrett
T - 4; M - 3.5; D - 3
Celebration
Well, it's been one year since my first tentative steps into the 'blog' landscape.
Almost 300 posts and 3300 hits on the site (since I started counting back in January). Highest daily hits 53, lowest 0.
My ratings of the Tube (T), Music (M) and fellow Drones (D) have been highly variable, but average out at something like T - 3; M - 4; D - 3, although I haven't bothered doing statistical analysis.
I've seen 'Mixing It' come and go to be replaced by 'Where's the Skill in That?' on Resonance FM, Mark Radcliffe moved from the civilised 10-12 slot to the useless 8-10 period, and Danny Baker enter, leave and haltingly re-enter the Podcast world with 'The All Day Breakfast Show'.
I've seen my company stumble and fall, lose half its staff and refuse to give in. My workload has decreased from fairly busy to nil, and I've had countless job applications, and half a dozen job interviews, turned own on the basis of either being over-qualified or not qualified enough.
I've bought many great albums, and a few duffers, and replaced over half of my vinyl collection with MP3s from a variety of sources. I've seen my iTunes collection grow from ~50 Gb to almost 100 Gb.
I've been involved in countless Tube delays and received over £100 in compensation, which is a Good Thing. I have been involved in no fights or arguments with fellow drones, although tempted many times, and this too is a Good Thing and a testament to my good nature.
Here's to the next 20 glorious years...
Happy birthday to my blog
Happy birthday to my blog
Happy birthday, dear BlackLineBlues,
Happy birthday to my blog.
Almost 300 posts and 3300 hits on the site (since I started counting back in January). Highest daily hits 53, lowest 0.
My ratings of the Tube (T), Music (M) and fellow Drones (D) have been highly variable, but average out at something like T - 3; M - 4; D - 3, although I haven't bothered doing statistical analysis.
I've seen 'Mixing It' come and go to be replaced by 'Where's the Skill in That?' on Resonance FM, Mark Radcliffe moved from the civilised 10-12 slot to the useless 8-10 period, and Danny Baker enter, leave and haltingly re-enter the Podcast world with 'The All Day Breakfast Show'.
I've seen my company stumble and fall, lose half its staff and refuse to give in. My workload has decreased from fairly busy to nil, and I've had countless job applications, and half a dozen job interviews, turned own on the basis of either being over-qualified or not qualified enough.
I've bought many great albums, and a few duffers, and replaced over half of my vinyl collection with MP3s from a variety of sources. I've seen my iTunes collection grow from ~50 Gb to almost 100 Gb.
I've been involved in countless Tube delays and received over £100 in compensation, which is a Good Thing. I have been involved in no fights or arguments with fellow drones, although tempted many times, and this too is a Good Thing and a testament to my good nature.
Here's to the next 20 glorious years...
Happy birthday to my blog
Happy birthday to my blog
Happy birthday, dear BlackLineBlues,
Happy birthday to my blog.
Monday 19 November 2007
Radio Highlights
Interesting radio schedules this week and in the run-up to xmas:
Mondays 6.30pm Radio 4: I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue link
Tuesdays 6.30pm Radio 4: Count Arthur Strong link
Thursday 11.30apm Radio 4: Kraftwerk: We Are the Robots link
Plus, the return of Word of Mouth some time soon link
And... With the overwhelming lack of things to do at work, and with the seemingly imminent departure (?) of Danny Baker from BBC London, I'm considering a subscription to Wippit (aaaargh!) for the All Day Breakfast Show in Color as a kind of masochistic xmas present to myself.
Mondays 6.30pm Radio 4: I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue link
Tuesdays 6.30pm Radio 4: Count Arthur Strong link
Thursday 11.30apm Radio 4: Kraftwerk: We Are the Robots link
Plus, the return of Word of Mouth some time soon link
And... With the overwhelming lack of things to do at work, and with the seemingly imminent departure (?) of Danny Baker from BBC London, I'm considering a subscription to Wippit (aaaargh!) for the All Day Breakfast Show in Color as a kind of masochistic xmas present to myself.
A Fool And His Money
After the recent 'Family Tree' release of Nick Drake (and family) Demoes, comes this:
On vinyl...
The 180g albums have been available for a while, but very expensive (OK, £20 or so, not that expensive), but these apparently are 135g. Why?
This is weird (from NickDrake.com):
http://www.nickdrake.com/fruit-tree-news.html
Quote "The vinyl sounds great but we make no ludicrous claims to it being of 'audiophile' quality"
What??? Ludicrous? I just don't get it. Why not 'audiophile'? Why don't they just do it properly, including a 12" booklet, not just shoving the CD-sized booklet in the box?
I have so many Nick Drake CDs, but have resisted the vinyl. This now means (IMO) at some future point a boxed set of the 'audiophile' - remastered, 180g vinyl - LPs will be released together with booklet. Just get it over with...
On vinyl...
The 180g albums have been available for a while, but very expensive (OK, £20 or so, not that expensive), but these apparently are 135g. Why?
This is weird (from NickDrake.com):
http://www.nickdrake.com/fruit-tree-news.html
Quote "The vinyl sounds great but we make no ludicrous claims to it being of 'audiophile' quality"
What??? Ludicrous? I just don't get it. Why not 'audiophile'? Why don't they just do it properly, including a 12" booklet, not just shoving the CD-sized booklet in the box?
I have so many Nick Drake CDs, but have resisted the vinyl. This now means (IMO) at some future point a boxed set of the 'audiophile' - remastered, 180g vinyl - LPs will be released together with booklet. Just get it over with...
Perfectly Safe; Feel Quite Well...
... Why Don't You Just Go To Hell?
Egg. There are many albums (i.e. vinyl) that have passed through my hands, and many that now reside in my living room. There are also many that I regret not buying. One is the original Buckingham/Nicks album - which was available to me for £50 - when I returned the next day it had gone. Another is the original 'Egg' LP for £15.
I've finally found some downloads and was listening to them at the weekend - Magnificent Prog.
As I fought for arm-rest room between two small, but clinically obese, woman, I listened to 'The Civil Surface' and 'Egg' this morning:
TCS:
Germ Patrol, Wind Quartet I, Enneagram, Prelude, Wring Out the Ground (Loosely Now), Nearch, Wind Quartet II,
E:
Bulb, While Growing My Hair, I Will Be Absorbed, Fugue in D Minor, They Laughed When I Sat Down at the Piano..., Song of McGillicudie the Pusillanimous (Or Don't Worry James, your Socks are Hanging in the Coal Cellar with Thomas), Boilk, Symphony No. 2.
A heady mix of the Canterbury scene - Caravan, Soft Machine - but similarities with Gentle Giant, Gryphon and even vocal elements of Philip Glass (see North Star). I love this stuff. I prefer 'Civil Surface', but the Symphony (told you it was prog rock) is great.
T - 4; M - 4.5; D - 1.5. The two fat women were only balanced by the approving glances - again! - from a young lady walking the other way. It must be my silk scarf...
Egg. There are many albums (i.e. vinyl) that have passed through my hands, and many that now reside in my living room. There are also many that I regret not buying. One is the original Buckingham/Nicks album - which was available to me for £50 - when I returned the next day it had gone. Another is the original 'Egg' LP for £15.
I've finally found some downloads and was listening to them at the weekend - Magnificent Prog.
As I fought for arm-rest room between two small, but clinically obese, woman, I listened to 'The Civil Surface' and 'Egg' this morning:
TCS:
Germ Patrol, Wind Quartet I, Enneagram, Prelude, Wring Out the Ground (Loosely Now), Nearch, Wind Quartet II,
E:
Bulb, While Growing My Hair, I Will Be Absorbed, Fugue in D Minor, They Laughed When I Sat Down at the Piano..., Song of McGillicudie the Pusillanimous (Or Don't Worry James, your Socks are Hanging in the Coal Cellar with Thomas), Boilk, Symphony No. 2.
A heady mix of the Canterbury scene - Caravan, Soft Machine - but similarities with Gentle Giant, Gryphon and even vocal elements of Philip Glass (see North Star). I love this stuff. I prefer 'Civil Surface', but the Symphony (told you it was prog rock) is great.
T - 4; M - 4.5; D - 1.5. The two fat women were only balanced by the approving glances - again! - from a young lady walking the other way. It must be my silk scarf...
Sunday 18 November 2007
It's All Yours, Ants
So there we have it. Untold millennia of evolution and we get to this:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7100914.stm
I reckon we give up now and hand it over. Clearly, we've failed.
1 0 0 1 0 0 1 SOS
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7100914.stm
I reckon we give up now and hand it over. Clearly, we've failed.
1 0 0 1 0 0 1 SOS
Friday 16 November 2007
Do Away with People Wasting my Precious Time
Well, there's no-one here. What a surprise. A beautiful, crisp, clear Autumn Friday, and everyone's 'working from home'.
I actually felt quite relaxed and laid-back today, with my 'Not Classical or Spoken' playlist and the weekend stretching before me like a great shoe with its lights on (© Danny Baker).
It Ain't You - Tom McRae,
Jam Back At The House - Jimi Hendrix Experience,
La Petite Fille De La Mer - Vangelis. Back at Uni, this album (Apocalypse des Animaux) was my seduction tape. It didn't often work, but if the target of my affection said 'I hate this' then it became a useful filter device,
Golf Girl - Caravan,
Mother Stands For Comfort - Kate Bush. Another target of my affection. Oh man,
Moving In - Trevor Rabin, which later became 'Hold On' with Yes,
See Emily Play - Pink Floyd,
Hello Hello - Caravan,
The Last Man On Earth - Pendragon. A bit over-long, but there's a great guitar solo at the end,
Mary - Robert Fripp, from the superb 'Exposure' album,
3/5 Of A Mile In 10 Seconds - Jefferson Airplane,
Virginia Plain - Roxy Music,
Last to Know - Asia. I'm not a huge fan of Asia, but I have all their albums up to Aria. This was great as I walked to work, with my face pointing directly into the sun and my eyes half-closed behind shades.
T - 4; M - 4.5; D - 4. I even got a lascivious smile from an attractive girl with long blonde hair.
I actually felt quite relaxed and laid-back today, with my 'Not Classical or Spoken' playlist and the weekend stretching before me like a great shoe with its lights on (© Danny Baker).
It Ain't You - Tom McRae,
Jam Back At The House - Jimi Hendrix Experience,
La Petite Fille De La Mer - Vangelis. Back at Uni, this album (Apocalypse des Animaux) was my seduction tape. It didn't often work, but if the target of my affection said 'I hate this' then it became a useful filter device,
Golf Girl - Caravan,
Mother Stands For Comfort - Kate Bush. Another target of my affection. Oh man,
Moving In - Trevor Rabin, which later became 'Hold On' with Yes,
See Emily Play - Pink Floyd,
Hello Hello - Caravan,
The Last Man On Earth - Pendragon. A bit over-long, but there's a great guitar solo at the end,
Mary - Robert Fripp, from the superb 'Exposure' album,
3/5 Of A Mile In 10 Seconds - Jefferson Airplane,
Virginia Plain - Roxy Music,
Last to Know - Asia. I'm not a huge fan of Asia, but I have all their albums up to Aria. This was great as I walked to work, with my face pointing directly into the sun and my eyes half-closed behind shades.
T - 4; M - 4.5; D - 4. I even got a lascivious smile from an attractive girl with long blonde hair.
Thursday 15 November 2007
Tired and Emotional
Interesting Danny Baker BBC London show yesterday. Nick Hancock and Rory McGrath turned up - after a long lunch at the Groucho Club - to promote their 'They Think It's All Over' DVD game, and got cut off after 20 minutes for swearing and generally being arses.
Good fun, if all a little juvenile, and Rory even tried chatting Amy Lame' up whilst going on about his "Bearded Tit" 'gag' autobiography.
Catch it while you can on 'Listen Again'. It'll be there until the 20th - Go to Wednesday and forward to 1:00:00 or thereabouts.
Good fun, if all a little juvenile, and Rory even tried chatting Amy Lame' up whilst going on about his "Bearded Tit" 'gag' autobiography.
Catch it while you can on 'Listen Again'. It'll be there until the 20th - Go to Wednesday and forward to 1:00:00 or thereabouts.
Jean Genie
Well, the Charles Hazlewood Show last night was, as ever, interesting and annoying in just about equal measure.
The music mix wasn't eclectic as it has been previously, and I could have done without three of the last four tracks, but each to his own.
James Brown: Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved; Album: Revolution of the Mind
Jamie T: Calm Down Dearest; Album: Panic Prevention
Tom Waits: The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me); Album: Small Change
David Sylvian: Jean The Birdman; Album: God’s Monkey
- Hang on. This was introduced as Jean - to rhyme with Dean or Gene - despite the title being sung a dozen times or more. It was also described as recent. Well, if 1993 is recent then, yes, it's recent. Plus, it's from the Sylvian/Fripp album 'The First Day', not God's Monkey... Plus, it's hardly the best example of his 'husky voice'. How about something from 'Nine Horses' or 'Blemish'?
Vashti Bunyan Session:
Train Song
Winter is Blue
Maria Callas: Non Piu Mesta from La Cenerentola (Rossini)
Cecilia Bartoli: The Marriage Of Figaro - Giunsi Alfin Il Momento .... Al Desio (Mozart)
now you start to lose me...
Wyclef Jean: Where Fugees At; Album: The Ecleftic
Wyclef Jean: Diallo; Album: The Ecleftic
Youssou N’Dour: Birima; Album: Eyes Open / Joko From Village To Town / The Guide - Wommat (3 CD Set)
Pauline Malefane: Last Winter
Hmmm.... 7/10 for this show, I think.
The music mix wasn't eclectic as it has been previously, and I could have done without three of the last four tracks, but each to his own.
James Brown: Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved; Album: Revolution of the Mind
Jamie T: Calm Down Dearest; Album: Panic Prevention
Tom Waits: The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me); Album: Small Change
David Sylvian: Jean The Birdman; Album: God’s Monkey
- Hang on. This was introduced as Jean - to rhyme with Dean or Gene - despite the title being sung a dozen times or more. It was also described as recent. Well, if 1993 is recent then, yes, it's recent. Plus, it's from the Sylvian/Fripp album 'The First Day', not God's Monkey... Plus, it's hardly the best example of his 'husky voice'. How about something from 'Nine Horses' or 'Blemish'?
Vashti Bunyan Session:
Train Song
Winter is Blue
Maria Callas: Non Piu Mesta from La Cenerentola (Rossini)
Cecilia Bartoli: The Marriage Of Figaro - Giunsi Alfin Il Momento .... Al Desio (Mozart)
now you start to lose me...
Wyclef Jean: Where Fugees At; Album: The Ecleftic
Wyclef Jean: Diallo; Album: The Ecleftic
Youssou N’Dour: Birima; Album: Eyes Open / Joko From Village To Town / The Guide - Wommat (3 CD Set)
Pauline Malefane: Last Winter
Hmmm.... 7/10 for this show, I think.
Peace of Mind and Sanctuary
Feeling a bit sorry for myself this morning, despite the nice sunny start.
Just sooooo bored at work, and human contact is becoming minimal as everybody keeps their heads down and pretends to be working (myself including).
My iPod came up with a great 'Not Classical or Spoken' mix which suited my mood perfectly:
So Boot If At All - Soft Machine,
Johanneslust - Eno, Moebius, Roedelius, Plank,
Annie Says - John Martyn,
Stink Foot - Frank Zappa,
The Fat Angel - Donovan,
Rivendell - Rush,
Nostalgia - David Sylvian - sublime,
Spirals In Hyperspace - Ozric Tentacles,
Scrap Yard - Tangerine Dream,
Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who,
The Democratic Circus - Talking Heads,
It's Not My Name - Landscape.
T - 4; M - 4; D - 4
Just sooooo bored at work, and human contact is becoming minimal as everybody keeps their heads down and pretends to be working (myself including).
My iPod came up with a great 'Not Classical or Spoken' mix which suited my mood perfectly:
So Boot If At All - Soft Machine,
Johanneslust - Eno, Moebius, Roedelius, Plank,
Annie Says - John Martyn,
Stink Foot - Frank Zappa,
The Fat Angel - Donovan,
Rivendell - Rush,
Nostalgia - David Sylvian - sublime,
Spirals In Hyperspace - Ozric Tentacles,
Scrap Yard - Tangerine Dream,
Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who,
The Democratic Circus - Talking Heads,
It's Not My Name - Landscape.
T - 4; M - 4; D - 4
Wednesday 14 November 2007
Charles Hazlewood is Back
One of my favourite radio shows, Charles Hazlewood's Radio 2 programme returns tonight.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/hazlewood/
BBC Radio 2, Wednesdays, 2200-2300 (10 - 11pm)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/hazlewood/
BBC Radio 2, Wednesdays, 2200-2300 (10 - 11pm)
Don't Panic
With nothing to do at work, I found a website with lots of comedy MP3s, specifically, Stephen Fry/John Bird in Radio 4's Absolute Power and Douglas Adams' 'Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy'. All very splendid, as the latter contains the last three books, not just the old 'H2G2' and 'Restaurant' tapes.
I got to work at 10 o'clock today. Normally, the train is relatively empty at that time, but today it was packed. I guess everyone's got those Winter blues.
Some Folk, Blues and Jazz, from my very subjective Genre specifications:
Northern Sky - Nick Drake,
Heartstopper - Emiliana Torrini,
Cracking - Suzanne Vega,
Silly Putty - Stanley Clarke,
Packing For The Crash - Tom McRae,
No Mans Land - Fairport Convention,
From The Morning - Nick Drake,
Penitent - Suzanne Vega,
Jamican Boy - Stanley Clarke,
Tangled Up In Blue - Bob Dylan,
River People - Weather Report,
Happy Birthday 1975(Rap) - Joni Mitchell, from 'Mingus',
Deacon Blues - Steely Dan. Sublime,
Palms for Lester - David Torn, Mick Karn, Terry Bozzio,
By TV Light - Turin Brakes,
They're Red Hot - Robert Johnson.
T - 3; M - 4; D - 2
I got to work at 10 o'clock today. Normally, the train is relatively empty at that time, but today it was packed. I guess everyone's got those Winter blues.
Some Folk, Blues and Jazz, from my very subjective Genre specifications:
Northern Sky - Nick Drake,
Heartstopper - Emiliana Torrini,
Cracking - Suzanne Vega,
Silly Putty - Stanley Clarke,
Packing For The Crash - Tom McRae,
No Mans Land - Fairport Convention,
From The Morning - Nick Drake,
Penitent - Suzanne Vega,
Jamican Boy - Stanley Clarke,
Tangled Up In Blue - Bob Dylan,
River People - Weather Report,
Happy Birthday 1975(Rap) - Joni Mitchell, from 'Mingus',
Deacon Blues - Steely Dan. Sublime,
Palms for Lester - David Torn, Mick Karn, Terry Bozzio,
By TV Light - Turin Brakes,
They're Red Hot - Robert Johnson.
T - 3; M - 4; D - 2
Tuesday 13 November 2007
And the Man in the Mirror has Sad Eyes
Tuesday, and nothing much to report, I'm afraid. I didn't get round to listening to ISIHAC last night, so I'll have to catch up at work today...
Shuffle 'Not Classical or Spoken':
Bassically - Taps Stanley Clarke,
Why Am I So Short? - Soft Machine,
Up To Me - Jethro Tull,
St. Louis Blues - Herbie Hancock,
Turn That Heartbeat Over Again - Steely Dan,
Riverman - David Sylvian & Robert Fripp, from Damage,
Jughead - Prince. God, this is awful,
Heart Of Lothian (I. Wide Boy II. Curtain Call) (Album Demo) - Marillion,
Holland, 1945 - Neutral Milk Hotel,
Soldier Of The Heart - Judee Sill,
Bros - Panda Bear. This is very interesting, but I just wish it went somewhere,
Kokoku - Laurie Anderson.
M - 4; T - 3; D - 3
Shuffle 'Not Classical or Spoken':
Bassically - Taps Stanley Clarke,
Why Am I So Short? - Soft Machine,
Up To Me - Jethro Tull,
St. Louis Blues - Herbie Hancock,
Turn That Heartbeat Over Again - Steely Dan,
Riverman - David Sylvian & Robert Fripp, from Damage,
Jughead - Prince. God, this is awful,
Heart Of Lothian (I. Wide Boy II. Curtain Call) (Album Demo) - Marillion,
Holland, 1945 - Neutral Milk Hotel,
Soldier Of The Heart - Judee Sill,
Bros - Panda Bear. This is very interesting, but I just wish it went somewhere,
Kokoku - Laurie Anderson.
M - 4; T - 3; D - 3
Monday 12 November 2007
Clue
Hurrah! 'I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue' is back is back for its 50th Series.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/comedy/clue.shtml
All we need is a Podcast...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/comedy/clue.shtml
All we need is a Podcast...
It's Dark, Dark in the Daytime
Some recent purchases to take my mind off the pathetic service provided by London Underground and the tedium provided by my job. The Rolling Stones and The Who didn't really feature in my collection, other than the odd track from compilations, so I bought some recently. Most of it's okay, but not earth-shattering. I guess you had to be there...
Quadrophenia - The Who,
Jumpin' Jack Flash - The Rolling Stones,
Uh Oh Love (Alternative Version With Steel Drums) - Talking Heads. I also realised that all my Talking Heads stuff was either on vinyl or tape and needed updating,
Cities (Alternate Version) - Talking Heads,
In A Lifetime - Talking Heads,
She's A Rainbow - The Rolling Stones,
Pornoghrapher's Dream - Suzanne Vega, from her most recent album,
Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who,
Mother's Little Helper - The Rolling Stones,
Call Me Lightning - The Who.
The Baker and Kelly Podcast was very funny, althought their non-appearance was glossed over somewhat. I guess, as they said, it all comes down to money.
T - 2; M - 3; D - 2
Quadrophenia - The Who,
Jumpin' Jack Flash - The Rolling Stones,
Uh Oh Love (Alternative Version With Steel Drums) - Talking Heads. I also realised that all my Talking Heads stuff was either on vinyl or tape and needed updating,
Cities (Alternate Version) - Talking Heads,
In A Lifetime - Talking Heads,
She's A Rainbow - The Rolling Stones,
Pornoghrapher's Dream - Suzanne Vega, from her most recent album,
Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who,
Mother's Little Helper - The Rolling Stones,
Call Me Lightning - The Who.
The Baker and Kelly Podcast was very funny, althought their non-appearance was glossed over somewhat. I guess, as they said, it all comes down to money.
T - 2; M - 3; D - 2
Friday 9 November 2007
Built-In Obsolescence
For the first time in ages, I saw someone using a CD Walkman on the Tube this morning. It looked so odd, with its bulk and spinning silver disc.
I've got a good feeling about today. Friday, mainly, but also because the Management are 'working from home'.
Recent album purchases - Neil Young's Chrome Dreams II, which is largely excellent, although it does drift more into Country occasionally:
Beautiful Bluebird,
Boxcar,
Ordinary People (fantastic)
Shining Light
The Believer
Spirit Road
Dirty Old Man
Ever After
Then another recent download, one track from the new Eagles, mainly because it (the track, not the album) has got good reviews: Long Road Out Of Eden
T - 4; M - 4; D - 4
I've got a good feeling about today. Friday, mainly, but also because the Management are 'working from home'.
Recent album purchases - Neil Young's Chrome Dreams II, which is largely excellent, although it does drift more into Country occasionally:
Beautiful Bluebird,
Boxcar,
Ordinary People (fantastic)
Shining Light
The Believer
Spirit Road
Dirty Old Man
Ever After
Then another recent download, one track from the new Eagles, mainly because it (the track, not the album) has got good reviews: Long Road Out Of Eden
T - 4; M - 4; D - 4
Thursday 8 November 2007
Heart of Glass
An 'interesting' morning.
I was asked by a couple of schoolgirls if I would buy something from a shop for them. When I asked what, they said 'cigarettes'. I said an over-effusive 'No No', sounding a bit like I was talking to a 4 year old.
Then, I arrived at the Tube to be confronted with a 'Suspended' notice - Police investigation which had closed the line down. The bus replacement service is terribly slow, but I had no option. Then a mother from my son's nursery turned up and started flirting with me in the bus queue, which was nice. It would have been nicer if she hadn't been 6 months pregnant...
The travel chaos left me with plenty of time for music:
01 - MONSTERS - 08/10/92 Lee & Herring, from Lionel Nimrod's Inexplicable World Series, available at FISTOFFUN. Not as funny as I remember it.
Then 'Return of the SuperApe'. Not as good as 'Super Ape', but still good.
Dyon Anaswa - Lee 'Scratch' Perry and the Upsetters,
Return of the Super Ape,
Tell Me Something Good,
Bird in Hand,
Crab Yars,
Jah Jah Ah Natty Dread.
Then back to shuffle briefly:
Renee - Talk Talk. I've been looking for the Mark Hollis solo CD, but I can't find it anywhere,
Danny Baker played some Camel on Monday (BBC show) which jogged my memory for the 80s 'Stationary Traveller' album. There's some great guitar solo-ing on this album, although the electronics (drums/synths) grate after a while:
Pressure Points,
Refugee,
Vopos,
Cloak And Dagger Man, the nearest Camel came to a 'hit', I think,
Stationary Traveller,
West Berlin,
Fingertips.
Finally, some Philip Glass from some recent purchases to replace my old vinyl:
Etoile Polaire (North Star),
Victor's Lament,
River Run,
Mon Pere, Mon Pere,
Are Years What, all from North Star.
Arrived at 10.30. Nothing to do, so it doesn't really matter.
T - 1; M - 3.5; D - 3
I was asked by a couple of schoolgirls if I would buy something from a shop for them. When I asked what, they said 'cigarettes'. I said an over-effusive 'No No', sounding a bit like I was talking to a 4 year old.
Then, I arrived at the Tube to be confronted with a 'Suspended' notice - Police investigation which had closed the line down. The bus replacement service is terribly slow, but I had no option. Then a mother from my son's nursery turned up and started flirting with me in the bus queue, which was nice. It would have been nicer if she hadn't been 6 months pregnant...
The travel chaos left me with plenty of time for music:
01 - MONSTERS - 08/10/92 Lee & Herring, from Lionel Nimrod's Inexplicable World Series, available at FISTOFFUN. Not as funny as I remember it.
Then 'Return of the SuperApe'. Not as good as 'Super Ape', but still good.
Dyon Anaswa - Lee 'Scratch' Perry and the Upsetters,
Return of the Super Ape,
Tell Me Something Good,
Bird in Hand,
Crab Yars,
Jah Jah Ah Natty Dread.
Then back to shuffle briefly:
Renee - Talk Talk. I've been looking for the Mark Hollis solo CD, but I can't find it anywhere,
Danny Baker played some Camel on Monday (BBC show) which jogged my memory for the 80s 'Stationary Traveller' album. There's some great guitar solo-ing on this album, although the electronics (drums/synths) grate after a while:
Pressure Points,
Refugee,
Vopos,
Cloak And Dagger Man, the nearest Camel came to a 'hit', I think,
Stationary Traveller,
West Berlin,
Fingertips.
Finally, some Philip Glass from some recent purchases to replace my old vinyl:
Etoile Polaire (North Star),
Victor's Lament,
River Run,
Mon Pere, Mon Pere,
Are Years What, all from North Star.
Arrived at 10.30. Nothing to do, so it doesn't really matter.
T - 1; M - 3.5; D - 3
Wednesday 7 November 2007
Interstellar Overdrive
No movement on the Danny Baker front. No word about the 'technical difficulties' that beset the Baker & Kelly' 'cast, and I'm so far out of the loop on the ADBS that I'm rapidly losing interest. FWIW, messages on the Treehouse and Cook'd and Bomb'd (now registered users only) suggest that things are improving, service-wise.
Still he read my e-mail out yesterday on the BBC London show...
Some recent downloads and purchases today to alleviate the boredom:
Winter (Fanfare) (excerpt) - The Enid
Return To Patagonia - Lemon Jelly
O Little One Sweet - Trad. (arr Bach), from a recent freebie CD with the Classic FM mag (my wife's)
The Demon King The Enid
Thinkin' One Thing & Doin' Another - Miles Davis, from On The Corner
Leo - John Coltrane, from Interstellar Space
Just George - Part 4 - Giles, Giles & Fripp
The Reaping - Coheed & Cambria, from their latest album.
I am big fan of C&C, after being introduced to their CDs by a former colleague 18 months ago. This latest album, 'Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World for Tomorrow', is excellent, although heavier than recent ones, I think. There's certainly a lot more singing and fewer lengthy instrumental passages. Still very very good. In particular, the 'End Complete' suite is fabulous, following similar suites in previous albums (especially The Willing Well)
The End Complete I - The Fall of House Atlantic
II - Radio Bye Bye
III - The End Complete
IV - The Road and the Damned
V - On The Brink
T - 3; M - 3.5; D - 2, particularly maddening was the arse who settled down in the seat next to me and then expanded to try to take over the arm-rest. I'm not a small man, and a sideways look made him stop, but what the hell did he think he was doing?
Still he read my e-mail out yesterday on the BBC London show...
Some recent downloads and purchases today to alleviate the boredom:
Winter (Fanfare) (excerpt) - The Enid
Return To Patagonia - Lemon Jelly
O Little One Sweet - Trad. (arr Bach), from a recent freebie CD with the Classic FM mag (my wife's)
The Demon King The Enid
Thinkin' One Thing & Doin' Another - Miles Davis, from On The Corner
Leo - John Coltrane, from Interstellar Space
Just George - Part 4 - Giles, Giles & Fripp
The Reaping - Coheed & Cambria, from their latest album.
I am big fan of C&C, after being introduced to their CDs by a former colleague 18 months ago. This latest album, 'Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World for Tomorrow', is excellent, although heavier than recent ones, I think. There's certainly a lot more singing and fewer lengthy instrumental passages. Still very very good. In particular, the 'End Complete' suite is fabulous, following similar suites in previous albums (especially The Willing Well)
The End Complete I - The Fall of House Atlantic
II - Radio Bye Bye
III - The End Complete
IV - The Road and the Damned
V - On The Brink
T - 3; M - 3.5; D - 2, particularly maddening was the arse who settled down in the seat next to me and then expanded to try to take over the arm-rest. I'm not a small man, and a sideways look made him stop, but what the hell did he think he was doing?
Tuesday 6 November 2007
Electric Oscar Winning
Another turbulent slow journey through the leafy North London suburbs. The driver had no real idea what was going on 'as my radio is broken'.
Some Jazz this morning. Mmmm, nice...
Desert Song - Stanley Clarke,
Do It Again - Steely Dan, one of my son's favourites,
Flamenco Sketches (Alternate Take) - Miles Davis,
Medley: Vertical Invader / T.H. / Dr. Honoris Causa - Weather Report,
Catch Me If U Can - Scott Henderson, Steve Smith & Victor Wooten
The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines - Joni Mitchell
Hot Fun - Stanley Clarke
Palms for Lester - David Torn, Mick Karn, Terry Bozzio
Three Clowns - Weather Report
Lillette el Ouihda - Cheikha Rimitti, with Robert Fripp and Flea.
A film poster caught my eye, purely because I could work out what it was trying to say. I can't remember the title, but it looked to include Michael Douglas, so I will avoid it like the plague. The reviewer's verdict was: 'ELECTRIC OSCAR WINNING PERFORMANCE', which is surely missing at least a hyphen, if not a comma as well.
T - 2; M - 4; D - 3
Some Jazz this morning. Mmmm, nice...
Desert Song - Stanley Clarke,
Do It Again - Steely Dan, one of my son's favourites,
Flamenco Sketches (Alternate Take) - Miles Davis,
Medley: Vertical Invader / T.H. / Dr. Honoris Causa - Weather Report,
Catch Me If U Can - Scott Henderson, Steve Smith & Victor Wooten
The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines - Joni Mitchell
Hot Fun - Stanley Clarke
Palms for Lester - David Torn, Mick Karn, Terry Bozzio
Three Clowns - Weather Report
Lillette el Ouihda - Cheikha Rimitti, with Robert Fripp and Flea.
A film poster caught my eye, purely because I could work out what it was trying to say. I can't remember the title, but it looked to include Michael Douglas, so I will avoid it like the plague. The reviewer's verdict was: 'ELECTRIC OSCAR WINNING PERFORMANCE', which is surely missing at least a hyphen, if not a comma as well.
T - 2; M - 4; D - 3
Monday 5 November 2007
Rain and Tears
Another Chelsea Monday, and nothing to do. The two hour commute through static traffic and chaotic Tube didn't help my mood.
All Tracks between 2.30 and 4 minutes turned up this rather splendid selection:
Eastern Girls - Landscape
To The Women In My Life/Le Lis - Billy Cobham
The Other Half - Marillion
Oh Daddy - Fleetwood Mac
Drive - The Cars
Dachau Blues - Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band
Looking Around - Yes
Hello Chicago (Chicago 1979) - Yes
A.W.O.L. - Robert Wyatt
"Bleibst du mir stumm, störrischer Wicht?" - Richard Wagner, from Siegfried of the 'Ring Cycle'. I removed the whole Cycle because it was inaudible in the din of the Tube, but put it back a couple of weeks back. Was very useful when I was cutting the lawn yesterday...
Emergency 72 - Turin Brakes
Rain and Tears - Aphrodite's Child
Blossom - Nick Drake
Strange Things Happen - Billy Bragg
Automotive Engineering - Jethro Tull, after the 'blues' phase, then the 'prog' phase, came the 'folk' phase and this, the 'not very good' phase.
Uniform - Jethro Tull. See above,
Godman - David Sylvian
The Army Now - The Art Of Noise
Untitled - Tom McRae
Babooshka - Kate Bush
No Baker and Kelly Podcast last Friday - due to 'technical difficulties' - and a shambolic BBC London show with Baylen Leonard and some guy. I turned off after 10 minutes.
T - 2; M - 4; D - 3
All Tracks between 2.30 and 4 minutes turned up this rather splendid selection:
Eastern Girls - Landscape
To The Women In My Life/Le Lis - Billy Cobham
The Other Half - Marillion
Oh Daddy - Fleetwood Mac
Drive - The Cars
Dachau Blues - Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band
Looking Around - Yes
Hello Chicago (Chicago 1979) - Yes
A.W.O.L. - Robert Wyatt
"Bleibst du mir stumm, störrischer Wicht?" - Richard Wagner, from Siegfried of the 'Ring Cycle'. I removed the whole Cycle because it was inaudible in the din of the Tube, but put it back a couple of weeks back. Was very useful when I was cutting the lawn yesterday...
Emergency 72 - Turin Brakes
Rain and Tears - Aphrodite's Child
Blossom - Nick Drake
Strange Things Happen - Billy Bragg
Automotive Engineering - Jethro Tull, after the 'blues' phase, then the 'prog' phase, came the 'folk' phase and this, the 'not very good' phase.
Uniform - Jethro Tull. See above,
Godman - David Sylvian
The Army Now - The Art Of Noise
Untitled - Tom McRae
Babooshka - Kate Bush
No Baker and Kelly Podcast last Friday - due to 'technical difficulties' - and a shambolic BBC London show with Baylen Leonard and some guy. I turned off after 10 minutes.
T - 2; M - 4; D - 3
Friday 2 November 2007
Progressive Pomposity
Interesting, if inaccurate, piece on re-formation of 'pop' groups in today's Independent. There was really no point other than saying 'they're only doing it for the money'. Lots of snidey bits about Genesis and Yes, which irritated me immensely.
More prog:
Dun Ringill - Jethro Tull,
Passion Jig (Chicago, IL, 1992) - Jethro Tull,
The Musical Box - Genesis,
Constant Motion - Dream Theater,
Jack A Lynn - Jethro Tull,
Caught In A Web - Dream Theater,
Ego Tripping At the Gates of Hell - The Flaming Lips,
Time To Kill - UK,
Silence Is The Answer - Epsilon Indi.
Another interestig podcast from 'Thinking Allowed' to accompany my bad-tempered walk to work.
T - 3; M - 3.5; D - 3
More prog:
Dun Ringill - Jethro Tull,
Passion Jig (Chicago, IL, 1992) - Jethro Tull,
The Musical Box - Genesis,
Constant Motion - Dream Theater,
Jack A Lynn - Jethro Tull,
Caught In A Web - Dream Theater,
Ego Tripping At the Gates of Hell - The Flaming Lips,
Time To Kill - UK,
Silence Is The Answer - Epsilon Indi.
Another interestig podcast from 'Thinking Allowed' to accompany my bad-tempered walk to work.
T - 3; M - 3.5; D - 3
Thursday 1 November 2007
Strange Feeling
... Oh, don't you need somebody to talk your troubles to,
Ah, lord I know I wanna catch the morning train, lord the first thing,
Oh, I wanna hear you say we're gonna take that strange feelin',
Oh, take it all away
So, the latest job thing turned up nothing again, and I'm rapidly running out of options. The monthly pay cheque helps, but it's all rather unfulfilling and unsatisfying.
To add insult to injury, the Tube was a nightmare. The platform at King's Cross reminded me of the events of 7/7/05. It was all rather spooky.
Shuffle 'Not Classical or Spoken':
Kind Hearted Woman Blues (Take 1) - Robert Johnson, from The Complete Recordings (Disc 1)
Entry Of The Crims - King Crimson, a freebie from DGM,
Go Through This (New York 1980) - Yes. The 'Drama' line-up and not their finest moment,
Taking Tiger Mountain - Brian Eno
Hibou, Anemone And Bear - Soft Machine. If music such as this didn't exist, I think I'd go mad,
Suckling The Mender - Cocteau Twins. Ditto,
This Heart Keeps Beating For Me - Captain,
The Three Shadows Part III - Bauhaus,
Come With Us - Brian Eno And David Byrne,
Astronomy - Jethro Tull,
Lo And Behold - James Taylor,
Deborah - Jon & Vangelis,
One Mile Below - Siouxsie. I still haven't got round to listening to this album in full, but the tracks I've heard are fantastic,
Sweetness - Yes,
The Marshall Plan - Blue Oyster Cult,
21st Century Schizoid Man (LP Version) - King Crimson, from the 'Dunlop' ad of ten years or so ago,
Strange Feelin' - Tim Buckley.
No 'All Day Breakfast Show' yesterday. They're going to be hard-pressed to keep up their latest 'guarantee' of 'at least three' a week. Hmmm. Turmoil.
T - 1; M - 4; D - 2
Ah, lord I know I wanna catch the morning train, lord the first thing,
Oh, I wanna hear you say we're gonna take that strange feelin',
Oh, take it all away
So, the latest job thing turned up nothing again, and I'm rapidly running out of options. The monthly pay cheque helps, but it's all rather unfulfilling and unsatisfying.
To add insult to injury, the Tube was a nightmare. The platform at King's Cross reminded me of the events of 7/7/05. It was all rather spooky.
Shuffle 'Not Classical or Spoken':
Kind Hearted Woman Blues (Take 1) - Robert Johnson, from The Complete Recordings (Disc 1)
Entry Of The Crims - King Crimson, a freebie from DGM,
Go Through This (New York 1980) - Yes. The 'Drama' line-up and not their finest moment,
Taking Tiger Mountain - Brian Eno
Hibou, Anemone And Bear - Soft Machine. If music such as this didn't exist, I think I'd go mad,
Suckling The Mender - Cocteau Twins. Ditto,
This Heart Keeps Beating For Me - Captain,
The Three Shadows Part III - Bauhaus,
Come With Us - Brian Eno And David Byrne,
Astronomy - Jethro Tull,
Lo And Behold - James Taylor,
Deborah - Jon & Vangelis,
One Mile Below - Siouxsie. I still haven't got round to listening to this album in full, but the tracks I've heard are fantastic,
Sweetness - Yes,
The Marshall Plan - Blue Oyster Cult,
21st Century Schizoid Man (LP Version) - King Crimson, from the 'Dunlop' ad of ten years or so ago,
Strange Feelin' - Tim Buckley.
No 'All Day Breakfast Show' yesterday. They're going to be hard-pressed to keep up their latest 'guarantee' of 'at least three' a week. Hmmm. Turmoil.
T - 1; M - 4; D - 2
Wednesday 31 October 2007
The (Next) Release
Although I wasn't absolutely blown away by the last Marillion album (see my reviews here and here), there is a web-page for pre-orders for album #15. Another double, like Marbles, and another chance to see my name in print.
HERE:
http://www.marillion.com/preorder/
I'll be signing up. I suggest you do too. A Better Way Of Life.
HERE:
http://www.marillion.com/preorder/
I'll be signing up. I suggest you do too. A Better Way Of Life.
Had Too Much to Dream Last Night
A rather messy Tube this morning, with a train breaking down in front of us. Frankly, though it makes no difference whether I get to work at 9 or 10 these days...
I found some MP3 files by 'The Enid' yesterday, which was really a blast from the past. I've got several albums on vinyl (In The Region of Summer Stars, Touch Me, Salome, Something Wicked..., Aerie Faerie Nonsense, The Spell), but no CDs. Well, I found several MP3 fragments here, on their website. Great fun, but frustratingly brief snippets.
I saw The Enid back at Uni, in 1990 or thereabouts. Absolutely superb, with just Robert John Godfrey and Stephen Stewart (there may have been a drummer, but I think they were using backing tracks). Some bits just took my breath away...
Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came (excerpt) 0:59 Aerie Faerie Nonsense, @ 128 kbps
Childe Roland Coda (excerpt) 0:40
Fand Intro (excerpt) 1:13
Fand Sea Shanty 1 (excerpt) 1:48
Fand Sea Shanty 2 (excerpt) 0:58
Fand Orgasm (excerpt) 1:36
Fand Finale (excerpt) 1:22
Judgement 7:55 Demoes @ 192 kbps
Mars (Orchestral Prelude) 4:16 Demoes @ 128 kbps
The Tower (excerpt) 1:12 In The Region Of Summer Stars, @ 128 kbps
The Lovers Intro (excerpt) 0:48
The Lovers Climax (exceprt) 1:25
Judgement Part One (64 kbps; excerpt) 1:28
Judgement Part Two (excerpt) 1:05
In The Region Of Summer Stars (excerpt) 1:11, with just a short bit of the beautiful twin-tracked guitar
Raindown (excerpt) 1:04 Something Wicked This Way Comes, @ 128 kbps
Then There Were None (excerpt) 1:14
Something Wicked This Way Comes (excerpt) 2:31
Winter (Fanfare) (excerpt) 1:17 The Spell, @ 128 kbps
Winter (Climax) (excerpt) 0:59
Spring (Waltz) (excerpt) 0:47
Spring (Coda) (excerpt) 0:57
Summer (Chorus) (excerpt) 1:20
Autumn (Climax) (excerpt) 3:00
Elephants Never Die (excerpt) 1:28
Sentimental Side of Mrs James (excerpt) 1:11
Some shorter songs today to take my mind of the transport system and its victims - between 2.30 and 4 minutes:
The Calvary Cross - Richard & Linda Thompson
A Slow Divorce - Boo Hewerdine
Don't Hurt Yourself (Single Edit) - Marillion
Plasticine - Placebo
Tears In Rain - Vangelis
DJ Asylum (7" Edit) - The Orb
Painted Bird - Siouxsie And The Banshees
Did You Ever Love Me - Fleetwood Mac
Match Of The Day - Genesis
Just Let Me Breathe (Live) - Dream Theater, from Live Scenes From New York (Disc 2)
Five-Five-Five - Frank Zappa, from Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar (Disc 1)
Ivo - Cocteau Twins
Nimos & Tambos - Pure Reason Revolution
Don't Push Your Foot On The Heartbrake - Kate Bush
May You Never - John Martyn
Eibhli Ghail Chiuin Ni Chearbhail - John Martyn
Corpus Christi Carol (For Roy) - Jeff Buckley, from the Legacy Edition of 'Grace'
The Man With The Child In His Eyes - Kate Bush
Lap Of Luxury - Jethro Tull
T - 2; M -3.5; D - 3
I found some MP3 files by 'The Enid' yesterday, which was really a blast from the past. I've got several albums on vinyl (In The Region of Summer Stars, Touch Me, Salome, Something Wicked..., Aerie Faerie Nonsense, The Spell), but no CDs. Well, I found several MP3 fragments here, on their website. Great fun, but frustratingly brief snippets.
I saw The Enid back at Uni, in 1990 or thereabouts. Absolutely superb, with just Robert John Godfrey and Stephen Stewart (there may have been a drummer, but I think they were using backing tracks). Some bits just took my breath away...
Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came (excerpt) 0:59 Aerie Faerie Nonsense, @ 128 kbps
Childe Roland Coda (excerpt) 0:40
Fand Intro (excerpt) 1:13
Fand Sea Shanty 1 (excerpt) 1:48
Fand Sea Shanty 2 (excerpt) 0:58
Fand Orgasm (excerpt) 1:36
Fand Finale (excerpt) 1:22
Judgement 7:55 Demoes @ 192 kbps
Mars (Orchestral Prelude) 4:16 Demoes @ 128 kbps
The Tower (excerpt) 1:12 In The Region Of Summer Stars, @ 128 kbps
The Lovers Intro (excerpt) 0:48
The Lovers Climax (exceprt) 1:25
Judgement Part One (64 kbps; excerpt) 1:28
Judgement Part Two (excerpt) 1:05
In The Region Of Summer Stars (excerpt) 1:11, with just a short bit of the beautiful twin-tracked guitar
Raindown (excerpt) 1:04 Something Wicked This Way Comes, @ 128 kbps
Then There Were None (excerpt) 1:14
Something Wicked This Way Comes (excerpt) 2:31
Winter (Fanfare) (excerpt) 1:17 The Spell, @ 128 kbps
Winter (Climax) (excerpt) 0:59
Spring (Waltz) (excerpt) 0:47
Spring (Coda) (excerpt) 0:57
Summer (Chorus) (excerpt) 1:20
Autumn (Climax) (excerpt) 3:00
Elephants Never Die (excerpt) 1:28
Sentimental Side of Mrs James (excerpt) 1:11
Some shorter songs today to take my mind of the transport system and its victims - between 2.30 and 4 minutes:
The Calvary Cross - Richard & Linda Thompson
A Slow Divorce - Boo Hewerdine
Don't Hurt Yourself (Single Edit) - Marillion
Plasticine - Placebo
Tears In Rain - Vangelis
DJ Asylum (7" Edit) - The Orb
Painted Bird - Siouxsie And The Banshees
Did You Ever Love Me - Fleetwood Mac
Match Of The Day - Genesis
Just Let Me Breathe (Live) - Dream Theater, from Live Scenes From New York (Disc 2)
Five-Five-Five - Frank Zappa, from Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar (Disc 1)
Ivo - Cocteau Twins
Nimos & Tambos - Pure Reason Revolution
Don't Push Your Foot On The Heartbrake - Kate Bush
May You Never - John Martyn
Eibhli Ghail Chiuin Ni Chearbhail - John Martyn
Corpus Christi Carol (For Roy) - Jeff Buckley, from the Legacy Edition of 'Grace'
The Man With The Child In His Eyes - Kate Bush
Lap Of Luxury - Jethro Tull
T - 2; M -3.5; D - 3
Tuesday 30 October 2007
Half Way Up, Half Way Down
Tuesday. Shuffle on all songs between 3 and 5 minutes...
One Minute Warning - Passengers OST
Dance Of The Seven Veils, A) Faithless - Pendragon. A shame it didnt' go into Parys B and C, but that's the nature of this playlist,
Merten Kosijat - Värttinä, from Kokko,
Hollow Hills - Bauhaus, from Press the Eject and Give Me the Tape
Pojaton - Värttinä, another from Kokko
05 - Vangelis, from Sexpower,
The Fisherman - Rick Wakeman (Sea Airs)
The Company - Fish
Dreamland - Joni Mitchell, from Shadows And Light,
Every Colour You Are - David Sylvian
Frontline - Captain
T - 3; M - 4; D - 3
One Minute Warning - Passengers OST
Dance Of The Seven Veils, A) Faithless - Pendragon. A shame it didnt' go into Parys B and C, but that's the nature of this playlist,
Merten Kosijat - Värttinä, from Kokko,
Hollow Hills - Bauhaus, from Press the Eject and Give Me the Tape
Pojaton - Värttinä, another from Kokko
05 - Vangelis, from Sexpower,
The Fisherman - Rick Wakeman (Sea Airs)
The Company - Fish
Dreamland - Joni Mitchell, from Shadows And Light,
Every Colour You Are - David Sylvian
Frontline - Captain
T - 3; M - 4; D - 3
Monday 29 October 2007
Guilty Pleasures
After a great weekend seeing family, a return to 'work'.
My iPod is full of the likes of Yes, King Crimson, Gentle Giant, Brian Eno, Kate Bush, Cocteau Twins, The Fall, Sigur Ros. But I have several guilty pleasures when I'm feeling a bit bored of these on constant rotation. One is Chris de Burgh. I first heard 'Spanish Train...' about 25 years ago (Annie Nightingale?) and bought the album at Woods Record Shop in Huddersfield. I was there for the embarrassment of 'Lady In Red', although I did try (unsuccesfully) to seduce a girl on a ferry to Norway. She was the girlfriend of a mate, so it perhaps wasn't a great move.
Anyway, I tend to favour te early stuff. Kinda folk/rock/pop with the odd fleeting prog-type influence:
I Had The Love In My Eyes - Chris De Burgh
Summer Rain - Chris De Burgh
New Moon - Chris De Burgh
Hold On - Chris De Burgh
The Key - Chris De Burgh
Spanish Train - Chris De Burgh
Carry On (Reprise) - Chris De Burgh
Crusader - Chris De Burgh
The Lady In Red - Chris De Burgh
Fire On The Water - Chris De Burgh
Just Another Poor Boy - Chris De Burgh
In A Country Churchyard (Let Your Love Shine On) - Chris De Burgh
Also, Methuselah's Children Part 3 (of 7) from a Radio 7 dramatisation. Very good.
T - 4; M - 3.5; D - 3
My iPod is full of the likes of Yes, King Crimson, Gentle Giant, Brian Eno, Kate Bush, Cocteau Twins, The Fall, Sigur Ros. But I have several guilty pleasures when I'm feeling a bit bored of these on constant rotation. One is Chris de Burgh. I first heard 'Spanish Train...' about 25 years ago (Annie Nightingale?) and bought the album at Woods Record Shop in Huddersfield. I was there for the embarrassment of 'Lady In Red', although I did try (unsuccesfully) to seduce a girl on a ferry to Norway. She was the girlfriend of a mate, so it perhaps wasn't a great move.
Anyway, I tend to favour te early stuff. Kinda folk/rock/pop with the odd fleeting prog-type influence:
I Had The Love In My Eyes - Chris De Burgh
Summer Rain - Chris De Burgh
New Moon - Chris De Burgh
Hold On - Chris De Burgh
The Key - Chris De Burgh
Spanish Train - Chris De Burgh
Carry On (Reprise) - Chris De Burgh
Crusader - Chris De Burgh
The Lady In Red - Chris De Burgh
Fire On The Water - Chris De Burgh
Just Another Poor Boy - Chris De Burgh
In A Country Churchyard (Let Your Love Shine On) - Chris De Burgh
Also, Methuselah's Children Part 3 (of 7) from a Radio 7 dramatisation. Very good.
T - 4; M - 3.5; D - 3
Friday 26 October 2007
Singing the Blues
Some Joni Mitchell to lighten the mood on a non-descript day:
Carey - Joni Mitchell
Morning Morgantown - Joni Mitchell
Sweet Bird - Joni Mitchell
In France They Kiss On Main Street - Joni Mitchell
The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines - Joni Mitchell
God Must Be A Boogie Man - Joni Mitchell
Court And Spark - Joni Mitchell
Rainy Night House - Joni Mitchell
Woman Of Heart And Mind - Joni Mitchell
Furry Sings The Blues - Joni Mitchell
The Wolf That Lives In Lindsey - Joni Mitchell
Then, on finding an article in today's Independent on the genesis of 'I'm Not in Love'
I'm Not In Love - 10cc
then some recently-acquired stuff:
Panic - The Smiths
Shoplifters Of The World Unite - The Smiths
Drive - The Cars
Girlfriend In A Coma - The Smiths (I'm currently going through an '80s thing, for some reason),
Toka Tola - Ozric Tentacles
More Baker and Kelly splendidness ahead this afternoon - I only hope it's released before I bugger off at 3.30
T - 4; M - 3.5; D - 3
Carey - Joni Mitchell
Morning Morgantown - Joni Mitchell
Sweet Bird - Joni Mitchell
In France They Kiss On Main Street - Joni Mitchell
The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines - Joni Mitchell
God Must Be A Boogie Man - Joni Mitchell
Court And Spark - Joni Mitchell
Rainy Night House - Joni Mitchell
Woman Of Heart And Mind - Joni Mitchell
Furry Sings The Blues - Joni Mitchell
The Wolf That Lives In Lindsey - Joni Mitchell
Then, on finding an article in today's Independent on the genesis of 'I'm Not in Love'
I'm Not In Love - 10cc
then some recently-acquired stuff:
Panic - The Smiths
Shoplifters Of The World Unite - The Smiths
Drive - The Cars
Girlfriend In A Coma - The Smiths (I'm currently going through an '80s thing, for some reason),
Toka Tola - Ozric Tentacles
More Baker and Kelly splendidness ahead this afternoon - I only hope it's released before I bugger off at 3.30
T - 4; M - 3.5; D - 3
Thursday 25 October 2007
Blasting Across the Alkali Flats in a Jet-Powered, Monkey-Navigated...
... Rather than being stuck here crushed together under ground with a sour-looking woman who insists on trying to put her bags on my feet. I've said it before etc., but the quicker I get out of this hell, the better.
Methuselah's Children Part 2 - Robert A. Heinlein, from a recent BBC Radio 7 adaptation, ripped from the stream with Roemer Software's Hi-Q Recorder
Next, some Rock/Pop. Basically if it's not quite Rock (e.g. it feels too 'light') but hasn't quite reached the depths of 'Pop', it ends up here.
Western High - Captain
N.L. - Notwist
Weathered Wall - David Sylvian
That's What They Always Say - Chris Rea
Southbound Again - Dire Straits
Promenade - Trevor Rabin, from the pre-Yes 90124 CD,
All The Midnights In The World - Prince. I seem to be the only person in the world who finds Prince, and this album in particular, banal.
Tell Me Why - Genesis. Speaking of banal,
Texas - Chris Rea
Trombone Dixie - The Beach Boys
James And The Cold Gun - Kate Bush
Would You Feel My Love - Trevor Rabin
Raw Ramp - T.Rex
Hold On (Demo) - Trevor Rabin. It's clear that other members of Yes had very little creative input into the 90125 album, especially (and disappointingly) Chris Squire. Still, the addition of some AOR radio-friendly input helped this band immensely,
Welcome To The Room, Sara - Fleetwood Mac. ditto here,
Praise - David Sylvian. Just gorgeous,
Family Man - Fleetwood Mac
Today's Metro reported some research on how music affects your mood and how 'sad' music doesn't necessarily make you sad. Very interesting stuff, although today's music selection was a bit average.
So that's it then. Almost Friday, and more Baker and Kelly. And a trip to God's Own County at the weekend to see family.
T - 1.5; M - 3; D - 1.5
Methuselah's Children Part 2 - Robert A. Heinlein, from a recent BBC Radio 7 adaptation, ripped from the stream with Roemer Software's Hi-Q Recorder
Next, some Rock/Pop. Basically if it's not quite Rock (e.g. it feels too 'light') but hasn't quite reached the depths of 'Pop', it ends up here.
Western High - Captain
N.L. - Notwist
Weathered Wall - David Sylvian
That's What They Always Say - Chris Rea
Southbound Again - Dire Straits
Promenade - Trevor Rabin, from the pre-Yes 90124 CD,
All The Midnights In The World - Prince. I seem to be the only person in the world who finds Prince, and this album in particular, banal.
Tell Me Why - Genesis. Speaking of banal,
Texas - Chris Rea
Trombone Dixie - The Beach Boys
James And The Cold Gun - Kate Bush
Would You Feel My Love - Trevor Rabin
Raw Ramp - T.Rex
Hold On (Demo) - Trevor Rabin. It's clear that other members of Yes had very little creative input into the 90125 album, especially (and disappointingly) Chris Squire. Still, the addition of some AOR radio-friendly input helped this band immensely,
Welcome To The Room, Sara - Fleetwood Mac. ditto here,
Praise - David Sylvian. Just gorgeous,
Family Man - Fleetwood Mac
Today's Metro reported some research on how music affects your mood and how 'sad' music doesn't necessarily make you sad. Very interesting stuff, although today's music selection was a bit average.
So that's it then. Almost Friday, and more Baker and Kelly. And a trip to God's Own County at the weekend to see family.
T - 1.5; M - 3; D - 1.5
Wednesday 24 October 2007
Wippit Woes
Ahead of any re-think of my previous post, I checked out Wippit's pages.
God, what a mess.
The search thing is far too blunt a tool.
The catalogue is poor to say the least, and the promise of '10,000 free tracks to subscribers' looks fairly hollow, given the number of non-free tracks and uninteresting (to me, at least) free catalogue.
Searching for obvious things such as 'Yes' or 'Jaco' came up with nothing useful.
The download thing, if my past experience (and more recent experience with the 'We're Back' ADBS file) is anything to go by, is still terrible and prone to error.
If (and it's a big if still) I go back, I'm just going to have to live with it.
God, what a mess.
The search thing is far too blunt a tool.
The catalogue is poor to say the least, and the promise of '10,000 free tracks to subscribers' looks fairly hollow, given the number of non-free tracks and uninteresting (to me, at least) free catalogue.
Searching for obvious things such as 'Yes' or 'Jaco' came up with nothing useful.
The download thing, if my past experience (and more recent experience with the 'We're Back' ADBS file) is anything to go by, is still terrible and prone to error.
If (and it's a big if still) I go back, I'm just going to have to live with it.
All Day Breakfast Show
Well, it's back back back.
The Danny Baker All Day Breakfast Show on Wippit.
So now what do I do?
All the recent chaos, culminating in the excuse of parental illness, was really poor. Yes, his parents were ill, and he did the right thing in taking time off (IMO, FWIW).
But:
Why no news at all except cryptic messages on various Wippit and ADBS websites?
Why did Mr Baker continue the BBC London show without mention (although, to be fair he did miss a couple of shows)?
Why was the juvenile 'keep watching the skies' persisted with? We're not children,
Why, whenever Wippit's service was criticised, the excuse came back: well, 95% of thnigs are fine,
Why is the Wippit interface soooo poor?
Why, now that the ADBSiC is back, do we forget about the previous month as if nothing had happened?
Why is any criticism responded to with 'hey, the guy's parents were ill' (what you do mean Wippit's servers are down all the time and the download process is abysmal? - cut us some slack, his dad's been ill)?
So now what?
Stump up £50 and hope that Wippit improves and the ADBSiC continues with fewer breaks?
Also, the decision to drop from 5 shows a week to 'at least 3' is crap. He's obviously hedging his bets and continuing the BBC London show.
I've decided - if I get the new job, I'll subscribe to Wippit and the ADBSiC. If I don't, I won't. There, that'll show 'em.
Judging by some comments in the Treehouse and at Cook'd and Bomb'd I'm not alone...
The Danny Baker All Day Breakfast Show on Wippit.
So now what do I do?
All the recent chaos, culminating in the excuse of parental illness, was really poor. Yes, his parents were ill, and he did the right thing in taking time off (IMO, FWIW).
But:
Why no news at all except cryptic messages on various Wippit and ADBS websites?
Why did Mr Baker continue the BBC London show without mention (although, to be fair he did miss a couple of shows)?
Why was the juvenile 'keep watching the skies' persisted with? We're not children,
Why, whenever Wippit's service was criticised, the excuse came back: well, 95% of thnigs are fine,
Why is the Wippit interface soooo poor?
Why, now that the ADBSiC is back, do we forget about the previous month as if nothing had happened?
Why is any criticism responded to with 'hey, the guy's parents were ill' (what you do mean Wippit's servers are down all the time and the download process is abysmal? - cut us some slack, his dad's been ill)?
So now what?
Stump up £50 and hope that Wippit improves and the ADBSiC continues with fewer breaks?
Also, the decision to drop from 5 shows a week to 'at least 3' is crap. He's obviously hedging his bets and continuing the BBC London show.
I've decided - if I get the new job, I'll subscribe to Wippit and the ADBSiC. If I don't, I won't. There, that'll show 'em.
Judging by some comments in the Treehouse and at Cook'd and Bomb'd I'm not alone...
Wide Awake on the Edge of the World
Well, the job interview yesterday went well, although the HR interview was a bit scary.
Nothing to do at work today, but I'm going in anyway...
Chronology 6 - Jean-Michel Jarre, from Aero. Pretty awful 're-imagining' of classic tunes - should be left well alone, IMO,
Turn Me Loose - It Bites
Same Dreams - Gnidrolog
Russia On Ice - Porcupine Tree
Go! - Marillion, from the overlooked .com album,
Trans-Island Skyway - Donald Fagen. Beautiful guitar riff, used to great effect in a couple of Chris Morris' Jam episodes,
Shot in the Dark - Ozzy Osbourne,
Still Loving You Tonight (London, 1991) - Jethro Tull
Musical Interval - Scott Matthews
The Lap Of Luxury/Now Wash Your Hands - Marillion
Spider of Destiny - Frank Zappa
HeartAttack In A Lay-By - Porcupine Tree
T - 4; M - 4; D - 3
Nothing to do at work today, but I'm going in anyway...
Chronology 6 - Jean-Michel Jarre, from Aero. Pretty awful 're-imagining' of classic tunes - should be left well alone, IMO,
Turn Me Loose - It Bites
Same Dreams - Gnidrolog
Russia On Ice - Porcupine Tree
Go! - Marillion, from the overlooked .com album,
Trans-Island Skyway - Donald Fagen. Beautiful guitar riff, used to great effect in a couple of Chris Morris' Jam episodes,
Shot in the Dark - Ozzy Osbourne,
Still Loving You Tonight (London, 1991) - Jethro Tull
Musical Interval - Scott Matthews
The Lap Of Luxury/Now Wash Your Hands - Marillion
Spider of Destiny - Frank Zappa
HeartAttack In A Lay-By - Porcupine Tree
T - 4; M - 4; D - 3
Monday 22 October 2007
Attack Ships On Fire Off The Shoulders of Orion
Ahead of tomorrow's interview and a life-line out of here:
Versatile Heart - Linda Thompson
Homesick - Kings Of Convenience
Somewhere Here On Earth - Prince
Anthem - Leonard Cohen
Lord Willoughby - Jim Moray
Tenemos Roads - National Health
Born To Run - Marillion
The Plum Blossom - Vangelis
Nine Cats - Porcupine Tree
Tears In Rain - Vangelis
Excellent Baker and Kelly Podcast last week. Things look to be happening with Danny Baker's BBC London thing, and possibly the ADBS, although there is still nothing concrete. Very frustrating.
I've found another bunch of Podcasts recently, including 'The News Quiz' and 'Thinking Allowed', which are filling the ADBS-shaped holes.
M - 3.5; T - 3; D - 4
Versatile Heart - Linda Thompson
Homesick - Kings Of Convenience
Somewhere Here On Earth - Prince
Anthem - Leonard Cohen
Lord Willoughby - Jim Moray
Tenemos Roads - National Health
Born To Run - Marillion
The Plum Blossom - Vangelis
Nine Cats - Porcupine Tree
Tears In Rain - Vangelis
Excellent Baker and Kelly Podcast last week. Things look to be happening with Danny Baker's BBC London thing, and possibly the ADBS, although there is still nothing concrete. Very frustrating.
I've found another bunch of Podcasts recently, including 'The News Quiz' and 'Thinking Allowed', which are filling the ADBS-shaped holes.
M - 3.5; T - 3; D - 4
Friday 19 October 2007
Sometimes I'm A Strong Man
Sometimes cold and scared, and sometimes I cry...
Friday. Again.
And now Alan Coren's died. RIP Alan.
Some female singer/songwriters:
Sunsi - Kate Bush, from some Studio Sessions
Top Of The City - Kate Bush
The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines - Joni Mitchell
Kite - Kate Bush, from some more Studio Sessions
Late November - Sandy Denny
When The Bridegroom Comes - Judee Sill
Maybe - Kate Bush, more Demos
Soldier Of The Heart - Judee Sill
King of the Mountain - Kate Bush
Strange Phenomena - Kate Bush
Knight Moves - Suzanne Vega
My Man On Love - 2 - Judee Sill
Radio 1 Xmas Jingle - Kate Bush, more Demos
Summerbreeze - Emiliana Torrini
The Painter's Link - Kate Bush
Machine Ballerina - Suzanne Vega
Free Man In Paris - Joni Mitchell
Introduction - Joni Mitchell, from Shadows And Light
I's A Muggin' (Rap) - Joni Mitchell
Wayward - Vashti Bunyan
Leather And Lace - Stevie Nicks
Ken - Kate Bush
Ask The Mountains (Extended Version) - Vangelis with Stina Nordenstam, currently being used for some advert or other,
T - 3; M - 4; D - 3. Don't. care. any. more.
Friday. Again.
And now Alan Coren's died. RIP Alan.
Some female singer/songwriters:
Sunsi - Kate Bush, from some Studio Sessions
Top Of The City - Kate Bush
The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines - Joni Mitchell
Kite - Kate Bush, from some more Studio Sessions
Late November - Sandy Denny
When The Bridegroom Comes - Judee Sill
Maybe - Kate Bush, more Demos
Soldier Of The Heart - Judee Sill
King of the Mountain - Kate Bush
Strange Phenomena - Kate Bush
Knight Moves - Suzanne Vega
My Man On Love - 2 - Judee Sill
Radio 1 Xmas Jingle - Kate Bush, more Demos
Summerbreeze - Emiliana Torrini
The Painter's Link - Kate Bush
Machine Ballerina - Suzanne Vega
Free Man In Paris - Joni Mitchell
Introduction - Joni Mitchell, from Shadows And Light
I's A Muggin' (Rap) - Joni Mitchell
Wayward - Vashti Bunyan
Leather And Lace - Stevie Nicks
Ken - Kate Bush
Ask The Mountains (Extended Version) - Vangelis with Stina Nordenstam, currently being used for some advert or other,
T - 3; M - 4; D - 3. Don't. care. any. more.
Thursday 18 October 2007
RANT
The BBC.
Where do I start?
After all the pissing about they've done to Radio over the last year (Mixing It, Mark Radcliffe, Andy Kershaw etc etc: see here, here, and here), they're now going to start on TV. Actually, that is precisely what's needed, but they're going to get it wrong.
I remember when the TV used to close down in the afternoon, from just after 'Pebble Mill' to the start of Children's television. About 3 hours or so. This meant you got up and did something else. Not watch 3 hours of house-buying, antiques-hunting, wittering women and imported soap operas. It's the future, I tells you.
My personal hatred encompasses (but is not restricted to):
Jonathan Ross,
'Celebrity'-driven inanities (dancing, cooking, wallpapering),
idents,
soaps,
Graham Norton,
programmes (including the news) about soaps,
Vicar of fucking Dibley,
Russell fucking fucking Brand,
the News (sorry, the BBC News, from the BBC):
double-headed News (thanks, Natasha, thanks Bill),
standing outside a building pretending you're 'on the scene', and
personal opinion and half-remembered toss masquerading as news.
And while you're at it, merge BBC3 and BBC4 (there's never enough to fill it anyway, and some of the 'comedy' things on there are just absolutely dreadful).
So what will happen. A re-branding. More repeats, not good ones - Dr Who, old plays, science-related stuff, music (OGWT) - but Vicar of fucking Dibley and Only Fools and bloody Horses. Then a re-design of the website. Then news on every bloody hour. For about 10 seconds. More cheap celebrity underwater snooker, or whatever the current flavour of the month is. And JONATHAN ROSS. WITH GRAHAM NORTON. TOGETHER AT LAST.
/RANT. For now. See also Charlie Brooker...
Where do I start?
After all the pissing about they've done to Radio over the last year (Mixing It, Mark Radcliffe, Andy Kershaw etc etc: see here, here, and here), they're now going to start on TV. Actually, that is precisely what's needed, but they're going to get it wrong.
I remember when the TV used to close down in the afternoon, from just after 'Pebble Mill' to the start of Children's television. About 3 hours or so. This meant you got up and did something else. Not watch 3 hours of house-buying, antiques-hunting, wittering women and imported soap operas. It's the future, I tells you.
My personal hatred encompasses (but is not restricted to):
Jonathan Ross,
'Celebrity'-driven inanities (dancing, cooking, wallpapering),
idents,
soaps,
Graham Norton,
programmes (including the news) about soaps,
Vicar of fucking Dibley,
Russell fucking fucking Brand,
the News (sorry, the BBC News, from the BBC):
double-headed News (thanks, Natasha, thanks Bill),
standing outside a building pretending you're 'on the scene', and
personal opinion and half-remembered toss masquerading as news.
And while you're at it, merge BBC3 and BBC4 (there's never enough to fill it anyway, and some of the 'comedy' things on there are just absolutely dreadful).
So what will happen. A re-branding. More repeats, not good ones - Dr Who, old plays, science-related stuff, music (OGWT) - but Vicar of fucking Dibley and Only Fools and bloody Horses. Then a re-design of the website. Then news on every bloody hour. For about 10 seconds. More cheap celebrity underwater snooker, or whatever the current flavour of the month is. And JONATHAN ROSS. WITH GRAHAM NORTON. TOGETHER AT LAST.
/RANT. For now. See also Charlie Brooker...
Indi Music
Thursday, although it could be any other day. I've been invited to a second interview in my attempt to resuscitate my career. Just think, I could be out of here by the end of November.
More tantalising ADBS comments on yesterday's BBC London show, while Danny and Baylen were discussing the proposed job cuts at the BBC - "That's all right, we've got the other thing coming".
The Ballad Of 32 - Frankie Goes To Hollywood,
John Barleycorn - Jethro Tull. My search for more 'John Barleycorn' versions is up to 9, but I still need a Martin Carthy one.
After The Ordeal - Genesis,
Crux - Van Der Graaf Generator,
Get`em Out By Friday - Genesis,
I Need You Tonight - ZZ Top,
Snail Hair Dune - David Torn, Mick Karn, Terry Bozzio,
Them Heavy People - Kate Bush,
The World Underneath/The Return-Yamme Zan Dah - Epsilon Indi,
Annie Says - John Martyn,
The Kick Inside - Kate Bush.
T- 3; M -4; D - 4, including a rather atractive girl who joined me across the carriage and cheered me up no end.
More tantalising ADBS comments on yesterday's BBC London show, while Danny and Baylen were discussing the proposed job cuts at the BBC - "That's all right, we've got the other thing coming".
The Ballad Of 32 - Frankie Goes To Hollywood,
John Barleycorn - Jethro Tull. My search for more 'John Barleycorn' versions is up to 9, but I still need a Martin Carthy one.
After The Ordeal - Genesis,
Crux - Van Der Graaf Generator,
Get`em Out By Friday - Genesis,
I Need You Tonight - ZZ Top,
Snail Hair Dune - David Torn, Mick Karn, Terry Bozzio,
Them Heavy People - Kate Bush,
The World Underneath/The Return-Yamme Zan Dah - Epsilon Indi,
Annie Says - John Martyn,
The Kick Inside - Kate Bush.
T- 3; M -4; D - 4, including a rather atractive girl who joined me across the carriage and cheered me up no end.
Wednesday 17 October 2007
ObSessions
Still no sign of the 'All Day Breakfast Show', although there was yet another tantalising hint on the BBC London show yesterday - he's apparently been working at the weekend and will return 'on Tuesday'. Come on Danny, put us out of our misery - what's the point? And while you're at it, stop playing Country & Western on the London show.
Australia - Tim Van Eyken, Andy Kershaw Session Feb 2007
Violaine - Cocteau Twins, BBC Sessions (Disc 2)
John Barleycorn - Tim Van Eyken, Andy Kershaw Session Feb 2007
Back Side of the Moon (Tranquility Lunar Orbit) - The Orb, Peel Sessions
Strange Fruit - Cocteau Twins, BBC Sessions (Disc 1)
4am - Cherry Ghost, Radcliffe & Maconie Session May 07
Muddy Brown River - Fyfe Dangerfield, Charles Hazlewood BBC Radio2 Session 30May07
Strange Phenomena - Kate Bush, Studio Sessions
Mango Tree - Angus and Julia Stone, Mark Radcliffe Session Feb07
Glorious Fool - John Martyn, Andy Kershaw Session May 2006
In Our Angelhood - Cocteau Twins, BBC Sessions (Disc 1)
Serpentskirt - Cocteau Twins, BBC Sessions (Disc 2)
Bonny Breast Knot/Bareback Polka - Tim Van Eyken, Andy Kershaw Session Feb 2007
Dream Song - Scott Matthews, Mark Radcliffe Session 14.12.06
Luka - Suzanne Vega, Radcliffe & Maconie Session 30 May 07
Fifty-Fifty Clown - Cocteau Twins, BBC Sessions (Disc 2)
Dear Heart - Cocteau Twins, BBC Sessions (Disc 1)
No real enthusiasm for this commute any more, if indeed there ever was any.
T - 3, M -4.5; D -3
Australia - Tim Van Eyken, Andy Kershaw Session Feb 2007
Violaine - Cocteau Twins, BBC Sessions (Disc 2)
John Barleycorn - Tim Van Eyken, Andy Kershaw Session Feb 2007
Back Side of the Moon (Tranquility Lunar Orbit) - The Orb, Peel Sessions
Strange Fruit - Cocteau Twins, BBC Sessions (Disc 1)
4am - Cherry Ghost, Radcliffe & Maconie Session May 07
Muddy Brown River - Fyfe Dangerfield, Charles Hazlewood BBC Radio2 Session 30May07
Strange Phenomena - Kate Bush, Studio Sessions
Mango Tree - Angus and Julia Stone, Mark Radcliffe Session Feb07
Glorious Fool - John Martyn, Andy Kershaw Session May 2006
In Our Angelhood - Cocteau Twins, BBC Sessions (Disc 1)
Serpentskirt - Cocteau Twins, BBC Sessions (Disc 2)
Bonny Breast Knot/Bareback Polka - Tim Van Eyken, Andy Kershaw Session Feb 2007
Dream Song - Scott Matthews, Mark Radcliffe Session 14.12.06
Luka - Suzanne Vega, Radcliffe & Maconie Session 30 May 07
Fifty-Fifty Clown - Cocteau Twins, BBC Sessions (Disc 2)
Dear Heart - Cocteau Twins, BBC Sessions (Disc 1)
No real enthusiasm for this commute any more, if indeed there ever was any.
T - 3, M -4.5; D -3
Tuesday 16 October 2007
A Creature of Habit
A miserable, grey rainy start to the day. I no longer care when I get to work, as no-one else seems to care, either. Suits me.
What slightly annoyed me was that, in an empty carriage, a woman had sat in my chair. I mean, the chair I usually sit in. There, in the middle. This could ruin everything.
Some prog rock on Shuffle, which rapidly turned to the source... Let me explain:
Chatauqua - Spock's Beard
Thoughts - Spock's Beard. So redolent of the great Gentle Giant that I just had to indulge myself.
Surely one of the greatest bands ever. Sadly overlooked among the throng of Yes, ELP, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull etc etc.
Plain Truth - Gentle Giant, from Acquiring The Taste
Proclamation - Gentle Giant, Playing the Fool: The Official Live
Edge Of Twilight - Gentle Giant, Acquiring The Taste
The Boys In The Band - Gentle Giant, Octopus
Empty City - Gentle Giant, Interview. Man, this is beautiful,
Pantagruel`s Nativity - Gentle Giant, Acquiring The Taste
River - Gentle Giant, Octopus
Sweet Georgia Brown [Breakdown In Brussels] - Gentle Giant, Playing the Fool: The Official Live
On Reflection - Gentle Giant, Free Hand
Acquiring The Taste - Gentle Giant, Acquiring The Taste
Medley: Peel The Paint I Lost My Head - Gentle Giant, Playing the Fool: The Official Live
School Days - Gentle Giant, Three Friends
Give It Back - Gentle Giant, Interview
Nothing At All - Gentle Giant, Gentle Giant
The Tube was a disaster this morning. But, with the superb music and the lack of urgency, who cares? I should get my money back for this trip, so everyone's a winner.
The lack of the All Day Breakfast Show is getting beyond a joke. I think that's it, with a re-focus on the Bakey/Kelly thing.
T - 1.5; M - 5; D - 2
What slightly annoyed me was that, in an empty carriage, a woman had sat in my chair. I mean, the chair I usually sit in. There, in the middle. This could ruin everything.
Some prog rock on Shuffle, which rapidly turned to the source... Let me explain:
Chatauqua - Spock's Beard
Thoughts - Spock's Beard. So redolent of the great Gentle Giant that I just had to indulge myself.
Surely one of the greatest bands ever. Sadly overlooked among the throng of Yes, ELP, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull etc etc.
Plain Truth - Gentle Giant, from Acquiring The Taste
Proclamation - Gentle Giant, Playing the Fool: The Official Live
Edge Of Twilight - Gentle Giant, Acquiring The Taste
The Boys In The Band - Gentle Giant, Octopus
Empty City - Gentle Giant, Interview. Man, this is beautiful,
Pantagruel`s Nativity - Gentle Giant, Acquiring The Taste
River - Gentle Giant, Octopus
Sweet Georgia Brown [Breakdown In Brussels] - Gentle Giant, Playing the Fool: The Official Live
On Reflection - Gentle Giant, Free Hand
Acquiring The Taste - Gentle Giant, Acquiring The Taste
Medley: Peel The Paint I Lost My Head - Gentle Giant, Playing the Fool: The Official Live
School Days - Gentle Giant, Three Friends
Give It Back - Gentle Giant, Interview
Nothing At All - Gentle Giant, Gentle Giant
The Tube was a disaster this morning. But, with the superb music and the lack of urgency, who cares? I should get my money back for this trip, so everyone's a winner.
The lack of the All Day Breakfast Show is getting beyond a joke. I think that's it, with a re-focus on the Bakey/Kelly thing.
T - 1.5; M - 5; D - 2
Monday 15 October 2007
R&B
Since when did R&B mean corporate banalities in a soul style?
Way back when, R&B was Chuck Berry, John Lee Hooker and, at a pinch, Clapton. I spent some of the weekend at the Jazz Club on Dover Street, where 'dinner jazz' was followed by the type of crappy disco soul that I used to have to put up with when I was 16. Not funk, as advertised, but hour after hour of high-NRG 'R&B'. Balls.
Way back when, R&B was Chuck Berry, John Lee Hooker and, at a pinch, Clapton. I spent some of the weekend at the Jazz Club on Dover Street, where 'dinner jazz' was followed by the type of crappy disco soul that I used to have to put up with when I was 16. Not funk, as advertised, but hour after hour of high-NRG 'R&B'. Balls.
It's A Beautiful Day For A Daring Raid
After one of those weekends where you feel like you need another to recover, a first listen to the new Robert Wyatt CD - Comicopera. I didn't get round to listening to it on my 'proper' hi-fi over the weekend.
Trademark multi-tracked vibrato-rich vocals, with loping jazz-blues and willfully amateurish trumpet playing. Splendid, although there isn't much variation towards the end. I can take or leave the Spanish-themed stuff, too. Not quite as immediate as 'Shleep', but good nontheless.
Stay Tuned - Robert Wyatt
Just as You Are - Robert Wyatt
You You - Robert Wyatt
A.W.O.L. - Robert Wyatt
Anachronist - Robert Wyatt
Beautiful Peace - Robert Wyatt
Be Serious - Robert Wyatt
On the Town Square - Robert Wyatt
Mob Rule - Robert Wyatt
Beautiful War - Robert Wyatt
Out of the Blue - Robert Wyatt
Del Mondo - Robert Wyatt
Cancion de Julieta - Robert Wyatt
Pastafari - Robert Wyatt
Fragment - Robert Wyatt
Plus, some recent downloads to replace my vinyl:
Here Comes The Feeling - Asia
After the War - Asia
Are You Big Enough? - Asia
2 H.B. - Roxy Music
T - 4; M - 4; D - 3
Trademark multi-tracked vibrato-rich vocals, with loping jazz-blues and willfully amateurish trumpet playing. Splendid, although there isn't much variation towards the end. I can take or leave the Spanish-themed stuff, too. Not quite as immediate as 'Shleep', but good nontheless.
Stay Tuned - Robert Wyatt
Just as You Are - Robert Wyatt
You You - Robert Wyatt
A.W.O.L. - Robert Wyatt
Anachronist - Robert Wyatt
Beautiful Peace - Robert Wyatt
Be Serious - Robert Wyatt
On the Town Square - Robert Wyatt
Mob Rule - Robert Wyatt
Beautiful War - Robert Wyatt
Out of the Blue - Robert Wyatt
Del Mondo - Robert Wyatt
Cancion de Julieta - Robert Wyatt
Pastafari - Robert Wyatt
Fragment - Robert Wyatt
Plus, some recent downloads to replace my vinyl:
Here Comes The Feeling - Asia
After the War - Asia
Are You Big Enough? - Asia
2 H.B. - Roxy Music
T - 4; M - 4; D - 3
Friday 12 October 2007
Period of Relection
Well, yesterday's interview went well. I'll still keep my other options open, though.
I saw this preposterous idea in the Metro the other day. What the Tube really needs is more things creating heat from cooling fans and more machnery to go wrong. The number of times I've seen the Windoze 'blue screen of death' on these crappy plasma screens... Now the idea is to have ceiling-mounted projectors to blow hot air onto our heads. Presumably they'll have to install air con to counteract the effects...
Ambient music this morning, for a chilled-out Friday of nothingness:
Mother and Child - David Sylvian, the instrumental version from 'Camphor'
Flight Feet & Root Hands - Andreas Vollenweider
25 Avril - Mad Jazz Piano - Brian Eno
Where We Lived - Brian Eno & Jah Wobble
1987 - Robert Fripp
Drugged - Bass Communion. This is an amazing piece of work. The shimmering guitar chords always take me by surprise and send a shiver down my spine every time,
The Dredger - Ice
1986 - Robert Fripp
Madrigals of the Rose Angel - Harold Budd
The Healing Place - David Sylvian
T - 4; M - 4; D -3
I saw this preposterous idea in the Metro the other day. What the Tube really needs is more things creating heat from cooling fans and more machnery to go wrong. The number of times I've seen the Windoze 'blue screen of death' on these crappy plasma screens... Now the idea is to have ceiling-mounted projectors to blow hot air onto our heads. Presumably they'll have to install air con to counteract the effects...
Ambient music this morning, for a chilled-out Friday of nothingness:
Mother and Child - David Sylvian, the instrumental version from 'Camphor'
Flight Feet & Root Hands - Andreas Vollenweider
25 Avril - Mad Jazz Piano - Brian Eno
Where We Lived - Brian Eno & Jah Wobble
1987 - Robert Fripp
Drugged - Bass Communion. This is an amazing piece of work. The shimmering guitar chords always take me by surprise and send a shiver down my spine every time,
The Dredger - Ice
1986 - Robert Fripp
Madrigals of the Rose Angel - Harold Budd
The Healing Place - David Sylvian
T - 4; M - 4; D -3
Thursday 11 October 2007
Escape Plan II
Well, another interview today, as part of my continuing efforts to salvage my career, so no commute. More larks tomorrow
Wednesday 10 October 2007
Roxy And Elsewhere
Did you see what did there?
On the back of Danny Baker playing 'Editions of You' on his BBC London show last night, a commute accompanied by my Roxy Music collection, which is really just the Eno albums:
For Your Pleasure
H.B.
The Bob (Medley)
In Every Dream Home A Heartache
Sea Breezes
Virginia Plain
The Bogus Man
Would You Believe
Ladytron
Editions Of You
Grey Lagoons
T - 4; M - 4; D - 3
On the back of Danny Baker playing 'Editions of You' on his BBC London show last night, a commute accompanied by my Roxy Music collection, which is really just the Eno albums:
For Your Pleasure
H.B.
The Bob (Medley)
In Every Dream Home A Heartache
Sea Breezes
Virginia Plain
The Bogus Man
Would You Believe
Ladytron
Editions Of You
Grey Lagoons
T - 4; M - 4; D - 3
Tuesday 9 October 2007
'Cause in This World of Troubles My Music Pulls Me Through
Bugger me, my music collection's good.
While I was feeling sorry for myself, I put the 'Pod on Shuffle and listened to the following while watching the rain fall...
Rising Thermal - Jon Hassell/Brian Eno
Fruit Tree - Nick Drake
Spiral - Jethro Tull
They're Red Hot - Robert Johnson
Thank You, Whoever You Are (Promo) - Marillion
Brujo - National Health
Leave It - Yes
Kupuri - System 7
A Clearing - Brian Eno
Nobody's Car (London, 1984) - Jethro Tull
Market Square Heroes (Battle Priest Version) - Marillion
Pirates - Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Upside Down - Hawkwind
Future Baby Mama - Prince
Little Sir Hugh - Steeleye Span
T.N.T.F.X - National Health
He Tried To Show Them Magic - Ambassadors Return - Pure Reason Revolution
Colourflow In Mind - Porcupine Tree
Winter Sadness - Kool & The Gang
Last Rendez-vous - Jean-Michel Jarre
Sossity, You`re A Woman - Jethro Tull
Hounds Of Love - Kate Bush
Drone In D - Fyfe Dangerfield
For My Lover - Tracy Chapman
Puirt-A-Beul Set - Julie Fowlis
We Agree - Yes
View From The Hill - Fish
Lotteryland - Richard & Danny Thompson
Resist - Rush
Scrap Yard - Tangerine Dream
Night By Night - Steely Dan
New Feet - Brian Eno And David Byrne
Cinema - Yes
Clowns And Jugglers - Syd Barrett
Soldier Of The Heart - 2 - Judee Sill
Your Signs - Notwist
The Jug Of Punch - The Clancy Brothers
Duchess [Live] - Genesis
Hard As Love (Demo Version) - Marillion
Love Me Do - The Beatles
Unfamiliar Wind (Leeks Hills) - Brian Eno
Golf Girl - Caravan
Stories For Boys - U2
Hallucinations - Tim Buckley
The Fall Of The House Of Usher - I Prelude - Alan Parsons Project
Manoeuvre - AMM
Cruel Sister - Pentangle
Tears - Rush
Ripples - Genesis
I Am Waiting - Yes
Release, Release - Yes
Hello Hello - Caravan
The Sphinx Returns - Van der Graaf Generator
Tunnel Of Love - Dire Straits
Chase The Blues Away - Tim Buckley
So Long Ago, So Clear (With Jon Anderson) - Vangelis
Pilgrims - Van der Graaf Generator
In The Tower - Yes
Taking the Veil - David Sylvian
Streets Of Fear - Hawkwind
Drop In From The Top - Richard Wright
It's A Sight To Behold - Devendra Banhart
Hazey Jane II - Nick Drake
The Damage - Marillion
Unquiet Slumber For The Sleepers... - Genesis
Octopussy - System 7
Now for some BBC London Danny Baker. The word from the Treehouse is that the ADBS will be back, and Wippit will refund everyone so far as an apology.
While I was feeling sorry for myself, I put the 'Pod on Shuffle and listened to the following while watching the rain fall...
Rising Thermal - Jon Hassell/Brian Eno
Fruit Tree - Nick Drake
Spiral - Jethro Tull
They're Red Hot - Robert Johnson
Thank You, Whoever You Are (Promo) - Marillion
Brujo - National Health
Leave It - Yes
Kupuri - System 7
A Clearing - Brian Eno
Nobody's Car (London, 1984) - Jethro Tull
Market Square Heroes (Battle Priest Version) - Marillion
Pirates - Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Upside Down - Hawkwind
Future Baby Mama - Prince
Little Sir Hugh - Steeleye Span
T.N.T.F.X - National Health
He Tried To Show Them Magic - Ambassadors Return - Pure Reason Revolution
Colourflow In Mind - Porcupine Tree
Winter Sadness - Kool & The Gang
Last Rendez-vous - Jean-Michel Jarre
Sossity, You`re A Woman - Jethro Tull
Hounds Of Love - Kate Bush
Drone In D - Fyfe Dangerfield
For My Lover - Tracy Chapman
Puirt-A-Beul Set - Julie Fowlis
We Agree - Yes
View From The Hill - Fish
Lotteryland - Richard & Danny Thompson
Resist - Rush
Scrap Yard - Tangerine Dream
Night By Night - Steely Dan
New Feet - Brian Eno And David Byrne
Cinema - Yes
Clowns And Jugglers - Syd Barrett
Soldier Of The Heart - 2 - Judee Sill
Your Signs - Notwist
The Jug Of Punch - The Clancy Brothers
Duchess [Live] - Genesis
Hard As Love (Demo Version) - Marillion
Love Me Do - The Beatles
Unfamiliar Wind (Leeks Hills) - Brian Eno
Golf Girl - Caravan
Stories For Boys - U2
Hallucinations - Tim Buckley
The Fall Of The House Of Usher - I Prelude - Alan Parsons Project
Manoeuvre - AMM
Cruel Sister - Pentangle
Tears - Rush
Ripples - Genesis
I Am Waiting - Yes
Release, Release - Yes
Hello Hello - Caravan
The Sphinx Returns - Van der Graaf Generator
Tunnel Of Love - Dire Straits
Chase The Blues Away - Tim Buckley
So Long Ago, So Clear (With Jon Anderson) - Vangelis
Pilgrims - Van der Graaf Generator
In The Tower - Yes
Taking the Veil - David Sylvian
Streets Of Fear - Hawkwind
Drop In From The Top - Richard Wright
It's A Sight To Behold - Devendra Banhart
Hazey Jane II - Nick Drake
The Damage - Marillion
Unquiet Slumber For The Sleepers... - Genesis
Octopussy - System 7
Now for some BBC London Danny Baker. The word from the Treehouse is that the ADBS will be back, and Wippit will refund everyone so far as an apology.
Nadir's Last Chance
Another day off sick. I haven't felt this miserable for a while.
On the way home last night I was listening to the new Porcupine Tree 'Nil Recurring' EP on my 'Pod, when the guy next to me shot me a sideways look and then continued to stare at me for 30 seconds. OK, I'd got to a loud bit, but I was so absolutely pissed off, I could have just punched him in his shiny face there and then.
Something must be done to end this.
On the way home last night I was listening to the new Porcupine Tree 'Nil Recurring' EP on my 'Pod, when the guy next to me shot me a sideways look and then continued to stare at me for 30 seconds. OK, I'd got to a loud bit, but I was so absolutely pissed off, I could have just punched him in his shiny face there and then.
Something must be done to end this.
Monday 8 October 2007
Out of Control
Still feeling ill, but came in anyway - got a Power Point thing to do for my job interview on Thursday.
The commute on Friday was disgrace. If London Undergound has any sense of customer service, they should have been handing out bottles of water and crisp fivers to everyone caught up in the fiasco. Yet again signal failures at Finchley.
Welcome to the weekend. Have a good one, now.
Balls.
Mark Kermode's Podcast was better than recent editions because a) he was there, b) the tedious interview with stars and producers was flagged up and at the end and c) the cretinous jingles were reasonably unintrusive. Control (the New Order biopic) sounds interesting. I didn't get round to seeing 'The Bourne Ultimatum' in the end - couldn't summon up the energy.
The Baker and Kelly Podcast was also great fun (two shows a week, 'if the money's right'), but still no word on Wippit/BBC/ADBS. I am so glad I didn't fork out on the ADBS in Color. The first 5 shows are still sitting in Wippit, tantalisingly. Do I stump up £10 (plus transaction fee, plus line rental, plus Paul's 'I'm a millionaire - betcha can't guess how' fee) or wait until the ADBSiC return and subscribe (only for Wippit to fuck up again). Conundrum.
Tangerine Dream's 'Thief' soundtrack today. I think I've said this before here, but my only Tangerine Dream concert saw my date snogging my best mate, the entire gig being played with all the lights on (Health and Safety I guess, but it just looked silly) and a fairly tedious time being had by all.
T - 2; M - 3; D - 2
The commute on Friday was disgrace. If London Undergound has any sense of customer service, they should have been handing out bottles of water and crisp fivers to everyone caught up in the fiasco. Yet again signal failures at Finchley.
Welcome to the weekend. Have a good one, now.
Balls.
Mark Kermode's Podcast was better than recent editions because a) he was there, b) the tedious interview with stars and producers was flagged up and at the end and c) the cretinous jingles were reasonably unintrusive. Control (the New Order biopic) sounds interesting. I didn't get round to seeing 'The Bourne Ultimatum' in the end - couldn't summon up the energy.
The Baker and Kelly Podcast was also great fun (two shows a week, 'if the money's right'), but still no word on Wippit/BBC/ADBS. I am so glad I didn't fork out on the ADBS in Color. The first 5 shows are still sitting in Wippit, tantalisingly. Do I stump up £10 (plus transaction fee, plus line rental, plus Paul's 'I'm a millionaire - betcha can't guess how' fee) or wait until the ADBSiC return and subscribe (only for Wippit to fuck up again). Conundrum.
Tangerine Dream's 'Thief' soundtrack today. I think I've said this before here, but my only Tangerine Dream concert saw my date snogging my best mate, the entire gig being played with all the lights on (Health and Safety I guess, but it just looked silly) and a fairly tedious time being had by all.
T - 2; M - 3; D - 2
Friday 5 October 2007
Do You - You - Feel Like I Do?
Friday. Another job interview lined up for next week, so things are looking up slightly. I'm still giving a lot of thought to the teaching training, though...
Splendid things in today's Independent. Bladerunner: The Final Cut is to be released in December, there's a new Robert Wyatt album out, there's a review of a Joanne Newsom gig (5/5) and a reminder in it to buy more Roy Harper. Great stuff.
Had no real rush to get to work today, so a slow amble through subterranean London's (world class) transport system passed by pleasantly enough.
My weekend seems to start, these days, about 5 minutes after the Baker & Kelly football podcast is released on iTunes. Download, transfer to iPod, turn off computer, bugger off home.
More recent acquisitions over the last month or so:
So Called Friend (B-Side) - Porcupine Tree,
E - Chris Rea,
Would You Feel My Love - Trevor Rabin,
Firefly - Chris Rea,
Second Sight - Kula Shaker,
Dr Kitt - Kula Shaker,
I Love You Still - Pavlov's Dog,
A Hardly Innocent Mind - Pavlov's Dog,
Tell Me There's A Heaven - Chris Rea,
Here Comes The Flood (demo) - Peter Gabriel
The King Of Carrot Flowers Pts. Two And Three - Neutral Milk Hotel
Out On The Highway - Kula Shaker,
No More Mickey (demo) - Peter Gabriel,
The King Of Carrot Flowers Pt. One - Neutral Milk Hotel,
Do You Feel Like We Do? - Peter Frampton, from the splendid '... Comes Alive' album
T - 4 (the best in the world, hurrah!); M - 3.5; D - 3
Splendid things in today's Independent. Bladerunner: The Final Cut is to be released in December, there's a new Robert Wyatt album out, there's a review of a Joanne Newsom gig (5/5) and a reminder in it to buy more Roy Harper. Great stuff.
Had no real rush to get to work today, so a slow amble through subterranean London's (world class) transport system passed by pleasantly enough.
My weekend seems to start, these days, about 5 minutes after the Baker & Kelly football podcast is released on iTunes. Download, transfer to iPod, turn off computer, bugger off home.
More recent acquisitions over the last month or so:
So Called Friend (B-Side) - Porcupine Tree,
E - Chris Rea,
Would You Feel My Love - Trevor Rabin,
Firefly - Chris Rea,
Second Sight - Kula Shaker,
Dr Kitt - Kula Shaker,
I Love You Still - Pavlov's Dog,
A Hardly Innocent Mind - Pavlov's Dog,
Tell Me There's A Heaven - Chris Rea,
Here Comes The Flood (demo) - Peter Gabriel
The King Of Carrot Flowers Pts. Two And Three - Neutral Milk Hotel
Out On The Highway - Kula Shaker,
No More Mickey (demo) - Peter Gabriel,
The King Of Carrot Flowers Pt. One - Neutral Milk Hotel,
Do You Feel Like We Do? - Peter Frampton, from the splendid '... Comes Alive' album
T - 4 (the best in the world, hurrah!); M - 3.5; D - 3
Thursday 4 October 2007
ADBS In Color - October Update
Some more news on the 'All Day Breakfast Show' from the Treehouse forum.
Under the "Re: Ssssshhhhhh - It's the Secret Show!" header, from Paul @ Wippit:
"Right… ADBS is coming back. We will make an announcement about when and how very soon. It’s in COLOR, possibly HD but not necessarily in ‘stereo’."
Okay. No mention of a Danny Baker music show, so it looks to be back back back in its original form. Hmmm... might be worth looking at.
But, it's got to be a) any good b) easy to download (my experience with the freebies was often poor) and c) they must give better feedback than what's just happened. I guess if and when (as hinted) Mr B's GLR show comes to an end, he'll have free-er rein to do what he wants when he wants and not be restricted by the BBC. Plus there's the Baker and Kelly stuff up there as well.
I'm gonna follow the progress very closely. With my current precarious career position £50 could be needed very soon.
Under the "Re: Ssssshhhhhh - It's the Secret Show!" header, from Paul @ Wippit:
"Right… ADBS is coming back. We will make an announcement about when and how very soon. It’s in COLOR, possibly HD but not necessarily in ‘stereo’."
Okay. No mention of a Danny Baker music show, so it looks to be back back back in its original form. Hmmm... might be worth looking at.
But, it's got to be a) any good b) easy to download (my experience with the freebies was often poor) and c) they must give better feedback than what's just happened. I guess if and when (as hinted) Mr B's GLR show comes to an end, he'll have free-er rein to do what he wants when he wants and not be restricted by the BBC. Plus there's the Baker and Kelly stuff up there as well.
I'm gonna follow the progress very closely. With my current precarious career position £50 could be needed very soon.
Peace In Our Time
Thursday. Almost Friday. Nothing much happening today, although the Royal Mail seems to have gone on strike. That should mean fewer invitations to enter prize draws or improve my windows and doors.
A mix of recent downloads and other purchases to while away the time. I still don't feel too good.
Peace (7" Radio Edit) - Apollo XI. This is probably common knowledge by now, but this is The Orb. I have memory of coming home from the pub at Uni and falling into bed (alas, alone) just in time to hear John Peel introduce the session. I was transfixed for half an hour, and thus began my affair with The Orb. I have to admit, though, that I found their later stuff a bit dull.
Oxygene 12 - Jean-Michel Jarre. This album is not as bad as I thought it might be,
Hold On (Demo) - Trevor Rabin,
Rah Yabki (street mix) - Cheikha Rimitti with Robert Fripp and Flea. Bought on impulse because of Mr Fripp's involvement,
Out On The Highway - Kula Shaker.
Oakum - Ozric Tentacles. Not much sign of evolution from 20 years ago, but pleasant enough,
Left-Handed Theory - Premiata Forneria Marconi
Aero Opening - Jean-Michel Jarre,
You & I (Live 1990) - Pavlov's Dog,
Strangefolk - Kula Shaker
Psychic Chasm - Ozric Tentacles
Freedom - Sunday All Over The World. A really interesting project with Robert Fripp and Toyah, his wife. Also featuring Trey Gunn, and a possible alternative, along with Fripp/Sylvian, to 90s King Crimson.
Love Will Find A Way - Trevor Rabin from 90124. Interesting, if only to bring my Yes collection more up-to-date.
T - 4; M - 4; D - 3
A mix of recent downloads and other purchases to while away the time. I still don't feel too good.
Peace (7" Radio Edit) - Apollo XI. This is probably common knowledge by now, but this is The Orb. I have memory of coming home from the pub at Uni and falling into bed (alas, alone) just in time to hear John Peel introduce the session. I was transfixed for half an hour, and thus began my affair with The Orb. I have to admit, though, that I found their later stuff a bit dull.
Oxygene 12 - Jean-Michel Jarre. This album is not as bad as I thought it might be,
Hold On (Demo) - Trevor Rabin,
Rah Yabki (street mix) - Cheikha Rimitti with Robert Fripp and Flea. Bought on impulse because of Mr Fripp's involvement,
Out On The Highway - Kula Shaker.
Oakum - Ozric Tentacles. Not much sign of evolution from 20 years ago, but pleasant enough,
Left-Handed Theory - Premiata Forneria Marconi
Aero Opening - Jean-Michel Jarre,
You & I (Live 1990) - Pavlov's Dog,
Strangefolk - Kula Shaker
Psychic Chasm - Ozric Tentacles
Freedom - Sunday All Over The World. A really interesting project with Robert Fripp and Toyah, his wife. Also featuring Trey Gunn, and a possible alternative, along with Fripp/Sylvian, to 90s King Crimson.
Love Will Find A Way - Trevor Rabin from 90124. Interesting, if only to bring my Yes collection more up-to-date.
T - 4; M - 4; D - 3
Wednesday 3 October 2007
Kermode Rant
It slipped my mind during my recent cold, but I'm becoming increasingly annoyed by the Five Live Mayo/Kermode Podcast.
Leave aside that 1 out of 4 are not Kermode, but someone else who hasn't seen many films,
Leave aside the annoying ident jingle that encroaches into the beginning and end of it,
What really annoys me is inviting the director/star of the latest film on the show to ask them asinine questions: 'Do you think it's your best work ever?', 'What was x like to work with?', 'What makes you so great?'. And then be really fawning about the film in question - 'challenging', 'remarkable', 'really well edited'.
The worst in recent weeks was last week with some American guy with a deep voice, and then two bozos live from the US.
Total discussion of films, approximately 20 minutes.
Leave aside that 1 out of 4 are not Kermode, but someone else who hasn't seen many films,
Leave aside the annoying ident jingle that encroaches into the beginning and end of it,
What really annoys me is inviting the director/star of the latest film on the show to ask them asinine questions: 'Do you think it's your best work ever?', 'What was x like to work with?', 'What makes you so great?'. And then be really fawning about the film in question - 'challenging', 'remarkable', 'really well edited'.
The worst in recent weeks was last week with some American guy with a deep voice, and then two bozos live from the US.
Total discussion of films, approximately 20 minutes.
Bones and Powders
Well, I've finally got to the end of the Baker and Kelly compilations, and very fine they were too.
After the days off for cold, I began to regret coming back so soon. Staring down a long tunnel, or looking through a telescope the wrong way...
Shuffle All:
A Place to Call My Own - Genesis
Blue Hour - Turin Brakes
You Make Loving Fun (rough) - Fleetwood Mac
Crime in the Desert - Brian Eno & John Cale
4 A.M. - Cherry Ghost
Sad Horses - No River City. I have no idea where I've got this from,
The Bell in The Sea (demo) - Marillion
Late November - Sandy Denny
Rainy Taxi - Porcupine Tree
Stranger By The Minute (Edit) - Porcupine Tree
Saviour, Are You With Me? - Mick Karn
Lily Pond - Vashti Bunyan
The Old Master Painter - The Beach Boys
On the job front, I have a couple of things to consider before I make the next move. Still no news about my current position.
T - 4; M - 4; D - 3
After the days off for cold, I began to regret coming back so soon. Staring down a long tunnel, or looking through a telescope the wrong way...
Shuffle All:
A Place to Call My Own - Genesis
Blue Hour - Turin Brakes
You Make Loving Fun (rough) - Fleetwood Mac
Crime in the Desert - Brian Eno & John Cale
4 A.M. - Cherry Ghost
Sad Horses - No River City. I have no idea where I've got this from,
The Bell in The Sea (demo) - Marillion
Late November - Sandy Denny
Rainy Taxi - Porcupine Tree
Stranger By The Minute (Edit) - Porcupine Tree
Saviour, Are You With Me? - Mick Karn
Lily Pond - Vashti Bunyan
The Old Master Painter - The Beach Boys
On the job front, I have a couple of things to consider before I make the next move. Still no news about my current position.
T - 4; M - 4; D - 3
Tuesday 2 October 2007
The Other Show
Well, more news about the ADBS, I think.
Danny's GLR show mentioned '...the other show's back next week'. With 'The end of days' and developments with Danny Kelly, perhaps Wippit are getting their act together and Danny is being forced to choose between the BBC and the All Day Breakfast Show.
It still doesn't excuse Wippit's general crappiness and the lack of feedback from Dan, though.
Danny's GLR show mentioned '...the other show's back next week'. With 'The end of days' and developments with Danny Kelly, perhaps Wippit are getting their act together and Danny is being forced to choose between the BBC and the All Day Breakfast Show.
It still doesn't excuse Wippit's general crappiness and the lack of feedback from Dan, though.
We Approach The End Of Days...
Another day off recovering from my cold. Time to catch up on ligging around in my dressing gown and re-arranging my record collection. Interesting comment, via 'Listen Again', from Danny Baker: 'We approach the end of days, in the afternoon retreat', much discussed on the Treehouse.
Monday 1 October 2007
Octopus, Octavarium, Octafish, Octandre, October
Well, the weekend came and went, and inflicted me with a cold. So, yet another day at home and no commute.
It seems that the 'Ladies' Bras', first promoted by Danny Baker's 'All Day Breakfast Show', has reached the Top 40 after being taking up by Radio 1. A remix, apparently. On the subject, my speculation is that Mr Baker is seeing more of a future in a music-based show, as mentioned last week on BBC London's two-handers with Mr Kelly. Baylen Leonard is doing the Breakfast Show (why, I don't know) and David Kuo is apparently producing a Podcast for Motley Fool.
The fact that the (currently free) B/K Podcast is still being made by Wippit leads me to believe that the relation between B&K and Wippit is still okay, despite the speculation. Why else would it be continuing?
I predict the end of the ADBS, to be replaced by a B&K music show, if the rights issues can be sorted. The football thing will probably continue and also part-replace the ADBS. But Wippit seriously need to get its act together. Anyone can become a millionaire by taking people's money for no service...
It seems that the 'Ladies' Bras', first promoted by Danny Baker's 'All Day Breakfast Show', has reached the Top 40 after being taking up by Radio 1. A remix, apparently. On the subject, my speculation is that Mr Baker is seeing more of a future in a music-based show, as mentioned last week on BBC London's two-handers with Mr Kelly. Baylen Leonard is doing the Breakfast Show (why, I don't know) and David Kuo is apparently producing a Podcast for Motley Fool.
The fact that the (currently free) B/K Podcast is still being made by Wippit leads me to believe that the relation between B&K and Wippit is still okay, despite the speculation. Why else would it be continuing?
I predict the end of the ADBS, to be replaced by a B&K music show, if the rights issues can be sorted. The football thing will probably continue and also part-replace the ADBS. But Wippit seriously need to get its act together. Anyone can become a millionaire by taking people's money for no service...
Friday 28 September 2007
I Really Like All Kinds of Stuff; I Even Like You
Interesting Book Review in this week's NewScientist. Surely the author of this must be a King Crimson fan?
OK, so it's Friday and, as expected Senior Management were found to be 'working from home' when I got in.
Hearts - Jon Anderson
When You Got A Good Friend (Take 1) - Robert Johnson
Rooms On Fire - Stevie Nicks. This is a recent compilation, but it sounds really flat. The version of 'Dreams' is awful as well,
Only You - Pavlov's Dog
Last Rendez-Vous - Jean-Michel Jarre
Here Comes That Day - Siouxsie
Oakum - Ozric Tentacles
Nostalgia - Eddie Jobson
Answered With a Smile - Sunday All Over The World. Fripp and Toyah together in a great album, which I've had for years but only just found as a download. Splendid stuff.
Oxygene 4 - Jean-Michel Jarre, from 'Aero'
The Grey Havens - Bo Hansson
Don`t Rain On Me (Live 2006 Unplugged) - Pavlov's Dog, from a re-release of 'Lost In America'. pretty poor quality recording, but interesting.
Excellent Dannys Baker and Kelly show on BBC London last night. The Podcast should be out today, but still no word from Wippit. DB mentioned a possible B/K music show the other day - perhaps that's taking over from the ADBS? I hope not.
T - 4; M - 4; D - 3
OK, so it's Friday and, as expected Senior Management were found to be 'working from home' when I got in.
Hearts - Jon Anderson
When You Got A Good Friend (Take 1) - Robert Johnson
Rooms On Fire - Stevie Nicks. This is a recent compilation, but it sounds really flat. The version of 'Dreams' is awful as well,
Only You - Pavlov's Dog
Last Rendez-Vous - Jean-Michel Jarre
Here Comes That Day - Siouxsie
Oakum - Ozric Tentacles
Nostalgia - Eddie Jobson
Answered With a Smile - Sunday All Over The World. Fripp and Toyah together in a great album, which I've had for years but only just found as a download. Splendid stuff.
Oxygene 4 - Jean-Michel Jarre, from 'Aero'
The Grey Havens - Bo Hansson
Don`t Rain On Me (Live 2006 Unplugged) - Pavlov's Dog, from a re-release of 'Lost In America'. pretty poor quality recording, but interesting.
Excellent Dannys Baker and Kelly show on BBC London last night. The Podcast should be out today, but still no word from Wippit. DB mentioned a possible B/K music show the other day - perhaps that's taking over from the ADBS? I hope not.
T - 4; M - 4; D - 3
Thursday 27 September 2007
Don't Worry, Be Happy
The soundtrack to the end of my career was unexpectedly upbeat, consisting of recent Downloads:
Jon Anderson - Change We Must,
Pure Reason Revolution - The Dark Third,
PFM - Jet Lag.
The Jon Anderson stuff is a little twee, but it has some interesting versions of Yes and J&V songs. The PRR and PFM are just splendid, though.
Almost finished my Baker & Kelly old shows. I'm looking forward to the Danny Baker show this afternoon, when he's joined by Mr Kelly. The B&K Podcast, too. STILL no word on the ADBS - Wippit say 'Sorry for the delay in replying & thanks for your enquiry regarding ADBS and for your patience. We’re currently waiting news regarding ADBS and as soon as we know, you will too. Again, we’re sorry for the inconvenience and hope to give you more info soon.'
The Tube seems in imminent collapse. I need to get some time 'working from home'. In the real sense, not the Profanisaurus sense, although that might cheer me up too.
T - 2; M - 3; D - 2. I can't take much more of this.
Jon Anderson - Change We Must,
Pure Reason Revolution - The Dark Third,
PFM - Jet Lag.
The Jon Anderson stuff is a little twee, but it has some interesting versions of Yes and J&V songs. The PRR and PFM are just splendid, though.
Almost finished my Baker & Kelly old shows. I'm looking forward to the Danny Baker show this afternoon, when he's joined by Mr Kelly. The B&K Podcast, too. STILL no word on the ADBS - Wippit say 'Sorry for the delay in replying & thanks for your enquiry regarding ADBS and for your patience. We’re currently waiting news regarding ADBS and as soon as we know, you will too. Again, we’re sorry for the inconvenience and hope to give you more info soon.'
The Tube seems in imminent collapse. I need to get some time 'working from home'. In the real sense, not the Profanisaurus sense, although that might cheer me up too.
T - 2; M - 3; D - 2. I can't take much more of this.
Life's What You Make It
Now what?
My job application turned up a blank. Continue with my efforts to remain a middle-ranking scientist or find something else to do? Teaching?
One things for sure, the recent Tube problems (no staff, no trains, no signals) have made the need to escape Central London even more pressing.
My job application turned up a blank. Continue with my efforts to remain a middle-ranking scientist or find something else to do? Teaching?
One things for sure, the recent Tube problems (no staff, no trains, no signals) have made the need to escape Central London even more pressing.
Wednesday 26 September 2007
Wednesday's Child
A very laid-back commute today. I doubt if I'll see anyone at work today - they're all in a Very Important Meeting to decide our future.
Shuffle All produced this rather pop-py soundtrack:
The Vision - Chris De Burgh
Blue And Gold - Linda Thompson
Outlandish Knight - Martin Carthy
Leaving Shire - Bo Hansson
New York Mining Disaster 1941 - The Bee Gees
Who My Friends... - Eddie Jobson
Dream Catch Me - Newton Faulkner. Very intersting guitarist, although the album could have done with some pruning,
One Mile Below - Siouxsie
Listen To Reason - Eddie Jobson
Bicarbonate Of Chicken - Ivor Cutler
Cento Mani E Cento Occhi - Banco del Mutuo Soccorso. Italian prog a la PFM.
T - 4; M -3.5; D - 3
Shuffle All produced this rather pop-py soundtrack:
The Vision - Chris De Burgh
Blue And Gold - Linda Thompson
Outlandish Knight - Martin Carthy
Leaving Shire - Bo Hansson
New York Mining Disaster 1941 - The Bee Gees
Who My Friends... - Eddie Jobson
Dream Catch Me - Newton Faulkner. Very intersting guitarist, although the album could have done with some pruning,
One Mile Below - Siouxsie
Listen To Reason - Eddie Jobson
Bicarbonate Of Chicken - Ivor Cutler
Cento Mani E Cento Occhi - Banco del Mutuo Soccorso. Italian prog a la PFM.
T - 4; M -3.5; D - 3
Tuesday 25 September 2007
That'll be Beau Peep,Then
More Baker & Kelly from the Talk/5Live archives, and the continuing exploits of Joanne. Whoever made these compilations deserves a medal. Get them before they're gone via here.
Still no sign of any information about the 'All Day Breakfast Show' from either Mr Baker or Wippit. Poor. Especially considering that some people have stumped up £50 already.
A sunny day and, although I still haven't heard about the job, I feel a lot better today. Some Cherry Ghost Pop/Rock to continue the mood...
Roses - Cherry Ghost, from a Janice Long Session 9April07,
4am - Cherry Ghost, from a Radcliffe & Maconie Session May 07,
Mathematics - Cherry Ghost, Janice Long Session
People Help The People - Cherry Ghost, Radcliffe & Maconie Session
My God Betrays - Cherry Ghost, Janice Long Session,
I Need You - Cherry Ghost, from the Mathematics single,
Mathematics - Cherry Ghost, Radcliffe & Maconie Session,
4 A.M. - Cherry Ghost, from the Thirst For Romance album,
Thirst For Romance - Cherry Ghost, Thirst For Romance,
Mathematics - Cherry Ghost, from Mathematics,
The Tube was very well behaved today.
T - 4; M - 4; D - 4. Pretty good start to the day, all in all.
Still no sign of any information about the 'All Day Breakfast Show' from either Mr Baker or Wippit. Poor. Especially considering that some people have stumped up £50 already.
A sunny day and, although I still haven't heard about the job, I feel a lot better today. Some Cherry Ghost Pop/Rock to continue the mood...
Roses - Cherry Ghost, from a Janice Long Session 9April07,
4am - Cherry Ghost, from a Radcliffe & Maconie Session May 07,
Mathematics - Cherry Ghost, Janice Long Session
People Help The People - Cherry Ghost, Radcliffe & Maconie Session
My God Betrays - Cherry Ghost, Janice Long Session,
I Need You - Cherry Ghost, from the Mathematics single,
Mathematics - Cherry Ghost, Radcliffe & Maconie Session,
4 A.M. - Cherry Ghost, from the Thirst For Romance album,
Thirst For Romance - Cherry Ghost, Thirst For Romance,
Mathematics - Cherry Ghost, from Mathematics,
The Tube was very well behaved today.
T - 4; M - 4; D - 4. Pretty good start to the day, all in all.
Monday 24 September 2007
Piccadilly Blues
I've never felt so frustrated on a Monday morning commute...
Still no news on the job (although I think I can take the decision as read by now), nothing to do at work except re-furbishing some computers and applying for other jobs.
A terrific rainstorm didn't help, as a) it made me realise how much it didn't matter that I was at work at 9.00 and b) it just made me sadder.
Waterloo Lily, by Caravan, today, 'cause I've just got hold of a copy, after having the vinyl for 20 years or so. Great album - it's no 'Grey and Pink', but still it's very very good. Nice and jazzy with some excellent bass lines:
Waterloo Lily
Nothing At All
Songs And Signs
Aristocracy
The Love In Your Eye
The World Is Yours
Caravan's long, suite-based songs are a joy to behold. I think 'Nine Feet Underground' is my favourite, closely followed by 'L'Auberge du Sanglier...' from For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night.
Very good Baker/Kelly Podcast, but still no word on the ADBS. Weird, and a bit poor, TBH.
T - 3; M - 4; D - 3
Still no news on the job (although I think I can take the decision as read by now), nothing to do at work except re-furbishing some computers and applying for other jobs.
A terrific rainstorm didn't help, as a) it made me realise how much it didn't matter that I was at work at 9.00 and b) it just made me sadder.
Waterloo Lily, by Caravan, today, 'cause I've just got hold of a copy, after having the vinyl for 20 years or so. Great album - it's no 'Grey and Pink', but still it's very very good. Nice and jazzy with some excellent bass lines:
Waterloo Lily
Nothing At All
Songs And Signs
Aristocracy
The Love In Your Eye
The World Is Yours
Caravan's long, suite-based songs are a joy to behold. I think 'Nine Feet Underground' is my favourite, closely followed by 'L'Auberge du Sanglier...' from For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night.
Very good Baker/Kelly Podcast, but still no word on the ADBS. Weird, and a bit poor, TBH.
T - 3; M - 4; D - 3
Friday 21 September 2007
iPod Developments
Old news, I kow, but while I was away, it seems Apple have released a 160 Gb iPod, the so-called 'Classic'. With my library now at 90 Gb, this is extraordinarily tempting.
Also, I've just found the BBC Radio 4 Podcast from 'Thinking Allowed'. It's not often I get to listen the radio these days (or want to, given the changes at Radio 2 and BBC London mucking about with Danny Baker). I'm not a sociologist, but this is great stuff.
Still confusion about the All Day Breakfast Show. Wow, am I glad I didn't stump up any cash to Wippit. 1 week of 'casts, then nothing. I keep listening to the BBC London show, but Danny just says stuff like 'bear with me' and 'announcement soon'. Still, the Baker/KellyPodcast should be out today...
Dr Diamond - King Crimson, a freebie from DGM Live,
Then (BBC 1970) - Yes
Always Forever Now - Passengers OST,
The Soul Of Carmen Miranda - Brian Eno
About To Happen - Siouxsie. This is a great new album,
Puirt-A-Beul Set - Julie Fowlis
One More Kiss Dear - Vangelis
Plot 180 - Passengers OST
Mo Ghruagach Dhonn - Julie Fowlis
Lief - Seefeel, from the excellent Ambient compilations that Virgin put out ages ago.
Beauty - Linda Thompson
Sweetheart On The Barricade - Richard & Danny Thompson
Wednesday`s Child - Emiliana Torrini
Nice Cars - Linda Thompson
Weekend starts here,
T - 4; M - 4; D - 3
Also, I've just found the BBC Radio 4 Podcast from 'Thinking Allowed'. It's not often I get to listen the radio these days (or want to, given the changes at Radio 2 and BBC London mucking about with Danny Baker). I'm not a sociologist, but this is great stuff.
Still confusion about the All Day Breakfast Show. Wow, am I glad I didn't stump up any cash to Wippit. 1 week of 'casts, then nothing. I keep listening to the BBC London show, but Danny just says stuff like 'bear with me' and 'announcement soon'. Still, the Baker/KellyPodcast should be out today...
Dr Diamond - King Crimson, a freebie from DGM Live,
Then (BBC 1970) - Yes
Always Forever Now - Passengers OST,
The Soul Of Carmen Miranda - Brian Eno
About To Happen - Siouxsie. This is a great new album,
Puirt-A-Beul Set - Julie Fowlis
One More Kiss Dear - Vangelis
Plot 180 - Passengers OST
Mo Ghruagach Dhonn - Julie Fowlis
Lief - Seefeel, from the excellent Ambient compilations that Virgin put out ages ago.
Beauty - Linda Thompson
Sweetheart On The Barricade - Richard & Danny Thompson
Wednesday`s Child - Emiliana Torrini
Nice Cars - Linda Thompson
Weekend starts here,
T - 4; M - 4; D - 3
Thursday 20 September 2007
Sunshine Is Creeping In
Another day, another commute.
Some recent purchases today (well, in the last 3 moths or so):
1973 - James Blunt. This is great pop. I thought the last album was bland beyond belief, but this is a great pop song,
Make No Mistake - John Martyn, from 'Live at Leeds'
Seven Deadly Finns - Brian Eno, from the Vocal Box Set
R.A.F. - Brian Eno, ditto,
The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh) - Brian Eno,
Some Words Brian Eno,
12.18 - Global Communication. It's been aroud for ages, but Amazon finally lowered its price,
Roundabout - Yes, from a live album,
Sea People - Emiliana Torrini,
I Was A Young Man - Martin Carthy,
Nothing to Lose - UK
Go Home - Linda Thompson, from the very good recent album,
Summerbreeze - Emiliana Torrini,
Under - Brian Eno,
Jumpsuit City - Fish. By no means his best album, but there are one or two tracks here,
Hello Chicago (Chicago 1979) - Yes, from the 'Word Is Live' album,
Shesmovedon (Tim Palmer Remix) - Porcupine Tree. What's the point of remix if it sounds the same?
The Big Medley (Inglewood 1978) (c) Survival (d) The Fish - Yes, from 'The Word is Live'. This is the gig I deleted from my hard drive after lovingly saving it from a cassette. Superb bass playing and the 'Survival' bit is beautiful.
T - 4; M -3.5; D - 3. I've given up taking the Bank train Southbound; I just wait for the Charing X one and avoid the hassle of changing.
Some recent purchases today (well, in the last 3 moths or so):
1973 - James Blunt. This is great pop. I thought the last album was bland beyond belief, but this is a great pop song,
Make No Mistake - John Martyn, from 'Live at Leeds'
Seven Deadly Finns - Brian Eno, from the Vocal Box Set
R.A.F. - Brian Eno, ditto,
The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh) - Brian Eno,
Some Words Brian Eno,
12.18 - Global Communication. It's been aroud for ages, but Amazon finally lowered its price,
Roundabout - Yes, from a live album,
Sea People - Emiliana Torrini,
I Was A Young Man - Martin Carthy,
Nothing to Lose - UK
Go Home - Linda Thompson, from the very good recent album,
Summerbreeze - Emiliana Torrini,
Under - Brian Eno,
Jumpsuit City - Fish. By no means his best album, but there are one or two tracks here,
Hello Chicago (Chicago 1979) - Yes, from the 'Word Is Live' album,
Shesmovedon (Tim Palmer Remix) - Porcupine Tree. What's the point of remix if it sounds the same?
The Big Medley (Inglewood 1978) (c) Survival (d) The Fish - Yes, from 'The Word is Live'. This is the gig I deleted from my hard drive after lovingly saving it from a cassette. Superb bass playing and the 'Survival' bit is beautiful.
T - 4; M -3.5; D - 3. I've given up taking the Bank train Southbound; I just wait for the Charing X one and avoid the hassle of changing.
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