Big Big Train - Last Eleven. One of the highlight songs, amongst many, from Saturday’s show in Edinburgh. I love this band. The combination of music and lyrics here never fails to move me. 🎵

Reading: Neu Klang - The Definitive History Of Krautrock by Christoph Dallach. I really like the oral history style of books like this. You get a better picture of what happened with all of the different memories and viewpoints. 📚

Almost forgot about the upcoming Yes concert in Glasgow. My ticket for last year’s cancelled show is still valid. The current lineup gets a lot of stick (“Tribute band!") but as long as Steve Howe is still there I’m on board.

Listened to Life Of The Record - THE MAKING OF I WANT TO SEE THE BRIGHT LIGHTS TONIGHT - FEATURING RICHARD THOMPSON AND LINDA THOMPSON

For the 50th anniversary of Richard and Linda Thompson’s first album as a duo, I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight, we take a detailed look at how it was made.

A fantastic deep dive into one of my favourite albums. 🎵

The Guardian: Billy Bragg: ‘There’s nothing like going out there singing your truth. That ain’t changed’. Billy has always been a force for good and it’s great to see he’s still fighting the good fight. I’ve seen him live a few times over the years.  🎵

Qobuz

I chose Qobuz as my music streaming service because:

  • it prioritises albums over playlists
  • it has good editorial articles by humans
  • there are no aggressive algorithms feeding me more of the same
  • it just suggest new albums that usually push me out of usual routines
  • you can buy hires downloads from the qobuz store
  • it isn’t a system to be gamed like Spotify
  • it sounds great
  • it doesn’t appear to be run by a creep like Daniel Ek

I expect to come back and update these thoughts after a few more months of listening.

Earworm of the week: Sisters Friends by The High Llamas. One of the best tracks from the new album. 🎵

I found my old Sony Mini Disc player. It still looks shiny and brand new. I wish I could also find the recording of Alex Chilton I made with it when he played our local Art Centre back in the 90s. He performed a set of cover versions with a couple of Scottish musicians and I’m sure it would be of interest to collectors (if I ever found it). 🎵

Here’s a bit of joyful reading for a Sunday. 🎵

Joni Mitchell review – first headline show in two decades is three hours of total joy | Music | The Guardian

🎵 Farewell, Tina Turner. A true rock’n roll legend. Tina Turner: legendary rock’n’roll singer dies aged 83

I never really listened to Terry Hall’s band The Colour Field that much. Which means I’d never heard their gorgeous cover of The Roches’ Hammond Song until today. Hammond Song on YouTube 🎶

Steely Dan’s 20 greatest songs – ranked! | Steely Dan | The Guardian:

With November marking 50 years since their debut album, we pick the best of the band’s idiosyncratic output, with tales of capitalism, drug dealers and mid-life crises.

Nice list. Deacon Blues is my fave. 🎵

The Marillion show was rescheduled to the following night but at a different venue. This was my view of the stage and the reason I have a sore neck today. It was a great show though. The usual mix of high emotion and laughter from live Marillion. I loved it. Setlist. 🎵

my view of the stage at O2 Academy venue in Glasgow

I expected it but next Monday’s Marillion show in Glasgow has been cancelled. It’s disappointing but understandable. I could have done with the uplift after such a stressful summer. New date to come. Marillion ‘The Leavers: V. One Tonight-Live At The Royal Albert Hall 🎶

WFMU: Dance With Me, Stanley with Stashu: Playlist from September 2, 2022:

Dance With Me, Stanley with Stashu

I love the joyful chaos of DJ Stashu on WFMU. She brightens up Friday nights.

Trigger warning for polka music. 🎵

I’ve got two live shows coming up this month. Marillion and Steve Hackett. The last two shows I attended were to see… Marillion and Steve Hackett. I. know what I like as someone once sang. 🎵

Wonderful BBC Proms concert on TV tonight. Public Service Broadcasting and the BBC Symphony Orchestra performed their tribute to the BBC centenary. The ending was powerful. A moving reminder that nothing lasts forever but also a symbol of what we’d lose if the BBC disappeared. 🎵

Currently reading: Sound Within Sound by Kate Molleson 📚🎵

I haven’t been able to concentrate on any reading over the last few weeks due to the major stuff going on in my life but I seem to be settling down a bit now. I have a pile of music-related books to get through.

Medicine by Momma. I love this. If you like 90s alternative stuff you probably will too. 🎵

Marillion have released a special edit, and video, of the song Reprogram The Gene for Earth Day - A Friend Of The Earth (Youtube). Have a listen.

“Listen to Greta T…” 🎵