Articles

You Just Kinda Wasted All My Precious Time

Observations on album filler

We know we don't live in a perfect musical landscape. Never have. So the interesting question sometimes comes up: If an artist absolutely, positively HAS to include a 'filler' song, where should it go? Certainly not at the beginning of the album, most would agree -- then you'd be disappointed outright, and the initial mood would hang over the rest of the album. And not at the end, either -- most would agree with that. It'd leave you on a sour note. So where, then? I contend that the... [read the article]

Love Is A Lesson To Learn In Our Time

R.I.P. John Martyn 1948—2009

Written by ant (24)

I was deeply saddened to receive news of the passing of another innovative and original artist at the close of last month. John Martyn was one of the most talented guitarists and composers who I ever had the privilege to witness live (on more occasions than I can recall) and, at the same time, one of the humblest and most human performers ever to have walked the boards. Were it the Glastonbury main stage or a tacky student union bar; with a big band behind him, duetting with Danny... [read the article]

Thoughts on Mitch Mitchell

Jimi's drummer of choice rewrote the rock and roll drumming rulebook

Written by ant (24)

Mitch Mitchell — the last survivor of The Experience — rejoined Jimi, Noel and Chas on November 12th. He was 62 years old, and the first reports suggest that he went peacefully in his sleep, of 'natural causes'. Coming as it did, just a few days after finishing my review of their debut recording, the news has hit me with all the force the trio habitually exerted. Quite simply, Mitchell was one of the greatest players to have ever picked up sticks... [read the article]

¡Viva Bosselona!

Three and a half hours of Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band at Camp Nou Stadium, Barcelona on Sunday, July 20, 2008

Written by ant (24)

Me, Ester and 70-odd thousand other tramps like us were participants in the party which was the last gig of the Magic European Tour. On a stiflingly sticky Barcelona night, Boss & Co kept us waiting for well over half an hour before finally making their appearance (though they compensated with a full-on show, lasting close on 3 1/2 hours). Having played the same venue the night before -- the first act to sell the place out two days running -- only half of the setlist was repeated. As... [read the article]

Zimmerman in Zaragoza — June 23, 2008

Bob Dylan's live set at the Expo with the Modern Times band proves that he really does get better with age... and his concerts are still full of groovy sublimity and musical surprises

Written by ant (24)

We crossed the desert to see Dylan play a car park, my wife Ester and me. Zaragoza, Spain lies just on the edge of the Monegros Desert. Dylan was booked to play as part of the Expo, "Hard Rain" being the official theme song of the event. The venue, according to the tickets, was 'la feria de muestras', a trade-fair. I had something like the Birmingham NEC in mind, but no: the stage was set up outside — in the car park! June 23 is an important date in the Spanish calendar: San Juan... [read the article]