Image by the WordPress AI The latest edition of my university college magazine, the brick, dropped in my inbox the other day. In the Student Life section, there was an article whose headline picture was of a rock band. It was titled 'Girl Like That' | Lucy Peer, and I found my inner voice asking,…Read more Medicine Box
Bridge Over Troubled Water
I've been in a rather sentimental mood for the last few days. It's the time of year, I suppose. For the elder members of society, it's a time to reminisce about Christmas Past. And for crotchety old duffers like me, it's when we cry "Humbug!" at an over-commercialised Christmas Present and try not to think…Read more Bridge Over Troubled Water
Tripliciti
Triplicity (with a 'y') is any group of three things. In astrology, it is specifically a group of three signs belonging to the same element. Tripliciti (with an 'i') is a group of three fingerstyle guitarists: Andy McKee, Calum Graham and Trevor Gordon Hall. All three are consummate masters of their instrument; together, they create…Read more Tripliciti
Deerand
How long can a hot-air balloon stay aloft? Deerand is a Persian term that means 'duration' (of instrument's tones). It is also the title of the latest album from Quartet Diminished. https://open.spotify.com/album/4elRzwcxhHDW5swyjtlrsy?si=HdJ7yhWxTDG0nOqe0EN8pQ Quartet Diminished's latest album, released to Spotify 15th November 2024 According to Spotify, the band was formed in 2013, and it can't have…Read more Deerand
Tall Stories for Small Children
This way to Santa's Grotto ... Christmas is coming. It's the most wonderful time of the year for small children. But for adults, it's a tall story of peace and goodwill to all men. Guy Manning is an English multi-instrumentalist who knows all about the snow-white lies we tell to our children and the grubbier…Read more Tall Stories for Small Children
Galactic Acid
Galactic Acid is a curious title for the recently released album by the acoustic fingerstyle guitarist, Mike Dawes. Does it refer to acids out in the galaxy? (Formic acid, acetic acid, carbonic acid and amino acids have all been detected out in space.) Or is it an acid derived from the sugar, galactose, in the…Read more Galactic Acid
The Water’s Edge
In my first year at secondary school, there was a boy in my class by the name of Waters. He wasn't the most obedient of pupils, and the form master decided that a lesson in behaviour was in order. He told Waters to stand on a chair so that the boy was leaning out of…Read more The Water’s Edge
Yellow Sands
Or, Eight Tales of Pixie Mischief The Fairy Feller's Masterstroke, a painting by Richard Dadd (1864) The English painter, Richard Dadd, was born in 1817. His aptitude for drawing was evident early on, and he was admitted to the Royal Academy of Arts at the age of 20. While on a tour of Eastern Europe…Read more Yellow Sands
Cunningham Bird
The parrot is a cunning bird ... ... but that is not what this blog post is about. An album by Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks was released on vinyl in 1973. It was called, simply, Buckingham Nicks. Shortly afterwards, Buckingham and Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac, and their debut offering was eclipsed by their new…Read more Cunningham Bird
This Could Be Texas
The wind is picking up. A hurricane is coming. Run, Dorothy! There's been a lot going on in Crotchety Land recently, and I haven't been paying attention to what's happening in the wider world. In particular, I haven't been keeping an eye on the Mercury Music Prize. While I've been distracted, the winner of this…Read more This Could Be Texas
Crotchety Man 