Here, in the Northern Hemisphere, it's early summer. A time when our gardens are full of insects, creeping across the lawns, buzzing through the air, pollinating the plants. And the most spectacular of all is the big, brightly-coloured dragonfly. The Welsh poet, W. H. Davies, was so impressed by a specimen of Odinata anisoptera that…Read more Dragonfly
2020s
A Romantic’s Guide to King Crimson
My first encounter with King Crimson was at a free concert in Hyde Park, London, in 1969. They were the only band to make enough noise to fill the open arena, and they stole the show, playing In the Court of the Crimson King, 21st Century Schizoid Man and Epitaph. I have been a fan…Read more A Romantic’s Guide to King Crimson
Truce <3
In these burdened days of climate change and political upheaval, the divisions between us grow ever deeper. Misogyny and racism fuel social media; armed conflicts break out around the world. Death and devastation spread across the globe. And, in the midst of it all, the voice of truce is but a whisper in the deep…Read more Truce ❤
The Price of Love
The Price of Love was written by Don and Phil Everly (The Everly Brothers), and released as a single in 1965. It reached no. 2 on the official UK pop chart. There have been several other versions of the song, too - notably, one by Bryan Ferry included on his 1976 album, Let's Stick Together.…Read more The Price of Love
Happy the Man
The four faces of Happy the Man (in 2024) The American prog rock band, Happy the Man, released their self-titled debut album in 1977. It has always been regarded as a particularly fine example of the genre, and it was re-released in 2024 as Starborne. https://open.spotify.com/album/6twLF4q0KEZGdp1CC5iFGA?si=hgkXNkaYSHKGB7fkthoS7w The debut album of Happy the Man. This band…Read more Happy the Man
Olivia Ruth
Could this be Olivia's Shop? Let me introduce you to Olivia Ruth. She has a shop that sells everything you'll ever need. Or so Brendan Perkins tells us. https://open.spotify.com/track/2z5dCwXmkbhenm5YAA1sZB?si=7299d11393094792 A track from Brendan Perkins new album, Stories from the Old Church Lane. Now, the name Brendan Perkins is new to me. But, apparently, his latest…Read more Olivia Ruth
Kontraster
It's not often that you find multiple genres on a single album (outside of loose compilations, of course). And it's even rarer for two bands with contrasting styles to each provide one half of an album. But that's what the Norwegian bands, Jordsjø and Breidablik, give us with Kontraster. And to challenge prospective listeners even…Read more Kontraster
Phantom Limb
If a ghost loses an arm or a leg, would he still feel the pain of a phantom limb? That's a tongue-in-cheek rhetorical question - I don't believe in ghosts - but perhaps the Swedish band, Hooffoot, would like to tell us why they chose to call their latest album, Phantom Limb. That probably does…Read more Phantom Limb
Newsflash
Several upcoming gigs in Nottingham caught my eye recently: Zopp, 10th April at Billy Bootleggers The Ks, 8th May at Rock City Fyfe Dangerfield, 10th May at The Grove These are all highly recommended by the Crotchety Music Preview Panel. Further information on these artists can be found in these earlier Crotchety Man blog posts:…Read more Newsflash
Sanju
Celebrating Holika Dahan, the Hindu festival of fire and renewal. The Anglo-Irish folk band, Flook, have just released a new album. Its title is Sanju, which seems to be the name of a Hindu priest, an Indian cricketer, or a film about a Bollywood actor. The connection between Irish folk music and the Indian subcontinent,…Read more Sanju
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