bliss in a teacup (Free subscription) | yesterday
As Richard and I were coming home from errand running last night, and checking out the full on very Santa happy Christmas display of a nearby hotel, I reminded him that as of today we're allowed to start listening to Christmas carols. Strangely he wasn't nearly as excited as me. I love Christmas carols! I have many a favourite album, and this song has quickly gone right up there with Sufjan Stevens,...
Bristol Community Church Blog (Free subscription) | 30/11/2009
There is a phrase (and title of an excellent book) which says, "If you want to walk on the water, you've got to get out of the boat." Alluding to Peter stepping out of his storm-battered boat and making it across a few waves to Jesus' outstretched hand, this is an analogy for all of us seeking to grow, stretch and challenge our faith today. See Matthew 14:29 for more details. Yesterday's...
John Wells's phonetic blog (Free subscription) | 27/11/2009
OK, it’s a bit early yet for Christmas (though I’m singing in a Christmas show in just one week’s time). Sorry. I was thinking about the carol Joy to the World — not one commonly sung in Britain when I was young, but now very familiar. The first verse ends with the repeated phrase and heaven and nature sing . Or actually, in the score I have, it’s and heav’n and...
It's all about me! (Free subscription) | 23/11/2009
Remember back in June I whining that I couldn't find a decent radio station to listen to? The New Country 95.3 out of Hamilton switched formats last Friday is now playing all the greatest hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s. The last song they played was Garth Brooks', The Dance (I love that song!). And now I'm glad I didn't know The way it all would end, the way it all would go Our lives are better left...
In a cyclone of stones (Free subscription) | 22/11/2009
Well, that's just how it is. Spent my days in bed since Wednesday morning. But I'm finally gettting better (I'm now capable of sitting and even drinking coffee :-)). So tomorrow will be an off day too, and then back to work on Tuesday. And wow! I'm thinking that My Evil Twin-Cecilie's first single will be a smash hit! Try it on Myspace , as it sounds like dreampop meeting Madness and a bass straight...
The Bitten Bullet (Free subscription) | 18/11/2009
Till relatively recently, I knew of De Molen only by reputation. My trip to Amsterdam for the opening of Beer Temple gave me a swift introduction to their world via the wonderful De Molen Black Jack , and their Mout & Mocca, which I did not enjoy so much . I also came back with a small selection of bottles from that house of delights that is De Bierkoning. One of those was the De Molen Rasputin...
Word Magazine blogs (Free subscription) | 03/11/2009
I've just been reading a list of the best selling singles in the UK, year by year, and it made for interesting, if somewhat slightly depressing, reading. During the four periods that British bands were supposedly at the forefront of music (mid-60's, Glam era, punk/new wave era and Britpop) the best selling singles were as far from those genres as possible, with the latter period being dominated by...
Word Magazine blogs (Free subscription) | 27/10/2009
According to Popjustice , the best pop record of the last two years is probably Lady Gaga's "Poker Face". And he's not wrong. But it's not the nu-electrostomp arrangement, or the lyric (pretty banal stuff, purportedly about fancying some fish while eating the meat course or something), or even the Bacofoil-camp staging - complete with strategic Cumberland sausage - that makes it a good record....
Fizzy Pop (Free subscription) | 16/10/2009
As Boney M so succinctly put it, hooray hooray, it's a holi-holiday. Or at least it will be in 18 hours when I'm up at 3.30am driving up to Manchowder airport for our ridiculously early flight to Gran Canaria (Starbucks better be open, that's all I'm sayin!) I'm all packed, chosen my books for some lazy afternoon reading (mornings are always strenuous hikes through the slutty sand dunes), popped some...
socialgarden (Free subscription) | 10/10/2009
I commented on a YouTube video — 1976 Boney M., “Daddy Cool” – What think the World 33 years later to … http://bit.ly/2YFvaR
Word Magazine blogs (Free subscription) | 09/10/2009
Have spent this afternoon beginning the job of wallpapering my daughters bedroom. Will spend all day tomorrow finishing that and then painting the whole bloody thing pink. I've had the ipod on shuffle to help me get the joins straight and, happily, Albert Lee's 'Pink Bedroom' duly popped up. Naturally I now need help from anyone willing to give it in putting together a 'Decorators' playlist on Spotify....
Transpontine (Free subscription) | 08/10/2009
Fresh from supporting Boney M (or a version thereof) in Lewisham last month, Brockley Ukulele Group are back at the Amersham Arms this Sunday 11th October for their monthly ukebox session. September's Amersham Arms session was a busy night with BUG introducing new material including Chumbawamba's Add Me and Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back. This weekend it's an 8 pm start, admission free.
India Uncut (Free subscription) | 05/10/2009
Barkha Dutt tweets that she thinks Uddhav Thackeray is trying to refashion the Shiv Sena. Perhaps she is being misled by his cultured way of talking, because this recent interview of his does not indicate that his vision for the Sena is any different from his dad’s. Consider, in particular, this bit: Mid Day : Has MNS hijacked Sena’s aggressive, street-smart agenda? Uddhav : Sena believes...
Word Magazine blogs (Free subscription) | 21/09/2009
Kept awake by jet lag in the wee small hours of this morning, my overactive brain decided it would be a great idea to lurch its way through the second side of Abbey Road, mucking up all the segues and lyrics. This went on for at least an hour, while I lay staring at the ceiling pleading for sleep. I mean, couldn't the thinkbox have at least chosen a more apt song? It reminds me of Joe Simpson in 'Touching...
Pension Plan Puppets (Free subscription) | 14/09/2009
More photos » by Darren Calabrese - AP Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending legend Johnny Bower watches Jason Allison get lapped yet again. Browse more photos » As I type this, Elton John’s "Sad Songs" is trapped in my head like a fruit fly slowly drowning in a glass of wine. Earlier today, one of my kids somehow managed to lodge "I Believe I Can Fly" in my brain pan....
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