Posted in Uncategorized on 20/08/2021| Leave a Comment »
People keep viewing my Language Learning in Britain Past, so I decided to add a companion piece on my own school experiences of the 60s (mainly of inept teaching). Here it is ENG.LIT. IN BRITAIN PAST. See link. There is a comments box at the end of the article. You may think me harsh.
Posted in Uncategorized on 16/08/2021| Leave a Comment »
Around and Around’s “Reviled!” series continues with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. There were several to choose from, but if we dismiss the “Unfinished Music” series, it has to be SOMETIME IN NEW YORK CITY (link to review). Rarely have the critics dipped their pens in so much vitriol. Mostly it was justified. John and Yoko. 1972. This double album was reviled for its trite and banal political lyrics. Recorded with a third rate band, Elephant’s Memory too. Then they decided to add a free live double album that most would have filed inthe wastebin. But … I do find some virtues.(And Yoko’s remastered 2010 CD sounds better than the original vinyl album).
Posted in Uncategorized on 12/08/2021| Leave a Comment »
At last, an indoor theatre review after such a gap. What a way to start, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC (FOLLOW LINK) at my favourite theatre, Chichester. It has taken me decades to learn to appreciate the musicals my parents’ generation loved. This sparkling state-of-the-art production has it all at the highest level, singing, dancing, acting, comedy and the Chichester staging on a revolving platform. I hate reviewing things you can’t see, but you CAN see this. Chichester is streaming it several times over the next three weeks. You have to buy a “ticket” and there are some afternoon streams (2.30 BST) and some evening (7.30 BST). Read my review, look at the pictures then if you want to see it, go to cft(dot)org to book.
Posted in Uncategorized on 08/08/2021| Leave a Comment »
An article on the Top Rank record label added. (Follow link) The label existed for under four years 1959-1962, but introduced several American classics to the UK, before being bought by EMI then melded into the Stateside label. The history of Top Rank’s move from British films to music is interesting in itself. These ‘record label’ pieces attract fewer readers than the rticles on albums, but have a look if only for the wealth of pictures. As you will see they run from the sublime (Dee Clark on ‘Raindrops’) via Joe Meek at his best on ‘Johnny Remember Me’ to the ridiculous.
Posted in Uncategorized on 01/08/2021| Leave a Comment »
The next one on Around and Around’s Reviled! The Albums Critics Love To Hate is Jefferson Airplane’s 1989 reunion aibum,after a seventeen year gap. This is a classic tale of in-fighting in a band and the lure of reunion of five of the original six. Then there was a late 80s sound imposed on them. It’s better than you might think, and the story behind getting it together is intriguing.
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