A delight to listen to, from start to finish. The thing with any Lee Perry album is that you think you already know it, even those most of the tunes are fresh. No one makes a sound like him, stretching out every note, yet still holding the rhythm. This music works best when the sun is shining and you have optimism for what is ahead. Monday was one of those mornings. Aye.
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Confession: I watched this game on delay, having been out at the basketball all afternoon. It was a bloody miracle that I managed to avoid the scoreline. My iPhone has a self-imposed ban for around three hours. I quite enjoyed the silence.
I did start the playback knowing the #lolspurs scoreline, losing 1-0 away at the Stadium of Shite. This made watching Forest at home to Villa a slightly less stressful viewing. I would have been happy with a draw, but also had the fallback that a defeat would still keep us two points ahead of #lolsours.
I’ve always rather liked Villa. It must be a Midlands thing. There’s never been a nasty streak in them - be it the fans or the players. Plus there’s the shared heritage of a Midlands club lifting the European Cup. Still - three points here would be most welcome.
In true Crap Match Report style, I forgot to log any notes of interest during the playback. I felt for Murillo with the OG. He looked a little clumsy, a little leggy. The guy needs some luck to end his season with.
Neco meanwhile was outstanding. It was disappointing to hear him being booed whilst playing for his country. He’s always welcome at the World Famous, especially when he has his shooting boots on, as was the case this afternoon.
Forest were half decent at home - that’s something that we’ve not been able to say in the PL for some time. I like our choice in goal - either Sels or Ortega are a safe pair of hands.
It was good to see Sangare back, bossing what is a very strong Villa midfield. I thought Anderson was a little anonymous, as was MGW.
Jesus ran his bollocks off, Birtles style. The switch to two strikers was unexpected. Woody didn’t really get a look in. But at least he gets another thirty minutes or so of running off the injury.
And so we finish the first game back after the silly international break with a three point cushion between us and #lolspurs. West Ham look to be on the up. I hope that Leeds fall apart, again, on Monday night.
SHOUT OUT the Forest fans, who kept the faith throughout this afternoon.
The penultimate home game of the regular season for the Rebs women at the Essex Sports Arena. Leicester Riders rocked up in what looked like it might be a tight contest.
Sunday afternoons are a bit of a come down from the usual Saturday night Rebs game day atmosphere. It was small, but passionate crowd. There was a new MC on the mic, who did a fine job throughout the game. Plus also a different DJ, dropping some absolute bangers in a De La Soul heavy set.
Back on the court and it was a tight first quarter. Some stray passes from both teams stretched out the game. A big three pointer from Nat Chau right on the buzzer gave the Rebs a 22-17 lead.
Paige Meyer dominated the second quarter for the Rebs. Ditto the third and fourth. Woh! She was immense out there this afternoon. She’s probably the best player the Rebs have seen during the short franchise history. I hope we retain her for next season.
An all round team effort led to the Rebs stretching away with a 42-35 lead at half time. It was great to see the entire bench getting some court time.
There was one message for the Rebs at the start of the third: DON’T FALL APART. We’ve seen this so many times this season - a decent first half, and then it all goes a little wobbly in the third. Thankfully the Rebs didn’t disappoint.
They pressed on in the final quarter. Leicester looked deflated and well beaten. The magical 100 points were well within site for the Rebs. But with the game never in any real doubt, Coach Cookson chose instead to give court time to his whole bench.
A final scoreline of 96-56 for the home team felt right. Up the Rebs!
I’m a sucker for prog shit. Except this is 80’s prog, with even elements of funk coming through. The songs slide all over the place as the scales change continuously. It’s quite an unsettling experience. Unsettling is good when it comes to music. You should never feel too comfortable.
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I dismissed this initially as horrid metal turge. But wait! What’s this? There’s actually some half-forced tunes in there. Blimey. I wouldn’t buy it, obvs. I wouldn’t even dance to it. I don’t think that you can dance to ISIS. But it did hold my attention for more than fifteen minutes - a rarity with some of the metal shit on this list.
⭐ ⭐
The team new landed. Chris Wood. Blimey. I wasn’t expecting that. I doubt if the Porto boss was either. Forest have clearly lacked goals this season. Goals win you games, obvs. It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to imagine a world where Wood had continued to score for fun this season, and Forest are sitting pretty in the top ten of the Premier League. Hey hoe.
Also of interest in the team news was TWO Forest Academy players starting in the quarter-final of a major European competition. This is a statement that would have sounded bonkers only five years ago, as Chris Houghton started off the Championship season with the worst record in Forest’s history. Not only was Zach Abbott wearing the Garibaldi in a back five, but Ryan Yates was also Captaining Forest in European quarter-final. These things matter.
I listened to the two hour pre-match build up on BBC Radio Nottingham. Sir Colin of West Bridgford and the team do these occasions so well. It’s hard work panning out two hours of pre-match, without going into hype mode. The BBC got the balance just about right. I was all set to sync up the TNT telly pics with the radio, and then I realised that Fletch was on comms. I’ll have a bit of that. LIVE the Dream, Fletch.
KO came. The first minute was a little, erm, hairy. Christ, we could have been 1-0 down before we even got going. The three centre backs were split wide open. This was static defending, with three players that looked like they had just met each other in the tunnel. Steady the buffers. The Serbinator was clearly missed.
The inevitable Porto game came. Whoops. Time to for a re-think, time to hold your nerve. There wasn’t time for a Forest Plan B to be formed. The poor Porto fella scored the Goal of the Season a minute or so later. It was just a shame for him that it was in his own net.
Forest looked stronger at 1-1. They found their shape, and set up frustrating Porto. The atmosphere in the stadium came across on the telly as being intimidating. Some of the younger Forest players handled this well. Morato still had me with my head in my hands on more than one occasion. He is only one mistake away from implosion.
The second half was a lot calmer. I didn’t even need to reach for the BOOZE. I sat back, sipping away on my cups of tea as Forest killed off the game. This was a near perfect away performance in Europe. Ortega in goal was immense. He didn’t panic, and kept Forest in the tie.
An away draw at Porto is an outstanding result. It was all the more sweeter with most of the big hitters being rested, no injuries and no bookings. The return leg at the World Famous next week promises to be something special.
aka Rio outtakes. That’s harsh.
⭐
Another BEAUT of a spring day, another bicycle ride. I had an errand in dropping off a parcel with the well known courier company, where the only collection point is on the other side of Sunny Colch. Arse.
Hey! Let’s build a circular bicycle ride into this as well. The route fitted in rather well with the Abberton Reservoir run. It’s rare that I get over to this side of town these days. Double bubble fun.
The fresh spring air was heavy with something a little stronger as I approached Old Heath. The stench of strong weed triggered exotic S Ldn vibes. Soon I hit the countryside lanes. The Mary Jane smell morphed into manure.
The Spot of the Day was the new sign for Fingringhoe. Stop sniggering. The previous Welcome to Fingringhoe signs never lasted long. I wonder why… Locals have now come up with the rather clever idea of a Fingringhoe stone. You try half-inching that.
I reached the local cricket club at [Gawd knows where]. A lone groundsmen was busy making last minute preparations for the season ahead. This is always a good sign.
I had to pull over 15km or so in. A layer was lost, along with the cycling gloves. Phew, Wot a Scorcher, etc. Make the most of these Golden Days.
" if you’ve noticed that someone’s been hanging around for a long time then you probably have too, so just turn yourself in and be done with it."
Arf. via Diamond Geezer
Vinyl’s days are numbered: CDs are the future of music listening
via Far Out
To the kayak! …on Tuesday afternoon. This was the first paddle of the season for me. Blue skies and a bloody big high tide were my calling card to make my way down to the Sailing Club.
Oh hang on - it’s a bit windy, isn’t it? I did check on the high water time, but overlooked the incoming sea breeze. I’m not cut out for a life at sea. Hey hoe.
I thought it would have been borderline wind for the rowing club to launch. But there they were, a full crew all set to make their way upstream.
My instinct was to follow theirs. It looked a little choppy out in the estuary. It’s best to stay safe with a leisurely paddle out towards Rowhedge and Windy Corner, and then back to base.
I soon found my rhythm and stride. All internal thoughts were lost. I was alone in the water with the sun on my face. Don’t be such a dick, Jase. But yeah, it was that kind of afternoon.
Without really giving it too much thought, soon I was way past Rowhedge, and blimey, I’m down at the muddy banks of the Hythe. This was proving to be something of an EPIC row. I do like over exaggerate.
I took a while to take in my surroundings. The trees in the distance by Wivenhoe Wood are still looking a little naked. You can just about see green spring growth trying to break through. But the lush green canopy has yet to appear.
The return back to the Sailing Club was hard work. Time and tide, etc. I misjudged both. And the bloody wind. I was against the still incoming tide, and the wind around Windy Corner was trying to blow me back towards the Hythe.
A decent row - just under 7km.
