Monday, January 30, 2006

Stark

Gloucester 9 – London Irish 13

This was a stark disappointment and those who chanted ‘Boring, Boring Irish!’ had it wrong (as blinking usual). The Irish game plan was simple, efficient and represented what Gloucester should aspire to. I’d settle for a bullying, juggernaut forward pack with a few brain cells behind it any day. My goodness, it worked against a lacklustre Gloucester side that not only deserved to lose but by more than the meagre four points that separated. Had Gloucester have snatched it at the death – and we had a line-out in their 22 in the dying seconds only to mess it up – I would have been leaping around like a leapy thing but with a hint of sheepishness about the size of the injustice too. Irish were a country mile better than the city.

But, and there is always a ‘but’, this should always be regarded as a season of transition. This term’s Gloucester are vastly better then last year’s Kiole/Bezuidenhout mortification and with key men signed up early and the transfer of big Will James indicating a desire to beef up the front five, one should not reach for the prozac just yet. Expectations are always high at Kingsholm but, it has to be said, the club is a top six outfit only. Only gradual rebuilding will propel us higher. Right now, qualification for the Heineken Cup must be the only target for the rest of the season, by any means. I’d wager we’ll take on Leicester in a week and, with a bit of extra fire in our bellies, sneak a win that will dispel the current gloom and doom. We are still fourth in the league for Preedy’s sake.

Friday, January 27, 2006

Nouvelle Vague


To the Guildhall cinema last night for some 1960s French new wave cinema, Godard’s Bande a Part. Ninety minutes of style and exquisite and quirky characterisation flew by. The plot was secondary; a series of set-pieces kept one interested. The dance scene (see above) was a rare treat of Gallic cool.

I am aware that this is oldish news but I am delighted that the young prince James Simpson-Daniel has signed an extension to his contract and will be with the city until at least 2009. I recall the first few times I saw the nipper play in cherry and white and, in particular, a damp night at Oxstalls when the fledging teen Sinbad wore a ten and mesmerised with an array of silken skills that had those assembled gasping in admiration. All our young stars are now signed up for the foreseeable and I am heartened by the good sense of sorting out all the business now and not at the fag end of the season when one needs the players’ minds to be concentrated firmly on rugby football and not off-field politics. I salute Dean Ryan’s intelligence surrounding this matter. I hope that he can now persuade Gary Powell to remain at Kingsholm especially with the noble Vicks out for the count for, at least, the medium term.

The other Gloucester rugby news this week indicated a potential move to an all-seater stadium near the railway station. I can cope with this and would welcome the chance to take my seat fifteen minutes before kick-off instead of having to pick my spot in ‘the shed’ an hour and a half before kick-off. The whole shed’ thing is beginning to agitate both S and myself: too many humourless people yelling abuse without a hint of irony or wit simply because it is what’s expected. Boring. Call me an old killjoy but it was better in the old days although many fine people do help lessen the blow of the witless. The demographic has changed (see here) and not for the better. The Johnny-Come-Latelies help pay for – inter alia - Sinbad’s contract but I wish I didn’t have to listen to their moronic hee-hawing quite so much. Perhaps a nice new stadium will dilute that nonsense but I won’t hold my breath.

I hope any new stadium doesn’t have a running track as I wouldn’t be quite as interested in attending football matches. I like to see the whites of the players’ eyes.

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Monkeys und Wallys

The Arctic Monkeys are nineteen. If I were nineteen - and verily, I am not – I would consider their debut album, ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not’ the most incredible thing ever and I reckon, conceivably, that it would change my life in the same way the Smiths’ debut did back in February 1984. I’m sure it is changing young lives as I write this. The hype surrounding this recording is astonishing with all the publications I’ve read giving it glowing reports and the maximum number of stars. Andrew Collins, a journalist and broadcaster I admire, in this month’s Word Magazine, tells how he paid from his own pocket to see the band in Europe recently. I do enjoy the album myself having listened to it a couple of times but it is far from astonishing. There is a confidence about the songs, a raucous tapping into a South Yorkshire adolescent zeitgeist that impresses and begs, begs to be liked and I must admit to appreciating deeply the lack of hip, the unselfconscious untrendiness and lo-fi insouciance that permeate proceedings. The songs are witty, clever, knowing and, heck, tuneful but I was moved and awed a great deal more by the splendour of Bjork’s ‘Homogenic’ which I played today and by the multi-layered textures of ‘Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven’ by Godspeed You Black Emperor! which I had on my headphones last night in bed and took me on an unbelievable musical journey. In contrast, The Arctic Monkeys are a little contrived and I’m sure I’d easily tire of their stuff but then again I’m not nineteen.

Like a wally, and, to boot, a wally trying to be far too clever, I wrote ‘durm und strang’ instead of ‘sturm und drang’ last night and S, of course, couldn’t wait to let me know my error and tell me how hard he’d been laughing. I apologise. But not to him. I've used the word 'zeitgeist' tonight to show I'm not upset.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Can You Keep a Secret?


Solemn and angular Texan – yet New York based - art-rockers The Secret Machines are playing the Bristol Bierkeller in March and I am more than keen to attend. I’d imagine that they’d make a heck of a racket in such a tiny venue. They are an interesting band and I greatly admired the studied poise and swagger of their last long-player, ‘Now Here is Nowhere’ which reminded me a little of an airbrushed Killing Joke, bags of durm und strang but lacking the menace. I am also thrilled, and a tad surprised, that glitch-hoppers Prefuse 73 shall be supporting the ‘chines. Their two albums, Vocal Studies + Uprock Narratives’ (after which this website is named no less) and, in particular, ‘One Word Extinguisher’ buzz with textures, smart and streetwise samples and out-there riddims. Part hip-hop, part self-assured electronica, I’d imagine their live set would prove one to remember. That evening has to be inked into diary now. The enigma that remains ‘S’ has been contacted and he is up for it too.

Monday, January 23, 2006

Dear Old Vicks

The injury news regarding Phil Vickery and his troublesome back is most distressing. The self-styled ‘raging bull’ has been in immense form for the city recently and was contributing so much to the tight exchanges as well as rampaging round the park like a demented loose forward when he found the ball in his mighty paws. The fine form the team has found itself in has been due in no small way to the Vickster’s example and leadership qualities. Obviously there are insurance implications to him staging another comeback and the few reports I have read have seemed a touch bleak. I just hope the fellow makes a miraculous recovery but I’m not holding my breath. The prop forward has his knockers (to coin a phrase) but I consider him to be Gloucester through and through. He understands the club more than most, appreciates its history and expectations, and nods respectfully to legends who have pulled on the famous shirt before him. Despite what some say, I believe he loves the Gloucester shirt as much, if not more, than the white one of Albion. If he has played his last game for the cherry and whites, I’ll be genuinely upset. The guy is a hero.

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Top Seeds

Gloucester 35 – Bayonne 19

So Gloucester finish the qualifying leagues as top seed for the knock-out stage and have a home quarter-final draw as a reward for their enterprising and ambitious play in this competition. This punter thought that, with two French clubs in the group, qualification would prove tricky but in five of the six games played by the city, the team has achieved a bonus point and I salute this wholeheartedly. Today’s match saw a workmanlike performance from one to fifteen but a special mention should be given to Marcel Garvey who appeared lively in attack and determinedly resilient in defence. He outclassed his rival for a wing berth, Mark Foster, in every department. Foster remains the team’s weakest link and I am increasingly aware that he conspicuously fails to beat his opposite number on a one-on-one encounter every time. His tackling and ability to cover is suspect too while he lacks the pace one would expect from a Premiership winger. Personally I would consider playing another of our wingers, Thirlby or Bailey, or perhaps Jon Goodridge in his stead.

Meanwhile, Oliver Morgan goes from strength to strength. His intelligence, bravery, pace and alertness impressed again today. He does the basics so assuredly and has to be the most improved player in the squad. His lengthy run in the team has done wonders for his all round play so one is unable to criticise Dean Ryan too much for sticking with the lacklustre Foster when a similar approach has proved so valuable for our superb and eye-catching young fullback.

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Mixed Bills and 'Cello-based Thrills

Last night the three eldest Coles hurried themselves heartily to the Gloucester Guildhall for the latest ‘Acoustica’ evening. We merrily endorse and support ‘Acoustica’ and have yet to enjoy a less than very satisfactory time there having been sumptuously entertained by the great Boo Hewerdine and the idiosyncratic but rather marvellous Duke Special – a firm favourite in the Cole household now – last year. Yesterday evening saw a mixed bill and three very diverse artists. Sweet Laredo was a duo, a guy in a nice shirt a-strummin’ and a-pickin’ on a geetar while a large-lunged gal belted out torch songs and gospel with gusto. Not my thing exactly but an unchallenging and not unwelcome hors d’oeuvres nonetheless. I did fully appreciate the second act Bela Emerson though. In my eyes, half an hour of experimental ‘cello playing with sampling and loops can never be frowned at. This was challenging stuff, make no mistake, and I was smilingly taken by how warmly those in the audience appreciated what was, it seems, a largely improvised set. Hats off, I say, to the gathered Gloucester cognoscenti. I can now see why Emerson warranted a Peel session and my only regret was that she couldn’t play for longer. I sense that the first act – humdrum in comparison – overran and if that were the case, I can only mutter darkly, ‘criminal, criminal…’ The final act, The Family Machine, were a feel-good trio, full of whimsy and tune who crooned plush harmonies and performed charming songs, all with a hearty and unembarrassed English theme, about roadside floral tributes and lethal drug cocktails. They drank cups of tea on stage, indulged in banter and were rather entertaining. I spilt half my Guinness three-quarters into their set and that I didn’t mind shalt be my tribute to them. They reminded me of earnest Irish hopefuls Hal a little with a soupcon of Lemon Jelly – they used a fair few samples – and a small pinch of British Sea Power thrown into the mix. They were fine.

The legend that is Martin Stephenson plays 'Acoustica' in May. Such thoughts help a man through the dark mornings of a bleak English winter.

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

The Four Eternal Truths of United Fixtures

Monday night at Kingsholm was interesting. The United, or ‘A’ team in new money, always throws up plenty to think about. It used to be maintained by one or two of my circle that a United fixture always contained one almighty punch-up, at least one superb try, one Gloucester player emphatically on the way up and, to balance this, one emphatically lurching towards an ignoble end to his Gloucester career. The fixture against Leicester didn’t disappoint on any of these counts. The forward battle was uncompromising and, at times, heated. Quick hands led to some well-taken tries and our new South African Rudi Keil scored a beauty, set up with some sublime running lines and slick passing, not least from returning prodigal Henry Paul. The player on the way up is young Jack Forster whose bulk helps him dominate scrums and set pieces but is adding more and more to his game each time I see him in action. Sadly, and I feel the dream is over, Quentin Davids contributed very little and I reckon his days may be numbered. His line out play is non-existent to be frank and, apart from throwing his huge frame at the occasional ruck, he offers little in the looser exchanges.

Sunday, January 15, 2006

The greatest record of all time


Many (too many?) albums embrace the mantle of ‘lost classic’ and none more so than Dexy’s Midnight Runners’ ‘Don’t Stand Me Down’ from 1985 which I have often read about as being a work of staggering genius that was purchased by the merest handful of payin’ punters. The two previous Dexy’s albums, ‘Searching for the Young Soul Rebels’ and ‘Too-Rye-Ay’ were massive hits but a lack of record company interest and a belligerent refusal by Kevin Rowland to release singles conspired to sound the death knell for ‘Don’t Stand Me Down’. I purchased the blighter yesterday, more through curiosity than anything, from my online music file store of choice and 24 hours later I’m sat here grinning like a loon because I don’t think I’ve enjoyed a long playing recording as much as this scamp for ages. I’m playing it now and I had it banging through my ears as I did the weekly shop at Sainsbury’s this morning. As one would expect from Rowland the melodies are exquisite and life-affirming but the whole production delights – it is so unusual and quite unlike anything I’ve ever heard. For example, the track I’m playing right now, This is What She’s Like, is twelve minutes long (a length that would normally put me right off…), kicks off with a gloriously paranoid conversation between Rowland and bandmate Billy Adams, before embarking on a mesmeric montage of soaring melody, Beach Boys harmonies and engaging earnestness with the occasional snatch of conversation mixed in to provide the icing on the already pukka cake. This is stunning stuff. Rowland and Adams’ murmured chit-chats permeate the whole collection. They are enchanting. At one point somebody coughs loudly and apologetically. I think it might be post-modern. All the songs are compelling and make the heart burst and I’m mildly nervous to consider that, as I’ve only played it three and a half times, it might grow on me. I don’t think I could cope with liking this album even more than I already do. It might be the greatest record of all time and it has taken me over 20 years to discover it. Heck. In the mean time I’ll keep on grinning.

The great Chris Roberts, ex-Melody Maker, has a website all about ‘Don’t Stand Me Down’ and it can be found here. You need to click on the arrows at the bottom of each page to access the next ‘chapter’. I would urge anyone to read this. And I would urge anyone to listen to ‘Don’t Stand Me Down’.

Saturday, January 14, 2006

Balcony Scene

A busy week so little time to attend to this site. B emailed to tell me that he’d sorted out a pair of tickets for Ryan Adams next month. They are balcony seats which led me to consider the last time I sat in a balcony for a concert. I think it may have been at the same venue – Bristol’s Colston Hall – for a mighty, and unprecedented, double bill of The Blue Aeroplanes and John Martyn. If memory serves, Helen Lederer compared and it was a charity event. I have been playing ‘29’, the new Adams album this week. It really is rather gorgeous. The song Night Birds is my favourite track of the year so far – so delicate and haunting.

Gloucester defeated Bucharesti this afternoon, picking up a four-try bonus in their closer than predicted 27-13 victory. Next week’s home match will decide the spoils in Gloucester’s group. The visitors Bayonne stand four points behind the city so could conceivably top the mini-league with a large win but I would anticipate a home victory and a resulting home quarter- (and semi-?) final for the lads.

I think I like the Arctic Monkeys.

Monday, January 09, 2006

Winning Football

Saracens 9 – Gloucester 19

A reasonably rare but hugely welcome away win ushered in the new year for Gloucester RFC and this supporter was mightily impressed with a rugged forward performance that the likes of Gadd, Teague and Preedy would endorse. Alex Brown had a towering match in the engine room, controlling the lines out with ease and putting in the hard yards with ball in hand as well as enhancing his reputation for ruthless defensive work. Mefin Davies is enjoying possibly his longest run in the starting fifteen and I appreciated his adherence to the basics yesterday, particularly in the loose where his used all his experience to retain the ball skilfully. He is thriving. Gloucester now lie fourth in the league with ten games to play, six of which are at Stade Kingsholm. With the gap between us and the fifth placed club, London Irish standing at a healthy six points, our next match, against the exiles, takes on much importance. We have a fine opportunity to consolidate and cement ourselves in that all important top-four. All is well, it seems.

Saturday, January 07, 2006

Eight Goal Thriller

Liverpool’s 5-3 FA Cup victory over Luton Town was a joy to behold and I was bewitched by incident after incident in a dramatic second half. The last thirty seconds contained a last-ditch attempt by Luton to salvage a draw involving the goalkeeper coming up for a corner. I always love it when that happens. The icing on the cake came when play broke up and, with the goalkeeper stranded and Liverpool gaining possession, Alonso belted the ball into the Luton net from well inside his own half. I love it when that happens too. For the neutral it was compelling stuff.

For fun as much as anything, during the last general election campaign, I filled out an online form, answering numerous questions about my views on a host of matters, to ascertain which political party I was most closely aligned to. It turned out to be the Liberal Democrats although, apart from tactical votes at local polls, I have never supported the party. Nevertheless I was saddened today as Charles Kennedy, hounded by colleagues who lacked any semblance of loyalty, compassion or bravery, resigned as leader. I really felt for the geezer. His courage at confessing to a distressing drink problem two days ago indicated a human side rarely witnessed in a major politician. My respect and admiration for Kennedy’s outstanding condemnation of the Iraq situation was matched by more personal sentiments. I wish him well.

Friday, January 06, 2006

Americana

Perhaps I am deluded but I look forward to Sunday’s Gloucester match at Saracens with a hint of confidence. The Leeds match was not the bleak disaster that some folk are considering it and I anticipate that a fired-up fifteen will cause problems for a star-studded Watford-based outfit. A recall for Pendlebury is deserved, a return for the noble Collazo is welcomed warmly while the only caveat about the pack is the seven that the old warhorse Boer wears on his broad back. Does the South African possess enough pace for openside flank forward? He has never particularly impressed there and I suspect the remarkable talent of James Merrimen may impact on proceedings at some point. Behind the scrum, continuity is the key and the same backs that started against Leeds are again selected. I appreciate this. Chopping and changing teams rarely works and the youngsters that Ryan is placing such faith in can only benefit from a decent run in the team and the confidence it provides them.

I am overdosing on serious and worthy North American songsmiths right now. I am playing lots of Ryan Adams (including his new and admirable ‘29’ album which I like immensely), Calexico, Iron and Wire, Sufjan Stevens and The Cowboy Junkies. I loathe the expression ‘background music’ and the whole concept grates. These musicians provide the antithesis of such an idea; each song commends the greatest of attention and repeated studied listening does pay dividends. Part of me is crying out for something a tad sunnier though, particularly as I spent some of the recent festive period reinvestigating the gloomy Cure trio of albums, ‘Seventeen Seconds’, ‘Faith’ and ‘Pornography’ – three belters, it has to be said.

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

No Place Like Rome

It’ll be an early night tonight. Although the new term starts with earnest tomorrow, a need for a good night sleep is a notch or two down my list of priorities. No, tonight is ‘Rome’ on BBC television and my routine dictates that I shall be tucked up and glued to the only programme I need to watch each week. No distractions please. The politics of the era fascinate with Pompey now out of the equation and with an oily Brutus and supremely confident Marcus Antonius currently eyeing Caesar with interest. Away from all this high-powered stuff the ongoing ‘soap opera’ involving two former soldiers Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo remains a treat. Their close friendship is under considerable threat after Pullo killed a slave in cold blood outside Vorenus’s villa last week, was sent packing, sank too much vino and was offered a job by a local racketeer, a sworn enemy of Vorenus. That cliffhanger will, no doubt, be resolved tonight.

I’m not a huge fan of Steve Lamacq on BBC 6Music but after the fellow played both New Face in Hell by The Fall and Ping Pong by Stereolab on tonight’s show, I salute and doff my cap to him. It is easy to take for the granted the high quality of music that wonderful radio station churns out throughout the day. I wonder how I used to cope.

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

The Live Experience

I look forward to attending a gig or two in the New Year with a few impending treats to warm the heart during these dark post-Christmas days. In April the mighty Calexico are playing Bristol Academy along with Iron and Wire. Having seen the ‘lex a couple of times I know that will be a great show with wonderful musicianship and the finest of songs. Ryan Adams at the Colston Hall is in February – that should be wonderful. The guy is a huge talent and I find myself returning to his albums again and again. As discussed with D and S on the Kingsholm terrace at the weekend, Adams’ solo debut Heartbreaker is a masterpiece of intelligent and emotive songwriting but all his recordings hit the mark. Another great songwriter is Martin Stephenson and he will, I hear, be playing Gloucester Guildhall in May. I last saw Stephenson at Sheffield Leadmill in 1992 and am keen to see the fellow perform again. The Fall website indicates a few recently added British gigs this spring so I shall keep a close eye on developments there.

Monday, January 02, 2006

Rock 'n' Roll Tales


A slight regret is that I haven’t managed to read as much as usual this holiday. I did throw myself keenly at the John Peel/Sheila Ravenscroft biography ‘Margrave of the Marshes’. Like many Peel fans, I was disappointed to discover that his autobiography was only half-written when he died a year or so ago but ‘The Pig’ has completed the book with honesty and humour. It is certainly not a lesser book because of her contributions although the trademark Peel wit lights up the first third with fascinating tales of surviving public school and the army before embarking on a DJ career in Texas. Although tales of the famous and infamous abound, the glimpses into the home life of Peel are equally compelling. I wish he was still around.

I’m currently reading ‘Time Travel’ by Jon Savage, a collection of the rock journalist’s essays, features and reviews from a variety of publications including Sounds at the time punk exploded. Early pieces include reviews of seminal Clash and Pistols gigs as well as appraisals of key groups (Penetration, Magazine, Subway Sect and Throbbing Gristle) emerging away from the epicentre of the punk movement. Savage’s key work on punk, ‘England’s Dreaming’ is quite a scholarly, academic tome but ‘Time Travel’ is more vivid and captures the zeitgeist of the late seventies underground scene vibrantly and with the insight of the enthusiastic insider. I’m fascinated.

Sunday, January 01, 2006

Positives amid the gloom

Gloucester 31 – Leeds 7

I would have accepted this result before kick-off. Four Gloucester tries propelled the city club to a temporary third spot in the Premiership and that bonus point could prove crucial come season’s end and the shake-up for European slots. There exists an element of doom and gloom on the message boards this morning but the team is improving and, importantly, it appears evident where the team could benefit from some changes. We need a heavyweight to partner the excellent Alex Brown and a couple of speedsters on the wing who can benefit from the space created by our international centres and beat their oppos on a one-on-one. Perhaps young Marcel Garvey is one of these fellows.

I wasn’t too despondent with yesterday’s performance. Although the team could not sustain the passion, the first half an hour was refreshing to behold with plenty of ball being spun out and three tries (including a deserved penalty try) to celebrate. I felt Mercier enjoyed his finest match at home thus far this season with some superb kicking complemented nicely by some elusive running and alert distribution. He took his try well and cleverly kept the over-the-hill Fanolua out of proceedings as much as possible when Gloucester were pressing for the bonus score in the last ten minutes. Why the affable and loyal – yet limited - Samoan is preferred over the more than promising Anthony Allen in the matchday 22 remains a mystery. There are other positives. Michael Tindall’s contributions are becoming more and more important and his partnership with the young prince Simpson-Daniel is developing shrewdly. I do like Ollie Morgan and not only because he was the epitome of politeness and assured good manners when he chatted to me at the last Open Day but one. His performance yesterday was unfussy and lacked frills but he did everything calmly and maturely. He cares too. His despair and self-flagellation after spurning a late chance to attack with a chip and chase displays a real passion and desire both to win in the cherry colours and to improve his own game. I admire that.