Music – Martin Sketchley

Bunnyman, by Will Sergeant

July 19, 2021July 23, 2021 MartinLeave a comment

I've read a lot of books by and about musical artistes, but this is probably the best. Will Sergeant is the most innovative and influential guitarist of the modern era. The simplicity and sensitivity of his style, coupled with tasteful use of effects, put him head and shoulders above his contemporaries and those who followed.… Continue reading Bunnyman, by Will Sergeant

My standout gigs

June 14, 2019June 14, 2019 Martin1 Comment

I’ve been to some great gigs in my time. Here are five of my favourites, in no particular order. Suede, Wolverhampton Civic Hall, 1 November 1994 I was into Suede from the first moment I heard their music, and really loved the angst in the guitar sound. This was one of the first gigs at… Continue reading My standout gigs

How Soon is Now? – Johnny Marr, The Smiths, & The The

January 9, 2017July 12, 2018 MartinLeave a comment

I've just finished reading Johnny Marr's autobiography Set the Boy Free. It's a great book for anyone interested in Marr as a musician, and of course for any fan of The Smiths. It’s a pacy read, giving insight into Marr’s early years, the band's formation, gigs, songwriting, recordings and relationships, and Marr’s experiences following The… Continue reading How Soon is Now? – Johnny Marr, The Smiths, & The The

PHONO – a return to vinyl

March 25, 2016July 12, 2018 MartinLeave a comment

“I can’t believe you need all that stuff!” That’s what our daughter said when she recently took an interest in our vinyl collection and I dug out the hifi equipment: turntable, amp, speakers, cables which within moments were entangled. You can see what she means. Compared with the tiny devices we’ve become used to this… Continue reading PHONO – a return to vinyl

A Guy That’s Been – the death of David Bowie

January 11, 2016July 12, 2018 MartinLeave a comment

Are you like me feeling moved by the death of David Bowie today? Perhaps you’re wondering at the media outpouring, or young enough to think he was just some old guy who used to dress weird. You could even be like David who?. I’d have to admit to being somewhat unmoved the day Elvis died,… Continue reading A Guy That’s Been – the death of David Bowie

THE PUREST FORM

September 12, 2013January 16, 2017 MartinLeave a comment

A blog about the music of Brian Eno, Harold Budd & others During the day I often have BBC Radio 3 playing at a very low volume: unlike recordings with vocal content the classical music doesn’t interfere with my train of thought in any way, but does provide a level of stimulus. (Radio 3 does… Continue reading THE PUREST FORM

Gotta love your man – a blog about Riders on the Storm

July 28, 2013January 16, 2017 MartinLeave a comment

Riders on the Storm was never really one of my favourite tracks by The Doors. It was a bit too sophisticated, and that thunderstorm stuff was a bit corny, wasn’t it? I always preferred more rock ‘n’ roll/blues tracks such as Back Door Man and Soul Kitchen. But I was younger then, and while I… Continue reading Gotta love your man – a blog about Riders on the Storm

I Think That’s the One – a blog about my favourite vintage Bowie

April 25, 2013January 16, 2017 MartinLeave a comment

While performing a mundane household task the other day I thought I’d put on some music. I had a look through our CDs and settled on some Bowie – a “best of” collection. Just out of interest I thought I’d try to decide which was my favourite of these vintage tracks. (Well, I guess all… Continue reading I Think That’s the One – a blog about my favourite vintage Bowie