A New Symphonic Tommy

Last week I received an email from The Who. Roger Daltrey is releasing an album next month, a symphonic version of The Who’s seminal album, Tommy, to mark the original album’s fiftieth anniversary. Confession time. I wouldn’t characterize myself as a huge fan of The Who. Yes, I have their entire studio discography, not toContinue reading “A New Symphonic Tommy”

On the BBC’s Oliver Reed/Keith Moon Radio Play

This week, Radio 4 broadcast “Burning Both Ends: When Oliver Reed Met Keith Moon,” an hour-long radio play starring Sean Pertwee as Reed and Doctor Who‘s Arthur Darvill as Moon. Burning Both Ends tells the story of one of the most infamous, unexpected and touching of friendships between two icons of the 1970s, Oliver ReedContinue reading “On the BBC’s Oliver Reed/Keith Moon Radio Play”

On The Beatles’ The Lord of the Rings

In 1963, when the Beatles agreed to make A Hard Day’s Night, the film, they signed a three-picture deal with United Artists. In 1964, they made A Hard Day’s Night. In 1965, Help! By and large, though, they didn’t like making films. Too much work. And so, when the idea was floated of an animatedContinue reading “On The Beatles’ The Lord of the Rings”

On Bands I Like

Stolen from Keith, a music meme. List 10 musical artists you like, in no specific order (do this before reading the questions below). 1. The Beatles 2. Carbon Leaf 3. Coldplay 4. Nick Drake 5. Green Day 6. Vince Guaraldi 7. Led Zeppelin 8. Snow Patrol 9. Tom Petty 10. The Who Okay, ten musicalContinue reading “On Bands I Like”