End of year round up

It's been a bit of an odd year this one, what with moving to Manchester, being self-employed for a bit and then starting work at The University of Manchester. Probably haven't kept up as I used to with what is happening music-wise, and I have certainly let my cinema going slip.

I have retreated a bit into my comfort zone with the music that I have been buying and listening to. As it happens, this state of affairs has been no bad thing as there have been some great releases by old favourites like Bob Dylan and Sonic Youth this year.

Since joining Manchester University I have been checking out a good bit more jazz (thanks to Ade, Jane and Nicole) and trying to become a bit more knowledgeable about the whole genre, and have heard some great stuff this year by Keith Jarrett, Miles, Tubby Hayes and the extraordinary Moondog.

Other musical themes for the year include … continuing interest in Psyche Folk, Tropicalia and other Brazilian pop music (mainly from the 1970’s) and have been saturating myself in acoustic/electric Blues music in an attempt to improve my guitar playing – mainly the three Kings (BB, Albert and Freddie).

As an aside, I was very sad to hear of the death of James Brown (aka The Godfather of Soul, Soul Brother Number One, Mr. Dynamite, the Hardest-Working Man in Show Business, Minister of The New New Super Heavy Funk) on Christmas Day. James Brown produced some of the most life affirming music ever recorded and made a self-conscious speccy white boy dance. Many thanks Mr. Brown.

Tracks of the year - the new stuff

1. Bob Dylan - Working Man's Blues #2
2. Kasabian - Shoot the runner
3. Bonnie Prince Billy and Tortoise - Thunder Road
4. Fujiya and Miyagi - Collarbone
5. Arctic Monkeys - When The Sun Goes Down
6. Midlake - Roscoe
7. Joanna Newsome - Cosmia
8. The Russian Futurists - 2 Dots on a map
9. Tunng - Bodies
10. Sonic Youth - Reena

End of year gig round up

A bit after the event(s) but here is a round up of some the gigs that I have been to this year

Buzzcocks - Manchester Academy 1
Poor sound and souless venue. Elderly pop punks played all the hits and highlights from there more recent material. All seemed a bit pointless really.

Ron Sexsmith - Salford Lowry
Great gig by much lauded Canandian songsmith. The gig may have tried the patience of less staunch fans at almost two and a half hours long.

Little Barrie - Manchester Roundhouse
The future of rock'n'roll (or so their warm up guy seemed to think). Balls to the wall rock in a Faces/Mod/Funk melting pot ... Somehow it works.

Richard Hawley - Salford Lowry

The Silver Jews - Academy 3

A Silver Mt. Zion - The Mint Lounge

Richard Thompson - Bridgewater Hall