tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60090242546602642842024-03-25T17:22:18.395+00:00Reasonable Real Reviews*LP's, Humour, Horror, Poetry, Film, No playlists just Albums and pages of the best albums played. Discover a new band! *nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-83912697875301421042023-06-25T15:47:00.000+01:002023-06-25T15:47:47.216+01:00The Municipal Tip<p> </p><div class="mail-message expanded" id="m#msg-a:r-3466812125722835343" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><div class="mail-message-content collapsible zoom-normal mail-show-images " style="margin: 16px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; user-select: auto; width: 328px;"><div class="clear"><div dir="auto"><div dir="auto">Following the signs for Bowels of Humanity, we descend the corkscrew of apocalypse into the cradle of filth.</div><div dir="auto">We are beckoned forward by a studded glove of a uniformed customer care employee who holds in the other hand, the clipboard of contestants.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Fearful of stuttering or forgetting what items we've just played tetris with whilst packing, only 28 minutes before, I try to lick my lips and avoid the ignominy of being sent to the back of the queue or the sometimes unfair deterrent of beheading, and placed upon the spikes to join those already there with absent eyes, courtesy of carrion.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Stage two commences. Under scrutiny of CCTV and broadcasted to those outside the gates for entertainment, we reverse into the one vacant bay without touching a kerb through unusual cooperation between man and wife.</div><div dir="auto">Poor communicators and bad drivers are told to abandon their vehicles. A massive magnet controlled by the watchtower lifts the luckless vehicles into the heavily fortified scrapyard next door where the sound of shattering glass terrifies the timid.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">The time of 3 minutes per car begins. 2 minutes 47 seconds as the boot and rear doors are flung open.</div><div dir="auto">We've rehearsed what goes where, who carries what, several times on the back lawn to applause from the neighbours and improved our ability to avoid </div><div dir="auto">collisions with each other against the clock.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">I wish I hadn't missed training for the Highland Games as I failed my first throw of a badly chosen heavy door over the unexpectedly high, starting height of a 5 feet hurdle at container no.3. My, errr, our second throw is successful though we narrowly miss a guard's ear by inches who gives chase with vocals. Just as a Formula 1 driver, we sprint to our vehicle. There's not enough time to reach for the tailgate, Go, Go, Go! The engine starts first time, responds artfully and we rise up the spiral, leaving the vocalising guard, chasing the sky to our freedom and the top prize of a garage fit for a car.</div><div><br /></div><div>NE</div></div></div></div><div class="mail-message-footer spacer collapsible" style="height: 0px;"></div></div>nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-52037590345255937182022-10-04T08:56:00.002+01:002022-10-06T15:51:25.019+01:00Pleas from A Hedgehog<p> Pleas from A Hedgehog</p><p><br /></p><p>Grant me easy access to your garden,</p><p>Fences and walls are a burden.</p><p>Hedges allow an easier passage,</p><p>Somewhere to sleep...</p><p>Safe from dogs' jaws and lawnmowers.</p><p>Beetles and worms I can snuffle for</p><p>But dudes, leave the rotten fruit,</p><p>The occasional bird egg</p><p>Where they fall to the floor.</p><p>I've a delicate tum so no dairy, nor bread.</p><p>Meaty pet food is the modern wheeze</p><p>Allowing me to roam for several miles with ease,</p><p>Wading knee deep in the sharp gravels,</p><p>Scurrying across cold slabs on my travels,</p><p>Outrunning vehicles - when in our prime</p><p>Only to find your slug pellets and nettings</p><p>That may end our earthly time.</p><p>My serious words are my pleas to be heard</p><p>As our numbers have dwindled by almost two-thirds.</p><p>NE</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-77233639264010655272021-11-12T10:28:00.007+00:002021-11-12T16:08:14.757+00:00How to eat an afternoon tea and the perils of bad strategy<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Having employed the wrong strategy at an expensive afternoon cream tea, I hope to help any reader to avoid the recent pitfalls I fell into.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eat only a small breakfast. My mistake was ordering a bacon sandwich that was so dry it felt like chewing an asbestos sheet. It needed several cups of tea to wash it down and my waistline was already beginning its inevitable expansion.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Avoid any establishment that puts a time limit on your experience. Demolishing three tiers of food takes longer than one hour, if regurgitation is to be avoided.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Take full advantage of extra tea fill-ups. You will need them to balance the top tier of sugar-ladened goodies.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Know your limits. Grazers beware - you will never complete the task.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Consider an exit strategy. Sandwiches or scones are easier to shovel into a carry-out box than the top tier items which can run through your fingers leaving you looking like a chimp. Sandwiches can easily be eaten the next day if refrigerated.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Get the establishment to build the box. You only get one chance of victory over wafer thin cardboard tabs. Swinging your prized contents nonchalantly over a fellow diner may be easily avoided.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Good Luck with yours!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NE</span></p><br />nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-58853738919720917252021-10-25T14:08:00.002+01:002021-10-26T15:48:20.936+01:00Fifteen Years<p> <span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fifteen Years</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At seventeen X was still a boy. An assailant with a knife had held a knife to his ribs, bound for an unknown destination on the Tube. As the door began to close at a busy station, he pushed his attacker away from him and sprang through the gap, spinning onto the platform but springing to his feet immediately and ran.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Days later he flew to California to join his father for an extended holiday. Unhappy with academia and at a crossroads in his education, on the very last day he chose to stay, fifteen years ago.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hearts had been wounded but the black clouds had silver linings. A career in media, still in its ascendancy, began as a cameraman, travelling he says, on a pittance, all over the world, yet unaware of the places he visited. Several promotions later his position now involves choosing the stories and preparing the news for one of the top four media giants in the States.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">X wanted to meet up with his uncle. Short notice meant it was going to be an expensive journey, but family is something else. Normal terms of engagement didn’t apply. My rail ticket was B65 yet the highest seat number was B64. Was this a Harry Potter situation now moving from hidden platforms to hidden seats? Did I have to tap B64 three times before B65 magically appeared? My closest fellow passengers eyed me warily. I didn’t try to justify my appearing/reappearing act as I checked the next carriage, merely a dining car, or a folding seat tucked away, somewhere.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The train was delayed around Luton for about ten minutes. Fifteen years and ten minutes now. I was excited. Delays wouldn’t affect a seasoned traveller such as X, I reasoned. I sent him a message telepathically. Not for us a cinematic rendezvous at a suitable statue but the ugly event of a mobile communication. “Kirk to Enterprise…, Kirk to Enterprise” I imagined as I switched on my phone and voicemails flashed instead. I’ve never answered one and probably never will. I did however send a message of reassurance, “The Eagle has Landed.” We called each other back at the same time so I tried again and relayed my exact location.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Undercover police questioned X as he appeared “lost” they said. If he had done a forward roll or slipped into Michael Jackson’s moonwalk which he used to be good at, he may have avoided the incident. Carrying a large backpack into a station wasn’t the best idea. My father was a senior policeman and security and these times of ours are alas, the norm. They were merely doing their job well and I’d wished I’d been alongside, but only so I also knew the contents of the now damned bag.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It didn’t matter where we went, I had reasoned, but my first choice (I will save for a rainy day) was vetoed when X replied he had sunk his coffee already. Missing a morning coffee is a huge crime and my craving sought a swift natural justice.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We fell into an impressive looking restaurant. With the delay and the walk, we were into brunch territory and judging from the bill, confirmed cowboy country. Were they also charging by the hour? My hackles were raised as I was asked if we had a reservation – “Good God, no!”, I almost replied. The sun suddenly showed its face and we decided to sit outside in October, my nephew electing to place me in direct sunlight, maybe to force the truth from my lips as we continued our eight hours catch up. Ordering the Full English Breakfast plus toast, the missed coffee and a beer seemed the most natural thing in the world. As did the next. We were uncertain if the restaurant had Greek origins or if the staff were merely slow to react to sudden strong winds that shattered plates, three, four and five times!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I offered to share the bill but was promptly dismissed but I saw the final sum as the imitation leather bill snapped shut. Bright neon “WTF”s radiated around me for at least fifteen minutes after we left the premises.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another walk, another conversation, family members past and present were talked about, knowledge gaps were plugged, music interests were shared, bands discussed. It was thirsty work and mochas were ordered at the next expedient coffee bar to alleviate the dry throats.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Free Exhibition loomed on one side. We were asked if we were human beings, forced to leave a phone number, not mine, as I still don’t know it. X’s international number was fine by me. We were led to a holding area as a school party exited. We entered and discovered it wasn’t an art installation nor a gallery, but an exhibition of cancer survivors’ triumphs and medical advances called Outwitting Cancer. We moved through at a respectful pace and avoided eye contact as we exited. I re-read the banner that should also have said “read the small print”.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was time to play a trump card and we moved to the British Library to see Treasures of the British Library. Civilisations across the centuries, </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1f3864; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lluminated manuscripts, maps, and bibles from every world religion became the next weighty subject we tackled together. A museum attendant followed us around. Perhaps the size of the damned backpack was suspicious. Under the weight of the Gutenberg Bible, or most of the exhibits, it would have been the slowest getaway in history.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our Walk-Talk Tour 2021 continued, and X pointed out a drab, featureless inn that only visitors to our shores could select. I returned his earlier veto and spotted my target – large, quiet, wood-panelling, good selection of ales, ticks x 4. I ordered the drinks and, lo and behold, the damned backpack was opened to reveal two birthday cards from my Mum and sister and rather a large book about marathon running for his upcoming marathon. I couldn’t see anything else in the backpack’s black chasm that even a local drinker on the next table certainly feared might consume him, like an earthly black hole. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The passage of time marched on and we had to march our way back to the train station with X requiring a return ticket. We said our goodbyes quickly and I ascended the escalator but to my horror this wasn’t my departure area. I hastily descended and was studying the platform signs, possibly in a blind panic with four minutes to go, before my train would leave. Our telepathy finally connected with precision as X reappeared at my side pointing my way ahead. I unfurled my wings, the crowd parted, as the Eagle glided to the departure point with seconds to spare.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NE</span></p><br /><br /><br />nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-18956912612135853682021-10-04T11:49:00.004+01:002021-10-04T11:52:52.355+01:00Horror in Wales<p><span face="sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Horror of Wales</span></p><div class="mail-message expanded" id="m#msg-a:r-4586233054778382320" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><div class="mail-message-content collapsible zoom-normal mail-show-images" style="margin: 16px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; user-select: auto; width: 328px;"><div class="clear"><div dir="auto"><div dir="auto">Shock and revulsion drained the colour from Louise's face as she pointed and silently screamed, her eyes betraying the truth of her horror. The black spider, as big as a horse she spat, drummed its front legs on the folds of the white duvet. I passed over my mug of water in our well-drilled routine and she returned it empty , now our shield against the dragon-spider. The vessel was too tiny, too ineffectual for the speed and size of our adversary. It evaded my lunge and it galloped across the expanse of the bed and dropped like a stone and slid to safety under the bed. Louise drew her mobile phone torch swiftly, in an instant and the shadow of the beast, retreated to the skirting board below our pillows. She passed the torch to me and I knelt at each corner of the bed, checking and hoping for a solution. Suddenly the creature charged across the dark floorboards with a lance towards Louise. She grabbed her bedside reading and yelled as she faced her fears and her foe and passed the result to me, possibly as a hint of her valour or triumph. I carried it to the bathroom, at arms length in case the beast was merely feigning death, and flushed him into the pot.</div><div dir="auto">I returned the book and lied when she asked had I wiped it. She gingerly advanced towards me, the weapon still in hand. I took a step back as the weapon was raised again. I flinched as I followed the arc of attack, only to see it slam into the wall and despatch a mosquito, the spiders' winged brethren. I surrendered an optical wipe to placate my fearless wife. Burning lamps were placed as lookout sentries in case of further disruption and we fell into uneasy slumbers and fitful dreams. We awoke and broke through the cobweb intended as our cocoon, to start our next day of adventure, steeled with a cuppa.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">NE</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div></div></div></div><div class="mail-message-footer spacer collapsible" style="height: 0px;"></div></div>nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-58565460072864073052020-08-02T11:16:00.000+01:002020-08-02T11:16:25.335+01:00Ball "Like You Are - I Once was - Like I am - You Will Never Be"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvE3BPVmuI6WbvO-yfk19lDG-AAIWX7HlMouRvm5SuqtlI0YVODqhDcHjWOf6XgkTg0q3Eb1phagkj-DDlmDIodhdRllq5hB52bbuWEPkG1Yho2bNSl11bkqtvoLmikCFq8QEjiHHGvvH/s1600/artworks-a6QtYLsF5UcdCM5X-MmByRQ-t500x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvE3BPVmuI6WbvO-yfk19lDG-AAIWX7HlMouRvm5SuqtlI0YVODqhDcHjWOf6XgkTg0q3Eb1phagkj-DDlmDIodhdRllq5hB52bbuWEPkG1Yho2bNSl11bkqtvoLmikCFq8QEjiHHGvvH/s320/artworks-a6QtYLsF5UcdCM5X-MmByRQ-t500x500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ball</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Like You Are - I Once was - Like I am - You Will Never Be</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Horny Records</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ball is a Swedish power trio choosing to take their surname as their brand. Whilst the artwork, lyrics and beliefs may not be blessed by bishops, the free-flowing heavy metal music leaves a greater impression.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vocally, band leader Syrek Ball presents a similar gravelly resonance and rebelliousness as Lee Brilleaux, Lemmy and Steve Gibbons, and musically the hypnotic bass lines reinforce that it's not only The Stone Roses or Red Hot Chili Peppers that can make people move against their will. In fact, Ball pull their inspiration from an earlier era. Satan's Wish is just as compulsive listening as Sabbath's Paranoid but with keyboard textures and even Hendrix-like wah-guitar added to the mix. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Black Magic sustains the riff-laden pace and it's the string-bending and the beat throughout this eight track , 33 minutes-long album without any fillers, that delights with its self-assured frenetic energy. It's an album I can recommend to any rock fan - with parental advise for those under 18.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sacred Snow with its haunting, seventies sounding lead guitar will be the single from the forthcoming album due for release in August / September 2020 and if like me, you have been spending too much during this worldwide lockdown especially online, then make sure you save enough currency to get your hands on this year's jaw-dropping rock album of a rare originality.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NE</span></div>
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nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-42409084247327901412020-04-20T12:34:00.000+01:002020-04-20T12:34:59.240+01:00COVID-19<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">COVID-19</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are dealing with a pandemic. Our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones. I admire any person who is facing the daily threat of infection to help others in need and there are many others too who are playing their own part well, such as delivery drivers, rubbish collectors, and supermarket workers. </span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whilst this government has provided stability during the initial stages, daily platitudes are simply not enough. Action was taken too late despite the warnings from other nations. There has been a failure to provide adequate PPE for front line staff. There has been a failure to set up a testing and tracing regime that has been established successfully in other countries.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We need an emergency government that contains the best people for the task. It should be at the least, a coalition government. However, I think we can go further and say we should be employing the very people who are trained to deliver in emergencies. We are overlooking our best assets - our Armed Forces, Our Emergency Services and our Charities, who would bring a healthy dose of reality and can articulate an organised mobilisation to this crisis especially in terms of procuring PPE (there are many British businesses who are anxious to help) and in the distribution of food to ensure any sector of our population does not go without.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This country is not alone and a worldwide response is necessary to stabilise, and eradicate this pandemic and regrow the global economy. Nations need assistance in their time of need and a worldwide fund must be established.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A suitable percentage of GDP from every country would be the fairest beginning but every commercial venture above a threshold, including major football clubs and major sports such as motor racing should also pay the same percentage. Stocks and Shares transactions, and transfer fees should also attract the levy.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If, after an unbiased investigation, China is proved to have hidden the truth from the rest of the world, then they too can pay their reparation into the fund. Only then can we all be in this together.</span></div>
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nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-65634648207839204732019-11-14T11:04:00.000+00:002019-11-14T11:04:04.802+00:00Revenge of the Razor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Tired of the time it takes to shave with a cheap razor, Neil asked his wife Louise, for a state of the art, 5-bladed samurai sword razor for his birthday.<br />
It had pride of place in the bathroom and all who saw it, marvelled at the technical wizardry on show.<br />
He made a huge mistake. He didn't dispense with the cheap and nasty tempered two -blade razor.<br />
It had feelings and seeing Neil's hand blunder into his basket, his home, he turned 180 degrees and sliced deeply across the exposed fleshy pad of the thumb leaving a gaping flap that covered the sink in a river of blood.<br />
Neil, still suffering from a bout of flu, despite a brave vaccination, wanted to shout "medic!", But the only sounds that came out were "Aaaargh, Aaaargh!" whilst hanging precariously onto the sink.<br />
Louise, his long suffering wife, wondered what nonsense her husband was up to now! Still suffering from a prolapsed disc, she hauled herself inch by inch up the tortuous winding staircase to reach the bathroom of horror, only to slip in the carnage of blood and water, whilst casually remarking water was for burns , not cuts!<br />
Nine rolls of loo paper later, the flow was staunched. His hand looked like a boxing glove and for added security, it was sealed in a plastic bag as the duvet had just been changed earlier in the day and red would spoil the colour scheme.<br />
As the spasms of pain subsided, Paracetamol put in another appearance to bring the temperature under control.<br />
Dressing changes were prepared for emergency use and both the patient and doctor drifted off into fitful sleeps.<br />
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nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-36121953237391368692019-06-09T20:38:00.000+01:002019-06-09T20:38:09.603+01:00Nick Waterhouse - Nick Waterhouse<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nick
Waterhouse<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Innovative
Leisure<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Los
Angeles-based Nick Waterhouse is my kind of artist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He worked in record stores (remember where
you could lose almost half a day?), built up his own collection of 45’s, met
Ray Charles and Nat King Cole and then nonchalantly started making rhythm and
Blues with a preference for recording in analogue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nick Waterhouse </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">is
his fourth album and whilst it’s easy to call it retro or throwback it is
something much better. Each track has the power and the possibility of a hit
single with catchy guitar, piano, horns, saxophone solos, staccato girl-group
harmonies and his own Van Morrison-influenced delivery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There’s
no blood in his veins just rhythm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve
been strolling on the Strasse, strolling on the boulevard” he growls on Black
Glass and I can’t help swaying like Ray Charles as I’m driving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music is crystal-clear as if the band is right
in front of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t just hear the
walking bass on Which Was Writ, you feel it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s impossible to keep still to this album until Nick’s voice softens
and slows for the emotional depth of the ballad Thought and Act.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
instrumental El Viv is as catchy as Tequila (the Champs) - with an extra shot, before
Wherever She Goes with its girl harmonies,<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> completes an
enjoyable recording offering plenty of variation on the rhythm and
unpredictability in the vocal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-43669534617606227582019-05-23T19:55:00.000+01:002019-05-23T19:55:08.203+01:00Phantom Voices - Peace by Peace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAvFExbDfNcUTXZgAsLTLC7J7LLwn2pJ4od3Rf0JSEKbkx3rDvpPGk2b6bKG5QaC7ESyJG97JCH_syZQYGNOQvXFZio3cJUk0pA0a3XF7UKyCJFVPJ9Y6YcZT9qfCsssGQ5v__5nV_cNS/s1600/IMG_n02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAvFExbDfNcUTXZgAsLTLC7J7LLwn2pJ4od3Rf0JSEKbkx3rDvpPGk2b6bKG5QaC7ESyJG97JCH_syZQYGNOQvXFZio3cJUk0pA0a3XF7UKyCJFVPJ9Y6YcZT9qfCsssGQ5v__5nV_cNS/s320/IMG_n02.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Phantom
Voices<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Peace
by Peace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wyre
Records<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Imagine
a time of days gone by when news, song, novelty and stores were eagerly awaited
by an expectant audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Phantom Voices
are the modern day spiritual equivalent of the minstrel and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Peace by Peace </i>contains some of the best
stories you’ll ever hear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Many
may delight in the mirth of the first of only two traditional numbers on the
album.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lovely Joan triumphs over the
“fine young man” offering his golden ring in exchange for his wicked way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She accepts his ring and he makes his way to
the hay but side-steps him like rugby legend Jason Robinson in his heyday, leaps
onto his horse and thwarts the try. The electric guitar solo by Daz Rice
contrasts with the folk feel of the track and instantly distinguishes the band
for their self-belief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
title track is reminiscent of Prefab Sprout or Deacon Blue, especially in the
harmonies and is about vocalist Mike Rolland’s discovery of a British map of
Northern France in the closing days of WW1 and who may have held it in their
hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sings “But time and time again
they killed us, and we killed them, so whoever said war was something anyone
could win “ which restates the hollowness of war.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Red Falcon encapsulates the essence of Phantom Voices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It blends the darkness of the lyrics with
rays of light through the music and vocals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Acoustic guitar and fiddle set the scene for this four-verse, four
perspectives of the mid-December 1959 loss of the Fleetwood Trawler with all
its 19 crew, on its return from Icelandic fishing grounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joanna Byrne as The Wife in the second verse
makes the listener feel the agony of the waiting, worried families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The joint male/female vocals in the last
verse at the inquest segue wistfully into <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>bars of Silent
Night. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is possibly the best song I’ve
ever heard and a lasting tribute to the lost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Old
Ned is about being the hangman of Lancaster who although convicted to hang for
horse theft continued in the role of hangman instead for his sins. The Thomas Salto
tells of a reluctant Russian gymnast who suffers paralysis whilst undertaking a
dangerous manoeuvre during the floor exercise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Three
lead vocalists, an adventurous rhythm section, acoustic guitar and violin
potency, and contemporary songs of real substance make <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Peace by Peace</i> an essential listening experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-8264574618747162222019-05-19T15:06:00.001+01:002019-05-19T15:11:37.949+01:00Queen - Every album, every song (On Track) <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPw8v_f5Aa6jJAltKvQ__QsZTbJ3oTij0ziJ3z7LuwI5v-Ef8_jEV-1tSay0Ci8TZm-YiQEZVQzqt0E0wZA8uBps42O80ccrq0dVwNJzeYWBTMAOwFa-QF53OFOCmtvqGpIe7xYCBBRCW/s1600/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="438" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPw8v_f5Aa6jJAltKvQ__QsZTbJ3oTij0ziJ3z7LuwI5v-Ef8_jEV-1tSay0Ci8TZm-YiQEZVQzqt0E0wZA8uBps42O80ccrq0dVwNJzeYWBTMAOwFa-QF53OFOCmtvqGpIe7xYCBBRCW/s320/0.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Queen
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every Album, every Song (On Track)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Andrew
Wild<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I haven’t seen the film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bohemian Rhapsody</i>
yet despite several recommendations, yet when this slim 140-page volume dropped
through my letterbox I beamed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sheer Heart Attack</i> is one of my
favourite albums and I bought the single Crazy Little thing Called Love but
only Andrew Wild could explain to me why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He calls it “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a retro boogie
rockabilly juggernaut</i>" and this precision made the reading of this
book as joyful a surprise as seeing a kaleidoscope for the first time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With
a critical eye, an abundance of facts (who knew there was a stylophone on Seven
Seas of Rhye?) and opinions, he explains Queen’s appeal and simultaneously
develops each character of the band through their songs, attributed quotations,
and access to the original 24-track master tapes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There isn’t any place to hide for the author
– every generation knows their music and Andrew Wild revels in this type of
challenge as he’s also written about Pink Floyd and The Beatles in the same
series. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
early years show that Queen were professional in their attitude right from the
start spending day and nights on their harmonies. Their first album<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was a “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beautifully
cut jewel…ready to go</i>” - Electra boss Jac Holzman 1973. Even so, Brian May
was self-critical the band <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“sometimes fell
into the trap of over-arrangement”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
opinions of the author and comparisons to other bands are mind-expanding and
make the book not just for Queen fans but for all music fans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wild
describes the sound of Queen on Queen II coalesces into three styles, rocker,
the ballad, and the anthem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His detailed
analysis of the album track by track has made me put this album onto my wish
list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hadn’t linked A Night at the
Opera and A Day At The Races ( which Wild argues are very similar in content)
with the Marx Brothers films of the same name either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
author also substantiates the similarity of All The Young Dudes (Mott The
Hoople) and In The Lap of The Gods by explaining that Queen actually toured
with Mott the Hoople.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also compares Another
One Bites The Dust <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with Good Times by
Chic especially in the driving bass line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He suggests that Queen weren’t
always as original as their singles suggest but doesn’t denigrate the artist
but leaves it up to the reader if they agree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Queen may have <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">taken inspiration</i>
from Led Zeppelin , Rolling Stones ,Deep Purple ,Black Sabbath, Abba, Rush, Jimi
Hendrix and Chuck Berry but they could hardly be successful in their own right
if they were mere plagiarists of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all</i>
these acts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also discounts the
music-hall style of a number of songs like Bring Back Leroy Brown, Lazing on A
Sunday Afternoon and Seaside Rendezvous. which allowed Freddie Mercury to fully
express his charisma in performance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
book is respectful of the artist and praises them for their intelligent lyrics,
harmonies, shifting dynamics, multiple guitar work and recording
techniques.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have preferred the
album artwork alongside the commentary rather than the centre pages to break
the book into more digestible pieces but no doubt in common with many factual
books, this allows the publication costs to be kept down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One
Glorious Day - Live Aid (13 July,1985) in four pages refreshes the reader why
Queen were so revered (they always delivered), why they gained a new set of
fans and propels the reader through the second half of the book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wild
reveals the diagnosis of Mercury with AIDS in April 1987.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His account of the work Queen put in on the
tracks that would make up their final three albums before Freddie passed away, gives
the reader a fresh appreciation of their music and the personalities of this
national treasure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /></div>
nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-90887528636031091582019-05-06T19:29:00.000+01:002019-05-06T19:29:50.632+01:00The Jackets - Queen of the Pill<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KVw3zsAwyqvFKOwpiDK9wwGRKyg-0ytp4luWlKCFzfUL4RPkHzI29hbmZA2euj535A7spD_RHSX3uw3gtdjw4PISV4dGS-dd2MDOIl3lIsXl-v6VhXXSjBIgXfzJbhfd3kg5kBIDIBOx/s1600/VRCD112.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KVw3zsAwyqvFKOwpiDK9wwGRKyg-0ytp4luWlKCFzfUL4RPkHzI29hbmZA2euj535A7spD_RHSX3uw3gtdjw4PISV4dGS-dd2MDOIl3lIsXl-v6VhXXSjBIgXfzJbhfd3kg5kBIDIBOx/s200/VRCD112.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Jackets<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Queen of the Pill<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Voodoo Rhythm Records<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Swiss garage punk trio, The Jackets, express themselves
with a hypnotic energy and charisma for their second release for Voodoo Rhythm,
due out in June 2019. Drawing their inspiration from New Wave, their raw
3-minute songs pack a punch of vitality sadly missing for far too long in
popular music. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The album opens with a blistering quartet of tracks that
includes Dreamer, the single which was released in mid April.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has the drive of punk and an air of
psychedelia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have a confident stage
presence especially in the vocals of Jackie Brutsche and have caught the attention
of Alice Cooper on his USA radio show "because they just go out there and
rock".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unusually for the genre, it's
not nihilistic nonsense but rather an honest creativity with retro experimentation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Jackets give rock a good name again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music and songs combine as spectacularly
as the best of British or American New Wave bands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the slower numbers Steam Queen and
Floating Alice display a determination to be different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Queen
of the Pill</i> is a rejuvenating tonic and should be their breakthrough album.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hearty thanks to Shattered Platter for sharing the music.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-55420056504133766682019-03-28T19:55:00.000+00:002019-03-28T19:55:29.419+00:00Soen - Lykaia Revisited<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; tab-stops: 51.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Soen<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lykaia
Revisited<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Silver
Lining Music<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Music
press can get right up my nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead
of celebrating another great Swedish rock band who have already acknowledged
their influences and whose drummer once played for another band, they jump upon
one journalist’s comment of “sounding like..” and write only paragraphs to back
that up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the same lazy claptrap
that the motoring press said of my car’s ability to undertake motorway travel
which has now gone beyond 135,000 miles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Soen
create memorable atmosphere and play a heavy progressive rock/metal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They offer intricate music with a welcome
return to rock with a more commercial appeal in the clean,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>melancholic vocals from Joel Ekelöf, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>yet balanced perfectly with their own metal
riffs that to my ears don't sound like anyone else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Each
track displays catchy song craft, passages that ebb and flow with subtlety from
thundering walls of sound to ringing guitars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Short memorable riffs augment the quality lead guitar work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You
will gather that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lykaia Revisited</i> is
a re-mastered version of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lykaia</i> which
came out in 2017.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sound is
marginally better and there’s 2/3 extra live tracks depending upon your
preference for digital or CD. It’s a shame this re-mastered version didn’t come
with a separate full live album leaving the original intact, even if the final
price reflected this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be assured, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">both</i> albums are worth your <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>plastic folding stuff, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but the original version finishes perfectly
with the eight-minute God’s Acre that fades out to cap the original release.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drummer Martin Lopez says however, that all
the band felt that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lykaia </i>could
greatly benefit from being re-mastered whilst also sealing <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lykaia</i>
era perfectly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Concentrate
on the fine music and not the comparisons made by others of this band.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May I thank reviews editor - Lee Vickers, for
his personal copy of the 2017 version for comparison and for the opportunity to
review and enjoy this updated version of perfection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-46190203725757653712019-03-17T19:57:00.000+00:002019-03-17T19:57:00.081+00:00Korpiklaani - Kulkija<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Korpiklaani</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Kulkija</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nuclear Blast<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Neito (Maiden) , the first track from Korpiklaani's tenth
studio album is a compelling trailer to a thriller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guitar, drums, and atmosphere, demonstrate a determination
that they want to be known for more than folk or speed metal drinking songs and
the snarled vocals are unambiguous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Korpikuusen kyynel also has a ferocity but as in each of
the fourteen tracks there is also a subtlety and depth whether provided by the
accordion, fiddle, or the singing of Jonne Järvelä. He even uses a softer vocal
on Aallon alla (Under the Wave) but against an even harder rock palate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harmaja is a slow restrained ballad with
almost spoken word and tells of a bird that can't fly south due to a broken
wing which yearns to return to its homeland. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kotikonnut (Homestead) is an anthemic track with the
accordion of Sami Perttula taking the role of lead guitar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kallon malja (Chalice of the Skull) is a ten
minute magnus opus that will appeal to prog fans by featuring changes in pace
from slow accordion to bass driven rock, to demonic fiddle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sillanrakentaja (Bridge Builder) begins with
a memorable riff to rival Smoke on The Water, sounds like Maiden or Saxon,
cheekily gets their own children to sound better than those in Another Brick in
the Wall, and yet still possesses its own aura.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kuin korpi nukkuva (Like a Sleeping Forest) begins with
plucked fiddle, accordion and then morphs into a rocker before seamlessly
becoming a tango at the outro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seven
minute Tuttu on tie (The Road is Familiar) wraps up to show that Korpiklaani
have cleverly added the theatre of nostalgia, lament and emotion to their blend
of folklore in a beguiling rock release.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 111.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NE<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 111.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /></div>
nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-2182685004296757612019-03-09T15:24:00.000+00:002019-03-09T15:24:03.344+00:00Lucas & King<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lucas & King<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lucas & King<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">LK<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This eponymous debut from the UK's South Coast duo of Bo
Lucas and Hayleigh King could have been a hit in any decade since the
fifties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Influenced by the melodies of
the past, they are talented Americana co-writers and confident performers who
have played Cambridge and Glastonbury, picked up Fender's Undiscovered Artist
of 2018 award and have supported Ray Davies on tour.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Assimilating the genre-spanning appeal of Lana Del Rey with
the heart of Richard Hawley, they fashion fresh music that will gather new converts
through their flair and originality.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They combine timeless pop with an unfashionable country
reverb . The close chemistry allows each other the space to explore their own
music (Bo on acoustic and vocals, Hayleigh on her Stratocaster) and results in
a warm and irresistible debut which will make their dreams of success an
outright certainty.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /></div>
nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-24313298201793339482019-02-18T20:59:00.000+00:002019-02-18T20:59:40.210+00:00The Frank Burkitt Band - Raconteur<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Frank Burkitt Band<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Raconteur<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Frank
Burkitt Music<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Versatility
in music style and instrumentation is the distinguishing feature of The Frank
Burkitt Band who are based in New Zealand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was awestruck by the command of blues, jazz, Americana, folk and swing
they serve up on their third album <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Raconteur</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve not heard such effective variety on one
album since Elton’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Goodbye Yellow Brick
Road.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Frank
Burkitt, vocalist and guitarist, also writes as well as Bernie Taupin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On bluesy opener Work So Hard with banjo and
Hammond setting the scene, he drops the grenade “If you’re happy with a little,
you don’t need to work so hard”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
jazz-suffused Simple with double bass and cello is about the difficulties of
living with an opposite and features the vocals of partner Kara Filbey who also
plays the flute on several songs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Title
track Raconteur reveals slow Rhodes piano, acoustic guitar and trumpet while
Frank sings as confidently as James Taylor or Glen Campbell, “You always held
the room, in the palm of your hand.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Paint
the Town is just as much fun as Paolo Nuttini’s Pencil Full of Lead and if
given the same airplay as the current infuriating Baby Shark, it would smack it
right out of the water! (I’ve never taken to novelty, sorry).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
song Albert Woodfox tells the true story of 43 years of solitary confinement
for murder despite no physical evidence and a discredited witness testimony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mourning cello and flute accompany Frank’s
tenor voice - “Who did you talk to 23 hours of 24, you staring at a closed door.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Gypsy Barber features Django Reinhardt-style guitar and clarinet with its
clever lyrics set to swing – “He’s been known to cure disease and broker peace
in The Middle East. The Gypsy Barber every week tries harder to make a living
going from town to town.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Folk-fringed
Walkin’ Right could have been penned by fellow Scot, Bert Jansch and the a cappella
of My Heart Waits completes this album of breadth, depth and talent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Put me down for their next, please! <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-71324252754967257492019-02-10T19:47:00.000+00:002019-06-10T14:16:23.377+01:00Andy Susemihl - Elevation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Andy Susemihl</div>
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Elevation</div>
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SM Noise records</div>
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German born guitarist Andy Susemihl cut his teeth with German band Accept and</div>
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U.D.O. and success led to the supporting of Guns N' Roses on their <i>Appetite for</i></div>
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<i>Destruction</i> tour. Unsurprisingly he knows how to get the best out of his guitars and</div>
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now prefers the freedom to play axeman, bluesman or entertainer, on his own terms.</div>
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What surprises the listener on fifth album Elevation however, is the top quality vocals</div>
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where every word can be heard.</div>
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The album has the vibe of LA. It's classic album-orientated, radio-friendly rock with a melodic vocal. The crisp audio quality is reminiscent of the tunes Paul Gambaccini</div>
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played during his eleven year tenure of presenting The Billboard US Top 30 Singles</div>
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Chart Show on a Saturday afternoon. He needs remembering for being the BBC's</div>
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wheat amongst the chaff of broadcasters.</div>
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Elevation takes me back in time to a break from an English Literature essay and</div>
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reaching for the badminton racquet (Air guitar was for beginners!), I'd bend the</div>
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strings like a pro to Van Halen, Foreigner, Aerosmith,Toto, Journey and Steely Dan.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Susemihl has extracted this DNA of mainstream American rock to write and produce a satisfying upbeat long player which ends delightfully with his own version of Personal Jesus.</div>
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NE</div>
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nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-83842763983696692332018-12-29T11:19:00.001+00:002018-12-29T11:25:11.754+00:00Nosound - Allow Yourself<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nosound<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Allow
Yourself<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kscope<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nosound
may not be your first choice to select for your workout at the gym.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are rather more known for their
melancholy and introspection and so are better suited for making an impression
on your sofa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Giancarlo
Erra’s graceful post-rock songs and articulately pronounced vocals will appeal
to fans of Radiohead and Pink Floyd yet <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Allow
Yourself </i>shines as bright as any crazy diamond with a street spirit of its
own creativity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What distinguishes them
from their influencers is the interplay of band.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The percussion of Ciro Lavorne from an almost
drum n bass persuasion on the single Don’t You Dare to the piano-led My Drug
punctuates the ambient keyboarding of Marco Berni.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Judicious use of jangly guitar, cello and
violin add to the soundscapes whilst the percussion, vocals and pop-song length
tracks (even the longest Weights is five minutes) leaves the listener craving
for more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In
defiance of their name, Nosound have worked hard to produce an exceptionally imaginative
symphony with a fit and lean running time of 38:44 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NE<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-81762785860989313372018-12-08T15:42:00.001+00:002018-12-08T15:42:15.536+00:00Vesper Sky - Stewart Henderson, Yvonne Lyon and Carol Henderson<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvMLmi0NUwA9Nw_MzNXxpYC6mz-dmJ8_uM9IUiaa6kQPJk767uoEeeE1EYVf6ezJRjKik7LyGm6z5rLbFi7iNcrlsUW8_NDi06gp5lg4gb_rxNiOwtdayyMcSDKi_3QiUuArof6txrLK2/s1600/IMG_20181208_143527449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvMLmi0NUwA9Nw_MzNXxpYC6mz-dmJ8_uM9IUiaa6kQPJk767uoEeeE1EYVf6ezJRjKik7LyGm6z5rLbFi7iNcrlsUW8_NDi06gp5lg4gb_rxNiOwtdayyMcSDKi_3QiUuArof6txrLK2/s320/IMG_20181208_143527449.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Vesper Sky<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stewart Henderson, Yvonne Lyon and Carol
Henderson<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Self-released-www.yvonnelyonmusic.com<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For
those who lament the dumbing down of some media evidenced by TV shows such as
what passes for love island, we don’t have any talent and the questionable
factor (no capitals deserved), this album is a glorious antidote of songs,
poems, songs with spoken word and poems with music.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Singer/songwriter
Yvonne Lyon, who has played with Beth Nielsen and supported Eddi Reader, opens
with two strong songs including the title track Vesper Sky which has the
cadences of the best that Simon and Garfunkel ever produced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Carol
Henderson who has a background in theatre, film and BBC Radio 4 drama, opens
her account with a reading of How Clatter the World against an ambient beat
Brian Eno would certainly approve of.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stewart
<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>Henderson, who writes much of the material follows next
with the poem Eyes Down, a lament and appeal to the wired generation to “look
up and consider this has been entrusted to you so that you do not look down”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Breakages
read by Carol is about forced intrusions into our lives and our own wrecking
ball yet offers hope where emotion can find an outlet in word and song.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Humour
is introduced at precisely the middle of the recording with Stewart and the
jaunty Perfect Fit about not fitting in, expresses gratitude for finding a fit
with his partner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Somewhere
in The Library cleverly reveals the nation’s most loved books in rhyme. Yvonne
Lyon returns in song with December Coast of Galloway where soft vocals effortlessly
blend with piano, flugelhorn and trumpet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Half a dozen of the twenty tracks threaten to bring tears with the tales
of real life laid bare, but the delivery and the humour and the songs, evenly
balances the scales.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Poetry
doesn’t have to be painful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t
have to be learned by heart for analysis only for examinations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To quote the last song of the album it’s to
Enjoy Not Endure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s first use was to
remember and convey human history and the brain searches and finds the meaning
not only through the sounds of the words but also through the silences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All
You Need Is Love, The Beatles proclaimed. What the World Needs Now Is Love, Hal
David recommended, but I’d also advance that words and music especially of the
calibre of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vesper Sky, </i>are equally as
essential to the human psyche.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-31009117045001329742018-10-08T19:49:00.000+01:002018-10-08T20:07:05.804+01:00Circle of Crows - Everything Comes After Zero<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Circle of Crows<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Everything Comes after Zero<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">SaN Ltd<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It's been difficult to put pen to paper for this debut
from Cornish trio Circle of Crows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each
time I play its six tracks I drop my pen and wield my air guitar instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also has the charisma that will make them
a household name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How a trio can deliver
such a convincing and confident sound on their first recording is
remarkable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took Sir Paul McCartney,
four albums after the split of The Beatles to hit his stride again with Band on
The Run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Everything
Comes After Zero </span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">has imagination, riffs and solos, and a
confident vitality of bands like Audioslave, The Datsuns, The Libertines and The
Darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kyle Gormley sings of themes
that resonate across the generations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"Life goes on, Try saying that when you've lost as much as me"
he opens on How to Wait For Nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I've forgotten how to dream because
I've spent so long in the dark" he starts on the slower <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Into The Sun</i> are anthems that will
gather and hold fans like a magnet passed over iron filings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-21857451254500282632018-10-08T19:45:00.000+01:002018-10-08T19:45:17.218+01:00Tim Hunter - Blue Sky Moments<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tim Hunter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Blue Sky Moments<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Northern Soundscape<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Behemoths of Rock won't feel threatened by this softly
lilting instrumental album inspired by the North Yorkshire coastline from
composer Tim Hunter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet on the hottest
night in the UK for years, I was grateful to be taken from sweltering bedroom
to the cooler space of North Yorkshire by the expressive restrained guitars and
synth work, with a rhythm similar to that of Toto's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Africa</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It's an album that
could accompany the concept of slow-eating and large family gatherings,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as it lulls and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>charms any listener.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tim's clean guitar playing has echoes of the
fluidity of Mark Knopfler especially on my favourite track Fossil Fantasy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I relaxed to the pleasant atmosphere provided by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blue Sky Moments</i>, found plenty to admire
in his melodies and played it back-to-back the very next day whilst stuck in
sticky Friday afternoon traffic jams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-72098142920398297552018-09-02T11:37:00.000+01:002018-09-02T11:37:36.871+01:00Working Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Shaken from our shallow slumbers<br />
by an unwanted electronic alarm of intrusion.<br />
Peering through puffy eyes at our partner<br />
over breakfast muesli<br />
or toast if there's time.<br />
<br />
Despatched from one another with packed lunches<br />
and teas made with love stirrings to<br />
long journeys, sometimes only of delays.<br />
Hard work separated by weekends and holidays<br />
pull at our tethered humanity.<br />
<br />
We return home after one hundred and fifty miles<br />
to our island bursting with<br />
love and our belongings bought together.<br />
Our nights of tv, books and<br />
sofa leanings bring a<br />
deeper love and understanding<br />
through our minds' fusion.<br />
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nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-74045021087108799682018-08-18T10:50:00.001+01:002018-08-26T11:24:16.260+01:00Orions Belte - Mint<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Orions Belte</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Jansen Records</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqxWHvFUY02ocxPhq_beLDqNWpBkKKgqks0bD_BjvM9XPlLwoXOm2ch3pMsDcJ6jW0p89MlPgH5TYFdi7C69rtewXWQGUGhyE6OD02z6J9iE4UD2gmiY6cR3-3cxVbcX7baIdGe6feXmE/s1600/IMG_20180714_145820232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqxWHvFUY02ocxPhq_beLDqNWpBkKKgqks0bD_BjvM9XPlLwoXOm2ch3pMsDcJ6jW0p89MlPgH5TYFdi7C69rtewXWQGUGhyE6OD02z6J9iE4UD2gmiY6cR3-3cxVbcX7baIdGe6feXmE/s320/IMG_20180714_145820232.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Take the plunge and immerse yourself into a retro cascade of Norwegian glacial cool </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">with the debut album from Orions Belte. Hazy, heavy on the reverb guitar, keys not </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">unlike a Wurlitzer organ and a pedal steel predominate the nine tracks on offer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The shoulders relax to the laid back lounge rhythms and I have the strange desire to </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">bounce down the road on a space-hopper, to buy a fondue set (so expensive now!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">and cover half a potato in foil for that culinary delight of cheese and pineapple </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">chunks!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Delmonte combines the sound of the Stone Roses with Fela Kuti for an afrobeat </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">endeavour that disappointingly fades after 1:30 but the next song Joe Frazier, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">compensates with the addition of vocals from bassist Chris Holm and slow guitar </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">licks for over five minutes from Oyvind Blomstrom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Moving Back Again and Le Mans, hint of the glamour and the froth of casinos and </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Camparis, whilst Picturephone Blues returns to the afrobeat theme, with a droning </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">bass and an almost psychedelic lead. Seven-minute standout track Atlantic Surfing</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">is a timeless trippy affair that shows the band can also change up a gear when the </span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">fancy takes them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Alnitak returns the pace to a Purple Rain patter and neatly closes <i><span style="color: #38761d;">Mint</span></i>.</span></div>
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nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-88151539612617134302018-08-13T19:07:00.000+01:002018-08-13T19:07:24.345+01:00Neil Campbell The Outsider – News from Nowhere<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
latest offering from Liverpudlian composer Neil Campbell is inspired by William
Morris’s socialist and environmentalist novel News from Nowhere which along
with much classic literature, is available for download from several sources
over the internet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Neil
Campbell produces a euphoric collage of classical and acoustic guitar to match
the fingers of John Williams, with added genius in blending the handclaps of
flamenco, the atmosphere of harpsichord and harmonium, and prog rock
synthesizer flourishes into a satisfying and coherent whole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
recording together with Morris’s text which it references, throws into stark
relief the big questions of our day which must be Campbell’s intention who also
comes from one of the great cities of the industrial revolution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It adds to the impetus ramped up last year by
Sir David Attenborough’s address on plastics in Blue Planet II for an urgent
rethink of the effects of industrialisation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Reading the novel supports the need for new visionaries to confront signs
of a current malaise in our worldwide political leadership.<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6009024254660264284.post-14298682112738985482018-08-09T18:59:00.002+01:002018-09-02T11:38:00.127+01:0023 Acez-Embracing the Madness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Acez<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Embracing
the Madness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Freya
Records<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Belgian
heavy rockers 23 Acez release their third album <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Embracing the Madness</i> and I’ve duly obliged, playing it on repeat
for days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contemporary riffs grab the
attention but they are balanced by convincing classic rock moments of both
melody and amazing lead guitar fretwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The band has diamonds in depth with outstanding vocals from founder and
guitarist Benny “Zors” Willaertand and the pounding drums of Louis Van der Linden impress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was captivated by the variety of this
upbeat rock album and this band deserve more recognition for their melodies,
musicianship and power of their well-written songs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contrary to Consequence of Sound’s recent
headline “Beyonce Reigns; Rock Dies: Coachella 2018”this album is ample
evidence rock music continues to defy its critics and continues to evolve
worldwide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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nelski10@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12141880813347149478noreply@blogger.com0