Author Archive
July 3, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
V/A: NOW That’s What I Call Yacht Rock Volume 2
Various Artists: NOW That’s What I Call Yacht Rock Volume 2 NOW As with the first volume this is more a compilation of acceptable cheese than it is ‘Yacht Rock’. Yacht Rock’s dead anyway, it sunk – but not without traces. The wind changed. Maybe as soon as people started making compilations with the words […]
July 3, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Poem: Occasion
Some friends visited. We had pizza, and gin and far too many cigarettes. We played cards, and music, apparently far too much jazz! (Is that ever possible?) Something was up with one of them. It was either the gin or the cards or the jazz… They left. I started cleaning up. There wasn’t a lot […]
July 3, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Stubs: # 263 – The Blackbird Ensemble Performs Björk: All Is Full Of Love, Wellington, 2019
There I was talking about how I loved a few shows in 2019 but didn’t go to many then Covid-19 took 2020 right out of consideration. One of the shows on that list from last year was this. Even though I talked to composer/arranger Claire Cowan (and got a great vibe from her about this) […]
July 2, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Shit That’s Good! Crap Albums I Love # 33 – Bill Withers, “Watching You, Watching Me”
Bill Withers, Watching You Watching Me, 1985 When I first met the music of Bill Withers I was amazed not only by it, but by the control. That extends over from the subtly of the arrangements and his vocal control to the quality control – here was a guy that started late and finished early; […]
July 2, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Andrew McCormack: Solo
Andrew McCormack Solo Ubuntu Music British jazz pianist Andrew McCormack has been releasing records under his own name across the last 15 years. He’s also a member of the Kyle Eastwood Band, has a regular duo with saxophonist Jason Yarde, performs in a variety of small combo setting and leads The Andrew McCormack Trio.
July 2, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Warren Wolf: Reincarnation
Warren Wolf Reincarnation Mack Avenue Records II, LLC Well the clue is in the title but Warren Wolf’s latest album is a departure from the classic jazz he’s peddled – as leader and sideman – across the last two decades. Good vibes though, and please pardon that pun – as Wolf takes all he learned […]
July 2, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Poem: Snapshot
old guy walking as if against the wind, but the day is still and calm, he’s weighed down– further by his yellow plastic bag, perhaps it holds the ingredients for that night’s recipe – that’s if he makes it to wherever he is heading; gets to wherever he needs to be – it’s a slideshow […]
July 2, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 100
Bob Marley and The Wailers, Live: Boston Music Hall (June 8th 1978) (2017) Look, I’m not really one for these bootleg recordings – but I am one for bargains. So when I found a brand new copy of this, for dirt cheap, with time to kill and browsing, there was no choice but for it […]
July 1, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Sweetman Podcast # 219: Colin Morris
Welcome to episode 219 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T and Yeastie Boys Now – as you probably know, as well as the usual platforms (this site, soundcloud, iTunes/Apple) you can now get to Sweetman Podcast on Spotify – follow it there and have it saved in your Spotify […]
July 1, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Poem: Puff (Back In The Day)
the way smoke curls, lingers then leaves. The way smiles so often seem the same no matter what. The chance to make a difference never made any difference. I leave in a puff of smoke. No magic trick there. Your lingering smile will never leave me. I’m lucky. I hope you think so too.
July 1, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Shit That’s Good! Crap Albums I Love # 32 – Deep Purple, “Concerto For Group And Orchestra”
Deep Purple, Concerto for Group and Orchestra, 1969 I have a complicated history with this one – I probably thought about it before hearing it more than has been the case with any other album… Let me explain. Deep Purple was one of my first loves – a Singles collection by the band was the […]
July 1, 2020 by Simon Sweetman