Every now and then this Blog becomes almost inactive. It still receives tens of thousands of views per month. I still use it as my Exobrain, but I go through weeks or months without posting anything new. The last three months have been like that, since this piece shortly after Tony Slattery died in mid-January.… Continue reading A long overdue catch-up (April 2025)
Here’s a list of the songs that I performed in public for the first time during March 2025. Each month I aim to play at least one new song from each of the following repertoires: Songs that reached #1 in the UK. Songs that reached #1 somewhere else. Songs that have not reached #1 anywhere.… Continue reading Repertoire: Songs debuted in March 2025
Here’s a list of the songs that I performed in public for the first time during February 2025. Each month I aim to play at least one new song from each of the following repertoires: Songs that reached #1 in the UK. Songs that reached #1 somewhere else. Songs that have not reached #1 anywhere.… Continue reading Repertoire: Songs debuted in February 2025
Since September 2024 I have been hosting quiz nights on Sundays at a local pub, as explained in this piece. Here’s a record of the 10 rounds of questions for the quiz on Sunday 2 February 2025. Round 1: General Knowledge Riga is the capital of which country? Which 20th Century US President, who died… Continue reading A Quiz from Sunday 2 February 2025
Since September 2024 I have been hosting quiz nights on Sundays at a local pub, as explained in this piece. Here’s a record of the 10 rounds of questions for the quiz on Sunday 26 January 2025. Round 1: General Knowledge Port-au-Prince is the capital of which country? Which 20th Century US President has the… Continue reading A Quiz from Sunday 26 January 2025
Here’s a list of the songs that I performed in public for the first time during January 2025. Each month I aim to play at least one new song from each of the following repertoires: Songs that reached #1 in the UK. Songs that reached #1 somewhere else. Songs that have not reached #1 anywhere.… Continue reading Repertoire: Songs debuted in January 2025
“All I Have To Do Is Dream” was a 1958 #1 here in the UK for The Everly Brothers, a double A side with “Claudette”. I added it to my repertoire in September 2021. I can tell you the exact date without having to check anywhere else: Saturday 11 September 2021, or the 20th anniversary… Continue reading Repertoire: “All I Have To Do Is Dream” and my reasons for playing it
Last September I had two medical appointments on the same afternoon. The second of these, at the dentist, had been booked six months earlier: the twice-yearly check-ups for me and my two children. Having turned 60 I am eligible for free eye tests, but still have to pay for all dental visits (including check-ups). So… Continue reading The 266 Bus Route
Sad news today. The actor and comedian Tony Slattery has died aged 65. He was a schoolfriend of my brother’s, and a family friend for many years after that. He has been mentioned a few times on this site. The handful of references to him on other pages can give you a sense of our… Continue reading Tony Slattery RIP
I have created a new Category for this site, Repertoire, to keep a record of songs that I play in public for the first time. It only includes songs that I have committed to memory and played in front of other people in a public space. It will not surprise anyone who knows me that… Continue reading Repertoire: A Summary for 2024
The Compartments 