Musical Essays

I cast the net out for ideas for themes for the next playlist and it was my son who came up trumps this time. So, this time around we will be focusing on Insects - ten interesting and varied tracks about everyone's favourite part of the animal kingdom! *** 1. Adam & The Ants: Antmusic This was the last single off of debut Kings Of The Wild Frontier , only being held off the UK top spot by Lennon's Imagine (fair enough). Interestingly, the video was the first directed by Ste

She had a musical career that spanned three decades or more, but remains something of an unknown figure despite having been a part of three fairly well known bands during that time. Then, for the last twenty years, she melted into the background, seemingly content to live the family life. But, who is Patricia Morrison. Patricia Rainone , as she was originally known, was born in Los Angeles in 1962. Now, she may not be a name familiar for many of you, but her life and musical

I don't generally stray far into the world of politics here, but it is time to show some solidarity with the people of Greenland. It would be wrong to ignore that there are, of course, existing issues around the existing colonial situation there - and it seems their connection to Denmark may not always be 100% happy and strong - but also being threatened by the orange man baby who lives next door is not something they needed or bargained for. Their land, their decision - it's

Now, I tend to avoid doing Top 10 lists of anything musical, as orders of preference constantly change with moods, time and the like. But as 2025 concludes and 2026 hopefully dawns with some fresh hope and optimism, now seemed like a good time to pull together something a little more meaningful for my first playlist of the year. There were some great things going on in 2025; lots that I am proud of, both personally, and with my family and friends - but, perhaps sounding a tad

Here is my annual effort to do a broadly holiday based playlist without getting involved with any overtly Christmas music - a genre I generally don't like all that much. As ever, I get around this thorny issue by picking some more generally winter themed tunes. However, on this occasion I have failed somewhat, with one or two such songs managing to sneak their way in. 1. Aztec Camera: Walk Out To Winter Roddy Frame brought his latest venture to roaring, jangly post-punk life