Once more unto the breach, dear friends! The advertisers are bombarding us with Christmas offers. That's allowed in this house now that bonfire night has come and gone. But, this year, I have a secret weapon to counter the assault. You see, I installed an ad-blocker in my Web browser recently, and it's doing a…Read more Once Again
folk rock
The Clockwork Fable
I love a good story. And The Clockwork Fable is a splendid story. It concerns the subterranean city of Cogtopolis, founded 200 years or more ago. There is no natural light there. The citizens have legends of a sun that once shone above the surface but its rays were extinguished by clouds of choking, burning…Read more The Clockwork Fable
Wally
Crotchety Man has been hearing a lot of slowish soft-to-ambient music recently and was looking for something with a bit more bite to spice up his listening hours. But the airwave gods were not paying attention. Although the cuisine was excellent and the menu was varied, each dish they served up had clearly been prepared…Read more Wally
Curse of the Contemporary
Today is Father's Day and there's a most appropriate track on LUMP's eponymous first album; it's a song called Hand Hold Hero. I was tempted to bring him along as my Track of the Week but he slipped from my grasp when the intelligent lyrics and fluid singing faded out to leave an unappealing exercise in…Read more Curse of the Contemporary
Auntie Aviator
"Zoom, zoom, zoom, zoom", said Auntie, whisking the model aircraft high above her niece's head, adding "we’ll never touch the ground". "And if we don't want to", replied her niece with a grin, "we won't come down". They were both remembering last week's flight when Auntie took the controls of her light aircraft and took the…Read more Auntie Aviator
The Weaver’s Answer
Last week we had an Audience with a House on the Hill. They told us a story that asked where in life's rich tapestry we belong. So, this week, it seems entirely appropriate that we look for some answers. And where better to find them than in the studio of those master weavers of sonic…Read more The Weaver’s Answer
Burning Shed Free EP
Back in March 2017, in my Album of the Month post on Moroccan Roll by Brand X, I opined that the latest incarnation of the band had fully rekindled the energy and enthusiasm of their early albums. As evidence I cited a live version of Malaga Virgen recorded on their reunion tour just a few…Read more Burning Shed Free EP
Mr. Tambourine Man
When he was about seven Little Boy Crotchety had a part in the school play. Sitting cross-legged on the floor he used an enormous silver cardboard needle to stitch some invisible cloth, while the narrator introduced him as the tailor. I don't remember what the plot was or even why it required a tailor. I…Read more Mr. Tambourine Man
Autopsy
It's almost exactly 50 years since Fairport Convention gave their first performance at St. Michael's Church Hall, Golders Green, London on 27th May 1967. To commemorate that occasion the band called their recent half studio, half live album, 50:50@50. The album was released earlier this year and the band is on tour in the UK right now. Crotchety Man discovered too…Read more Autopsy
Magic
I shall be away from the temptations of the blogging machine this weekend so, this week, the Crotchety notes will be published in advance of the usual Sunday date and may be somewhat staccato. ----- For my Track of the Week I've chosen Magic by Bruce Springsteen. There's no particular reason for this; it just struck…Read more Magic
Crotchety Man 