Blog: The Riverboat Captain

(#2 in a series - 10 albums that shaped my musical taste) 1976 - fifteen years of age. I was gaining a bit of confidence. I explored and read about music avidly, heavily influenced by a string of young gun rock writers who plied their trade in the NME . Not the shallow travesty it is these days, mind: back then, it was a proper newspaper and you got your hands dirty, literally and metaphorically, when you read it. Nick Kent, Charles Shaar Murray, Tony Parsons & Julie Burchill.. I ate it [...]

(#1 in a series of 10 albums that shaped my musical taste) I was a bookish kid. Music brought me a little bit more out in to the world, I guess.. everyone wants to be a part of something, and we had our little cliques at school, kids who were allowed to have trendy haircuts and wider flappier bottoms to their school uniform trousers. I might have been a bit shy but I knew what I liked and when I had some money of my own to spend, a small collection of singles accumulated, piled on [...]

Thirty years ago today, the British public chose Margaret Thatcher to be their Prime Minister. My feelings? I'm with Elvis Costello. I'll be there with him, tramping the dirt down. WPvideo 1.10

I thought it was about time for a catch-up, and an announcement. First up, the best music that has been piped through the ship's tannoy over the last few months, and because it's so good, will probably still be on the autochanger at the end of the year. The return of the Super Furry Animals , following a couple of solo projects from Gruff Rhys and Cian Ciaran , has delighted these old ears. I loved 2003's Phantom Power, but the recent Dark Days/Light Years could be even stronger, if not their best yet. [...]

• Super Furry Animals - Inaugural Trams

If you have a hankering for a rollicking tell-all tale of movie star excess, sex, violence, kidnap and bananas.. knuckle down to your local library (makes so much sense in these cash-strapped times) and badger them to get you a copy of 'Me, Cheeta', the autobiography of the world's most famous chimpanzee, still going at the age of 76. Cheeta has a lot to say about co-stars Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan , the Hollywood movie machine, and much much more. Don't be tempted to have a glass of something while reading it though.. you'll be snorting it down your nose at [...]

A little while ago, I DJ'd in Brighton . Something about that statement makes me think "Hey, didn't everybody?" but nevertheless, I had my own Thursday night gig at the Cobs . I had carte blanche, but there was a vibe and I had to fit seamlessly into it. It was 'organic' (hate that word), not artificial or manufactured, and no talk, just music. The sounds had to have soul, they didn't have to necessarily be soul.. punk (the real kind mind you, not the cartoon toytown stuff that passes for punk these days), ska, dub, [...]

Why? I've joined The New Zealand Internet Blackout to protest against the Guilt Upon Accusation law 'Section 92A' that calls for internet disconnection based on accusations of copyright infringement without a trial and without any evidence held up to court scrutiny. This is due to come into effect on February 28th unless immediate action is taken by the National Party. [ Read More ] Share This

This year's Big Day Out in Auckland had salutary messages for us all. My message, which I'd like to broadcast to the youth of New Zealand, is when BDO 2010 comes along, save your money. This year all you did was run around the stadium, pose for the press photographers you could find, compare outfits, text your friends and chat all the way through the gig. All of you spent 130-odd dollars each to be there, and didn't hear a band. In fact, you do it at sports too, I've seen you. Football, rugby and cricket [...]

The ears have stopped ringing. It's time to tell you about my latest gig experiences. First up: after a seven year break, Neil Finn got out his address book, contacted a few old mates and invited them over for a three night charity bash for Oxfam. It turns out Neil's address book is pretty big, stuffed with the names and numbers of quality musicians. I've not seen a line up on stage like it. I doubt I ever will in future. Neil may be the most talented member of his own family, but he [...]

OK, here we are with the records that floated my boat last year - the infamous Captain's Picks . I make no claim to be pushing back the frontiers of rock criticism with this selection.. no claim at all, other than I listened to this stuff since it came out, and it still sounds good. Sure, a few magazines picked the same things as me.. almost. So they have good taste. No frills this year, no 'Ones To Watch' or all of that lark - truly, I wouldn't know. When I find someone I'll let you know [...]

..with the agony and the ecstasy of the Best Of 2008 list! I'll be back early next year with the full rundown, but here's one to be going on with: I have been mightily impressed by the New Order reissues , uniformly excellent, each and every one. Buy . WPvideo 1.10 Share This

It's that time of year again. If you're a regular high street shopper, you'll know that it's been 'that time of year' for a good couple of months now, and you're probably a bit peeved at the not-so-jolly Christmas music wobbling out of the speakers at doomed branches of Woolworths as you fight over the bargains therein. All is not lost. There is good Christmas music out there - yes, I know the UK charts have been hijacked by reality TV shows in recent years. Astute move by the high-waisted Simon Cowell to finish the X Factor [...]

It kicked off before 9a.m. - the phone goes and the familiar tones of 95bFM 's breakfast show host Mikey Havoc are buzzing in my ear. Sorry, Mikey, I just wasn't 'with it'.. first he reminds me I'd entered a competition, then he reminds me how, then he tells me I won.. then I indulge in a bout of extended coughing on national radio! Sound. So tell 'em what you won, John.. admission to the Thursday on-air afternoon session of Kiwi rockers Luger Boa (fronted by Jimmy Christmas, erstwhile leader of new rock [...]

A mighty man. RIP Mitch Mitchell. WPvideo 1.10 Share This

Grant Park in Chicago looked like the place to be last night . Here's one for the new man in the White House - John Coltrane and 'Giant Steps'. Get Flash to see this player. Share This

Here's one for Halloween.. The Swanks and the totally surf-tastic 'Ghost Train', from the long-lost 'Jukebox At Eric's Volume 22 collection. Douse those trick-or-treaters tonight with a cold bucket of water. That's what I call a trick! Muahahahaaaa! WPvideo 1.10 Share This

Very sad to hear of the death of illustrator and satirist Ray Lowry .. I was an NME reader when I was a lad and Ray's strips and cartoons peppered that august journal, articulating more than we ever could about the nature of rock and roll and helping to debunk some of the posery and hype surrounding the burgeoning punk movement. On second thoughts.. to hell with all that. He was laugh-out-loud funny and I loved the things he did. Rest in peace, Ray. Share [...]

..I'm back. Another 24000 miles under the Captain's belt, visiting the old country . Grabbed a couple of books for the cabin: this one which suits my grizzled old man countenance, plus Alex James' bio. Blur music: put on several of their albums since I returned and.. truly great sounds. Gave the music scene a kick up the pants. I could have done without the Oasis battle , mind, but listening once again to Graham Coxon's snaky guitar lines is reason enough to celebrate: Damon Albarn's lyrics, the enthusiasm, even the Britishness.. all good. [...]

A quick message - don't ever feel self-conscious about Guilty Pleasures . It's your music and you like it, so take pride in it! There's no way you can prevent yourself becoming an object of scorn and derision anyway, so why bother trying? Here's Swedish indie-poppers Beagle and their take on Edison Lighthouse 's 'Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)', from the Not Lame Records 'Right To Chews' compilation. Just a little stickier than your average bit of bubblegum! Hooks, harmonies.. what more do you want? Marvellous. [...]

The career highlights of Paul Weller were an age ago, right? Vital albums penned by a sullen youth and his associates from Woking , and brief flashes of inspiration from a collective consciousness society with more style than substance . And to that a pick and mix of the best tracks from eight solo studio records, and you'd be inclined to think of the Modfather (come on, who thought that one up?) as merely a fixture of the British pop scene, venerable, solid, worthy, picking up 'legend' gongs at awards ceremonies and living, quite comfortably thank you, off [...]