Dolly has left us. What can we say that hasn’t already been said? Singer, songwriter, philanthropist, icon, champion of LGBTQI rights, Grammy Award winner, Hollywood Star of Fame winner, actor, theme park creator. 100 million records sold worldwide, endlessly quotable, forever recognised, and not bad for a lil gal who grew up- the fourth childContinue reading “Dolly Forever”
Tag Archives: Music
Sabrina Carpenter Needs To Get In The Bin
Normally, I don’t bother about normies. That’s not to say I don’t like decent pop- Self Esteem is brilliant, as are Say She She. But there’s something about this dead-eyed, smug, conveyor belt mediocrity that’s really beginning to bug me. Maybe it’s the “ooh I’m so edgy because I used shock tactics in my artworkContinue reading “Sabrina Carpenter Needs To Get In The Bin”
Five Cure Gems
I should really be at The Cure Summer Session show in Edinburgh today, but wondered if they’d live up to how I imagine them. I’ve been into the band since around 1984, so it’d be partially nostalgia. Saying that, the last album is wonderful too. £85 for two bands I’d like to see isn’t reallyContinue reading “Five Cure Gems”
Kate Bush’s Influences
Pics of Kate Bush: John Carder Bush J W Waterhouse, ‘The Lady of Shallot’. Kate Bush was always upfront in her literary and artistic influences. She essayed The Brontes of course, but also Tennyson, Shakespeare and John William Waterhouse. Her Pre-Raphaelite aesthetic was unique in a time of punk, prog and so on, but theContinue reading “Kate Bush’s Influences”
The Rise of Sofia Isella
We all like Billie Eilish, but more recently Sofia Isella has taken her soft vocals and avant-pop to the next level. She’s gone stratospheric, a young Mexican-American poet making dark pop that references many facets of the culture wars, and I for one am grateful. Her debut, ‘I Am Camera’, is creepy pop. Take thisContinue reading “The Rise of Sofia Isella”
Lost In Music: Pulp- Mile End
As Trainspotting turned 30 this year, I choose Pulp. This is Jarvis at his bleakest and most acerbic, This Is Hardcore aside. This deceptively rinky dinky sounding song appeared at the end of the soundtrack, taking in lyrics about poverty, terrible housing, paedophiles and casual violence. “I guess you have to go right down/ BeforeContinue reading “Lost In Music: Pulp- Mile End”
Some Edinburgh Fringe 2026 Predictions
****! A title will have a swear word and the accompanying poster will have a suitably provocative image, which will be catnip/rage bait to Quentin Letts. Gilded Balloon,7.30 pm 68 Guns Despite featuring music by The Alarm, this gory new musical, written by David Ireland, focuses on The Troubles. Traverse Theatre almost wet themselves withContinue reading “Some Edinburgh Fringe 2026 Predictions”
Do Give Up The Day Job?
When it comes to being a triple threat, many people excel. They’re all-rounders, who can turn their hands to everything. Then.. there are some of the greatest actors in the world, who fancied having a go at becoming singers. Take these three. Admittedly, Bette Davis knew she couldn’t sing, but the others, hmmm. Nonetheless, theseContinue reading “Do Give Up The Day Job?”
Baby Voices
Beth Ditto- who should be praised for having such an eclectic playlist on 6Music – hit a bum note this morning when playing Candy by Ravyn Lenae. It gives me the ick. I don’t mind idiosyncratic voices, obviously. I like Bjork, although her pixie nonsense was often pretty annoying in the nineties. Alison Shaw, ClaireContinue reading “Baby Voices”
Hit The North 