STRENGTH OF STRINGS

Riding mountain bikes in the snow at Danbury

2009-12-22T06:00:00.002Z

AOR Disco - Another Late Night 017 by Steve Lee

2009-12-11T12:15:00.004Z

I have found a great blog; it's called AOR Disco and they have loads of stuff that is right up one of my many (musical) streets.. Go here - http://aordisco.blogspot.com/

I am especially taken with this incongruous and sublime mix by Steve Lee. Listen to it here -

Another Late Night 017 by Steve Lee

Hylands Park Chelmsford singletrack at night

2009-11-12T10:44:00.001Z

Dan Auerbach - Keep It Hid. Is probably the best record of the year.

2009-10-28T16:40:00.002Z

2009-10-22T15:33:00.004+01:00

Black Sabbath - Planet Caravan remix by DJ Steef

2009-10-20T10:20:00.004+01:00

It is great. It is here - http://sharebee.com/c7496885

Warley Gap Brentwood - break bones here !

2009-10-12T16:41:00.002+01:00

More Max Reeves. Those lines are vapour trails....

2009-10-03T19:44:00.000+01:00

Joanna Newsom in a bathroom

2009-10-03T13:08:00.000+01:00

A photograph taken by my freind Max Reeves. He is very good.

2009-10-01T13:37:00.001+01:00

Mountain biking in the Algarve 31st July 2009

2009-08-04T13:09:00.000+01:00

Richmond Fontaine 'You Can Move Back Here'

2009-07-15T15:07:00.003+01:00

North Hill in Danbury Essex.

2009-07-09T10:00:00.000+01:00

0615 road ride to Willingale and Roxwell

2009-07-03T11:00:00.006+01:00

Puncture Stop on the Sidewinder

2009-06-16T20:46:00.001+01:00

Running in Dunwich Common

2009-06-03T09:53:00.005+01:00

Danbury Common on MTB

2009-05-25T20:55:00.003+01:00

Cormac McCarthy's The Road - BBC Radio 4 interview

2009-02-19T13:25:00.004Z

The Road by Cormac McCarthy is the best book I have ever read. And I've read a lot of books. I am incapable of saying any more than that. Read it.

There is a film of The Road coming out. On BBC Radio 4 this morning there is a short piece about the novel and the music. They even appear to have a very brief interview with Cormac McCarthy. Go here http://tinyurl.com/bscolc

And then go here - http://www.horselatitudes.co.uk/2009/02/10/24-hours-from-armageddon/

Now, go on Amazon and get the book for £2.99 here - http://tinyurl.com/d8zvrb

For more Road stuff go to the following links for photos from the set (including one I have used above - hope that's ok) -

http://www.jeremyambler.com/theroad.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/theroadmovie/

Doves - Kingdom or Rust (instrumental)

2009-02-18T14:42:00.004Z

This week I have been running on Monday, after a weekend or road biking, and the running was hard. And just now; Wed. When Iain and I ran to Kilburn park and back (appx 4 miles). An easy and good run. None of the twinges of Monday and the first run of the year without tights on. It is not freezing outside, no snow, no rain. Although a mad man called us 'wankers'. Lovely.

Today saw the leak of the new U2 album, the new Neko Case album and last week the Swan Lake. The Swan Lake on first impression is pretty monumental. The U2 and Neko Case - pointless.

But this.. the instrumental version of the new Doves single 'Kingdom of Rust' is double good. The Doves have that big epic sound etc, but their epicness sounds more urban than usual. However on occasion they open up and I imagine some northern sky. They sound distinctly Mancunian to me, but not in the usual way. They have this 'sun in your eyes in the slow lane of the M61' that to me is quite magical.

This track, the instrumental, is better than the vocal version only cos you can really appreciate the music. They have this almost rockabilly rytthm going. The song moves into darkness like passing through a tunnel and the white light is back again in feedback and guitars. Play loud please.

Get it here - http://tinyurl.com/bax5b7

T

Satan Theme - Paul Wibier / Harley Hatcher. Satan's Sadists

2009-02-12T10:51:00.002Z

I'm on Twitter @tobyho

Here is Satan's Theme by Paul Wibier and Hal Hartley. It's from the soundtrack to a 1969 film called Satan Sadists.

I heard it on a Breezeblock mix by Jason Pierce. It's great. The words are what make it..

If you've ended up here from Google whilst looking for the track please leave feedback. I'd like to know what you know about the song.

http://tinyurl.com/bho78h

T

Synapse

2009-02-10T13:35:00.003Z

So. I'm back. I've been in the virtual wilderness like the Prophet in the desert; On the run from indulgences such as this. But unlike him I have no Hadith to impart.

However, stuff has occurred since I last posted. Some highlights good and bad follow here -

Christmas - The Guardian newspaper gave away wrapping paper designed by Jonathon Ross and then Tilda Swinton.

The best album of 2008 was possibly 'Meet Glenn Campbell' by Glenn Campbell. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about.

Been doing running and some mountain biking.

And finally a proper road bike - a Cannondale Synapse. And I love it. I actually want to marry it and, being the cycling bigamist I am, I will also marry road biking itself. Road biking, even in the bloody snow with the water frozen in my (Cannondale) water bottle, feels like the most perfect thing. How did I ever not do this ? I have been wasting my life.

T

Christmas is cancelled

2008-09-24T14:27:00.002+01:00

and so is this blog.

The global credit crunch means I am working too hard and have far too many other things to worry about than keeping this blog up to date. I cannot be arsed to think about it anymore.

I may be back if this blog is not deleted by some Google bot.

Until then, or not.

Bye

T

Running in August

2008-09-02T10:30:00.003+01:00

My running in August has been ok. Mostly 6 miles runs at lunchtime in London and a few more through the lanes in Suffolk.

I did a great 6.5 miler in Dunwich, round the castle thingy, up to Minsmere.

I did a 7 miler last Wed in London with Ian; we got lost. Ended up in Swiss Cottage and ran back to Kilburn passed Abbey Road and all the toffs.

But yesterday, my first run of September was the worst I have ever done. No energy and my lower back was aching like never before. I had to stop every 10 mins / mile. And then Ian accidentally elbowed my Forerunner and shattered the screen. I was somewhat upset..

I have been taking it easy but then Friday was a bit of a bender at CJ's wedding. I have no idea why I couldn't run yesterday.

T

Is It The Sea ?

2008-09-01T19:30:00.002+01:00

We've been away for the last month in Southwold in the caravan. Back at work today though. I love being back at work. I am writing this post on my phone on the 0819 to Liverpool St. I'm listening to the new Verve album.

Whilst away I've been listening to a lot of folky stuff that, I realise now, has a kinda nautical type theme. Maybe it was the rain and the sea, or the distant white noise of the A12 like a constant cresting wave whilst we slept in the van but I played loads of Waterboys (everything), Bonnie Prince Billy (new live album, Is It The Sea), Van Morrisons (Irish Heartbeat) and yet more James Yorkston (new album).

Here's a track from the James Yorkston album. Titled 'Midnight Feast' it's got this raucos sea shanty thing going on but then it's almost krautrock in its endevour. The cymbals are the ocean..

http://rapidshare.com/files/141865771/06__Midnight_Feast_.mp3.html

T

Noel G - "Guardian spotty herberts piss me off"

2008-08-06T22:16:00.003+01:00

Sometimes in all the chaff that Noel Gallagher speaks there is a little wheat. I found this on the Guardian site - http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/08/noel_guardian_spotty_herberts.html

"After backing down from his Jay-Z dissing, Noel Gallagher has found a new name for his pain - and it's Guardian and Observer journalists whose parents 'voted for Thatcher'"

T