I solemnly promise that this is the last holiday snap – it’s the same beach as yesterday, only this time it’s on the day a cruise ship comes in. This photo, unlike those on the two most recent postings – is a JC original.
As well as getting round to emptying cases and downloading a couple of hundred photos like that above, I’ve used the past few hours to look at some of my favourite webs and blogs.
The boys at Jock’n’Roll continue to beaver away and the latest Top 75 has now been published. The Discussion Forum has expanded significantly over the past fortnight, so I can only assume that they are deservedly getting more visitors and voters. If you haven’t yet been in to see what it’s all about, I can only implore every one of you to do so soon.
A long-running site is over at Magic, Murder, Mania & Manta Rays. I know Mike who runs this site – and he does it while holding down a full-time job, bringing up a family and beavering away on behalf of Raith Rovers Football Club. I don’t always agree with what Mike has to say, but there’s plenty of gems to be found.
But In the main, I’ve been reading over some favourite blogs.
The quality of posts at We Are Fading continues to impress beyond belief. This is the work of a supremely talented, but often seemingly troubled/worried mind. Never dull or boring and often thought-provoking. And the music that accompanies the postings is always very appropriate. I’m rarely familiar with many of the songs posted here, and I’ve been introduced to some great new artists. Oh, and there’s some amazing non-music blogs that you can link into from WAF, and you could end up spending a long time in there. You won’t regret it.
I’ve also been in and read over Pretending Life Is Like A Song. In terms of music, PLILAS is a blog fairly similar to my own, so if you like what you hear in here, you’ll like what you can hear in there.
Although its title is taken from a Smiths track, To Die By Your Side is not entirely what you might expect. There’s a lot of great new stuff to be found in here alongside some great old classics. Loads of gig reviews as well.
There are a couple of long-running and fantastic blogs on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.
Up in Canada, Neiles Life contains an amazing array of mp3s to listen to. At the moment there’s the first half of a listing of the Top 50 albums of the year. Great stuff.
Down in the USA, there’s a simply incredible site – Music For Kids Who Can’t Read Good. The time and energy that is spent on this is mind-boggling. There must be something for everyone’s taste within its pages or its links.
All of the above sites, along with the now defunct Let’s Kiss And Make Up, were the inspiration and templates for my undertaking this particular work. I can only aspire to be of such quality and popularity. But I’ll keep trying.
Two more very unique sites are also highly recommended. Copy, Right? is something truly special. It consists only of cover versions – most of which seem to be very obscure. But they are rarely dull. Again, I cannot begin to imagine how much research and work goes into maintaining such incredibly high standards.
Just before I went away on holiday, I discovered Sound of Musique. The best word I can use to describe this relatively new blog is delightful.
I would urge a visit to all of the above-mentioned. All you have to do is click on the appropriate link on the right-hand side. But only after you’ve finished reading my own scribblings.
And if you do pay any of them a visit, think about leaving me a comment to say if you agree or otherwise.
And…. if you know of other blogs that are worth visiting, please pass on the details, again via a comment or an e-mail (the address can be found in my profile).
To everyone involved in all of the above, this rather obvious choice is dedicated to you.
mp3 : Elvis Costello & The Attractions – Every Day I Write The Book