In 1997 my partner and I moved from Leicester to York. On Tuesday we move back to a Leicestershire village just a few miles from where we used to live. Appropriately, as we travel south I shall be accompanied by Half Moon Run singing Full Circle. It's a catchy tune with a contemplative feel and one of the…Read more Full Circle
Track
Leaders of the World
Nearly 10 years ago now a new song on the radio interrupted my idle thoughts. After a few quiet drum beats a gritty bass line cut in like a teacher's voice. "Pay attention, children!", it said. Dutifully, I sat up and listened. The authoritarian voice of the teacher started to sing - "I'm sick of working for a…Read more Leaders of the World
Love Song #43
It will be Valentines Day on Saturday, so let's have a love song as my track of the week. I've got plenty to choose from - most pop songs seem to be about romantic love - but I don't want anything too sentimental. I think Made Up Love Song #43 by Guillemots fits the bill. As…Read more Love Song #43
Side
This blog is the story of my journey through the hills and valleys of the land we call Music. On my travels I have already come across a shape with three sides (Alt-J, "the alternative triangle band") and one with five sides (Pentangle, whose trees they do grow high). It's hard to imagine a shape…Read more Side
Air On The G String
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
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
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
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.)
Crotchety Man 