Jose Gonzalez, Cadogan Hall
2021 gives, then it takes away
two posts in one day.
I posted a song from Kiwi Jr earlier that really gave me cheer and then I heard the terribly sad news that Marks Keds of the Senseless Things had died. His life had his challenges but he brought joy to so many. I hope he is at peace.
This is the first Senseless Things song I ever heard and it’s still one of my favourites. Listen to it loud. So glad I saw them play again when they reunited for a couple of gigs in 2017.
Lockdown 2021
So here we go again, almost a year later and it feels like we’ve been treading water. But sometimes something comes along to lift your mood. Great song:
books and the lockdown
So 2020, you can do one.
It must be bad, I’m writing another blog post. There are some good things to come out of it, reaffirming friendships (albeit remotely) and planning for get-togethers post lockdown. Social media threw up a delight in the 7-day book challenge – post a picture of a book each day and nominate someone else to do the same.
This seems as good a place as any to record mine (and a few more) so here goes (in no particular order
Iain Banks – The wasp factory
Ian McEwan – Saturday
Margaret Atwood- Alia Grace
John Lahr – Prick up your ears
Alexander Masters – the genius in my basement
Graeme McCrae Burnet – his bloody project
Billy Bragg – the three dimensions of freedom
Kazuo Ishiguro – The remains of the day
If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is: infinite (William Blake)
A friend reminded me that today is the anniversary of Jim Morrison’s death. What an incredible talent and who knows what else he might have achieved.
So today I give you a track which transforms me into the title of my blog #madoldladydancing
little bit of classical
I’ve always like a bit of classical music and as I get older it’s creeping more and more into my daily listen. Check out these amazing performances from young musicians, oh to be that talented. My violin never made a sound like that (hence the giving up!) . The cello piece written by Mark Summer is a joy to behold.
As ever from NPR there is such an amazing mix of music, from that to this: The Messthetics… an instrumental trio featuring Brendan Canty (drums), Joe Lally (bass), and Anthony Pirog (guitar). Ex-fugazi and new talent, what’s not to love
weaves
I discovered Weaves a few years ago and they blew me away. I hate to be the curmudgeonly “I preferred their first album” type but I really did. The difficult second album was still good but missed the freshness and urgency of the first. Having said that, if they aren’t on your “to see” list, you need to revise your list.
NPR Tiny Desk concerts are ace, I’m not sure how they manage it but they always get the best out of the performers. The OkGo one filmed when the office was moving location is just great -check it out on youtube).
I saw Weaves in Guildford in the Boileroom (http://www.theboileroom.net/ ) a while ago now and they were truly epic. I missed the return visit to London in late 2017, still kicking myself… Jasmine has such an amazing stage presence, it’s hard to imagine she would do anything else.
While I’m on the subject, the Boileroom is a great venue thriving outside of London. Looking forward to seeing poet Hollie McNish there in October. Sadly the success of this one contrasts with the demise of another; here’s hoping New Slang in Kingston rises like a phoenix from the flames.
#stilltryingtogetthehangofthisbloggingthing
songs to make you smile…
We all have them, feelgood songs that will always get you singing and tapping your feet. Why does this happen – how does music have the power to do this? Sadly I can’t answer that one but here’s a starter for 10….
Hay Festival 2018
So it’s been and gone for another year and now for the post-Hay slump. Thea’s made a scrap book and Isaac’s read most of his books already. I’m still catching up with the washing and trying to get back into the swing at work. This year was mostly about the literature although I did mange to sneak in one neuroscience talk and in the words of Ben Elton, ” a little bit of politics” (showing my age there).
I love my job but sometimes the death and misery is relentless – our annual escape to the Welsh countryside is just what’s needed to reset my head. Now, is it time for the Hay Festival yet?
#lifeinmusic … 2010 onwards!
So it started with Isaac and then came Thea. Isaac likes a tune but Thea is definitely her mother’s daughter, all about the music for her!
2010 … Life is always good when you have Field Music to listen to. They are are another of those “guaranteed to make you happy” sorts of bands. Isaac was getting bigger and funnier but started to become clear he needed some company
2011… The year Thea made her presence felt (I finally met my match….I’m in trouble when she’s older).
2012….a bit late today …. A great song. I love this album, not a duff track on it
2013…. Mudhoney proving they’ve still got it and have that ability to remind me that I’m not always old and boring!
2014… a family favourite. Isaac and Thea love copying the moves in this video!
2015… The year I properly discovered SoundCloud and started looking for new music again. Love this acoustic version of this song but the regular one properly rocks out
2016 …. So, so many songs but this was definitely on my most played list of this year
2017… Didn’t manage to see this band live last year. One on the list for 2018. I had no end of amusement watching Thea prance about to this one
2018….I made it! It’s only February so it’s a bit hard to pick a song for the year but I have put this choice in Thea’s very capable hands. We only got the album last week but this is her firm favourite. I hope one day I will see her #lifeinmusic #trainingherwell
Mad old lady dancing 