An A-Z of my CDs: H

This week it's H and the turn of... (drum roll, please) ...Lauryn Hill. One third of The 'Fugees, her solo album "This Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" brought both critical acclaim and commercial success.

I've chosen what is, for me, the stand out track of the album - although I could easily have selected a number of others - "Ex-Factor".

Unfortunately the official video is not available for embedding and I can't find a good quality recording of a live performance, so here's the audio track with pictures!

You can see the official video here - and leave your comment below with an artist beginning "I" to add to my collection so I can make an appropriate entry next week!

Andrew

Cue Barwick Green

A while ago, I promised you a post about my love of The Archers. So, here it is! 


Thanks to the wonder of podcasts, I am now able to follow it regularly in a way that I've never been fully able to in the past. It makes my walk to work in the morning even more of a joy.

So, why do I like it so much? Well, here are a few of the reasons:

Real time events: Unlike TV soap operas, each episode of The Archers records events of that day... This means that future events can be trailed in advance, within the show. Rather than not knowing whether there has been seconds, hours or days between episodes, you know exactly when the action is taking place!

Handling of Death: Characters live long in The Archers and it's not unusual for the actors to die while still contracted to the show. This creates obvious problems which are handled with a great deal of sensitivity. Somehow the writers, cast and production staff always seem to hit the right note.

Long lasting stories: The lack of the ratings pressure which TV soaps are subjected to mean that there isn't the constant pressure for high profile storylines. This means that some stories can be developed over a long period of months or years. The best example in recent years was the development of Jack Wooley's Alzeimhers which won awards from mental health charities.

Regular events: Birthdays and wedding anniversaries are referenced as a natural part of the ebb and flow of the drama - not only when it suits the storyline! This adds to the feeling that your eavesdropping on real people, not artificial constructs.

The short lead-in times that radio can offer - and lack of visual  continuity issues - allow for topical references to be inserted at short notice. Examples include English World Cup scores or the death of the Queen Mother... One year they even recorded John Peel on location at Glastonbury!

Celebrity appearances - from Stephen Fry to Ewan McGregor, Alan Titchmarsh to Terry Wogan and Dame Judy Dench to Princess Margaret, The Archers has always drawn the great and good!


Of course, all these things are in addition to fantastic storylines, great characters and superior acting. Well, mostly superior acting - that of the children and sheep can leave a lot to be desired!

Andrew

Halloween Costumes...

...for dogs. Yes, it really is a mad, mad world (or maybe it's just USA, but I wouldn't want to assert that - madness happens everywhere!)

Catching up on Have I Got News For You this evening, they featured this picture of a dog that had been dressed up for Halloween:

I found it rather amusing but while looking for it online discovered that this is far from a one off. There are hoards of costumes available for your pooch. Here's a selection of the best (worst?)

Andrew

From the Vaults: October 2009

Looking back on old posts is always interesting. There are some which you remember well and are particularly proud off, others that you've forgotten and enjoy reading again and, of course, some which make you wonder what you were thinking!

Following my recent "Mystery Blogs" entry, I've decided that I shall revisit some old posts on a monthly basis, but this time I'm going to at least do them the justice of giving them a chance to tempt you in...

Virtual Gallery, Room 2 

This featured the work of Rachel Whiteread, including this piece:

5 on the 5th - October

Ahead of the next 5 on the 5th, here's a look what I did on the 5th October last year! Including purchasing new shoes...

and finally, a more serious post, this time on the appearance of Nick Griffen on Question Time. I've posted the first couple of paragraphs:

Give them enough rope...

"On Thursday, the BNP leader will, controversially, appear on question time. Should he be allowed? Well, on balance, probably yes. The BNP somehow manages to stay the right side of the various laws which govern the line between freedom of speech of inciting racial hatred. In addition, they now have over a hundred councilors and two MEPs so they clearly speak for a section of the populous, however objectionable they may be.

"While their views may be, at the very least, distasteful they cannot now be ignored. To do so would risk them continuing to spread their bile at low level, letting it fester and spread like a cancer. It has reached a point where they need to be faced head on. They need to be given some (limited) exposure, a spade to dig themselves a hole and enough rope with which to hang themselves."

Hope you enjoy this selection from last year... you can find more of last October's posts here. Comments, as ever, are welcome below!

Andrew

Haircut Hints...

I finally booked a hairdressers appointment this week, so on Saturday I am going to get shorn... but what should I get done? Below are three current pictures, together with one from when I last had it done. 

Should I go for the same again or something different?!

Andrew