In The Pink

Turned on the weather man just after the news I need a sweet rain to wash away my blues look at the chart but I look in vain heavy cloud but...no rain Sting - Heavy Cloud No Rain

Jethro Tull have been my favourite band for many a year. I saw a documentary about them about 30 years ago as a teenager and was instantly transfixed by Ian Anderson: he was incredibly gifted, wonderfully weird and played music the likes of which I had yet to hear.  Image Credit: Goldmine I listen to them regularly and always have but every now and then I get a real Tull yearning and nothing else will do; its been like that for the past few weeks. So this morning I have played at my PC to Broadsword and the Beast and Songs from the Wood, two of my favourite albums, seriously not a bad song on either! Next I have Heavy Horses lined up. They are currently on a world tour with dates t hroughout 2017 noted on their website and I sincerely hope to get to see them again at some point. I have been several times but it is never enough. Categorised as progressive rock (of which I am a fan) it is their unique folk style that attracts me most and as such I have chosen th...

I have been getting a classical music play list together this week and to that end decided to expand on my collection by raiding the CD's at our local library. I have always liked Wagner but been quite ignorant of his work. I am of course aware of The Ring Cycle but knew little about the actual story, until today! I was pleasantly pleased to learn that it is steeped in Norse Mythology which is a subject I have a particular interest in.  I managed to get parts 3 and 4, Siegfried and Götterdämmerung, from the library and read the synopsis while listening to them but then I also found this little gem. Serious fans please don't take offence, it is a 3 minute animation with narration that tries to explain the whole story and I include it here as an educational tool only so anyone who like me had no idea what the tetralogy was about can get a grasp of it before possibly finding out more.  There are numerous versions available on DVD whic...

Radio 6 has just played the theme from Bladerunner by Vangelis (ooh and is following it up with Albert King, good call Huey) and it was so good to hear it. I got that soundtrack when it came out in the early 80's and it has remained a favourite since. I also had a tape recording of it with a couple of different versions of songs, the ones I know were different are Memories of Green and One More Kiss Dear, and I have long been meaning to track down this version on CD as both alternatives are superior in my opinion. Anyway, I thought I would see what Vangelis was unto and what do you know but he has a new album coming out in September this year. Fabulous! Its called Rosetta and comes out on 23rd September. I may have to check that out. In the meantime here is my favourite Vangelis track ever, heartbreakingly beautiful!

As I am sure you are all aware the great BB King died this week and although I was sad to hear the news, I cannot stay sad. He was a tremendous force in life, and lived it as he chose to (as far as I am aware) touring for almost his entire life and up to last year. I know that his energy has gone on to what ever comes next with the same gusto. The You Tube clip is one of may favourite albums, BB King - Midnight Believer. Enjoy!

Ha I wish! I did however spend an amazing evening with my even more amazing husband watching Depeche Mode, one of my favourite childhood bands, at the O2 in London. I have never seen them before (bit shameful really) and Mr Dancin is not a huge fan so its not something I have pushed since we have been together, there are after all plenty of bands we do both like that we want to go and see; but when they announced their current tour Mr Dancin said I should get tickets....about 60 seconds later they were booked and I was counting down the days. I have not been inside the main O2 Arena before and I liked it, we had good seats but everyone stood up anyway (thank goodness!) and the sound was pretty good. The highlight for me though was seeing wonderful Dave Gahan dancing around, being himself, looking happy and still managing to look damn sexy...even with his shirt off (oh yes!). They could have played any of their songs as far as I was concerned and they played a good mixture I thoug...

Today I am going to write a folk song on my guitar. I am a big folk fan and have always written songs and poems. Its a personal hobby and not something I have ever planned to try and make a career out of! Anyway I have had THIS amazing folk song, sung by John Tams in my head all week and hope to come up with something as simple and captivating. I will let you know how it goes! You may know John Tams as one of the Chosen Men from Sharpe, as seen here in an early episode. And if you are anything like me you will know which episode this is and what line is coming next!

Details HERE

Ok, now I have got the performing highlights out of the way its time for my favourite bit about the IOW Festival, apart from the wonderful company at my camp! Sunday lunchtime, there I was, quietly making my way down towards the main stage to see Joan Armatrading play, when drifting through the air came the sound of an acoustic guitar. I instantly recognised it and thought to myself 'My, that sounds like Nick Harper!' and lo, it was!!! Anyway, I went to say hello, had a lovely chat, and he offered to play a song for me. So I stood there, with my friend Jane, in our audience of two, and listened to him play Karmageddon, just for me! It made my day it did! Thanks Nick! Nick was there promoting two charities he supports (one of which is the Love Hope Strength Foundation ) and the Avebury Rocks festival happening the weekend after next (7th July) where he is playing along with The Levellers! I am currently trying to talk Mr Dancin' into going! For anyone who's inter...