Music
- 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
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.
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:
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. 🎵
🎵 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. 🎵
