Mud... Mud... etc.

Well, it did feel more like a survival contest but Glastonbury 2007 has come and gone.

I don't think I'm the only one who is seriously thinking about not coming next year, that's two warzones on the trot. After getting back to civilization you feel like you're on the moon, so weightless does it feel not to carrying around half a field on your wellies.

My tent is currently flapping around in the garden, trying to lose the crusty muddy bits in (yet more) rain and wind. I have a feeling a lot of people left their tents behind this year - no bad thing, as they are packed up and sent off to charities.

Some great acts, The Arcade Fire, The Earlies and Bjork were excellent, as was Billy Bragg, Bill Bailey, Jeremy Hardy and the One-Man Star Wars Show.

Actually, saw more cabaret and comedy this year than music, but then again I also spent a lot of time watching lobsters with water coming out of them, that's Glastonbury for you I suppose.

Still pretty tired out from the mud and the cleaning so here's a few tracks for you to enjoy.

The Arcade Fire - Wake Up

The Earlies - No Love In Your Heart

Bjork - Verandi

Hayle Hayle Rock & Roll

Well, shortly after going to Cuba, me and the missus were able to have a quick Cornish break to the seaside - Hayle, to be precise...

This was the land of my Summer Holiday, we seemed to end up coming back here at least once a year for our family break, for at least 10 straight years.

Ah, kite flying, swimming and running around a lot. This time round, it was more about food and having a nice sit down, a definite sign of age.

Cornwall has a great backdrop of history involving pirates, smuggling, shipwrecks and cornish pasties.

Even when it rains you can have a nice walk on the beaches or watch the sea for hours.

Hence a water / nautical theme for this holiday blog.

First off are three songs by the Baka Pygmies, who actually play the water like drums.

It's an amazing sound and you should definitely check out their album.

Here are three songs by them.

Water Drums - 1

Water Drums - 2

Nursery Rhyme

Next is a wonderful sea shanty tale from The Decemberists. This really makes me think of the coast and I love the accordion noises.

The Decemberists - The Mariner's Revenge Song

Here's a couple of loosely themed songs... Enjoy. Apologies if you don't like the WMA format - you can always change it though...

PJ Harvey - Down By The Water

Jewel - Deep Water

Bucanero! Cristal! Mojito! Havana Club! Cuba!

Well, I've just come back from a two week holiday in Cuba.

An interesting place, one sure to change soon - those classic cars can't last forever, you know.

We drove, we gave lifts, we spoke bad Spanish. We drank.

Here's a couple of shots of Havana, which admittedly aren't that brilliant, but then I did forget me camera so they're taken on disposables.

Although I may have nightmares about musicians chasing me around restaurants urging me to buy their CD, here's some Cuban songs to get you in the mood for a Cohiba cigar.

Beny More - Babarabatiri

Compay Segundo - Chan Chan

Groupo Raison - Guantanamera

Adios!

Next holiday is Cornwall and it's only a week from now!

Short and sweet, but there are many things to get done... Expect sea shanties and the like to celebrate on the next post...

Modern Life Isn't Rubbish

Where Have All The B-Sides Gone?

Hello there,

By means of introduction, welcome to what is a spankingly new blog, written by a shockingly old person.

Well, I'm 34 anyway.

I'm from Bristol in England, famed for its top-quality footballing teams - and an old bridge.

I do boring things with computers.

Does anybody NOT do things with computers???

I don't really have a favourite style of music, it tends to be dictated to by my moods and my alcohol intake. Guitar, as I type.

Occasionally, these pages will feature my partner's blatherings about how good Eighties rock is and how much better Manchester / The North is than The South. Probably.

So don't blame the impending poodle rock on me.

I'll allow her to introduce herself in due course...

So, why am I doing this?

I felt compelled to put this together, having written random comments on several Hype Machine and elbo.ws -aggregated pages about what I would dearly love to see up on their pages next.

I am trying to cut out the middle man, so to speak and put that content up there myself.

I don't have any ambitious goals with this site, other than the hope that this will lead to a few wistful smiles and some unexpected aural pleasure from those that pop in from time to time (is regularly too much to hope for?) to have a look.

That new and old discover long-forgotten and unknown gems from my dusty archives is reward enough.

If world peace should occur due to these postings, that'd be good too, of course.

At the very least, I would hope it kills a bit of time for you as you go about the stuff you do.

What do you do?

---

As I'm putting this together on impulse, I'm afraid I've got no cleverly composed master plan for the opening entry, other than a vague welcoming theme.

I do know that the next post will be Cuban-themed and the post after that will have a nautical slant.

Control yourselves now; you'll just have to wait, I'm afraid.

In the meantime, why don't you listen to:

Spiritualized - Come Together

The Kaiser Chiefs - Thank You Very Much

Ivor Cutler - Good Morning! How Are You? Shut Up!

Ian Dury - Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3

I will come back more prepared next time, honestly.

Hope you enjoy.

Links to:

Hype Machine

elbo.ws