tpbw123 blog on Absolute Radio

Any Blues fans out there?

tpbw123 — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:28:00 +0000

I'm having a Blues weekend and spent some time listening to and downloading some new tracks and old favourites alike. Any other Blues fans out there who can recommend any artists?

I'm currently listening to the latest releases from B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Tinsley Ellis, Sonny Landreth, Ian Siegal, Oli Brown and Gary Moore. Would recommend them all to any converts or those prepared to open their minds to a different genre.

Tim Finn

tpbw123 — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:49:00 +0000

Yes, older brother to Neil and one time member of Crowded House (by no accident for their most accessible album, Woodface, due to his creative contribution) has released his latest solo album "The Conversation". Unlike my good friend NHF, a regular blogger and album reviewer, I don't share my views on music much on the site, but I felt compelled to do so after discovering this latest release only yesterday (and already on my fifth listen). As the title suggests it is an intimate recording, exactly what music was made for; the opportunity for two people; this time you and the artist, alone in the living room sharing a special moment. An acoustic and sublime mix of simple songs, beautiful arrangements and Tim's lilting if somewhat vulnerable voice, I would recommend to anyone who likes their music relaxed and uncomplicated; this is a joy with so many standout tracks, including "Invisible", "Fall From Grace" "Slow Mystery", "Straw To Gold" and fittingly, "Out Of This World".

The Kaiser Chiefs

tpbw123 — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:19:00 +0100

Hello folks, anyone invested in the new album yet? What do you think if you have.

Sorry to those who love them, but I'm not their biggest fan; OK I loved the singles, but felt too many of the other tracks on the first two albums were fillers and not up to the same standard. (And I do listen to both regularly as my wife is a big fan and forces me to sit through them!)

Having caught the 30 second snippets on iTunes of the new songs I have to say I'm not bowled over by this new selection so come on guys, convince me why I should buy it for my wife!!!

For all golfing fans

tpbw123 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:58:00 +0100

Come on Europe!!!

Free CD's

tpbw123 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:57:00 +0100

I came over all nostalgic this morning! Been collecting some of the 80's CD's being given away free with the Daily Mail. Dexys Midnight Runners, Heaven 17 and Marillion amongst them. Just downloaded them all and sat and listened to the songs for the first time in years. Made me go weak at the knees thinking of my teenage years all over again. Hopefully they'll do the same for the 70's and 90's too....

iTunes Library

tpbw123 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:40:00 +0100

Reached a small milestone today on my iTunes library. Reached exactly 20 days worth of music! That is very nearly 7000 songs from well in excess of 250 different artists, starting with Air Traffic and ending with ZZ Top, with a bit of everything else thrown into the mix in between! Best I get listening. See you all again on the 30th......

Concert Review - The Gutter Twins 13.08.08 Shepherds Bush

tpbw123 — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 07:40:00 +0100

Morning all,

went to see The Gutter Twins with my good friend NHF (Nigel) last night. I'm simply a music lover and not a music "critic" but I thought the boys didn't fully do themselves justice last night. Their debut album Saturnalia is an understated affair and the songs, I feel, lend themselves to a simple, acoustic approach.

What we had last night was a full on rock experience with heavy bass and drums! Whilst that worked for a number of the songs, the voice of Mark Lanegan especially, which has a deep rasping quality, was simply overwhelmed by the cacophony which rendered him unintelligable!

Sometimes, less is definately more and a slightly more subtle approach would have worked far better in my humble opinion.

In summary, a good concert but not a great one.

Virigin Radio VIP of The Day

tpbw123 — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 12:13:00 +0100

Well, that was a pleasant surprise this morning when I logged on. Being bombarded with some lovely messages so thank you one and all.

Will top off my weekend with the highlight being a visit to the new Wembley tomorrow for the Man Utd vrs Portsmouth match! Come on you Reds....

Enjoy your weekend one and all.

Band Of Horses

tpbw123 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:36:00 +0100

Similar in style to Fleet Foxes and Arcade Fire with a lead singer who sounds very much like a young Neil Young. Highly recommended. Any other fans out there?

Greg Dulli and Mark Lanegan

tpbw123 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:04:00 +0100

Has anyone been as prolific and consistent in delivering top music like these two over recent years?

Together now as The Gutter Twins (which rates as one of my top five albums of 2008 and I can't wait to see them next week at Shepherds Bush) but equally in previous bands like the Afghan Whigs and the Twilight Singers (Lanegan has even found time to collaborate on two excellent albums with Isobel Campbell for goodness sake!) they keep delivering.

Oh to be so talented....

Totally unrelated to music!

tpbw123 — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:18:00 +0100

It having been 15 years since I last pulled on the goalkeeping gloves, I stepped onto the 6-a-side pitch with trepidation earlier today to play for a team, none of whom I had met before. I was a little nervous, not helped by facing a penalty inside 30 seconds for an infringement by a defender. I went the right way and got fingertips to the ball but couldn't keep it out. The joints resisted at first, but gradually I remembered how to dive and catch a ball and pulled off three or four good saves to keep us in the game against a much fitter, younger team who also had the benefit of subs when we had the bare minimum. They scored another late on to win the game 2-0 but I walked off pretty pleased with my efforts. Can't wait until the next game now!!

Liam Finn

tpbw123 — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:24:00 +0100

Anyone heard the new album by Neil Finn's son Liam? Not a patch on his Dad, but there are some promising signs both lyrically and musically that he could mature into something special.

Where are all the missing bands on the VR playlist?

tpbw123 — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:22:00 +0100

I know I have an eclectic music taste, but to see the likes of Roddy Frame (as a solo artist not part of Aztec Camera), Gary Louris (Jayhawks), Claire Martin (unquestionably the best British Jazz singer around today) and hundreds of others never played (or listed) is a crime. Who is your favourite missing artist or band?

William Topley

tpbw123 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:22:00 +0100

Hello one and all, I am new to this lark but a good friend and work colleague of Nigel or NHF who is the Rock God of Virgin Radio! William Topley is former frontman for The Blessing but has made a number of solo albums I would highly recommend. Investigate and enjoy! Would be interested to know if anyone else is a fan or if you do seek him out, what you think of him!