ME IS NEARLY FIVE
BIT OF a confession to make: I've not been preoccupied by SFH of late. No mixes, no live action, and not that many horizontal purchases either. Enough to mention here, but the bulk of my tunage has been more heavy load of late. However, thanks to Martin Brew i got well into Hamjam's a/s/l? album. Really accomplished loafer indie music. The title track is great and there are some really fine songs throughout. The closer Sippin Rose All Alone is a socks off classic.
Another album that I've been a bit obsessed with is the sunstone released vinyl copy of Pellets by The Lords Of Thyme. The trad openers are proper fresh and signal the equally pastoral originals that follow. The Bird it Sang is a delightful listen. Side 2 is heavier, and hell, I even rock my head to Coming Down and Keep On Travelling. The songs are more than a pastiche and have a charm and whimsy of their own. And the vinyl is much better than the CD.
4 cassettes just landed out of the blue. The last, a celebration of Archeo recordings 2014-17. Some gems for sure and great for imaginary parties. Laraaji's Vision Songs has been another obsession. A live recording, it has served as a great precursor for numero groups vinyl reissue of the original recording. Everyone should hear Cosmic Joe at least twice.
Altars Altars Before We Dive is another gem. 9 songs from 2016 that really take you away. The theme is the deep and it is both beauty and wonder that drives it. Lastly, Karel & Eiji Takamatsu deserve a mention coz Some Backland Plaza is sensational. Wishbones sets the tone but is eclipsed by One Wheel On My Dragon. A majestic tune.
I'm sitting back celebrating my five years by celebrating aficionados 20. Firstly by attending the John Stammers full band show and then by luxuriating in Moments in Time some more. Moonboots has always been ahead of the game and mentioned the Begin track ages ago. He's right, it's pure class. What I'm mega happy about more than anything, though is the fact that there is nothing to buy hereafter. His last comp created an urge to chase down the vinyl and some of it was unsurprisingly pricey. This means my holiday pot remains intact. My first holiday since 1984, in fact. That deserves a toast.
