Sometimes there's a moment when everything falls into place. You've been searching high and low for the beautiful lady you danced with yesterday. Hundreds of women have tried on the glass slipper but it fits none of them. Then, just when you think you will never find her, a grubby servant girl in ragged clothes slips her foot into the…Read more I’d Rather Go Blind
1960s
From the Underworld
It had been miserable weather for several days when, on Wednesday, the skies cleared, the sun came out and the first warm day of Spring beckoned to us. Mrs Crotchety and I had a free afternoon so we drove the few miles from our house to Bradgate Park for a bit of fresh air. Bradgate is an old…Read more From the Underworld
Hole in the Ground
You know what's missing from this blog? A touch of humour. Now, I'm no comedian but I can find some funny songs for you to listen to. I'm not talking about laughable novelty songs like I Taut I Taw a Puddycat, Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini or Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer, which I'm sure you all love…Read more Hole in the Ground
Electric Ladyland
Why do we write about music? After all, mere words can not express the pleasure we get from listening to our favourite songs. How do you communicate the excitement when you hear something for the first time and your inner music critic says "Wow, that's amazing!"? How do you explain what makes this song special?…Read more Electric Ladyland
When I’m Sixty Four
Now that I'm older, lost all my hair many years ago, Will you still be sending me a valentine, Birthday greeting, bottle of wine? If I nod off at a quarter three, slippers on the floor, Will you still need me, will you still feed me, Now I'm sixty four? If the Beatles idea of old…Read more When I’m Sixty Four
Island
One day in 1969, when I was just a lad, rippling piano arpeggios rang out from the radio. That was odd because the portable transistor radio in the kitchen was always tuned to the light entertainment channel. Radio 3, the BBC's classical music station, might have been on in the living room but not until…Read more Island
Bob Dylan
When it comes to Bob Dylan, Crotchety Man came late to the party. He had raved about House of the Rising Sun (by the Animals), adored Blowin' In The Wind (by Peter, Paul and Mary) and swooned over Mr. Tambourine Man (by the Byrds). He was moved by The Times They Are A-Changin', With God on Our Side and Just Like a…Read more Bob Dylan
Waterloo Sunset
Between school and university I had a temporary job. It was the best vacation job a student could wish for: Assistant Scientific Officer (or some such title) at the Laboratory of the Government Chemist. It was the lowest and lowliest grade of scientific officer but I was paid the same as the permanent staff, which I believe…Read more Waterloo Sunset
White Rabbit
Mrs. Crotchety and I were watching the news the other day. There was a piece about the holiday-makers stranded in Sharm el-Sheik after the recent plane crash in the Sinai. A rankled Englishman was complaining about the delay and lack of information. I noticed he was wearing a Hot Tuna T-shirt and remarked that there…Read more White Rabbit
Nights In White Satin
There was a special offer on the Web: all six of the books shortlisted for the Man Booker prize 2015 for just £30 (in hardback). Mrs. Crotchety and I agreed that this was too good to miss and soon a courier delivered them to our humble home. Choosing the smallest and shortest of them, Satin…Read more Nights In White Satin
Crotchety Man 