Following her success last year in obtaining a set list for Elizabeth Fraser’s Bath gig, Mrs M outdid herself when we went to see Leonard Cohen in Cardiff last week. It’s pretty much as performed apart from ‘Sisters of Mercy’ and I don’t think any of the alternatives listed on the bottom left featured at … More Leonard Cohen set list: Cardiff, September 3 2013
It’s happened before but I wasn’t expecting it this time: a musical malaise has crept up on me. Normally I listen to a mixture of old music augmented by a steady stream of new songs. Right now I can’t be bothered with any of it. There are always times when I feel a bit jaded … More My musical malaise
These are amongst the relics which exist in photo form only. I had to clear out vast piles of newspapers and magazines which was creating far too much pressure on the joists of my attic and for those I was ruthless with, I took photos to remember them. George magazine was an extraordinary thing: published … More Relics 7: George Magazine
The second best thing about blogging about the music I like is that the people who make that music often get to see what I say about it but the very best thing is when they get in touch. After I posted my songs of the year, I was delighted to receive this message in … More Still a fan in my forties
Here they are: the 20 songs which I’ve been enjoying or obsessing about for the last twelve months. I’ve been spoilt for choice this year. There hasn’t really been any doubt about my song of the year though which shows no sign of wearing thin even after the ridiculous number of times I’ve played it. You’ll … More Songs of the Year 2012
It’s been a extraordinarily good year for new music as far as I’m concerned. I’ll post my songs of the year shortly. In the meantime, here are some pre-list lists. You can never have too many lists. Album of the Year Islet: Illuminated People From the Six-Million Dollar Man sound effects which mark the opening … More 2012 Music - let the listing begin
This review was first published by Wales Arts Review. I’d strongly recommend a visit there, it’s packed with interesting reviews and essays. I thought I’d put it here for posterity and accompany it with some photos too. You should know from the outset that I can’t be objective about anything to do with Elizabeth Fraser. … More Elizabeth Fraser review
This popped up in the inbox today. A very nice touch and it contains more than a hint that the recent gigs have persuaded her to return to live performing. On twitter, one of her backing singers said she thought more were planned for next spring. Elizabeth Fraser A Message From Elizabeth With each passing … More A message from Elizabeth Fraser
This also first appeared on Wales Arts Review. There are plenty more reviews and long essays on art and literature to be had there. I don’t know much about classical music but I love listening to live music of any kind and I love the old Bela Lugosi Dracula film with all its creaking campness … More Philip Glass: Dracula. Wales Millennium Centre Sunday 27th May 2012
This review first appeared on Wales Arts Review, the online home for Welsh critical writing. While you’re there, it’s worth spending some time reading the excellent reviews and essays. She’d won us over from the moment she walked on stage, with her band and without fuss. And without fuss, they launched into ‘Dancing Barefoot’, a … More Patti Smith at the Coal Exchange, Cardiff. June 26th 2012.
