Covid

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October 3, 2021 by Simon Sweetman

Poem: Scheduling Apocalypse, Now

Our apocalypse arrived by meeting and dragged for days and there were so many experts all of a sudden, most of them weren’t even on the clock, but even that – and the apocalypse! – couldn’t stop them. So the days (and nights) continued their drag and people continued to flaunt their version of nearly-normal […]

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September 14, 2021 by Simon Sweetman

Lockdown Poetry

I thought I’d share some poems I’ve written in lockdown. I’m not sure they signify a state of mind – then again that’s exactly what poetry does. And all the time. Anyway, here are some of the newest poems I’ve written – across the last couple of weeks: Two Fires

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September 6, 2021 by Simon Sweetman

Some Lockdown Viewing

Groundhog Day One of the greatest movies ever – and a perfect thing to re-watch as we live some privileged version of Groundhog Day, the same day over and again, time stretched but folding in on itself in a lockdown. We watched this as a family film under lockdown. It was bloody good eh. Just […]

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May 18, 2021 by Simon Sweetman

Luke Adam Hawker: Together

Together Luke Adam Hawker Kyle Books The pandemic took its toll – and is taking it still and because we survived lockdown (and it was brief) many of us have moved on and back to our lives and it was all just a mild inconvenience. We were lucky. And we were supported by our government […]

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May 9, 2021 by Simon Sweetman

Vincent Herring: Preaching To The Choir

Vincent Herring Preaching To The Choir Smoke Sessions Vincent Herring is a hell of a player – a saxophonist that brings to mind the best of Charlie Parker’s sprightly runs and his way with a melody, just updated for the modern context. And his latest album is not just a celebration of his extraordinary talents […]

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April 20, 2021 by Simon Sweetman

TRANSMISSION: Theatre

TRANSMISSION Direction: Stuart McKenzie & Miranda Harcourt BATS Theatre (April 20 – May 1) Last night I attended the world premiere of TRANSMISSION. It’s a new play by Stuart McKenzie and Miranda Harcourt. It stars Sophie Hambleton, Tom Knowles and Tim Spite – between them they give voice to works spoken by Jacinda Ardern, Grant […]

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April 8, 2021 by Simon Sweetman

José James: New York 2020 (Live)

José James New York 2020 (Live) Rainbow Blonde I’m a huge fan of José James – he was, for a time, the most exciting new jazz singer on the planet. But he gave that up to be a super great R’n’B singer. Then he decided to be a Bill Withers jukebox for a while. And […]

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January 26, 2021 by Simon Sweetman

Lewis Black: Thanks For Risking Your Life

Lewis Black Thanks For Risking Your Life TLB Records Available as a video (streaming) or old-fashioned CD/comedy album, Lewis Black must have just snuck in with one of the last ‘proper’ comedy specials ahead of the pandemic. As you see from the cover he was masked up – and his audience was socially distanced, he […]