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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

Are You Looking At My Pint?

The smoking ban (in public places, at least) has had a weird effect. I don't smoke, but I could at least live with the smell and pollution - now, after 2 weeks of holiday and a month or so of the ban being in place, I feel nauseous every time someone lights up around me. It's not a psychological reaction to the act of lighting up, but a response to the smoke itself.

20 - 20 Blind Spot

So England were dumped out of the 20-20 'hit and run' contest in South Africa yesterday. Why are they so awful at limited overs stuff? OK, they're not unbeatable at Test Cricket, but they could at least try the other forms.

I've been to a couple of the 20-20s at the Oval and, although the atmosphere was enjoyable, it felt wrong, somehow.

Improvements to Service

I was awoken this morning by two radio presenters on BBC London discussing the probability of splitting the Northern Line in two: one bit High Barnet to Kennington; the other Edgware to Morden. I vaguely remember hearing something similar previously. I shudder to imagine the chaos at Camden Town if it happens. Why is it that, rather than addressing the problem - knackered track, faulty signals, infrequent service at rush hour - something that is convenient only to those responsible for running it is proposed?

Shuffle All, with a bit of Prog Rock to start:

Night After Night - UK, from the live album,
Rendezvous 6:02 - UK
Nothing to Lose - UK
As Long as You Want Me Here - UK
Alaska - UK

Wind on Water - Robert Fripp & Brian Eno
Rhiannon - Fleetwood Mac
One More Try - Wigwam
Window Wide Open - Scritti Politti; I was really disappointed by this album,
Goodbye To Love - Carpenters
Wings - Tim Buckley
Misty Mountain Hop - Led Zeppelin
Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1-5) - David Gilmour, from a live album,
Supper's Ready - Genesis, from another live album, Seconds Out.

Still no sign of the All Day Breakfast Show in Color, although Mr Baker is still broadcasting on BBC London. I'm glad I was away and didn't sign up for this shambles - why all the secrecy?

T - 4; M -3.5; D - 4

And We Run and We Scream With the Dilated Stare

Well, a better commute today. I think I was too enraged at the thought of having to return yesterday.

I listened to the recent Baker & Kelly Podcasts on the walk to the Tube station. The first one is good, but spoilt by Mr Kelly being too quiet, and the braying idiot in the background who seemed to think that everything being said was absolutely hilarious! I don't know who this is, but I suspect it's the Wippit chief - he turned up on the ADBS 'casts, too. Enough, please.

Sound Of The City - Tom McRae
Out of This World - Marillion
Song Of The Magician - Tim Buckley
Within You Without You - The Beatles
World Turning - Fleetwood Mac
Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys
Sorrow - Pink Floyd
Wonderful Wino - Frank Zappa

T - 4; M - 4; D - 3

Change Changing Places

Well, I'm back.

While I've been away, the Danny Baker 'All Day Breakfast Show in Color' has been and gone. Very strange. I think Wippit isn't helping at all - it's awful. I've been listening to a load of old Baker & Kelly R5/Talk/Virgin shows, too. The unfolding tales of Joanne are excellent.

Sad to hear of Joe Zawinul's death. Weather Report are a favourite band of mine, although mostly for the expert bass playing of Mr Pastorius, I must admit.

I could barely face the morning commute today. God how I hope my job application comes through.

Love And Affection - Def Leppard
In the Flat Field - Bauhaus
Spindrift - Rush
Marathon -Rush
Eleventh Earl Of Mar - Genesis
Spiral Galaxy 28948 - Hawkwind
Got A Suitcase, Got Regrets - Tom McRae
The Planetist - Wigwam
Fine Lines - John Martyn
Song Slowly Song - Tim Buckley
Let Down - Radiohead

I've been listening to a lot of my folk/jazz/blues stuff while I've been off, as that was most palatable to the other occupants of the house. The recently-purchased 'King of Cards' by Tom McCrae went down very well, too. Doesn't quite match 'Just Like Blood', but very good.

T -3.5; M - 4; D - 2.