The malicious Queen of Hearts It seems to me that almost all committees are dysfunctional. As soon as you get more than 3 or 4 people together round a table, opinions fly across the room in all directions, and the substance of the discussion dies in the crossfire. In theory, the meeting comes to a…Read more Malice in Wonderland
Track
Protocol
"The use of the word 'extinction' breaches diplomatic protocol", says dinosaur. protocol[ proh-tuh-kawl, -kol, -kohl ] noun The customs and regulations dealing with diplomatic formality, precedence and etiquette. An original draft, minute or record from which a document, especially a treaty, is prepared. Medicine. The plan for carrying out a scientific study or a patient's…Read more Protocol
Slip Away
Watching the day slip away The forensic archaeologist at the Crotchety Music Institute was asked to find songs on the theme of Position. The search began with the keywords 'position', 'where' and 'place', which turned up a few mostly unremarkable pop and folk songs. Next, he tried 'front', 'back', 'above', 'below', 'left' and 'right'. These…Read more Slip Away
Unhurt
Aja Monet I eat my peas with honey. I've done it all my life. It makes the peas taste funny, But it keeps them on the knife. Would you like some poetry to accompany your music feast? Or do you prefer a side dish of music with your main course poetry? Either way, the New…Read more Unhurt
Fairlies
'Fairlies', it seems, can refer to a type of yacht, a double ended steam locomotive, or a place. Or it could just be someone's name. In fact, this song by Grian Chatten is about none of these; it's about the unfairness of life. The fairies get their fingers and they spin your wheelAnd they make…Read more Fairlies
Presidentially Yours
This week's mind tickler came once again from my Spotify Release Radar playlist. A track called Presidentially Yours caused the cog wheels in the mental gearbox to suddenly shift up a notch. The title alone was enough to disengage the clutch. The unmistakable voice of Simon Armitage, our Poet Laureate, selected a higher gear ratio.…Read more Presidentially Yours
Thinium
Thin lines. Between genius and madness. Between success and failure. Between order and chaos. Is that what Thinium is about? Or is this the Immortal Onion's way of reminding us of the tissue paper layers in the vegetable that makes us cry? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNP5SIMf2_Q This Polish jazz trio has appeared here before - in February 2021…Read more Thinium
Move
The universe is big. The universe is complex. The universe is dynamic. Everything in it moves. You can't move a mountain, but mountains are moving across the surface of the Earth. The Earth itself moves. It spins on its axis and it orbits the sun. The sun wanders through the Milky Way. The galaxies pirouette…Read more Move
Bala Rocky
Early morning view across lake Bala, North Wales What does the word 'Bala' mean to you? To me, it is a lake in North Wales. That part of the country is mountainous, so it probably has a rocky shoreline. But "Bala Rocky" is not how you would express that in English. Perhaps, then, the title…Read more Bala Rocky
Wild Grey Ocean
If your name is Fender, it would be hard not to be a musician. Fortunately, Sam is a rather good pianist, guitarist, singer and songwriter. In fact, he is one of the biggest stars in the pop/rock/indie style around today. And he deserves to be. This song came up on my Spotify Release Radar last…Read more Wild Grey Ocean
Crotchety Man 