Author Archive
February 12, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Kate McGarry/Keith Ganz/Gary Versace: The Subject Tonight is Love
Kate McGarry/Keith Ganz/Gary Versace The Subject Tonight is Love CD Baby Yes, nominally Kate McGarry is the ‘star’ – she’s the one out front, the voice, but this talented trio works together to pull new flavours and subtle nuance from oft-recorded chestnuts. There are only a handful of modern jazz vocalists actually doing something – actually working, exploring, instilling their personality, […]
February 12, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 336
Don Henley, The Boys of Summer [Single] (1984) Confession time – all this “I hate the fuckin’ Eagles shit” (and I mean that by the way, always!) – but I have a soft spot for some of the solo stuff. And I include amongst that not very much by Don Henley but most certainly this song. A banger. A gem. I dunno. […]
February 12, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Manins/Samsom/Benebig/Lockett: SHUFFLE
Manins/Samsom/Benebig/Lockett SHUFFLE Rattle The Rattle label continues to defy the odds, making quality product (actual CDs, lovely covers, liner notes, packaging and production – never ‘just’ the music) and shining a light. Jazz, Maori music, contemporary classic – call it “art” music if you want a catch-all maybe, I like to think of the boutique […]
February 11, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Rants In The Dark: Theatre
Rants In The Dark Directed by Lyndee-Jane Rutherford (based on the book by Emily Writes adapted for the stage by Mel Dodge, Lyndee-Jane Rutherford and Bevin Linkhorn) Circa Theatre; Circa One (January 19 – February 16) [Good Times Company] Yes, due to bad holiday-planning I am very late to Rants In The Dark – but I saw the opening night […]
February 10, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 123: Digital Underground – “Sex Packets”
Yes, yes, I know The Humpty Dance – because who doesn’t? Even people who are sure they don’t know that or maybe don’t recognise the title do actually know that song. But I had never heard the whole album. I had heard one or two other Digital Underground tracks, but never a whole album – and this, their debut, is one of […]
February 10, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Gig Review: Phil Collins (February 6, Napier)
Phil Collins The Mission; Napier Wednesday, February 6 I’ve struggled through many a Mission concert in my time – there’s been some incredible acts, sure, but often the setting, the, erm, “Clientele” – it can be a challenge. The time Ray Charles played there stays with me still; should have been The Best concert, felt, at times like The Worst, but […]
February 9, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Hamish Kilgour NZ Tour: Cirque d’Finc — Finklestein The Musical
Picking up on a Facebook post, Hamish Kilgour has announced some last-minute North Island tour dates for a NZ summer jaunt. The South Island shows are to be confirmed. Booking still underway. The shows will feature a mix of live music, film projection and DJing. Here’s the dates that are known at this stage – starting […]
February 8, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Poem: A fine thing
you with your funny ways, me with the things I say We’re a pair. And just as well. I’d be lost without you. you’d probably get by without me. But you’d never say that. At least not out loud. You’ve always been a kinder soul. That’s part of how the balance is achieved. I like […]
February 8, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 122: The Shamen – “En-Tact”
Barriers of entry. You just need to dive in – mostly. But sometimes it helps if you’re there at the right time. And with anything dance-music related I feel that’s most certainly the case, for the most part anyway. I love a lot of Daft Punk’s music because I hear it always thinking about how I heard […]
February 5, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 337
The Beatles, The Beatles Box (1980) Growing up, the music of The Beatles was all around – my dad had lost/got rid of some of his records but we had a decent smattering and some of the solo records from the post-break-up years too. A couple of compilations were added to the collection as we grew up […]
February 5, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Sweetman Podcast: Episode 154 – Peter Wells
Welcome to episode 154 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T, Yeastie Boys and La Petite Chocolat. 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 library. Here I have a conversation with Peter Wells.
February 4, 2019 by Simon Sweetman