Monthly Archives: July 2017

The Wedding Present / The Catenary Wires / Miles Salisbury – The Continental, Preston

When Un-Peeled promoter Tuff Life Boogie broke the news that The Wedding Present were coming to my favourite Lancashire riverside locale in early March, there was much excitement from the North West indie fraternity, with one date soon not enough. … Continue reading

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Sunshine, moonlight, good times, boogie – the Tito Jackson interview

It’s not even 9am in California, but it’s already Tito Time, with the third eldest Jackson sibling more than happy to share a few stories from his impressive career. Guitarist and vocalist Tito – real name Toriano Adaryll Jackson – … Continue reading

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Public Service Broadcasting – Every Valley

I’ve mentioned on these pages before a love of archive documentary films, the British Film Institute restoring, reissuing and reminding us of so many inspirational cinematic moments in recent years, not least treasures from the pioneering GPO Film Unit and … Continue reading

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Calling Captain Summertime – the Nick Heyward interview

While Woodland Echoes is Nick Heyward’s seventh solo album, it’s his 10th in total, going right back to 1981’s Haircut 100 debut Pelican West. And this highly personable Beckenham-born singer/songwriter, guitarist and pianist is rightly proud of his latest offering, telling us, … Continue reading

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Never Gonna Say Goodbye – the Pete Waterman interview

Perhaps you know him best these days for the countless TV appearances as presenter, judge or pundit, from his shows on regional radio in the Midlands, or – going back a bit further – as a club DJ. Alternatively, you … Continue reading

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Remembering Rick and Status Quo – the John Coghlan interview

In the BBC documentary Hello Quo, there’s revealing footage of a jam session at Shepperton Studios featuring the original members of Status Quo, for the first time since drummer John Coghlan left 31 years earlier. That 2012 meeting led to … Continue reading

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In praise of Paddington’s world – a tribute to Michael Bond

In a short piece penned for children’s author Cathy Cassidy’s Dreamcatcher blog in January to mark Michael Bond’s 91st birthday, I talked about my friend Paddy, who came into my life 40 years ago last Christmas. Something of a consolation … Continue reading

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