onionbagblog

We waited for a break in the Estuary Wilds rain before heading out to the Table of Dreams on Thursday. We very much welcome the rain - we’ve got a new roof that needs rain-testing. But let us get in a game of wiff waffle first, yeah?

It was hit and miss. It was also bloody cold. The table itself had a puddle in one corner. The tactic was to aim for the puddle, and kill the ping pong ball stone dead. Best laid plans, etc.

I raced to a 2-1 lead. I walked away with a 3-2 defeat. It’s all about consistency.

This feels SO 1992 - which is what you would expect from an album released in… 1992. It’s that US slacker feel, that tries just a little too hard to put across the can’t be arsed attitude. They clearly can be arsed. The end product is half decent, sounding like the soundtrack for endless US lifestyle telly dramas. I’d forgotten about Hey Jealousy - a decent indie pop song. But overall, New Miserable Experience is one of the reasons why Britpop had to happen.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐

An album that straddles DUMB NY punk, and also opens up with ideas about Americana. Tom Petty ran with this a decade or so later.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Clinical, yet still soulful. There’s also an element of irony in some of the cold-hearted approach. The Model remains a masterpiece. It’s one of those staple songs that you know inside out from your youth, yet never grow tired of hearing it. I really should dive deeper into Kraftwerk.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

“The season is not even over yet, but already it feels more prolonged than the making of a My Bloody Valentine album.”

Arf. David Marples on what has been a ‘challenging’ season at the World Famous.

‘Build it and they will come’: the hopes new life for former lido will revive Weston-super-Mare

via The Graun

“He does not have a history of left wing activism to bury. He has always sucked up to the rich and powerful, to the privatisers, the weapons manufacturers and the warmongers.”

Socialist Worker on Slimy Streeting

Most commuters don’t trust bike storage at stations, putting them off cycling, new survey finds

via road.cc

I’ve finally cracked on the 1,001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die list. I’ve heard them all, I haven’t died. I win, right?

Ever since R introduced me to the list around three years ago, the morning routine has involved firing up the random generator for an album to listen to.

I’ve really enjoyed the exposure to music I wouldn’t normally explore, as well as having the exact same album as R. We could both leave a review, and then compare and contrast our tastes.

We long finished the list a couple of months ago. The dregs were then served up, aka listener recommendations. As R pointed out this morning, these are albums that individual users THINK you must listen to, but that is rarely the reality. Ikd-sj’s World’s End Fruit was the breaking point.

And so instead we’re exploring Colin Larkin’s list. It has many of the usual suspects, and reads a little like a Q magazine Best Albums Ever list. But I still think there are some obvious gaps in my musical listening, not to mention my CD shelves.

There’s some duplication with the 1,001 albums list. I’ll skip those. Plus also some of the absolute shite. Sorry, but I’m not starting off with Rob Zombie.

Listening to a new album at the start of every day has been in the most part, a positive experience. It’s broadened my taste, and emptied my wallet.

Just noise. Horrid noise.

⭐

Monday was BENCH MOVING day down at the allotment. Or to be more precise, how the chuff do we get a bench that doubles up as tool storage from the house over to the allotment? Simple. Carry it. YEAH?

Tool storage has been something of an issue. We’ve inherited a plot with no shed. I’m no shed fan, tbh. They’re don’t age well with the Estuary Wilds wind and rain. They also look a little Old Man Allotment. Which I am certainly not, bro. And so instead we settled on the bench that doubles up with tool storage underneath. Job’s a good ‘un, etc.

This was delivered to our home via Mr Amazon. We built it back at base, and then thought, ARSE - we need to get this thing over to the allotment, with no car. We’re sustainable, if not blessed in the brains department.

It was actually quite lightweight. We chose a strategic time when there would be the fewest number of folk walking around the town. The house to allotment distance is just over 1km - a ten minute walk. What could go wrong?

It was bloody cold for a start. We looked like a right couple of dicks, carrying a bench along the mean streets of CO7. One car even slowed down, with the driver staring at us, rubber necking. I half expected the phone to come out, and then a pic appearing on the local FB group later in the day.

YES, THAT’S RIGHT, Madam. I’M CARRYING A FUCKING BENCH. What the chuff has it got do with you? Concentrate on your driving.

We rocked up at the allotment. We were immediately met by the Bench Inspector.

“What is that made of?”

Erm, recyclable materials. I think.

We just about got away with that one.

Positioning then took place. Two options were available: in front of another fella’s greenhouse, or on the small patch of land that currently has shingles on it. This is dead space in terms of growing, and so it emerged the winner.

I took a seat, looked around my patch, and then told A to get on with some weeding.

I’m such a TART. Any excuse to get dressed up Jase. And so on Sunday evening, out went the shout of: To the Conga! For Wiv Music Mix! These Sunday monthly Sunday night sessions have been on my radar for sometime. But I’m usually working on Sunday evenings. A little rota tinkering around the edges, and I’ve found some space to enjoy some live music right on my doorstep.

And that’s the whole bloody point. The Congregational Church (stop sniggering) is less than two minutes over the road. Quality live music is scheduled each month, all for around £20. You’d struggle with that over at the Sunny Colch Arts Centre. Plus it’s a right bloody pain for us to get back from late at night.

Steve’s Music Mix - to give the event its correct name - is a broadly jazz based listing of artists playing in a live setting. The Sunday evening slot seems just perfect for live jazz. Elmer’s Jazz Collective rocked up at the Conga this month - an informal gathering of local musicians, put together by local jazz drummer, erm, Elmer.

The Conga actually looked great, and nothing like a Church. Even Song this most certainly wasn’t. The main space was blacked out, with plenty of stage lighting to add to the atmosphere. And blimey, it was bloody busy. I’m no good at head counts, but I’d wager possibly somewhere between 250 - 300 folk had turned out.

I made a beeline for the bar. Blood of Christ, etc. I settled on a bottle of red. Chin chin. We took up our seats, poured a glass of BOOZE and waited for the six piece to take to the stage. This is far better than Antiques Roadshow. Or even Sunday evening work.

The musicians were superb. The setlist was an exploration of some jazz standards, as well as a left field approach for finding inspiration. Solos featured heavily, allowing the trumpet, saxophone, keys, jazz guitar and double bass to showcase their individual skills. Elmer held it all together with his sticks.

This felt like a local approach to a professional performance. SHOUT OUT to the various local hands who were volunteering and helping out with the desk, front of house and bar etc.

I found myself head nodding as the evening - and the BOOZE - continued. The set became very funky in the second half. Two and a half hours later and the house lights came on. That was bloody brilliant. I’ve really missed live music. Now it’s back, and right on my doorstep. Nice.

Blimey. Those injuries aren’t half building up for Forest - all at the arse end of the season as well. After the EUPHORIA of #lolspurs, Burnley, Sunderland and Chelsea, the mood ahead of Newcastle at home was a little more sombre. The Europa semi defeat only three days ago has changed the whole outlook amongst the fan base.

And that’s the central point here: In the timeframe where Forest have played three matches in seven days, DIRTY Leeds haven’t played at all. How can that be fair in a fight to the death relegation battle? The starting XI against Newcastle looked more like a pre-season team selection.

Some standout names need mentioning. This is the 50th appearance for Forest from Jesus this season. Christ, etc. We’re bloody working him hard. He deserves a decent summer break in order to recharge for next season.

KO came. The World Famous City Ground looked an absolute STUNNER under the early afternoon sun. Forest started fine. The Serbinator was aggressive, Bakwa is starting to bloom.

I’m no fan of in game formation changes. It’s not quite in the spirit of the game for your ‘keeper to go down with a mystery knock, only for the Coach to change the line up ahead of the restart. But it seemed to work for Forest, and kept Newcastle out.

Taiwo was looking strong. I’m still unsure about him for next season. He needs a run of half a dozen or so games to get going once again. But he’s unlikely to get that, especially so with no European football to look forward to.

Luka Netz meanwhile looks like a very positive option ahead of next season. I’d have no issues if he slotted into regular first team action. Not so Morato. Anyone who waves £15m at Forest should be taken up on the offer.

I confess to losing a little interest midway through the second half. I had a few household chores that couldn’t hold back. I pottered around with the telly pictures on, and the BBC Radio Nottingham commentary in my ears.

Newcastle scored. Arse. The defence was split wide open. But wait! What’s this? Anderson’s goal was great. It was a proper old school Harry Hodge midfielder’s goal, timing his run and momentum just right. It was quite emotional seeing his celebration.

A nervy couple of hours or so followed, watching West Ham and waiting to see if Arsenal would do us a favour. You have to feel for Nuno and his team. FUCK VAR, etc. But whatever. We’re safe and staying up. I couldn’t take the desperation of having to play out for a win against Bournemouth on the last day of the season.