Oooo James Dean Bradfield & Nicky Wire solo albums released on vinyl for Record Store Day. Exciting.

Is there also a GRAMMY for being the queen of the whole damn music business since 1953? Thank you. It belongs to Mavis Staples.

Highly entertaining evening at the #Newcastle City Hall with @sarahg1705.bsky.social and Elvana.

❤️🫡

I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Stay free

Currently #reading this and pondering how such a man of such intellect and compassion begat such ignorant f***wit of a namesake son.

#nowlistening to the Mahalia Jackson box set I picked up for 50p at charity shop

In 1980, Tyne Tees' magazine show for teens, CHECK IT OUT, gave kids in the North-East of England the lowdown on nuclear war. And it's a delight from start to finish. Future 'The Tube/Top of the Pops' producer Chris Cowey there, with the perm and mussie.

Fabulous read. Remains one of my favourite to programmes ever.

It’s more pink than blue sky this morning

10 years since we lost Bowie. Can we all agree that the world has gone to hell in a handcart since that day?

Whilst not one of my fave songs, I have always had a real soft spot for Bowie's Jazzin For Blue Jean short film. Remember watching it when it was premiered on TV, Chanel 4 I think. Really showed his very British humour: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXvA...

Just been out in #snow and #ice to go to local shop. Hiking boots, walking poles, full mini arctic explorer mode. Local postie was out on round, wearing shorts obviously!!!!

Watching Bowie: The Final Act. Enjoying the Bowie-ness of it, but God it's all over the bloody place.

Discovered today that #walking in #snow is a really good way to clean off the mud from #hiking boots!

Lovely article on the artistic riches immigration has brought into our society. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Crikey! Nipped into kitchen to make some soup and scones, returned to discover the Oompa Loompa president has knocked the insanity dial up to 11.

First trip of the year to #Durham Cathedral.

A fabulous evening. Can't believe how long ado it was though. I also remember the next day the stadium was host to Songs of Praise with Cliff Richard. Was rudely awakened that morning by a gaggle of CR fans outside our B&B loudly comparing their enormous number of Cliff badges.

Just been to put petrol in car and saw my first #easter egg display of season in garage🤬

Of the #books I have read this year these are my faves. Including @keithcameron2.bsky.social @johnharris1969.bsky.social @atahualpavasari.bsky.social JL Carr was a rediscovery in the lovely new Quince Tree Press edition. #booksofbluesky💙📚 #reading

Lovely cliff top #walk this morning. North Sea very choppy.

Here’s an interesting interpretation of RS Thomas’s ‘Christmas Eve’, by the Manic Street Preachers… #NoswylNadolig #Manics #RSThomas youtu.be/PtmnGvwRfV0?...

Right, cranberry sauce has been made, the Baileys poured and a seasonal Miss Marple is on telly…. Merry Christmas one and all

Note to shops: it’s crazy busy, with queues all around shops and out the door. So perhaps not the best time to try & persuade customers at the till to sign up to your loyalty card. Just sayin 👿 #xmasshopping

The story of Farage and Putin, told by British-Ukrainian soldier Shaun Pinner on a destroyed apartment block in Kyiv.

"Freeeeee!" A quite touching summation of the FAAB sessions. Lovely. youtu.be/-699G6yCZPY?...

#nowplaying this #folk gem I unearthed in my late aunt & uncle’s small vinyl collection.

Bought one of those heated clothes dryers. Sadly, John Lewis mucked up order and instead dispatched a 3 tier heated cat bed. #catsofbluesky

The unseasonal weather is causing havoc in the yard. My hyacinths are already peeking through.

45 years later I still clearly remember hearing the news on the radio, as I got ready for school, about John Lennon’s murder.11 year old me couldn’t comprehend it. I still can’t.

JOHN LENNON was taken from us 45yrs ago today, aged just 40. Every year on the anniversary of his death, the National Trust leave the bedroom light on in John’s childhood home, all night. Always missed, always loved.❤️

Perfect day in Lakes yesterday. Shopping at Hawkshead Xmas market. Food at Chester’s by the River, then booking at @samreadbookseller.bsky.social

Some lovely Dylan goodies arrived in the post😻

Forks Out www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJxz...

The rain is torrential and the wind is howling. There’s only one thing for it, I’m breaking into the fancy Yule log I bought earlier….

Got a bit of a drive ahead of me today, seems a good day for it to be accompanied by All Things Must Pass❤️

Local library came up with some Beatles beauties. #booksofbluesky📚💙

Bought a copy of Dylan’s Bootleg vol. 10 at my preferred second hand record shop. Tucked inside the booklet was @johnharris1969.bsky.social review from the Guardian in 2013. Love tucked in surprises when I buy records or books.

Just started first episode of the subbed up #Beatles Anthology. My heart is already bursting with joy.

Drove through a storm with @sarahg1705.bsky.social last night to see Bob Dylan in Leeds. It was a very special evening, which I'm going to take a while process. It was also nice to go to a gig where the audience actually listened to the artist, rather than talk about their Ikea purchases al night.

Here's "Trump'll Nail Ya" - a song about the #BBC legal crisis (set to the tune of the shanty "Drunken Sailor") which created a big internal debate about what's a gremlin and what's a mogwai. 🎶⚓️ ... fingers crossed for an apology but not a daft and unnecessary settlement ... youtu.be/VeIF4leMaes

Spent part of today finishing Patti’s memoir. A beautiful, poetic #read. There may have been some tears.. #booksky📚💙

#nowlistening to new Mavis Staples new album, Sad and Beautiful World, and it’s magnificent. Still got that beautiful voice and the musicians have put in a lovely understated performance.

For any Bob Dylan fans in UK, I've just put the 1974 live box set up on Vinted!!!!

Nice to wake up to good news for once. A day for some Staple Singers methinks #nowlistening m.youtube.com/watch?v=_pUS...

I was on holiday when Tony Harrison died, so belatedly revisiting some of work. Including something quite pertinent and my copy of V which he signed. #poetry

Margo Marmalade is #Halloween ready🎃 #catsofbluesky

Love Mavis. Can't wait for the new album next week #music www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...

Sunday #reading. Really enjoying Andrew Graham Dixon’s new book on Vermeer. #booksky📚💙 #art