Tomorrow's World

Got to go in today, to hear the denouement, although I did get Friday off...

I had a great weekend, with family, at the Chinese New Year thing in London. I also saw 'The 39 Steps' on Saturday - very funny, and great fun.

Bird Flew By - Nick Drake,
then, as my my iPod shuffled to the neglected new 'Coheed & Cambria' album, No World for Tomorrow, I decided to listen to it in full. Splendid, although I still think it could do with less singing and more instrumental passages.

T - 4; M - 4.5; D - 3

Working from Home

OK, the first day of this brave new world...

Working from home is pretty good - if only I was being paid for it...

I caught a bit of the Radcliffe & Maconie show last night for the first time in weeks and was impressed by the "A Toys Orchestra" track towards the end of the show. The track played - Invisible - was in the Pink Floyd mold and very good.

Their website - here - is rather Flash-heavy, and mostly in Italian, but there are full tracks available to sample, which is always a Good Thing. I detect bits of Porcupine Tree, Floyd and even Caravan in there, I think. The new CD is out soon, and might be worth investing in.

Sit Back, Relax and Count the Stars

More 'Not Classical or Spoken' today, which threw up an acoustic-guitar dominated playlist:

She Chameleon (Demo - Previously Unreleased) - Marillion,
Apocalypso - Mew,
Shaolin Temple - Prince Jammy,
Smiling Stranger (Instrumental) - John Martyn,
Window - Genesis,
The Weight Of My Words - Kings Of Convenience,
Starship - Turin Brakes,
Beverley - John Martyn,
80 Days - Marillion,
Garden of my Childhood - Andreas Vollenweider,
Apogee - Jethro Tull,
City Of Angels - Nik Kershaw,
Chiefs And Indians - Caravan,
Orange Skin Food - Soft Machine,

So laid-back was I that I almost fell asleep. Nothing to do all day but stare out of the window and listen to music.

T - 4; M - 4; D - 3

I'm a Ramblin' Man

Well, more weather to contend with, but I was safely wrapped up in my 'Electronic' filter.

Even though my collection contains lots of Kraftwerk, Orb, Tangerine Dream, Coldcut, etc etc, today's music was dominated by Vangelis, even though many of the tracks were piano pieces e.g. Memories of Green, and not particularly electronic.

Zoolook (Remix) - Jean-Michel Jarre,
The Plum Blossom - Vangelis,
Memories Of Blue - Vangelis,
Love Theme - Vangelis,
So Good So Pure So Kind - Landscape,
Movement 5 - Vangelis, from the superb Soil Festivities,
Equinoxe, Part 3 - Jean-Michel Jarre,
Memories Of Green - Vangelis,
Shaker Loops - Jon & Vangelis,
Sweaters - Laurie Anderson,
Peter Gunn (featuring Duane Eddie) - The Art Of Noise,
Broken - Laurie Anderson,
Movement 1 - Vangelis, from Mask
Ramblin' Man - Lemon Jelly,

T - 3; M - 4; D - 2.5

So Hop on the Train, 'Cause it Kills the Pain

A prog-biased, and very welcome, 'Not Classical or Spoken' mix to accompany the start of another tedious week in Central London. I have been offered a lifeline, which will become clearer over the next month or so and put an end to the misery, I hope.

Fireside Song - Genesis,
Opening Move - Gryphon. Oh for a time when bands such as Gentle Giant, Egg, National Health, Gryphon etc. could exist and be a commercial success again,
The Loved Ones - The Enid,
Stormy Clouds - The Verve,
Lesson In Survival - Joni Mitchell,
Endless Sacrifice - Dream Theater,

and finally, the Count Arthur Strong episode from last Friday, with the Antiques Roadshow theme; bit of a weak ending, but some great moments (especially the two for one offer on tea)

T - 4; M - 4; D - 3

Mud and Dark

A dreary, dark and rain-swept day to herald the weekend. Thankfully, this was not matched by my 'Not Classical or Spoken' shuffled playlist which produced the following to while away the time:

Einstein A Go-Go - Landscape, the 7" of which was backed by 'New Religion', a fabulous instrumental that I probably listened to more than the A-side,
Heroes And Villians - The Beach Boys,
Silver Girl - Fleetwood Mac,
Cello Song - Nick Drake,
Old-Fashioned People - Chris De Burgh,
Against The Odds - Richard Wright. There's a repeat of the BBC4 documentary on the making of DSotM on toight,
Mud And Dark - Cocteau Twins,
Les Boys - Dire Straits,
Blowin` Free - Wishbone Ash,
I Never Asked To Be Your Mountain - Tim Buckley,
Blush Response - Vangelis,
Darkness - Scott Walker,
Jam Back At The House - Jimi Hendrix Experience, live at Woodstock

T - 3; M - 4; D - 3

Back Back Back!

Well, on the way back from my interview on the extreme edge of BBC London's broadcast reach, Danny Baker left more clues about the return of the 'All Day Breakfast Show'

There's some confirmation at the 'Treehouse' Forum, but I definitely heard him say he'd lost £100,000 recently (yikes!), and as a parting shot, compared the new studios favourably with the 'rat-hole' at Wippit. Could it be something to do with this development at Virgin? Watch the skies (although don't hold your breath)...

Yesterday's interview went well, although I misinterpreted the (vague) instructions and neglected to prepare a presentation. It's amazing what you can do with a pen and a whiteboard and your imagination, although it was pretty nerve-racking.

Some 'Blues, Folk and Jazz' today to relax me:

Colleen - Joanna Newsom,
Soldiers - James Taylor,
They're Leaving Me Behind - Nick Drake,
Goodbye And Hello - Tim Buckley, just divine,
Sea Of Madness - Crosby, Stills & Nash, maybe (& Young), I can't remember - they're all lumped together on my 'Pod,
Ri Na Cruinne - Clannad,
Poor Boy - Nick Drake,
Redwoods - Hayward Williams, possibly the first tme I've heard this after doing an internet trawl of free (i.e. sourced from the artists' websites) MP3s,
Dr. Jekyll - Miles Davis,

Reasonable journey in today, and the weekend's almost upon us,

A word of advice - if you arrive at a Northern Line platform between East Finchley and Totteridge to find the next train indicated as going via Charing Cross, it probably won't. I've lost count of the number of times I've seen CX trains altered and had to wait 10 minutes.

T - 3; M - 4; D - 3

Calm Before the Storm

Thankfully, there aren't many people around at the moment, as the christmas holiday seems to have been extended, otherwise this morning's journey would have been hell. My first train of choice terminated unexpectedly, and for no good reason. The second train was full, but I managed to squeeze on the third. Well done, Northern Line.

A great selection of music today in my 'Not Classical or Spoken' playlist. Just right:

A Play Within A Play - Jon & Vangelis,
Cerco la Lingua - Premiata Forneria Marconi,
Hey! Luciani - The Fall,
Lilac Wine - Jeff Buckley,
Pseudo Silk Kimono - Marillion, the Fish era,
Tumble Down The Years - Marillion, the Hogarth era,
Birds Don't Sing - Paul O'Reilly,
Sanctus - The Enid,
Loved By The Sun - Tangerine Dream, featuring Jon Anderson,
Run Through The Light (Single Version) - Yes, not featuring Jon Anderson,
Hello Earth - Kate Bush. Oh man, this is beautiful,
Hold On - Chris De Burgh,
I Don't Know - All About Eve,
NY3 - Robert Fripp,

T - 1; M - 4.5; D - 3

Winterval

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.

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

"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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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