For my track of the week I'm offering a song you all know. You've heard it on the radio, on the TV, in films, and in pubs, restaurants and shops. It's ingrained in our collective consciousness like our national anthems or your favourite hymn. Most people like it, some adore it, few hate it. It's David Bowie's Space…Read more Space Oddity
Landscape
In my first chemistry practical at school we explored the difference between mixtures and compounds. Most metallic elements, we were told, have certain properties in common: they are hard and shiny; they conduct heat and electricity well; they ring when you strike them. Non-metals, like sulphur, are usually soft and powdery, are insulators and scrunch quietly if you…Read more Landscape
Axis
It's time to introduce you to the best band you've never heard of. I know you've never heard of them for two reasons. Firstly, although they recorded three albums in the mid to late seventies they were never signed up by a record company and never promoted in any way. Secondly, they never played any live gigs.…Read more Axis
Somebody…
Back in January 2012, looking forward to my 60th birthday later that month, I spent some time browsing Internet sites for music I might like and came across a blogger called Xandi. He (I’m guessing it’s a ‘he’) publishes links to music videos of a wide range of genres from all round the world and I enjoyed…Read more Somebody…
Regret
I've listened to a lot of contemporary music over the last 50 years or so. Inevitably, most of the tracks and albums I blog about were recorded and released a long time ago. But to prove I'm not stuck in the past my latest track of the week was only released at the end of April (this year)…Read more Regret
Stop This Train
I'm sure you remember a train journey like this... It was bright and sunny when you boarded the train but dark clouds rolled in and now it has started to rain. All you can see in the window is a few orange streetlights outside and the reflection of the seats and the passengers inside the carriage. It feels as…Read more Stop This Train
Scarborough Fair
For my next track of the week I'm going to Scarborough Fair. It's a journey of around 150 miles from where I live now to the seaside town of Scarborough on the north east coast of England. I'll have to travel back in time, too, because the fair hasn't been held since 1788, but that's OK; time…Read more Scarborough Fair
Stairway to Heaven
Our living room is light and airy but rather bland: magnolia walls, white ceiling, beige carpet. A raspberry red sofa and a matching armchair add a big dollop of colour but they are old and the covers become increasingly shredded each time our beloved cat uses the furniture as a scratching post. The time has come to re-think the…Read more Stairway to Heaven
Baker Street
London is a big city. A really big city. The population of Greater London is currently estimated to be about 8.6 million, only slightly less than New York. Crotchety Man was brought up in the suburbs of England's capital city and it will always have special memories for me. London, though, can be a lonely place…Read more Baker Street
Guillemots
Guillemots are a bit of a mystery. They are undoubtedly my favourite band of all time but it's hard to say why. Let's do some research, see what we can find out, and try to throw some light on the band and their music. First of all, they are named after a seabird. Guillemot: /ˈɡiləˌmät/ noun…Read more Guillemots
Crotchety Man 