Category Archives: Commentary

What’s New for the 1st of the October: Horror, time travel, murder and fantasy, and comics journalism; personal Scandinavian jazz, ancient Persian songs, bluegrass, Americana, and a podcast; Johnny Cash on TV; chocolate and empanadas

Posted on 1st October 2023 by Iain Nicholas Mackenzie

Never argue with a librarian; they know too much. Carole Nelson Douglas’s Cat in a Red Hot Rage It is, as all nights are on this Scottish Estate far from the light pollution of any city, a good night for star … Continue reading →

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Podcast review: Discord & Rhyme episode 125, The Beach Boys’ All Summer Long and Sunflower

Posted on 17th September 2023 by Gary Whitehouse

I was never a super fan of the Beach Boys. I liked all of their hit singles – and there were a LOT of them – at least those that were played on the radio after I started paying attention … Continue reading →

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What’s New for the 17th of September: WWII (and other) mysteries; jazz, Americana, Celtic music and more; Doc Martin; summer beer and ale

Posted on 17th September 2023 by Reynard

We keep our cats as happy as we can. — Anna Nimmhaus The piper at the gates of dawn has resumed their ritual after taking most of the summer off. Now from just before the first light hits the high meadow with … Continue reading →

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Commentary: RIP Jimmy Buffett

Posted on 2nd September 2023 by Gary Whitehouse

Well. I didn’t see this one coming. Mr. Margaritaville has transitioned to the Big Beach. I’m not a real Parrot Head, as the Buffett fanatics call themselves. I stopped following him in the mid-80s, when he started getting played on … Continue reading →

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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!

Posted on 17th August 2023 by Reynard

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

Posted on 13th August 2023 by Diverse Voices

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

Posted on 8th August 2023 by Michael Hunter

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

Posted on 6th August 2023 by Reynard

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

Posted on 23rd July 2023 by Reynard

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

Posted on 9th July 2023 by Iain Nicholas Mackenzie

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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