The mother of all new years first-foots the garden.
Solstice
Making it up as you go along
Twelve tips to kick-start creativity and keep it flowing.
Rehanging the Gallery
A wander through Nomadness When I told singer-songwriter Dave Cousins that Nomadness was one of my favourite albums he cringed. It had been recorded at a difficult time. The Strawbs' popularity was waning, even on the far side of the Atlantic where it had recently burgeoned. They had parted company with keyboard player John Hawken … Continue reading Rehanging the Gallery
Trailing The Last Intake
An appreciation of: Preston Catholic College The Last Intake 1977-1982, The End of an Era by Jim Clune and Adrian Gawain Jones with the Old Boys of '77. Plus an added personal perspective.
Angels and needles
Listening to Ghosts Dark the night, not a soundDamp and cold, frosty groundAbove your head the lion screamsTo tear you from your moonlit dreams.Dave Cousins, Ghosts lyric Throughout 2021 I’m reflecting on the first tranche of Strawbs albums (including Dave Cousins' solo album Two Weeks Last Summer) in the order that they were released. This … Continue reading Angels and needles
The Artisan Author
Ten years of self-publishing. Was is worth it? The carpentry of writing and sitting next to candle makers at markets.
The Hero in Autumn
I sense Autumn coming onThe mist has hung low all day He senses autumn coming on, says my literary hero (yes – literary - hero) at the start. So true. The mighty track that opens the ninth album to be released with Dave Cousins at the tiller summons the fall season magnificently. It also heralds … Continue reading The Hero in Autumn
Prognostication
Father and son discuss nature, nurture and the curse of creativity. Is storytelling in the blood? Plus where the weirdest ideas come from, where Guinea Pigs should never go, and the meerkats of the mind.
Hallmarked from Woolworths
I couldn't believe my eyes. It was in the bargain LP display stand in Woolworths. My newly adopted favourite rock band were more successful than they'd ever been, having just clocked up a number two single and album, and here was a hitherto unreleased recording among the budget collections of compilation albums, popular classical orchestras … Continue reading Hallmarked from Woolworths
Glasson Clock
Spend some time at one of the lesser-known and more laid-back delights of Lancashire.
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