When I launched this blog I said it would cover a wide range of genres, including a "smattering of classical". I was using 'classical' to mean anything in the styles prevalent in the 300 years or so from about 1600 - mainly orchestral and in one of a number of recognised forms (symphonies, concertos, etc.). Music…Read more Air On The G String
Month: January 2015
Magic Is Afoot
One morning earlier in the week there was a knock on the door. I was up but not yet dressed. Opening the door I was greeted by a woman carrying a bundle of small, glossy brochures. It was cold outside and a stiff breeze ruffled my dressing gown. I feared I was about to be…Read more Magic Is Afoot
Alt-J
On your computer keyboard, down by the Control key, there's an Alt key. In fact, there are two of them, one each side of the space bar. In most applications the two Alt keys have identical functions; they modify the effect of typing some other key. On an Apple Mac holding down the Alt key and typing…Read more Alt-J
The Trees Grow High
Last week a post appeared on my Facebook timeline saying something about Guardian Music's playlist. I don't read The Guardian, wasn't aware of 'Guardian Music' and don't normally follow playlists but its one-sentence content mentioned The Trees They Do Grow High, a traditional folk song that I know from Pentangle's Light Flight - Anthology album. According to…Read more The Trees Grow High
Back Door
We're half way through January already, so I think it's time to start the Album of the Month. Here's one for jazz fans, although there's nothing quite like it - not even in the infinite space of the Internet. Whatever your musical tastes are your education won't be complete until you've listened to Back Door's eponymous…Read more Back Door
The Black Lamps
An ex-colleague of mine from work plays bass in the Barnsley post-indie/rock band The Black Lamps which has just released its first album. The music is pleasant, if unexceptional. Nice album cover, though.
Hey, Joe!
One of my Christmas presents was a DVD of the Woodstock Festival of 1969. Watching the first hour or so brought back happy memories of my adolescent days so I'm going to start my music blog with a real blast from the past, Hey Joe, by the incomparable Jimi Hendrix. (Image from http://rockstarwallpapers10.net. Used without permission.)