Category Archives: Commentary

What’s New for the 20th of August: Some favorite mysteries; jazz, country, RT, and a musical grab bag; a hoedown, a big dragon, Hellboy, and of course ice cream!

If you confront anyone who has lied with the truth, he will usually admit it – often out of sheer surprise. It is only necessary to guess right to produce your effect. — Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie’s Murder on … Continue reading

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A Kinrowan Estate story: A Guest Lecturer

Several Annies, do pay attention now as there will be a quiz afterwards! Well, now. Mackenzie has asked me in as tonight’s guest lecturer. He likes to keep these seminars going through the summer months, you know, when otherwise the … Continue reading

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Richard Thompson: An interview on the occasion of his appearance at WOMADelaide 2001, Australia

A few things have changed in Richard Thompson’s life since his last visit to town for WOMADelaide 1997. For a brief moment, he even tasted some commercial success with his album Mock Tudor cracking the UK Top 30 last year, … Continue reading

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What’s New for the 6th of August: Weird westerns and singing cowboys, Jane Lindskold and two from Patricia McKillip; ska, Spanish jazz, klezmer, and songs about fishing; Mary Poppins and lonely Vampires, Roman emperors and superheroes; and a couple of Oregon ales in a British style pub

Brown-eyed women and red grenadine, The bottle was dusty but the liquor was clean. Sound of the thunder with the rain pouring down, And it looks like the old man’s getting on. ‘Brown-eyed Women’ Summer’s fully upon us here on this … Continue reading

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What’s New for the 23rd of July: Books by Roger Zelazny; Scottish music, SCOTS music, dance music and Asian Underground; chocolate-peanut butter cookies, rock poster art, and a little primal horror

Everyone ignores two important facts: one person’s crap is another person’s beloved book, and publishing has always produced books in great volume. ― Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s Discoverability There’s a contradance going on just now, but my left knee, injured many decades ago, … Continue reading

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What’s New for the 9th of July: All Sorts of Good Things

Eight hours, sixteen ounces of chocolate and they’re still not right — Resident Izzie Stevens, making cupcakes in the Grey’s Anatomy, “Save Me” Yes, we love chocolate a lot around here, to the extent that Ellen Kushner once shared her hot chocolate … Continue reading

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What’s New for the 25th of June: Steeleye Span edition

The lie wasn’t meant to be believed. It was just social grease, intended to keep wheels turning. — Aliette de Bodard’s Fireheart Tiger This is Gary, as Iain and Reynard both seem to be busy elsewhere at the moment, perhaps cleaning … Continue reading

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What’s New for the 11th of June: Space Opera, Folkmanis Rat in a Tin Can, Lots of folk rock – Steeleye Span, Orthodox Celts – Maddy Prior interview, some contradance and some bluegrass; a catty film review; Vess’s Ballads & Sagas; and some new Norwegian folk rock

All things flow from the spirit, Master Anderson. Governments are made up of their people. So long as they are men and women of character, the nation stands. ― James Stoddard’s The High House I awoke well before dawn as I wanted … Continue reading

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What’s New for the 28th of May: All Sorts of Interesting Reviews, Page and Plant’s ‘Kashmir’ and Kage’s Favourite Folk Song

There are few joys to compare with the telling of a well-told tale. — Charles de Lint’s Yarrow: An Autumn Tale So what was the best book you’ve read this year? Or the best recording you’ve had  a listen to? Do … Continue reading

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What’s New for the 30th of April: Some new sf, old sf and con mysteries; lots of Celtic music and Willie Nelson’s birthday bash; a Hans Christian Andersen biopic; and lots of booze

For heroes do not make history—that is the historian’s job—but, passive, let themselves be borne along, swept up to the crest of the tide of change, of chance, of war.― Ursula K. Le Guin’s Orsinian Tales It’s a cold, damp afternoon … Continue reading

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