Some excellent charity shop/library finds today. #books #literature #library

“If I had to choose one single musician for his artistic integrity, for the incomparable originality of his creation and the grandeur of his work, it would be Bud Powell…” Bill Evans Remembering one of the greatest ever jazz pianists, Bud Powell, born OTD 1924 in Harlem... #jazzsky #musicsky

*New Article* "Now it is autumn again..." As Malcolm Bradbury's novel The History Man turns 50, I've written a piece celebrating this great satire of radical leftism and fashionable politics in academia. #thehistoryman @lionunicorn.bsky.social #writingcommunity

Released on this date in 1969 #TheBeatles #AbbeyRoad #musicsky #classicalbums

Prog rock on rollers... As the 50th anniversary edition of The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway is out today, here's Genesis taking a break from working on it in the grounds of Headley Grange, Hampshire, June 1974. #genesis #musicsky #prog #vinylcommunity #thelambliesdownonbroadway

Dmitri Shostakovich was born 25 September 1906. When I was studying A Level history, I wrote an essay on the arts under Stalin and became very taken with Shostakovich, particularly this magnificent work. #musicsky #classical

Farewell to double bass master Danny Thompson. From Alexis Korner to founding Pentangle, to John Martyn and to thousands of gigs and sessions he was the most soulful and funny of musicians. I was lucky to see him on several different occasions with John Martyn and memorably with Richard Thompson.

Also released OTD in 1970, 'Idlewild South', the second album by the Allman Brothers Band... #allmanbrothers #musicsky #classicalbums

Released OTD 1970, 'Abraxas', the second album by Santana. The cover is from the painting 'Annunciation' from 1961 by artist Mati Klarwein. Klarwein also created the cover designs for Bitches Brew (1969) & Live-Evil (1971) by Miles Davis. #musicsky #Abraxas #Santana #classicalbums #vinylcommunity

Remembering a true telecaster master and a big influence, the one and only Roy Buchanan, born OTD 1939 in Ozark, Arkansas and gone far too soon... #musicsky #blues #telecaster #roybuchanan

"Whether it was a jazz club or not, I found a place where they had a piano and we played there and drew the crowd. People will come out when there's something to hear." Remembering one of my favourite musicians, Les McCaan, born on this day 1935 #jazzsky #musicsky #lesmccaan

"Music to me is like breathing. I don't get tired of breathing, I don't get tired of music." Remembering Ray Charles, born on this day 1930 #jazzsky #musicsky #raycharles

"I'd like to point out to people the divine in a musical language that transcends words. I want to speak to their souls." Remembering John Coltrane, born on this day 1926 #jazzsky #musicsky #johncoltrane

The Ben Webster Quintet, 'Soulville' from 1957. Perfect Sunday (or anytime) jazz. #musicsky #jazzsky #sunday #nowplaying #vinylcommunity #classicalbums

Autumn is upon us, and out and about this morning I had an idea for a top ten of British autumnal albums - nothing overly literal, just a general 'mood'. So I'm making a list of contenders. This was the first one that came to mind; any suggestions? #autumn #musicsky #topten #writingcommunity

On this day in 1968, Traffic released their self-titled second album. Recorded at Olympic Studios in London and produced by Jimmy Miller, it reached No. 9 in the UK and No. 17 in the US. It features such favourites as Feelin’ Alright?, Pearly Queen and Forty Thousand Headmen... #musicsky #classic

Remembering guitarist Eric Gale, born OTD 1938. A veteran of hundreds of recording sessions, he notably played with Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon, Roberta Flack, Quincy Jones, solo & with Cornell Dupree, Steve Gadd & Richard Tee in the band Stuff. I've always loved his soulful, melodic, bluesy style.

"Free Improvisation - I wouldn't know how to describe it. You make it up as you go along but try to make it up good!... but not worry about it too much, you should be more busy doing it than worrying about it." Happy Birthday Lol Coxhill born 19 September 1932

OTD 1970, the first Glastonbury festival at Worthy Farm began. 1,500 people attended. The original headliners were The Kinks and Wayne Fontana, but were replaced at short notice by Tyrannosaurus Rex. Tickets were £1, including free milk from the farm (equivalent to £19.77 in 2025) #musicsky

Excellent top ten of Glam albums by @alwynturner.bsky.social for @lionunicorn.bsky.social. I've enjoyed reading it and listening to the track choices today; I've discovered some stuff new to me, which at my stage of the game is most welcome. #glam #musicsky

1) Released OTD in 1970, 'Kiln House', the fourth studio album by Fleetwood Mac, and their first without founder Peter Green. #musicsky #fleetwoodmac

"Music suffused with solipsistic gloom, made by stars obsessing over the nature of stardom..." For your pleasure, the ten best glam rock albums, as selected by @alwynturner.bsky.social. thelionandunicorn.com/2025/09/18/t...

“Man will do away with anything that threatens him with loneliness-even himself.” Remembering Ken Kesey, novelist and counterculture icon, born OTD 1935. 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' (1962) is better known, but, for me, 'Sometimes A Great Notion' (1964) is his best work... #booksky #literature

Remembering soul jazz organist Brother Jack McDuff, born OTD in 1926. 'To Seek a New Home' (1970) was recorded at Island Studios in London, with a line-up some of Britain's top jazz musicians of the day, including Terry Smith on guitar and Dick Morrissey on tenor saxophone. #musicsky #jazzsky

Tonight at 10 on BBC4, 'The Signalman', by Charles Dickens. It was first shown 22 Dec 1976 as part of the annual 'A Ghost Story for Christmas' strand that ran from 71-78. 'The Signalman' is dark & powerful, featuring a superb performance by Denholm Elliot.

Robert Redford has checked out, aged 89. I love pretty much everything he made, but particularly his performances in 'Jeremiah Johnson' (1972) and the brilliant 'Three Days of the Condor' (1975). RIP legend. #robertredford #film #cinema #moviesky #rip

1. Happy 100th B.B.! Remembering my hero and favourite guitarist, Mr. B.B. King, born OTD one hundred years ago in Indianola, Mississippi. I first saw B.B. and his great band play live at the age of 16 in 1990, still the best and most memorable gig I ever attended... #bbking #blues #musicsky

I've thoroughly enjoyed re-reading 'The History Man', Malcolm Bradbury's classic satire of early 70s university radicalism. As the novel approaches the fiftieth anniversary of its publication, I'm writing a piece about it - coming soon.(Working title below) #booksky #writingcommunity #thehistoryman

"You don't decide you're hip. It just happens that way..." Remembering Julian 'Cannonball' Adderley, born OTD 1928. His alto sax tone is one of the most joyous, bluesy & gospel influenced sounds in music. 'Preach on Brother'... #jazzsky #musicsky #cannonball #jazzhistory #OTD

Remembering Paul Kossoff - co-founder of Free and one of the greatest British guitarists ever - born OTD 1950, and gone far too soon. What a beautiful tone and vibrato; wail on Koss... #musicsky #blues #guitar #free

"Music is a language of the emotions..." Released OTD in 1959, a classic of 20th century music, 'Mingus Ah Hum' by Charles Mingus - One of the first jazz records I ever owned, it remains absolutely essential in my collection to this day. #jazzsky #musicsky #mingus #classicalbums #vinylcommunity

Remembering British free jazz legend John Stevens, who passed away OTD in 1994. Here he is in an incredible performance with the Spontaneous Music Ensemble in 1971, feat. Julie Tippett (than Driscoll) on vocals. Great spoken intro on freedom in music by John as well. #jazzsky #freejazz #britishjazz

Sat 22 November at Chichester Festival Theatre, Neil Ardley's classic 'Kaleidoscope of Rainbows' will be performed by the Guildhall Jazz Orchestra. This special evening celebrates one of the most enduring & globally-inspired works in British jazz history! #jazzsky #musicsky #britishjazz

"Blow by Blow sees Stevie Wonder contribute ‘Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers’ (which here Beck dedicates to guitarist Roy Buchanan) & ‘Thelonious’, with Wonder on uncredited clavinet" @benfinlay74.bsky.social presents his favourite albums of 1975👇 thelionandunicorn.com/2025/09/07/t...

Fifty years old today, 'Wish You Were Here' by Pink Floyd. I've written a bit about it as it's in my Top Ten albums of 1975. Click the link here to read 👇 thelionandunicorn.com/2025/09/07/t... #pinkfloyd #musicsky #wishyouwerehere #classicalbums #OTD #vinylcommunity

"In the beginning, there was noise. Noise begat rhythm, and rhythm begat everything else..." Happy birthday to Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead and other trips. His first solo album, 'Rolling Thunder' from 1972 is a percussive joy to behold... #gratefuldead #musicsky #drums #percussion

'Catch a mood and fly away...' Remembering the one and only John Martyn, born OTD in 1948. I'll always remember seeing him at Salisbury City Hall in May 2005 - he and his great band took the place on a trip that night.. #musicsky #folk #jazz #ambient #johnmartyn #vinylcommunity

"the final few minutes threaten to blow up one’s speakers if it peaks any higher..." Find out what record is a favourite of Vic Reeves here in my top ten albums of 1975 for @lionunicorn.bsky.social #musicsky #writingcommunity #folk #prog #jazz #ambient thelionandunicorn.com/2025/09/07/t...

"The true beauty of music is that it connects people. It carries a message, and we, the musicians, are the messengers..." #nowplaying 'Virgo Vibes' (1967), an early gem by master vibraphonist and composer Roy Ayres, who was born OTD in 1940. #musicsky #jazzsky #vinylcommunity #royayres

Released OTD in 1971, 'Welcome to the Canteen' by Traffic, recorded live at Fairfield Halls, Croydon & the Oz Benefit Concert in the canteen of the Polytechnic of Central London London, on 3 July 1971. This is the same line-up that appeared at Glastonbury Fayre in June that year.. #musicsky

#nowplaying the beautiful 'Dear John C.', by Elvin Jones, released on Impulse! Records in 1965, featuring alto saxophonist Charlie Mariano, pianist Roland Hanna and bassist Richard Davis. An underrated gem with great cover art - sublime. #jazzsky #musicsky #impulse #elvinjones #vinylcommunity

"You've got to concentrate on the business of entertaining and writing songs. Always think different from the next person. Don't ever do a song as you heard somebody else do it." Remembering the great Otis Redding, born OTD 1941 in Dawson, Georgia

"Music is a way of life, it's everything. I play drums and that's what I believe I was born to do..." Remembering one of the greatest ever jazz drummers, Elvin Jones, born OTD 1927 in Pontiac, Michigan. Hugely influential, his playing stills floors me every time I listen to him. #jazzsky #musicsky

#nowplaying 'Forest Flower' by the Charles Lloyd Quartet - Lloyd, Keith Jarrett, Cecil McBee and Jack DeJohnette - recorded live OTD in 1966 at the Monterey Jazz Festival. A crossover hit, it was popular on FM rock radio, and was one of the first jazz albums to sell over 1 million copies.. #jazzsky

"Their debut album is a brilliant rich amalgamation of the individual artists' talents, but it is The Rotters’ Club where they fully developed their style, the apex of the ‘Canterbury Sound’" @benfinlay74.bsky.social on 1975 (one for @jonathancoe.bsky.social)👇 thelionandunicorn.com/2025/09/07/t...

"And you and I climb over the sea to the valley And you and I reached out for reasons to call.." Released in the UK OTD in 1972, one of the best progressive rock albums ever, 'Close to the Edge' by Yes. I first discovered it at the age of 13 in the mid-80s... #nowplaying #musicsky #prog

"My rider left upon the midnight flyer, singing like a summer breeze.." - 'Operator' from 'American Beauty' (1970) Remembering Grateful Dead founder member Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, born OTD in 1945 and gone far too soon... #musicsky #gratefuldead #deadheads #pigpen #musichistory #americanbeauty

"Some forms of reality are so horrible we refuse to face them, unless we are trapped into it by comedy. To label any subject unsuitable for comedy is to admit defeat." Remembering the great Peter Sellers, born in Southsea on this day in 1925... #cinema #film #comedy #legends #petersellers

The great Peter Sellers was born 100 years ago today. In addition to being a brilliant comic actor, he also made this arthouse movie in 1973... thelionandunicorn.com/2023/01/07/f...