@blabbernsmoke.bsky.social
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pinned post!
Just joined Bluesky, hello all. Music writer based in Glasgow, mainly about Americana and roots music.
over 1 year ago
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Starry Eyed & Laughing's Tony Poole eventually releases a sol album and it's a cracker.
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Tony Poole, Faith In Us, Aurora Records
Releasing your first solo album 51 years after you first committed to vinyl might not be worthy of a mention in The Guinness Book Of Records (or maybe it might) but Tony Pooleâs âFaith In Usâ, recorded with Poole now in his eighth decade, is certainly worthy of celebration. For those not in the know Poole was the jangly 12 string Rickenbacker player in the early 70s band Starry Eyed & Laughing, a band who inhaled of The Byrds and Crosby Stills Nash & Young and who delivered two superb albums, sadly never making the big time.
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2026/02/10/tony-poole-faith-in-us-aurora-records/
3 months ago
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Third solo album from Brinsley Schwarz is a grand collection of soulful bluesy songs with a definite groove. @brinsleyschwarz @fretstorerecords
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Brinsley Schwarz. Shouting At The Moon. Fretsore Records.
A third solo album from the legendary âpub rockerâ who gave his name to perhaps the premier âpub rockâ band and who was an integral member of The Rumour who started off as Graham Parkerâs backing band finds this veteran in a soulful and bluesy mood. Shouting At The Moon follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, 2016âs Unexpected and 2021âs Tangled when Schwarz returned to recording after a lengthy lay off.
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/12/17/brinsley-schwarz-shouting-at-the-moon-fretsore-records/
5 months ago
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Album review. Glen Peters' Where Do You Come From? is an intriguing album which tackles themes including identity, race, immigration and empire.
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Glen Peters. Where Do You Come From?
This is an intriguing album. On the face of it itâs a collection of expertly played songs which hark back to singer/songwriter folksiness of the seventies in their manner and delivery. Indeed, there are occasions when the ghost of Jake Thackray seems to be hidden within the grooves although much of the album tackles fairly heavyweight themes including identity, race, immigration and empire.
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/12/10/glen-peters-where-do-you-come-from/
5 months ago
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An inspired collection of transcendental border songs from Geckøs. Featuring @howegelb @mwardtravelogue @mark_mckowski @we_are_geckos
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Geckøs, Geckøs
An inspired grouping of three like minded characters, Geckøs features the line up of Howe Gelb (Giant Sand), M Ward and McKowski (Mark McCausland of The Lost Brothers). Gelb has collaborated with Ward and McKowski over the years but it was an invitation to a mutual friendâs wedding in Tucson that led to the trioâs formation. Invited to compose and perform a wedding waltz, Gelb and McKowski felt their effort was just too low key so Ward stepped in and added, as Gelb says, âThat guy, he's got celebration up the ying yang.
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/12/08/geckos-geckos/
5 months ago
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Album review. Robin Adams, The Beggar. An excellent collection of dark songs played in a winning manner reminiscent of Witchseason productions.
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Robin Adams The Beggar Hamework Records
Robin Adamsâ latest album The Beggar maintains a habit which has occasionally crept into his previous recordings, that of revisiting older songs, often just demos or curiosities, sometimes available to download but essentially somewhat ephemeral in comparison to his official releases. Thatâs not to say that these back pages are in any way inferior, itâs more that Adams seem to be forever on a song writing quest and some of his writings can be waylaid or left behind, only to be picked up again and re examined.
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/11/24/robin-adams-the-beggar-hamework-records/
6 months ago
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Glasgow's The Primevals front man, Michael Rooney steps out with a solo album which is, kind of, primeval. @michael.rooney794
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Michael Rooney. Intersections
While The Primevals, Glasgowâs premier garage rock psychedelic free jazz grunge band have recently had a brush with fame due to a link up with Stuart Lee (ââthe worldâs greatest living stand-up comedianâ The Timesâ, as Lee always gleefully points out) via their song Iâm The  Man-Wulf, their front man Michael Rooney has stealthily released a solo album. Intersections is not a great departure from recent Primevals albums, primarily because Rooneyâs dead pan, dead cool vocals are to the front and centre, but across the seven songs here he has the opportunity to spread out a bit while his band mates (assorted Primevals and like minded associates) contort themselves to accommodate the shifts.
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/10/20/michael-rooney-intersections/
7 months ago
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An excellent outing from Nathan Bell, supported by Scott Ashworth, part of Glasgow Americana Festival via @fallen_angels_club and @nathanbellmusic @scottashworthmusic
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Nathan Bell + Scott Ashton. Glasgow Americana Festival, The Glad CafÊ, Glasgow. 5th October 2025.
If youâve ever wondered what a real life âhard core troubadourâ looked and sounded like then Iâd recommend a trip to a Nathan Bell show. After a shot at fame in the 80s, Bell only returned to recording after a 30 year hiatus, working and raising a family. When his job went belly up a decade or so ago he picked up his guitar again and has since released a series of albums which sink their teeth into the American jugular.
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/10/09/nathan-bell-scott-ashton-glasgow-americana-festival-the-glad-cafe-glasgow-5th-october-2025/
7 months ago
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Simon Kempston & Paul Tasker. Tangled Strings. An excellent collection of instrumental guitar tunes from a talented duo. @pntasker
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Simon Kempston & Paul Tasker. Tangled Strings
Since 2022 guitarists Simon Kempston and Paul Tasker have appeared annually at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for their Songs Without Words residency at Edinburghâs venerable folk venue The Royal Oak, an oasis of calm amidst the hurly burly of the carnival atmosphere on the nearby Royal Mile. One thing that was missing however was a souvenir for the audience to take home with them, a recording of the pair playing together.
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/09/25/simon-kempston-paul-tasker-tangled-strings/
8 months ago
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Album review: Lachlan Bryan and Catherine Britt team up again as The Pleasures and deliver a no holds barred set of sparring duets on "Enemy Of My Enemy." @thepleasuresmusic
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The Pleasures. Enemy Of My Enemy. Űber Savvy Music
Most country themed male/female duo acts are compared to classic forebears such as George and Tammy or Gram and Emmylou. The Pleasures, a duo comprised of Australians Catherine Britt and Lachlan Bryan are a shade darker, more gothic if you will, and not afraid to shake the rafters with some rattling rockânâroll when it suits them. They are more akin to departed bands such as Blanche and Twilight Hotel, both of whom were gloriously dark and messy.
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/08/22/the-pleasures-enemy-of-my-enemy-uber-savvy-music/
9 months ago
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Rain Parade's ill fated second album, Crashing Dream, is resurrected and sounds mighty fine these days. @therainparadeofficial @label51recordings
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Rain Parade. Crashing Dream â Deluxe Edition. Label 51
Weâre a bit late to the party with this disc which was officially released at the end of May. In our defence it was only a few weeks ago that the mail man delivered it; post from the States these days is a bit of a hit and miss affair. Anyhow, there was huge excitement at BlabberânâSmoke as we tore open the package and delved into this remastered, deluxe edition of…
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/08/06/rain-parade-crashing-dream-deluxe-edition-label-51/
9 months ago
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Maria Muldaur pays tribute to Victoria Spivey in swell style on One Hour Mama. @mariamuldaurmusic
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Maria Muldaur. One Hour Mama: The Blues of Victoria Spivey. Nola Blue Records.
Blabberân'Smoke last encountered Maria Muldaur when she released the excellent Letâs Get Happy Together, recorded with the New Orleans band Skinny Tuba, an exuberant celebration of New Orleans styled old time music, syncopated and swinging. It was the latest in a lengthy catalogue of albums which have showed that Muldaur, a genuine one hit wonder with her 1972 song Midnight At The Oasis…
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/07/08/maria-muldaur-one-hour-mama-the-blues-of-victoria-spivey-nola-blue-records/
10 months ago
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David Starr rakes a breather from his usual fare to revisit the blues he heard as a youngster on "Must Be Blue" @davidstarrmusic
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David Starr. Must Be Blue. Quarto Valley Records
Colorado based David Starr has gained a lot of fans here in the UK with his annual tours and an array of albums which have found him firmly in the singer/songwriter orbit. Love & Sabotage was a country rock album in the sense of 70s luminaries such as Poco while the more expansive Beauty & Ruin (based on a book written by his grandfather) dug into timeless themes in a manner reminiscent of the Eaglesâ Western album Desperado.
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/06/16/david-starr-must-be-blue-quarto-valley-records/
11 months ago
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An excellent third album from @findlaynapier with superb songs and playing on Outsider.
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Findlay Napier. Outsider. The Bothy Society
Judging from his regular newsletters Scotlandâs Findlay Napier is a busy, busy man. He has a finger in many pies, his work in the folk supergroup that is The Magpie Arc, an ongoing commitment to song writing workshops, a lecturer on traditional music at Scotlandâs Conservatoire (formerly the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, the institution he attended), along with being a sometime stand-up comedian, itâs surprising that he has the time to consider his solo career.
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/05/28/findlay-napier-outsider-the-bothy-society/
12 months ago
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reposted by
Americalovesimmigrants
12 months ago
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Lisa Guerrero
12 months ago
Grabbed this photo of Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Goâs tonight at Cruel World. She absolutely ROCKS and her guitar says it all. âđ˝
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Thee Holy Brothers overcome adversity with a tremendous selection of harmonious songs on High In My Balloon. @theeholybrothersofficial
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Thee Holy Brothers. High In My Balloon
Back in 2020 Thee Holy Brothers sparked into view with their excellent debut album My Name Is Sparkle. The duo -Marvin Etzioni (ex Lone Justice) and Willie Aron (of The Third Mind) - were so named by the rabbi at their local synagogue , Mordecai Finley, who described them thus, a moniker which was heartily endorsed by another member of the congregation, Leonard Cohen.Â
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/05/15/thee-holy-brothers-high-in-my-balloon/
12 months ago
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Ian M Bailey continues to mine the rich seam of Californian rock on Lost In A Sound, another collaboration with Daniel Wylie.
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Ian M Bailey. Lost In A Sound. Kool Kat Musik
Alongside Edinburghâs Dropkick, Ian M Bailey has been foremost recently in reviving the jangled and sun kissed era of Los Angeles pop and folk rock with particular reverence given to the sound of the Byrds and Roger McGuinnâs 12 string Rickenbacker. This time around, on Lost In A Sound, Bailey and his co-writer, Glasgowâs Daniel Wylie, continue to mine the goldmine that is the heyday of California music but thereâs less of the jangle and much more of the introspection and social awareness which characterised the shift from chart oriented singles to much weightier topics as the 60s progressed.
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/04/22/ian-m-bailey-lost-in-a-sound-kool-kat-musik/
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Unspun HeroesÂŽ
about 1 year ago
Another wonderful review for
@stephensimmons.bsky.social
âs album, Drink Ring Jesus. Thanks so much, Paul.
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
UNION
about 1 year ago
With my Ark PR head on, lovely to see
@blabbernsmoke.bsky.social
review the
@stephensimmons.bsky.social
vinyl reissue of his masterful Drink Ring Jesus album on
@unspunheroes.com
'a stark yet warming slice of a manâs soul, masterfully delivered....'
paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/03/12/s...
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Stephen Simmons. Drink Ring Jesus.
We set our sights here on an album which was originally released back in 2006 and then kind of disappeared. Itâs popped back up into view due to a vinyl pressing by the UK label Unspun Heroes whoseâŚ
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/03/12/stephen-simmons-drink-ring-jesus/
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Very nice vinyl reissue of an album deserving a close listen. Stephen Simmons' Drink Ring Jesus. @unspunheroes @stephensimmons
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Stephen Simmons. Drink Ring Jesus.
We set our sights here on an album which was originally released back in 2006 and then kind of disappeared. Itâs popped back up into view due to a vinyl pressing by the UK label Unspun Heroes whose raison dâetre is, to quote, âTo go on a musical adventure of reissued vinyl. Releases happen in small batches, limited to no more than 500 pressings⌠the label has a guiding principle: to find and highlight music deserving of wider attention.
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/03/12/stephen-simmons-drink-ring-jesus/
about 1 year ago
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Here's a rip roaring set of piano boogie woogie songs from Glasgowâs Daniel Meade @dmeademusic
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Daniel Meade. Hip Hip Hooray! From The Top Records
If your concept of boogie woogie piano only extends to hearing Jools Holland tinkling the ivories, no matter who heâs playing with on the telly, then prepare to have your boundaries expanded by Glasgowâs Daniel Meade on his latest album. While Meade is a versatile character, as seen on previous albums, a rocker, a balladeer, a country singer at times, …
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/03/10/daniel-meade-hip-hip-hooray-from-the-top-records/
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Dropkick
about 1 year ago
Next show is in the glorious North-east, in Aberdeen on 7th March! If you're nearby please come along to The Blue Lamp , hosted by Almost Blue Promotions The exceptional Iona Macdonald (Doghouse Roses)will be playing a solo set too. Info in comments đ
www.almostbluepromotions.com/events/dropk...
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This box set of Doug Sahm/Sir Douglas Quintet's Mercury recordings is a treasure trove. @floatingworldrecords
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Doug Sahm & The Sir Douglas Quintet. The Complete Mercury Recordings. Floating World Records/Retroworld
Now, hereâs a thing, a bit of a holy grail really if you are a fan of Doug Sahm in his early incarnations, the leader of various line ups of The Sir Douglas Quintet. The Complete Mercury Recordings is a very cool (and comprehensive) box set which contains six hard to find albums recorded between 1968 and 1971 (Sir Douglas Quintet +2 = Honkey Blues, Mendocino, Together After Five, 1+1+1=4 The Return Of Doug SaldaĂąa…
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/02/17/doug-sahm-the-sir-douglas-quintet-the-complete-mercury-recordings-floating-world-records-retroworld/
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Dropkick
over 1 year ago
Another fantastic review of the new album, Primary Colours, this time by Paul Kerr
@blabbernsmoke.bsky.social
đĽł
paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/02/11/d...
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Dropkick. Primary Colours. Bobo Integral Records
Itâs very tempting to limit this review to the words, âHereâs another Dropkick album,â and leave it at that. Those in the know will then be rushing to their merchant of choice to purchase said albuâŚ
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/02/11/dropkick-primary-colours-bobo-integral-records/
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Scotland's Dropkick continue to ply their version of jangled pop rock with some style. @dropkickband
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Dropkick. Primary Colours. Bobo Integral Records
Itâs very tempting to limit this review to the words, âHereâs another Dropkick album,â and leave it at that. Those in the know will then be rushing to their merchant of choice to purchase said album. Sadly, it seems there are still some folk who have not been exposed to the perfect power pop espoused by this Edinburgh band despite their being one of the most prolific bands around.
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/02/11/dropkick-primary-colours-bobo-integral-records/
over 1 year ago
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reposted by
The Tenementals
over 1 year ago
We deleted our Twitter account two days ago. To receive direct info about The Tenementals send us a message with your e-mail address and we will add your details to a mailing list which we are just starting. You'll only receive occasional e-mails about our activity. Sign up!
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reposted by
The Tenementals
over 1 year ago
We've had loads of thoughtful critical responses to the album - here's one of the first from
@blabbernsmoke.bsky.social
- we've pulled out a highlight but the full review is well worth reading.
paulkerr.wordpress.com/2024/11/26/t...
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Deluxe reissue of Rain Parade's debut album is chock-full of delights. @therainparadeofficial
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Rain Parade. Emergency Third Rail Power Trip Deluxe Edition. Label 51Â Recordings.
Although the Paisley Underground was a somewhat nebulous concept, thereâs little doubt these days that The Rain Paradeâs debut album, Emergency Third Rail Power Trip was the quintessential album of this short lived phenomenon. Released in 1983, the album was an astounding update of the psychedelic sounds of bands such as The Byrds along with several acts who had appeared on the seminal 60s collection, Nuggets.
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/01/13/rain-parade-emergency-third-rail-power-trip-deluxe-edition-label-51-recordings/
over 1 year ago
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A great video to accompany Sulidae's new single release which includes some excellent live songs from their album release show. @bonkertrains
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Single release and video: Save You All My Blues by Sulidae
BlabberânâSmoke was much taken with Sulidaeâs second album ⌠Invincible Summer and we were fortunate enough to catch one of the launch gigs for the album in Glasgowâs Glad CafĂŠ. Today sees the release as a single (with accompanying video) of one its outstanding songs. Co-written by Bobby Motherwell (AKA Sulidae), James Grant and Bobby Bluebell (some well kent names for sure), …
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2025/01/10/single-release-and-video-save-you-all-my-blues-by-sulidae/
over 1 year ago
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reposted by
Jerome Preisler
over 1 year ago
Never forget.
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reposted by
Sulidae
over 1 year ago
Single/video review in the latest edition of Music News Scotland.
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reposted by
The Tennessee Holler
over 1 year ago
CARTOONS OF THE DAY 𫤠(Cartoonists are rallying around
@anntelnaes.bsky.social
as she leaves the
@washingtonpost.com
)
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Looking forward to this single release from
@sulidaepoem.bsky.social
add a skeleton here at some point
over 1 year ago
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Latest additions to the Neil Young collection...
over 1 year ago
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This would be hilarious if only they were not so toxic. After praising Musk as a hero on the telly today, Musk abruptly dismisses Farage. This is infantile behaviour but at least it shows Farage to be the tosser that he is and Musk as a toxic twat...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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Elon Musk turns on Nigel Farage and calls for new leader of Reform
It is unclear what prompted Musk to write on X that Farage âdoesnât have what it takesâ to be Reform UKâs leader
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jan/05/farage-refuses-to-condemn-free-speech-hero-musks-remarks-on-jess-phillips
over 1 year ago
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I found an old (probably 1960's) booklet for visitors to Glasgow's Art Galleries and Museum...
#glasgow
over 1 year ago
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reposted by
Dr Julia Grace Patterson
over 1 year ago
If you care about the future of the NHS & you see this on Boxing Day, please could you share this? If we want privatisation to be removed from the NHS, NHS campaigners like me have a *lot* of work to do next year andâŚIâd just like to see if people care enough about this for our campaigning to workâŚ
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reposted by
The Tenementals
over 1 year ago
Many thanks to Ann Fotheringham at The Evening Times for the report on the success of our album and attempts to have it stocked in 'alternative' outlets - photo from outside Mrs Mitchell's Sweetie Shop. Get in touch if you want 'a wee stick aw Glesga Rock!'
www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/2481514...
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On the turntable tonight, thanks Santa! Neil Young's Dume, an alternative retelling of the mighty Zuma...
over 1 year ago
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Reform Scotland and bad apples... Farage's party is a refuge for thugs.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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Reform remove Scottish official after claim about family
Nigel Farage's party insisted it
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0nqzj54wlo
over 1 year ago
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reposted by
David Valley
over 1 year ago
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reposted by
Thee Holy Brothers
over 1 year ago
Thanks to Colin MacDonald, host of Scottish radio program âFolkal Pointâ for including our single âThe Holy In Everythingâ on this weekâs show!
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on the turntable tonight, the excellent new album from
@dropkickmusic.bsky.social
over 1 year ago
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In anticipation of his forthcoming album Spirit Ridge, Dean Owens has this spectacular collection of three EPs on offer. @deanowens1
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Dean Owens The Ridge Trilogy
Remember when, during a maths exam, you were asked not only to provide an answer but to show your workings? In a musical sense thatâs what Dean Owens has done here. We await the final answer in the shape of his forthcoming album, Spirit Ridge (due out in February and to be premiered at Celtic Connections) but The Ridge Trilogy…
https://paulkerr.wordpress.com/2024/12/18/dean-owens-the-ridge-trilogy/
over 1 year ago
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reposted by
Jerome Preisler
over 1 year ago
I'm no music writer, so it's hard for me to talk about this song's haunting resonance--the centerpiece of Dean's new EP. It finds beauty in the place where romantic joy and melancholy meet. Those of us who've seen a few turns of the earth appreciate love all the more knowing we aren't here forever.
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Taylor Lorenz
over 1 year ago
"We cannot continue to participate in the social network feed of a man who proclaims the death of the media and therefore of journalists... X is a platform that no longer serves the public interest at all, but the special ideological and financial interests of its owner and his political allies"
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European Federation of Journalists to stop posting content on X
The EFJ represents over 295,000 journalists in 44 countries.
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/media/european-federation-of-journalists-to-stop-posting-content-on-x-386598/
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Want to listen to six and a half hours of Marquee Moon? Here you go...
@memorialdevice.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC9C...
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Marquee Moons 1974 - 2019
YouTube video by Ty Burr's Watch List
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC9CyoMJq94
over 1 year ago
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reposted by
The Tenementals
over 1 year ago
Thanks to everyone who sang, played, hosted us, came along to our album launch on Wednesday. And thanks to those of you (loads actually) who bought the album - it's available online and in various shops but you can get it direct from us too. ÂŁ25 for vinyl, ÂŁ10 for CDs. Discounts for multi-purchases!
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reposted by
Jerome Preisler
over 1 year ago
@deanowens1.bsky.social
spoils us with music and videos like this.
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Dean Owens
over 1 year ago
Hereâs the brand new video for Spirit Of Us. This is the lead track from Sacri Cuori, the third and final EP in my Ridge Trilogy series. Please share if you like it. It would mean a lot to me â¤ď¸
klofmag.com/2024/11/vide...
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Video Premiere: Dean Owens â Spirit Of Us
Watch the video for Dean Owensâ âSpirit Of Usâ, a boldly romantic ballad that captures the warmth of the festive season. Itâs also the lead track from the final volume in The Ridge Trilogy EPs (Sacri ...
https://klofmag.com/2024/11/video-premiere-dean-owens-spirit-of-us/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2fLJkp4ZnT7fJr5xEzAE2ggI-K0FyMKzdvOuwy4k8ICL4L7WeGVikO0qQ_aem_Kpxvgdu1Q-JRcIMt4SUo7A
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