therockandrollguy

I shall shortly be pressing myself to a few of these #Moonraker #JamesBond #RogerMoore

amzn.eu/d/09jr0N28 you can still get my Beatles book on this link

I just stumbled across #Columbo A Stitch In Crime on TV, superb stuff. Seen it God knows how many times but can’t resist. #LeonardNimoy’s performance as the psychopath slimeball surgeon with a grotesque 70s wardrobe is up among the best in Columbo history. It also contains an instance of the lieutenant losing his cool - a series rarity - and an amusing unintentionally misheard moment where it sounds as if the murderous doctor offers our hungry sleuth some food by saying “here, have some crap” instead of “crab” at a cocktail party.

I was just listening to #BobDylan’s masterpiece #OhMercy album from 1989. Many regard the record as one of his two outstanding and in-form LPs from the decade, the other being #Infidels. Personally I think there are significant moments of greatness to be found elsewhere as well, but I’d pretty much go along with the assessment of those two being the high points. Anyway, it struck me that if a song like Ring Them Bells, for example, had come out in 1963 instead of Blowin’ In The Wind, its impact could have been just as seismic. Indeed, the two could be interchangeable. However, appearing as it did, buried in a 1989 LP, it was always destined to be venerated by the Bob fanatics (like me) but generally heaped into the tangle of yet another Dylan comeback scenario by everyone else. Bob was and is always constrained to be measured against his unparalleled 60s output, but it seems to me that even when he matched or even sometimes surpassed it later years, it still wasn’t and won’t ever be enough for the some people. The exception to this is Blood On The Tracks, which has now attained mythical status as the one outside of the 60s that stands up to the early stuff, in fact it’s more of a synonym in the industry for anyone’s return to form. In any case, I guess my point is that there is most definitely a treasure trove of material outside of the 60s where Bob is concerned, which extends beyond the casual accepted wisdom. I concede that the point about the 60s output is that it’s not just the quality, it’s the consistency. Equally though, in later years when Dylan hits the bullseye, he does so in spectacular style. Do check out Oh Mercy if you’ve not heard it. It’s entirely accessible and showcases what Bob Dylan sounds like when he’s produced properly.

Go on then:

Which film’s ending packs a greater emotional punch? Personally, I’m going with #StarTrek

Weird mist outside. Perfect conditions for… #Revolver. #TheBeatles oh they were good. They were damn good.

Does anyone know why #JohnLennon has his Epiphone casino in the David Frost Hey Jude performances, when an acoustic guitar would have been more appropriate? I mean, they go to the trouble of giving George a bass… #TheBeatles

HF: “What Was It You Wanted?” BD: “I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine.” HF: “Series Of Dreams? When You Gonna Wake Up?” BD: “When The Night Comes Falling From The Sky,”

“When are you going to put Sweetheart Like You on the setlist?? I’ve been waiting 45 years.”

Selling mince pies in August is corporate nonsense, but putting up Xmas decorations before Bonfire Night is barking mad.

“You may call me Bobby, or you may call me Leo.”

Despite the somewhat cheesy sleeve (not the Gretsch, that’s far from cheesy), I love this album. Not like, LOVE.

My #StarTrek tribute in a difficult week for the series x

When #StarTrekTNG first appeared in the late 80s I was highly sceptical. I couldn’t conceive of an Enterprise without Kirk at the helm. However, as soon as #PatrickStewart appeared in the centre seat, I knew Star Trek was in safe hands. He was a real pro and brought unrivalled natural class to everything he was in.

#SirPatrickStewart. A legend, boldly. RIP.

“Rank? Admiral…”

#WalterKoenig RIP. His most famous character gave us all hope for a saner future. Thanks for all the great turns x

In a world threatened by AI, war, climate change, politically-driven insanity and greed, I’m gratified to have spent a weekend on here arguing that a) The Beatles are not overrated, b) Bob Dylan is not a bad singer and c) liking the music of David Gilmour does not make you a ‘rock bore’. Time well-spent I feel. At least when the apocalypse comes, we’ll have already worked through these important existential matters.

I listen to opinions. I block abuse. One strike and out, no exceptions.